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Started By
Message
Duck/fish Boat opinions
Posted on 4/21/16 at 6:47 am
Posted on 4/21/16 at 6:47 am
New to the forum and after reading a while, I think you guys could help me out. I'm looking for some opinions on a boat purchase.
I just sold my old car from college and I want to use the cash to buy a smaller boat (14-18 ft) for the marsh. The most use will be for duck hunting, but I will be fishing out of the boat as well. I usually have one person with me, at the most, 2 other people. My last boat was a homemade 14x52 flat with a 25 horse POS. My experience with that boat was not bad but I needed the cash at the time and sold it off.
I'm thinking of going with a welded flat again but with a new or newer used motor (20-40 hp) but I also like the idea of a skiff (crawfish or lake type) with a similar motor.
My thinking: By a used hull and new motor. Looking to spend 4-5k.
Can you guys share your opinions on pros and cons of each set up, for my situation?
Any other input is appreciated, thanks!
I just sold my old car from college and I want to use the cash to buy a smaller boat (14-18 ft) for the marsh. The most use will be for duck hunting, but I will be fishing out of the boat as well. I usually have one person with me, at the most, 2 other people. My last boat was a homemade 14x52 flat with a 25 horse POS. My experience with that boat was not bad but I needed the cash at the time and sold it off.
I'm thinking of going with a welded flat again but with a new or newer used motor (20-40 hp) but I also like the idea of a skiff (crawfish or lake type) with a similar motor.
My thinking: By a used hull and new motor. Looking to spend 4-5k.
Can you guys share your opinions on pros and cons of each set up, for my situation?
Any other input is appreciated, thanks!
10
Posted on 4/21/16 at 7:17 am to Rysizzle
Duck boat: Edge, Havoc, Ambush, War Eagle, or Weldbilt
Motor: Merc 40hp 3 cyl., Tohatsu 40/50 4 stroke, Tohatsu Mega 3 cyl., Yamaha 40, Yamaha 25hp 3 cyl, Suzuki 25hp 3cyl.
Listed in order of best option first
Motor: Merc 40hp 3 cyl., Tohatsu 40/50 4 stroke, Tohatsu Mega 3 cyl., Yamaha 40, Yamaha 25hp 3 cyl, Suzuki 25hp 3cyl.
Listed in order of best option first
Posted on 4/21/16 at 7:19 am to Rysizzle
quote:
My thinking: By a used hull and new motor. Looking to spend 4-5k.
Just to put things into perspective, a new four stroke 40 hp is probably going to cost you over 5k. If I'm spending that much on a motor, I'm getting the hull I want and not settling for something basic.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 7:40 am to Rysizzle
You can find a 1648 with Yamaha 25 (soemtimes 40) all day for $5k, dime a dozen.
Extremely versatile boat
My brother just sold a 1648 Grizzly with 25 Yam 4 stroke for $5k and then bought a 1652 side console Lowe with 50 Suzuki jet for the same price.
Extremely versatile boat
My brother just sold a 1648 Grizzly with 25 Yam 4 stroke for $5k and then bought a 1652 side console Lowe with 50 Suzuki jet for the same price.
This post was edited on 4/21/16 at 7:41 am
Posted on 4/21/16 at 7:40 am to Scrowe
I was quoted just over $7k for a new 1852 aluma craft with 40 tohatsu tiller handle and trailer from Southern Outdoors in Houma. Right around $10k with 50 hp.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 7:48 am to Rysizzle
sounds like you can only afford an alweld with a used longtail.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 7:58 am to Rysizzle
Do you duck hunt in the marsh or bayou/lake? I have a 16ft flat with a 23hp Copperhead for the marsh and a 16ft mod vee with a 25hp Yamaha for the bayou. Both would work depending on your application. Both will run you about $8000 with a decent trailer. Check out classifieds on La Sportsman website. You can find nice ones for around $5000 if you are patient.
This post was edited on 4/21/16 at 8:02 am
Posted on 4/21/16 at 8:18 am to Rysizzle
A lot of good options listed. But if you go with a 1548 or bigger, go with a 40 atleast. You will be underwhelmed with a 25 on the back of it. I have a 1548 we and with our wma restriction it has a 25. It does everything I want but sure would be nice to go faster across big water, river, ect.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 8:38 am to Rysizzle
There was a 16 foot lake sport on the sportsman the other day with one of the bad arse 3 cylinder 30hp Yamahas and a pretty nice looking trailer. Boat looked clean. I think the guy was asking $4k
Posted on 4/21/16 at 8:42 am to Barf
Saltmarsh Skiff might be in your price range. They have a 14 and a 16 ft. Basically a Fiberglass jon with a better layout and ride. 14 ft base hull I think is around $3500. Some used ones are starting to pop up. Just saw one in Houston area for sale.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 8:58 am to Rysizzle
No matter what boat you get, get the absolute largest motor you can put on it. Putting a 25hp motor on a 16' boat loaded down for duck hunting will make your runs in the morning (and your scouting, for that matter) very, very time consuming unless you're hunting small private marsh and don't need to cover much ground.
Personally I'd rather have a smaller boat that can hump it than have a bigger boat that's more comfortable but takes an hour to get anywhere.
That being said, since your budget is limited, mud boats are pretty much out. I would personally go with an aluminum flat that can carry a couple of pirogues and two people. So minimum 16'. And just get the biggest motor that the hull is rated for.
If you had a little more money I'd go for a CC 18' alum hull and put a removable rack on it for pirogues. And again put the biggest motor you can on it, hopefully 115 or something like that.
Personally I'd rather have a smaller boat that can hump it than have a bigger boat that's more comfortable but takes an hour to get anywhere.
That being said, since your budget is limited, mud boats are pretty much out. I would personally go with an aluminum flat that can carry a couple of pirogues and two people. So minimum 16'. And just get the biggest motor that the hull is rated for.
If you had a little more money I'd go for a CC 18' alum hull and put a removable rack on it for pirogues. And again put the biggest motor you can on it, hopefully 115 or something like that.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 9:10 am to Rysizzle
i picked up mine from lafayette 5 years ago for $4,000. its a 2001 16ft alumacraft with a yamaha 60hp great for frogging, duck hunting, crabbing, and fishing. I use it alot in manchac crabbing and in hopedale/myrtle grove/lake salvador for redfish. This boat has it all trolling motor, radio with speakers, gps, and fish finder. the owner before me took out the livewell to allow it to have more room for duck hunting which i was not too happy about because now i have to use a bait bucket for my live shrimp. boat runs 31 mph with just me or 28 mph with ice chests and a couple of buddies. so point being if you be patient and look around you can find some gems.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 9:15 am to Saskwatch
quote:
Saltmarsh Skiff
A friend of mine had one of Ankona's boats. His is pretty cool but he's fixed a ton of shite that Ankona cut corners on when they built it. He was unsuccessful in getting them to acknowledge any of the issues.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 9:18 am to Scrowe
I have checked prices on motors online, where the price is available. If I'm going new motor, I'm looking at 25 hp.Anything bigger, I'm going used, because of price.
I'll be in the marsh all the time and don't want to go mud motor because it seems like wma rules will continue to move towards limiting and eventually outlawing them.
Just really thinking hard about the right hull, then I'll get the motor to match. Everything I have heard/read has been don't under power the boat so I'm just trying to get an idea of a good combination and focus my search.
I'll be in the marsh all the time and don't want to go mud motor because it seems like wma rules will continue to move towards limiting and eventually outlawing them.
Just really thinking hard about the right hull, then I'll get the motor to match. Everything I have heard/read has been don't under power the boat so I'm just trying to get an idea of a good combination and focus my search.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 9:28 am to Barf
I think I remember a guy from S.LA that had some issues with one of the original SUV 14s. If I remember correctly it was maybe a prototype or one of the first to be popped from the mold. If you look they are completely different boats now. They created the Saltmarsh to be a do it all back country/marsh boat. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one but that is my personal opinion and in no way related to what your friend went through.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 9:29 am to Rysizzle
Smart move on not considering a mud motor, legislation is continuing to limit them and that is a great thing. I had 2 over the years and they are disruptive to wildlife rest areas, destructive to the marsh and so loud I can hardly hear out my left side anymore. Good luck bro
Posted on 4/21/16 at 9:29 am to Barf
An Ankona came through my friend's shop the other day and it's the first time I've ever given one a really detailed going over. Lots of imperfections in that boat.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 10:03 am to bluemoons
Would you happen to know what year and model the hull was? What were the imperfections?
Posted on 4/21/16 at 10:54 am to Saskwatch
quote:
I think I remember a guy from S.LA that had some issues with one of the original SUV 14s. If I remember correctly it was maybe a prototype or one of the first to be popped from the mold.
Um, no. It was not a prototype. If you know who I'm talking about then you know he's not the kind of guy to bullshite people.
quote:
They created the Saltmarsh to be a do it all back country/marsh boat
They bought he mold from someone else.
Posted on 4/21/16 at 10:59 am to Barf
quote:
If you know who I'm talking about then you know he's not the kind of guy to bull shite people
Don't know him. Didn't know the situation first hand. I was just trying to get more information, which it seems like you had more than what I had seen/heard.
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