Help Me Pick A Boat Please 2024
Blindb9 reply :
First time poster, long time lurker...
I will be buying a boat in the spring, the wife is finally giving me the ok to buy whatever i like up to around $25,000. I am pretty sure I will end up in a fish and ski boat but just cant quite make up my mind. I have a young family of 4 kids and we have been out a few times on friends boats and the family (especially the wife) loves being on the water, so a boat that i can put a ski pole on would be great. That being said, i would guess the boat would be used 85 percent of the time for fishing, so i want a boat much more geared for fishing then for family. I do a lot of Smallmouth fishing on Lake Erie, so a big boat is a must. I am pretty set on buying a fiberglas boat, just like them better then the aluminum.
A few things that i consider a must on the boat is:
GOOD rod locker with room for at least 7' rods, but the bigger the better.
Good livewell system as boat will be used in tournaments. (yup, I'll be that guy...)
Room for tackle- I'll gladly give up ski storage for tackle storage.
I love big motors and going fast, so I think I would be unhappy with anything other then a 225 or 250
Family room- Need to have room to fit the whole family so seating for 6 is a must.
Also would like to have a front deck that is long enough to lay rods down the side and strap them down so I don't have to keep digging through the rod box.
I have looked a bunch at the triton 21sf, seams to be well setup but maybe more of a ski boat then fishing boat.
What are my options here? Would love to hear from you guys!
J Francho reply :
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What are my options here? Would love to hear from you guys!
A tri-toon is the only thing that succeeds at meeting all your requirements, save the glass construction. A deep-V walleye boat would come close, but the front decks aren't very large. An Allison 2+2 isn't enough seating. Bay boats have the storage and room, but not the seating. Even a glass deck boat isn't gonna quite have the front deck and storage you want, never mind fishing from it.
You're going to have to compromise on something. To meet all that, you'd have to get two boats. You don't want that - I have two, lol.
Blindb9 reply :
Thanks for the response.
I realize i might have to sacrifice something, just trying to find something that gets the closest to giving me everything I'm looking for. For instance a Triton 21Sf comes very close to meeting all the requirements, just hoping to find a few more options to compare it with. I have looked at the walleye/multi-species type boats as well but don't know which models would be best to look at.
J Francho reply :
Those "ski and fish" models do not have a front deck I could be happy with. Many boat makers made hybrids that were more like "fish and ski" - see the difference. They're far and few between, nowadays. I will say this... six people on ANY boat is two or three too many, even if they are kids.
If it were me, I'd just get the fast bass boat I wanted, and let the chips fall...oh wait. I have a 22' Bullet, and I'm divorced, lol.
EmersonFish reply :
That's a tall order man. There are good options that seat 4, but 6 is a lot of people in a boat primarily used for fishing. Maybe there are custom seating options in some of the multi species/walleye boats with four pedestal seats in the back standard? You might need to call some boat manufacturers and enquire. I'm sure you wouldn't be the first to ask. In any case, it all sounds very expensive.
Good luck!
DFrench97 reply :
Ranger 212LS REATA seats 5 and has a 8' rod locker. It will be hard to find a fishing boat that holds 6.
slonezp reply :
On 10/29/2014 at 4:44 AM, DFrench97 said:Ranger 212LS REATA seats 5 and has a 8' rod locker. It will be hard to find a fishing boat that holds 6.
This. There are plenty of aluminum boats that will seat 6, but you will lose front deck space. With a budget of $25k you're probably looking at a boat close to 10 years old
Blindb9 reply :
Thanks for the replies everyone. If I had to pay more then 25000 to get the boat that I want then I would certainly look into it, might be able to go to 35000. I'm thinking something like a triton 21fs, reata 2050, or stratos 326xf would fit nicely. Not sure if I could find any of them for under 35000 though.
Sam reply :
Too many boats with too many options to give you a definite answer.
However, look at the pros fishing the Great Lakes and note the boats they are using.
This will direct you in the right direction.
Or......
Check with some boat dealers in the Great Lakes area to find out what boat is the favorite for heavy seas.
Trek reply :
On 10/29/2014 at 4:44 AM, DFrench97 said:Ranger 212LS REATA seats 5 and has a 8' rod locker. It will be hard to find a fishing boat that holds 6.
I have a buddy that has a Ranger Reata but his is the 18 foot model with a 150. He loves it and fishes out of it all the time plus water skies. The front deck is pretty small and getting around that big windshield is a pain but he's learned to live with it. It is nice on a cold rainy day. I haven't fished out of that boat in years because we always take mine. A bass boat is just nicer to fish out of. I have big casting decks, sits flat to the water and even the haul design tracks true and is made to run shallow. Putting two boats into one for me just isn't a good idea. Buy what you want to begin with. It's cheaper then buying boat after boat after boat.
200racing reply :
growing up our do it all boat was a 18ft wellcraft center console. had plenty a room for 5 for a play day on the water. pulled a tube like it wasnt there.
it also fished well.
Blindb9 reply :
Thanks for all the help here guys, the more I look at the triton 21fs, the more I like it. It seems to have 2 decent sized casting decks with a centre Rod locker, can be found with 225 and 250hp and should be abke to seat 6 behind windshield with more room on the front deck with bow cushions. Plus, I have found a few online for the 25000 dollar range. Not too sure about tackle storage or live well system though. Anyone have any more input on this boat or k of of others like it?
cadman reply :
You can also look at a Ranger 621VS. It will definitely sit 4 in the back and two in front of the windows. If I recall, my buddy doesn't have a # of persons rating card on his boat. I believe you don't need one on boats 21 foot and over in IL. It will probably have a 250 or bigger motor on it. Lot of storage room, a big livewell and a baitwell, along with a cooler. Front deck space is long enough for me. I have a 619 which is 19'6 and I can lay a 6'6 rod on the deck on an angle. My boat is rated for a max of 6 people, don't know off hand the max weight though on the ratings card. The only thing is this boat would probably have to be over 10 years old and easily be pushing 35K. Aeration, rod storage and everything else is excellent. Plenty of room as well for a tournament partner and his rods and tackle. If you add in the extended deck in the back which is removable definitely would make a good bass type boat for tourneys. I will tell you this. These boats are heavy and ride really well in rough water along with a dry ride and a safe ride. But these are not speed demons. My 619 fully loaded with gas, two people, tackle, a 9.9 kicker and a 225 Opti on the back, will max out at about 57mph on a calm day flying across the lake. So if you want speed this is not the boat.
Lund Explorer reply :
On 10/30/2014 at 1:48 AM, cadman said:You can also look at a Ranger 621VS. It will definitely sit 4 in the back and two in front of the windows. If I recall, my buddy doesn't have a # of persons rating card on his boat. I believe you don't need one on boats 21 foot and over in IL. It will probably have a 250 or bigger motor on it. Lot of storage room, a big livewell and a baitwell, along with a cooler. Front deck space is long enough for me. I have a 619 which is 19'6 and I can lay a 6'6 rod on the deck on an angle. My boat is rated for a max of 6 people, don't know off hand the max weight though on the ratings card. The only thing is this boat would probably have to be over 10 years old and easily be pushing 35K. Aeration, rod storage and everything else is excellent. Plenty of room as well for a tournament partner and his rods and tackle. If you add in the extended deck in the back which is removable definitely would make a good bass type boat for tourneys. I will tell you this. These boats are heavy and ride really well in rough water along with a dry ride and a safe ride. But these are not speed demons. My 619 fully loaded with gas, two people, tackle, a 9.9 kicker and a 225 Opti on the back, will max out at about 57mph on a calm day flying across the lake. So if you want speed this is not the boat.
Not sure about the 621VS but I do believe that the 620VS comes with four pedestal seats and two more that flip up out of the small back deck. Perhaps the 621 has that as well.
Only real problem I see is the need for a front deck long enough to lay down a 7' rod on.
J Francho reply :
Those boats are slow, too.
cadman reply :
On 10/30/2014 at 2:25 AM, Lund Explorer said:Not sure about the 621VS but I do believe that the 620VS comes with four pedestal seats and two more that flip up out of the small back deck. Perhaps the 621 has that as well.
Only real problem I see is the need for a front deck long enough to lay down a 7' rod on.
I do know there are 4 pedestal seats like you mentioned. Maybe on the newer version seats flip up, but I don't believe that would be the case on a 10 year old boat and his price range. You also are correct, that you cannot lay down a 7' rod on the deck, unless you put it between the consoles, or buy a boat that has only a driver console. The 619, 620 and 621 in the 2008 year range have all the same front deck size. The extra footage is added in the back behind the consoles, which would give you more leg room.
J Francho, yes the Ranger multi-specie boats are not speed demons, but with 6 people in the boat for recreational use, I guarantee you are not going to be flying across the lake with that kind of weight. Also you can't get a family boat to hold 6 people and then expect to do 90 mph across the lake. There are a lot of trade offs here, depends on what is important to the OP and money situation.
J Francho reply :
Quote
A few things that i consider a must on the boat is:
GOOD rod locker with room for at least 7' rods, but the bigger the better.
Good livewell system as boat will be used in tournaments. (yup, I'll be that guy...)
Room for tackle- I'll gladly give up ski storage for tackle storage.
I love big motors and going fast, so I think I would be unhappy with anything other then a 225 or 250
Family room- Need to have room to fit the whole family so seating for 6 is a must.
Also would like to have a front deck that is long enough to lay rods down the side and strap them down so I don't have to keep digging through the rod box.
Looks like speed was higher up on the list than room for the family. 
cadman reply :
On 10/30/2014 at 3:39 AM, J Francho said:Looks like speed was higher up on the list than room for the family.
You are absolutely correct.
Blindb9 reply :
Loving all the tips here guys! Ranger 620vs is looking pretty nice as well. To be honest, if I can get around 60mph out of a boat I'd be happy. I don't expect much more then that out of a big family friendly boat. Would I like 75? Oh heck yes....
J Francho reply :
I'm just poking... I think a big multi-species boat is probably the best compromise here - especially if you can find one with a dual console, instead of a walk through windshield. I've seen Rangers like this. Even a bay boat might work, and some of those are fast too.
J Francho reply :
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To be honest, if I can get around 60mph out of a boat I'd be happy.
No Ranger goes that fast, lol.
slonezp reply :
On 10/30/2014 at 4:01 AM, J Francho said:No Ranger goes that fast, lol.
They do when they're on the trailer going to and from the lake
J Francho reply :
That's true, though they are so heavy, even then....
Brian6428 reply :
On 10/30/2014 at 3:58 AM, Blindb9 said:Loving all the tips here guys! Ranger 620vs is looking pretty nice as well. To be honest, if I can get around 60mph out of a boat I'd be happy. I don't expect much more then that out of a big family friendly boat. Would I like 75? Oh heck yes....
I'm well aware that this doesn't meet a few of your requirements, but I HIGHLY suggest finding a way to fish with someone who has a true, fiberglass, bass boat. Unless you are fishing the great lakes these are the preferred choice of most serious anglers. Why do I say that? Let me explain.
If you're going to be fishing 85% of the time, 85% of the time you would prefer a bass boat. A bass boat would be fast, big rod locker, and have front deck room. 25k is a nice budget for a used boat and you could probably find a fairly new 21ft boat in good condition. A bass boat that size could hold 4 people, which isn't your whole family, but you could use it to tube and just relax on, as well.
Basically, what I am saying, is that if you are going to be fishing most of the time it may be worth the compromise to get a boat more oriented to fishing. You would certainly have more room to take the kids fishing!
I liken it to using hand tools. Yeah, you could probably find a way to do nearly any project in the world with vise grips, WD40, duct tape, and zip ties; but, it would be a whole lot easier, faster, and result in a better project to have the right tool for the job. That is what I consider a bass boat to be- the right tool for bass fishing.
Now, I know this post is gonna draw some flak, because quite a few of the guys here have deep-v boats and love them. Please realize, though, that this is just my personal opinion. I still advise trying to find someone's boat to go out on to get a better idea of what you want.
Edit: let me also add that boat size affects how speed feels quite a bit. 60mph in an 18' boat is about as scary as 75mph in a 21' boat.
Good luck!
Blindb9 reply :
Brian, you make a great point. I know the boat will be used mostly for fishing, mostly on Lake Erie. But the ability to take my whole family out for the day on the boat is something I really look forward too as well. This is a really tough decision for me, I grew up doing a lot of boating, tubing, & skiing as a kid and loved it. I want to be able to do that for my kids, so I think a fish and ski is the best bet for me, with a multi species boat coming in close behind. The fact that the wife loves boating also makes it tough to get a boat that we can't all fit on. As far as F&S boats, I think the triton is the best I've found so far at giving me the best fishing boat that still works for my family. A reata would probably work too but a big 2050 reata is probably a little out of the budget.
J Francho reply :
Lake Erie mostly…I'd be looking at a 20' deep V.
slonezp reply :
On 11/1/2014 at 11:04 AM, J Francho said:Lake Erie mostly…I'd be looking at a 20' deep V.
Says the guy with a Bullet.
I'm in agreement. Anyone who fishes the Great Lakes regularly, J Francho aside, fishes out of deep v's or at least a deeper freeboard than a bass boat. It sounds like you're sold on the Triton but think about this. SAFETY First off, if you know anything about fishing the Great Lakes in a small boat, we have to pick and choose our days on the water. Secondly, that water can change on you with little or no warning. I wouldn't want to put my loved ones, let alone myself at risk, in the hands of mother nature.
I get out on Lake Michigan a number of times a year, but not as often as I'd like. I went from a 17ft deep v fish and ski to a 20ft Lund multispecies rig. If I fished the Great Lakes more often I'd be in a 20ft multispecies 'glass rig at the minimum. A larger sport fishing or cuddy cabin would be a better suited boat. Many years ago I was Salmon fishing with my, then 5yo son, in my dads 24' walk around on Lake Michigan. I was no stranger to fishing the big pond. It was glass calm in the morning and by afternoon, I heard the weather warning on the ship to shore radio. We were a few miles out and headed in but got caught in some of the nastiest weather I've been on the water in. Skies turned black and the wind and waves kicked up. The anchor snapped off the windlass and slammed into the bow from the waves. I was sure I was going to die at sea with my son. Thankfully we made it in with minor damage to the hull. I truly believe if Lake Erie is your stomping grounds, your leaning in the wrong direction.
J Francho reply :
Yeah but my Bullet is 22' long, and I'm crazy. Lol. I'm not taking kids out too often either. Though I will say that 10' front deck is nice for the kids. Plenty of room for the boys and I up there.
The reality is I can't afford the boat I need. I'd love what slonezp has. When I get chased off the lake by weather, the guys with big Lunds are headed out. At full throttle.
gulfcaptain reply :
I work on the water and have more respect for it then a lot of "weekend warriors". Not saying that all do not respect the water, but I have friends that take a 16ft center console 20+miles out off of S. Cal. I've been in his boat and honestly he doesn't have enought boat to fish when the wind kicks up and it's 2-3ft chop. No free board, more of a flats boat. My son wants me to get a boat and as much as I would love a bass boat, the safety of my boys and myself I would rather have a 17-19ft deep V Muti-speicies rig aluminum boat that can take a bit more weather. And I would only be wanting to fish near shore and in the harbor (less then 3mi out). And speed is a nice thing to have, but when it's rough you don't have the speed, and in a bass boat as you're taking waves constantly over the bow sitting in a pool of water running 6knots because you get caught with your pants down, wondering if you're going to make it back to shore safely, ask yourself that when you are choosing your boat for the body of water you're going to fish. The Great Lakes are freshwater, but I would refer to them as INLAND SEAS. I'd rather be overgunned and over prepared then undergunned, not to mention you get caught out in a bass boat in heavy weather, you may make it back in but may have structual damage to your boat that will lead to costly repairs. Guess I'm trying to say is make safety the most important part of your desicion when you decide to buy your boat.
tstone reply :
You could meet all your requirements with a bay boat, the problem being cost. If you're willing to give up speed, check out the NauticStar bay boats and you can stay close to your price range. If not, prepare to spend some money.
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