Mid Life Crisis: Kayak To (Aluminum) Bassboat...is It Inevitable? What Should I Expect? 2024
OperationEagle reply :
Completing my 4th season kayak fishing and have loved every minute of it. However, there are a few things that are becoming more problematic that are pushing me to consider buying a bass boat. These are:
a. The physical strain on my back getting the boat on and off my car despite having a decent lift assist system.
b. Needing to get off or stay off the water when winds reach 10mph. And with such a short summer in MN, every fishing day counts!
c. Not being able to hold position when there is even the slightest wind.
d. Staying limited to smaller waters as boat traffic makes fishing in a kayak that much more difficult.
e. Staying limited to smaller waters as it takes too much effort and time to paddle long distances.
Especially with a. and e. lifting heavy objects and paddling mid/long distances will become even more burdensome as I age.
I love the utility of my kayak and have fished it hard. I want the same for a bass boat and therefore am considering only aluminum and keeping the fiberglass boats out of consideration. Looks like these aluminums have come a long way in the past ten years.
As I consider this new direction I want your perspectives on the pro's and con's.
Will getting a bass boat resolve the limitations of a kayak? If not why? If so, what are the tradeoffs (beyond the obvious like financial, garage space, car tow capacity needed)?
I do see kayak fishermen a lot older than I but they are few and far between. I figured there might be a few other middle aged kayakers like me (without bassboats) that might benefit from this topic as well. Call it a mid life crisis or call it reality. I just want to maximize my time and enjoyment on the water with this obsession we all call fishing.
Thanks for your perspectives and help.
imagine29028 reply :
just remember...boats cost gas, registration, maintenance, etc. Kayaks...nothing.
Have an anchor trolley set up? Or even a drift chute? I get frustrated by many of the same reasons, but something about being 8 inches off the water 1st thing in the morning is too much to pass up.
WPCfishing reply :
When I was younger I fished a lot of tourneys. A bass boat was a must have and a fantastic toy.. 10 years after I bought a sport fishing boat and was Tuna fishing. Bass .were a thing of the past. I fished deep for about 4 years. Then I stopped fishing.. Years past and I boat a kayak and rigged it for bass fishing, long before anybody even considered them for fishing. After a couple years I sold it for the same reasons you mention. As cool as the new kayaks are they don't work for me either. I bought a canoe that I knew I could rig and be comfortable with.
The canoe eliminates the bass boat issues. I do trailer the canoe but it's light and I can store it right in my garage.
The only items I remove from it while in tow are my rods, batteries and T motors. I power it with a 55 Minn Kota and I have a 30 Minn Kota up front. It's set up like a bass boat. To totally stabilize it for standing and casting I built an easy on easy off outrigger. It's planted!
The right canoe is something you may want to consider.
Mine is a 14' fiberglass deep hull with a shallow v bottom.
It's tricked out for bass fishing. I enjoy the heck out of it.
PourMyOwn reply :
That's funny, WPC, my "bass boat" is a 14' V hull aluminum boat. I also tricked it out for bass fishing. My big aluminum bass boat didn't see water this year, will probably try to sell it next spring....point is, my 14 is almost as fish able as my bigger boat, far easier to trailer(small pond ramps in NH are garbage) and can be pulled by a small pickup or even my gf's Forester.
Catt reply :
Alweld 1652VJT
Hull: Mod-V 2 1/2" preformance tunnel with Smart trim tabs
Length: 16'
Bottom: 52"
Beam: 72"
Non-skid interior
Frt/rear decks
2014 Tohatsu MF40AEFTL
3-Cylinder, Fuel Injected 4-Stroke
Electric start, power tilt/trim
Hummingbird 570 DI
Minn Kota Riptide 55# 42" shaft
Easily launched & picked by myself
Freshwater, I fish shallow marshes, bayous, rivers, & Toledo Bend. Saltwater I fish marshes, Calcasieu (Big Lake) Lake, & close in on the Gukf of Mexico.
The only time I'm limited is sustained winds of 15-20 mph; then I simply move into creeks or coves. I use either a tri-fluted river anchor or a Cajun marsh achor & no I don't get blown around.
Preformance: this setup is easily runs 50 mph, doesn't bounce in chop. I've ran the length & berth of Calcasieu Lake twice (not sure how far) & burnt 1 gallon of gas.
WIGuide reply :
You should definitely be able to overcome those obstacles when fishing out of a boat. There's no lifting, no paddling, no issues with holding position, no issues with traveling greater distances. If that's what you're looking for I'd say it's a no brainer.
A-Jay reply :
I'm in the process of going from a canoe to a motorized vessel myself.
Fishing from the Old Town has been fun and very inexpensive for sure.
But it's just time. I've done all I can with it as well as where I've been fishing.
Time to broaden my fishing horizons.
As for "what to Expect" ? I would anticipate the wallet opening up quite a bit more.
But you can't take it with you and I've Never seen a hearse with a trailer hitch.
A-Jay
flyfisher reply :
Wind is always a pain but everyone is giving good recommendations. As far as loading and unloading goes my best purchase has been my trailer. I bought an older jet ski trailer and modified it for my kayak. Makes loading and unloading a breeze, especially at the end of the day.
WPCfishing reply :
On 11/2/2015 at 7:13 PM, PourMyOwn said:That's funny, WPC, my "bass boat" is a 14' V hull aluminum boat. I also tricked it out for bass fishing. My big aluminum bass boat didn't see water this year, will probably try to sell it next spring....point is, my 14 is almost as fish able as my bigger boat, far easier to trailer(small pond ramps in NH are garbage) and can be pulled by a small pickup or even my gf's Forester.
I've been thinking about doing tournaments next year. The deal is I really don't want a big bass boat so I may give up on the idea and just keep fishing for lunkers. A boat like yours with a deck may be in my near future. Maybe?
Turtle135 reply :
a. The physical strain on my back getting the boat on and off my car despite having a decent lift assist system.
I have a pickup truck, is a small trailer an option for you?
b. Needing to get off or stay off the water when winds reach 10mph. And with such a short summer in MN, every fishing day counts!
c. Not being able to hold position when there is even the slightest wind.
d. Staying limited to smaller waters as boat traffic makes fishing in a kayak that much more difficult.
I do pick my spots based on the wind and weekend fishing pressure. I also employ a stake out pole and an anchor system with a quick release to combat the wind.
e. Staying limited to smaller waters as it takes too much effort and time to paddle long distances.
Have you looked at the Torqeedo lineup of electric motors for a kayak? They are kind of expensive but besides extending your range you can also run them on a slow setting straight into a stiff breeze to hold your position.
I have been chasing largemouth and smallmouth bass from a kayak since 1991. The ease of getting on and off the water has always been a driving force to sticking with a kayak. In the summertime I get out fishing 4-5 times per week. Kayaks are rather well suited to the waters I regularly fish.
I have several friends with bass boats. A few are diehards and fish as frequently today as they did the first year they got their boat. Others fished a lot that first year, about half as frequently the second year and then very little in the 3rd and 4th seasons.
WPCfishing reply :
On 11/3/2015 at 2:02 AM, Turtle135 said:
a. The physical strain on my back getting the boat on and off my car despite having a decent lift assist system.
I have a pickup truck, is a small trailer an option for you?
b. Needing to get off or stay off the water when winds reach 10mph. And with such a short summer in MN, every fishing day counts!
c. Not being able to hold position when there is even the slightest wind.
d. Staying limited to smaller waters as boat traffic makes fishing in a kayak that much more difficult.
I do pick my spots based on the wind and weekend fishing pressure. I also employ a stake out pole and an anchor system with a quick release to combat the wind.
e. Staying limited to smaller waters as it takes too much effort and time to paddle long distances.
Have you looked at the Torqeedo lineup of electric motors for a kayak? They are kind of expensive but besides extending your range you can also run them on a slow setting straight into a stiff breeze to hold your position.
I have been chasing largemouth and smallmouth bass from a kayak since 1991. The ease of getting on and off the water has always been a driving force to sticking with a kayak. In the summertime I get out fishing 4-5 times per week. Kayaks are rather well suited to the waters I regularly fish.
I have several friends with bass boats. A few are diehards and fish as frequently today as they did the first year they got their boat. Others fished a lot that first year, about half as frequently the second year and then very little in the 3rd and 4th seasons.
He could buy a nice boat motor and trailer for the price of one of those motors. I'd pass on the motor. There's a very nice 14' jon boat on a trailer with a 9.9 for sale near me for $1,800.00
Turtle135 reply :
On 11/3/2015 at 2:20 AM, WPCfishing said:He could buy a nice boat motor and trailer for the price of one of those motors. I'd pass on the motor. There's a very nice 14' jon boat on a trailer with a 9.9 for sale near me for $1,800.00
I hear you, I have friends with $ 2000.00 worth of Torqeedo electric motor and batteries attached to a $ 1300.00 kayak. I have always stayed away from adding a motor. Anything that slows me down getting on of off the water will cost me fishing trips (it is just human nature, the easier it is to use something the more frequently you will use it).
PourMyOwn reply :
On 11/3/2015 at 1:52 AM, WPCfishing said:I've been thinking about doing tournaments next year. The deal is I really don't want a big bass boat so I may give up on the idea and just keep fishing for lunkers. A boat like yours with a deck may be in my near future. Maybe?
I love my boat. Long story short it has a tiller mount Minnkota up front, a 25 Merc tiller out back w/electric start. There's no middle seat, the front and back "decks" are level with the front and rear seats-and both "decks" lift up to become storage. You're more than welcome to swing up here during the spring and toss some jerkbaits with me.
Also, like Turtle says, loading and unloading is important. My big aluminum boat can be a bear to get lined up, especially when it's windy. Usually I just manhandle it after I pull it out of the water, but I'm 38 now and doubt that it's a good idea long term for my back.
WPCfishing reply :
I take two batteries with me when I'm going to a big lake and will be moving around a lot or fighting wind and chop. I got caught out there once because the battery drained.. That's not happening again.
On two other occasions my Trolling motor failed.. Both were no more than four weeks old. MK replaced the 55# each time and upgraded the motor for my troubles.
The second time I was stranded I had to call for a tow. That's when I decided to finally buy the 30# motor for up front. Had I done it sooner like I wanted to for fishing reasons It would have saved me a bunch of BS..
WPCfishing reply :
On 11/3/2015 at 2:58 AM, PourMyOwn said:I love my boat. Long story short it has a tiller mount Minnkota up front, a 25 Merc tiller out back w/electric start. There's no middle seat, the front and back "decks" are level with the front and rear seats-and both "decks" lift up to become storage. You're more than welcome to swing up here during the spring and toss some jerkbaits with me.
Also, like Turtle says, loading and unloading is important. My big aluminum boat can be a bear to get lined up, especially when it's windy. Usually I just manhandle it after I pull it out of the water, but I'm 38 now and doubt that it's a good idea long term for my back.
I'd like to come up and throw lines with you.. Looking forward to it this spring.
Catt reply :
On 11/3/2015 at 2:58 AM, PourMyOwn said:Also, like Turtle says, loading and unloading is important. My big aluminum boat can be a bear to get lined up, especially when it's windy. Usually I just manhandle it after I pull it out of the water, but I'm 38 now and doubt that it's a good idea long term for my back.
Drive on & drive off, it's so easy a caveman can do it!
Way2slow reply :
I have to laugh at some of the things you want to get away from, lifting, straining etc. Depending on the boat and trailer, if you decide to go that route, there are times you may be doing more on something even heavier, especially if you fish by yourself. There are times when conditions are not right, you will loose all your religion getting a boat positioned properly on the trailer. Even the best of drive on trailers can have problems under certain conditions, like a fairly steep ramp or a very shallow ramp. Then, if you fish rivers or areas with a current, that can create another set of problems trying to get it positioned on the trailer, and a lot of the tin cans and trailers under them I've seen are not the best for driving on in the first place.
PourMyOwn reply :
On 11/3/2015 at 3:30 AM, Catt said:Drive on & drive off, it's so easy a caveman can do it!
I know, and I hear you. I have owned and trailered eight boats of my own/my father's when I was younger. This one Tracker Pro Team is just not that easy. Our ramps here in NH typically suck, 9/10 are dirt, and have been rutted out by guys who don't have the sense to put their truck in 4WD low, but rather spin their tires like idiots...toss in current and wind and you'd need one Hell of a skilled caveman to drive on in one shot.
Catt reply :
Take your guide boards & move them in til they are 1 to 1 1/2" from the side of your hull , this will position it straight every time. My guide boards are 4-5' long!
Also make sure your bottom boards are positioned between the runners (what ever y'all call em). I have 4, two on the outside & two one each side of the in the middle runner.
I have a chain with a hook welded below the winch, the bow hits the front stop (mine's a roller) I put the hook on the bow eye & exit the boat. Once on I pull out I attatch the winch hook & snug it tight.
desmobob reply :
I fished in canoes and a kayak for years, but was always frustrated by the lack of space, casting while seated, dealing with wind, inability to travel far, and lately, the difficulty of loading and unloading it with two bad shoulders. Last summer, I bought a Bass Tracker Pro170/40HP Mercury package and have never been happier. It is very easy to launch and load by myself, is easily towed with my Subaru Forester, and runs me around fishing all day on an average of two gallons or less of gas. And no more lugging rods and tackle back and forth; it can all be stored in the boat. And the boat was literally ready to fish... all I had to do was load my tackle and go. It came with a foot-control trolling motor and fish finder.
Now, I can invite a buddy to go fishing, or just enjoy a nice boat ride with the girlfriend or non-fishing friends/family. When I first bought the boat, I had that uneasy feeling that I might have made a rash decision about spending the money. After two seasons of enjoyment, that feeling is long gone!
If you add up the cost of a kayak, all the accessories you've added, rack system for the car, and so on, you're probably a quarter of the way into an aluminum bass boat package.
Tight lines,
Bob
Fishing Rhino reply :
You can expect to catch more fish in a bass boat vs. a canoe or kayak. Not because it makes you a better fisherman, but because it makes you a more efficient fisherman. This is particularly true on waters that are familiar to you. You have already touched on it when you mentioned the time and effort it takes to move more than very short distances.
Conversely, you will miss some things in a boat moving on plane at 25mph or faster that you would see on a sounder in a canoe or kayak. Small patches of productive bottom often go unnoticed at speed because you pass over them so quickly. It may be a small patch or rocks, or plants that hold fish. It's amazing how many fish can be stacked on these little spots at times.
But, because you can do so much exploring you'll gain more information. Each boat has its strengths and weaknesses.
I fish a pond not more than five minutes from our home. I fish it in my canoe with a trolling motor. It's about a mile long, and a half mile across and every square foot of it has either structure or cover. It is strewn with rocky bottom and has huge plant beds which hold fish. Maximum depth is about 12 feet. It has four or five islands, depending on how you count them, and once you learn the pond, you can find fish just about anywhere on it. They can be close to the bank or a few hundred yards from the shore in the vegetation. Even if I could use my bass boat on the pond, I'd use my canoe. Too many boulders in the deepest water that are only a few inches from the surface. Some use aluminum jon boats or even small aluminum bass boats, but not me. The canoe or a kayak are perfect for this pond.
Fishing is such an individual thing. You only need to look at the endless variety of baits, combos, and boats that are available to anglers that it becomes a matter of personal preference.
Fish respond to a bait and its presentation, not the type of boat you may be in.
OperationEagle reply :
Wow so many great perspectives. Thank you everyone. I too have thought about adding (as many of you have already) a trolling motor to my kayak.
This just adds that much more complexity to my kayak than I am personally willing to deal with. Maybe you all can convince me that its not a big deal?
If getting a bass boat is inevitable, I want to do it sooner rather than later so I can enjoy it for a longer period. I moved to MN in 1995 and getting a boat was below the budget line. As fishing kayaks really started to come on in 2011/2012 I was able to affordably get off the shore; this opened a whole new level of fishing.
From 1995 to 2012...it took me 16 years to recognize that I was a complete fool for not taking advantage of the fishing holes around me here in Minnesota.
I think that a dedicated bass boat will help me explore and enjoy the waters that much more. Thanks for all of your perspectives...agree with many of you that these two vessels do very different things...thank God I have room in the garage for both.
Way2slow reply :
Trust me, I would not move out of a bass boat into a yak or canoe for an only way of getting on the water. I have never even set my butt in a kayak and at my age, have no intentions to. I have had canoe since 1962, which was my only means of getting on the water until 1965 when I bought my first 14' Boat with a 65hp merc. I did have a small 1.5hp outboard I used on the canoe but once I got my first boat, The canoe was for ponds and places I could not put a big boat, and that's still the same purpose it serves today. I would never get rid of my canoe, my wife says she will probably just bury me in it.
In my first post, I was just commenting on some of the things that's going to come along with getting a bass boat, not that I would not get one over a kayak, but there is a learning curve that goes along with using one. I have boats for everything. Three bass boats, my Javelin I keep at the house, a Stratos that stays at my brothers for a lake he lives on, and a Stratos that stays at our farm, just in case I'm there and didn't take the Javelin. Then I have a 17' square back aluminum canoe, a 1436 Lowe aluminum jon and a 1232 aluminum jon, and probably 10 different motors between what used on the boats and hanging on a 2x12 the length of a storage shed, but no kayaks.
Dogmatic reply :
If you're on FB, may I suggest the motorized kayak group. Before dismissing a motor on a yak, you might want to check out some of the rigs these guys have, that are easily completed by a DIY'er, and not overly burdensome.
Further North reply :
I stopped fishing from a a canoe as my primary method several years ago for the same reasons as in the original post.
The biggest reasons were:
- Can't get to the far end of a decent sized lake in a reasonable amount of time for the amount of time I have to fish. What takes 5 minutes in a boat would take at least a couple hours in a canoe or a kayak...and as long on the way back. I can't imagine fishing something like Lake of the Woods in a canoe...
- Sitting down all day killed my back and knees.
- Loading the canoe is much harder than loading the boat. Done right there is no lifting, or much cranking. I load in a big river with plenty of current often, side guides on the trailer and plenty of practice will make this easy pretty fast. The first part of the first season can be a PITA...after that - easy as pie.
- Couldn't fish with winds much over the 10 MPH noted in the first post. Can fish all day in that weather with a good boat.
- Had to spend more than half my time controlling the canoe rather than fishing. Not an issue at all with a good trolling motor.
- No storage for my gear. Current boat holds all my rods and tackle, below deck, out of my way. I can't do that in my canoe.
I still have my canoe for small water and rivers, where it works great.
On cost of operation: Boats cost more to buy, maintain and sometimes, store. If you go big, a tow vehicle can add to the cost.
...but my gas bill for this season has been very reasonable: I topped off the tank last fall, cost about $50. Topped it off again in International Falls before our Lake of the Woods trip, $45. Ran over 165 miles in 7 days up there, topped off the tank when I got home (no reason to tow gas), $55. Fished on that (at least once a week, often 2 or 3 days a week on local lakes, topped it off again about a week ago, $62 and change.
I run a Crestliner 1850 with a Johnson (Suzuki) 140 4 stroke and tow with a Ford Escape which gets me high 20s MPG day to day, and about 17-18 pulling the boat. Boats can be done at a reasonable cost if that's the gaol.
Fishes in trees reply :
Assuming you have decent towing capacity, there is a great selection of 16 to 18 foot aluminum boats out there. If you're wanting to do some tournaments - focus on the 18 footers at a minimum - this is coming from a co-angler who has drawn guys fishing out of 17 foot boats. I have an 18 foot Lowe. I'd fish club tournaments out of it, if I was in a club. Larger tournaments - like BFL or something comparable - it really isn't big enough or fast enough to be competitive.
I'd totally recommend keeping your kayak and buying a bass boat that will suit the waters that you normally fish.
carlm01 reply :
I have both , A seaeagle and lowe bass boat and found myself last season using the smaller boat more often , next season it will be the Lowe .. Love them both ..
carlm01 reply :
I have both , A seaeagle and lowe bass boat and found myself last season using the smaller boat more often , next season it will be the Lowe .. Love them both ..
carlm01 reply :
I have both , A seaeagle and lowe bass boat and found myself last season using the smaller boat more often , next season it will be the Lowe .. Love them both ..
contium reply :
I don't know if I would call an aluminum bass boat a mid life crisis. Maybe if you were thinking an Allison glass boat or something lol. An aluminum boat can be pretty frugal. I have fished out of anything I could get to float. I will take a boat anytime over a kayak, tube, etc. I like to kayak, just not for fishing. I can't sit in a kayak fishing for 10 or 12 hours at a time. I hate the immobility. I can sit, stand, and walk around in a boat. And around here, you will get swamped, blown around and just in general have a miserable time in a kayak. At least I would. And kayaks aren't exactly cheap. I've had fast glass boats in the past but I got tired of the tournament thing and currently have a Ranger RT178 aluminum boat. It is dirt cheap to run. I fill it with gas every 3 months or so and that's with fishing weekly. I tow it with a small SUV and only take a 1 mpg hit when towing. Plus I tend to fish a lot of offshore structure, not doing that in a kayak. I'm sure it depends on where you fish though and a kayak might be the best way to go for some people.
Fishes in trees reply :
Kayak to aluminum bass boat isn't a mid life crisis - that is more or less s sensible decision based on getting older and wanting to cover more water efficiently. I have a buddy, who just turned 47, who swapped a PAID FOR 17' boat for a totally tricked out 21' EXPRESS - 250 4 stroke - twin 10'Talons - 36 volt trolling motor - extreme electronics - the whole deal, including a YETI. Now that is a mid life crisis purchase. It could have been worse - he could have quit fishing, bought a Corvette and taken up golf, just to hang out at the country club.
A-Jay reply :
On 11/6/2015 at 10:59 PM, Fishes in trees said:Kayak to aluminum bass boat isn't a mid life crisis - that is more or less s sensible decision based on getting older and wanting to cover more water efficiently. I have a buddy, who just turned 47, who swapped a PAID FOR 17' boat for a totally tricked out 21' EXPRESS - 250 4 stroke - twin 10'Talons - 36 volt trolling motor - extreme electronics - the whole deal, including a YETI. Now that is a mid life crisis purchase. It could have been worse - he could have quit fishing, bought a Corvette and taken up golf, just to hang out at the country club.
So what would one call it if I sell the Corvette (in my case it's actually a mint GTO) to buy the new & loaded Lund ?
A-Jay
gbryant04 reply :
I'm 21 and hopefully not going through a midlife crisis. Beginning of the summer I put my Ascend FS10 up for sale and bought a real boat. I bought a 1999 Bass Tracker with a 75hp Johnson and I've never looked back! Its a night and day difference. So many new spots i was not able to travel to before. With it being aluminum I feel safe taking it on my local river for trout fishing and its also got enough speed to travel to the other side of the lake for bass fishing. It is alot less work than the kayak. In my opinion, the ONLY downfall would be cost. Boat can be as expensive as you want them to be.
J Francho reply :
Retrieving a boat can be a little hard on your back, if you are doing it alone. Nothing bad, but if you have issues....might not be as easy as you think.
Goose52 reply :
On 11/6/2015 at 11:02 PM, A-Jay said:So what would one call it if I sell the Corvette (in my case it's actually a mint GTO) to buy the new & loaded Lund ?
A-Jay
I'd call it a man "re-adjusting" his priorities ! 
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 11/6/2015 at 11:02 PM, A-Jay said:So what would one call it if I sell the Corvette (in my case it's actually a mint GTO) to buy the new & loaded Lund ?
A-Jay
I'll borrow a line from The Aviator, when Howard Hughes tells his new right hand man that he is looking at the world's largest private air force and asks him, "What do you think of that." To which his new hire wisely responds, "It's your money."
Far be it from me to tell anyone else how to spend their money. You earned it. You spend it as you see fit, to pursue your heart's desires.
thomas15 reply :
My boat is a 16 foot aluminum. It's not exactly a "Bass Boat" but close. It has a live well, a platform in the bow plus a TM with foot controls and a bicycle seat also. I'm going to put a small platform in the stern with a seat for the co-fisherman. As it is now, a when fishing with a second person I pull the passenger seat and they fish standing from the floor which isn't as bad as it sounds. The boat has a 50 HP 2 stroke, not the fastest but on a good day I can get 36 MPH out of it. There are two sonars, one at the console and one at the bow. I can fish tournaments with this and have done a few.
Compared to some of the rigs around here it's not much but I have no debt on it and my actual cash outlay at this point is about 6K including trailer. I can pull this rig with my Ranger 1/2 ton or my better half's Escape. I can launch and reload this boat by myself no problem. The only things I would improve on is more storage space, a little more beam and of course a bit more speed. And a few more feet longer and better electronics and a more powerful TM... just kidding the boat always puts a smile on my face!
Speaking of Trolling Motors, my TM is a Minn Kota All Terrain (Edge). It is a 40 pound thrust 12V TM. When I'm actually using it while fishing I have it set on 2 (out of 5). I have been out on that boat all day and half the evening and using the one battery which also powers one of my sonars, it not only moves the boat but I have still more than 50% battery left. I say this because I think it is easy to get yourself convinced that you need a 24-36V system with 80+ pounds of thrust. Maybe on a 20' glass but not on a 16' tin.
We have a canoe, its a Grumman Aluminum that we have had for 25+ years. I have fished from it but could never convince myself to turn it into a fishing machine. I would not do it without outriggers but still I think a canoe is too small unless you are fishing alone, have one already or are limited to a canoe because that is all you can afford or your lake will not allow a boat. I would personally rather have a small 12-14 foot jon or v boat for fishing than a canoe.
Catch 22 reply :
On 11/3/2015 at 5:24 AM, Catt said:I have a chain with a hook welded below the winch, the bow hits the front stop (mine's a roller) I put the hook on the bow eye & exit the boat. Once on I pull out I attatch the winch hook & snug it tight.
Exactly X2
Fishing Rhino reply :
There are a few "arrangements" for the safety strap/chain/whatever.
On my Z7 there was a short strap with a hook on each end. one for the winch stand and the other for the bow eye. On my Z8, the safety strap is affixed to the hook on the winch strap. At the other end of the strap is a hook which attaches to the winch stand. I have seen other designs as well.
kjfishman reply :
deleted post
Junk Fisherman reply :
On 11/3/2015 at 3:32 AM, Way2slow said:I have to laugh at some of the things you want to get away from, lifting, straining etc. Depending on the boat and trailer, if you decide to go that route, there are times you may be doing more on something even heavier, especially if you fish by yourself. There are times when conditions are not right, you will loose all your religion getting a boat positioned properly on the trailer. Even the best of drive on trailers can have problems under certain conditions, like a fairly steep ramp or a very shallow ramp. Then, if you fish rivers or areas with a current, that can create another set of problems trying to get it positioned on the trailer, and a lot of the tin cans and trailers under them I've seen are not the best for driving on in the first place.
I have a Ride 115 and it takes a lot more energy to load the yak and get it ready to fish than it does my 17' tin bassboat. Sure, some of the problems Way2slow states occassionally occur with loading the boat but they are the exception rather than the norm.
Getting back to the OP's questions, a 16-17' tin bassboat will be much better in all the areas you asked about. The simple fact that you can stand, have 3-4 rods comfortably on the front deck, and have a trolling motor for boat control makes all the difference. There's really no comparison in terms of fishability. No more having to paddle a couple times, put the paddle in your lap, and then quickly make a cast before your yak changes position. In the tin bassboat you can cover so much more water and you don't have to worry about waves and safety (in comparison to the kayak).
Sure, the kayak is cheaper but that's not really the question. For many of the reasons the OP brought up, I have decided to sell my kayak. It simply comes down to not using it. Last year was the second year I owned it and there was never one time when I preferred to use the kayak over my tin boat.
I'd try to find a used 16' or 17' Tracker. I bet you wonder why you didn't do it years ago. Good luck.
carlm01 reply :
I have a 16ft Lowe Skorpion and a Seaeagle inflatable pontoon both have pros and cons The seaeagle fits in the back of my truck and can be set up in minutes and it's great for car topper only ponds of which we have plenty here in MA, I didn't use the Lowe as much as id have liked this year only because I'm still learning my way around and don't ,but I did use it on a couple of the local rivers , It's fun and comfortable weighing in at around 690 so it's easy to get on and off the trailer .. I think it depends on where your fishing ,,,,
carlm01 reply :
JPG]I have a 16ft Lowe Skorpion and a Seaeagle inflatable pontoon both have pros and cons The seaeagle fits in the back of my truck and can be set up in minutes and it's great for car topper only ponds of which we have plenty here in MA, I didn't use the Lowe as much as id have liked this year only because I'm still learning my way around and don't ,but I did use it on a couple of the local rivers , It's fun and comfortable weighing in at around 690 so it's easy to get on and off the trailer .. I think it depends on where your fishing ,,,,
Choporoz reply :
I'm 53 and winding up my first season with a kayak, and I love it. And most of the time I'm fishing from it, I'm wishing I were in a boat.
Off the top of my head....
Cons:
-Loading and unloading to/from top of full size SUV gets old. Especially that last unload at the end of the day.
-Get pretty stiff after 3 or 4 hours without getting out/standing up
-Can't/won't stand up - fishing from low, seated position is challenging for me. I still can't throw a jig confidently....at least nothing like flipping from a boat; nor do I even bring the really deep gear (7'8"H, 1oz c-rigs, 10XD, etc.)
-I find it hard to go out with less than 4 rods and no matter where I put them, how I store them....there's always one or more in the way - on the backswing, or in the forward rod holder limiting side casting, or laying out the front blocking hatch...etc.
-Casting angles are nearly ALWAYS compromised. Watch any kayak fisherman for more than a few minutes and you're going to see that wacky looking 'twisted arm, back-over-the-shoulder lob cast"
-Wind blows.
-Current blows, too.
-Retrieving lures from trees - above and below can be much more difficult than from a boat
-Lack of near constant control that you get from a trolling motor -- you get in perfect position and if winding or any current, you may only get one cast from the perfect boat position before you have to put a paddle in the water again.
-I can't take 8 rods, two duffle bags, a backpack and two tackle boxes
-I can pizz off the wife because of the flexibility and being able to get out nearly every day
-Can't take the wife along
-Limited as to the height of branches/bridges I can go under with rods standing in crate rod holders...have to skip/go around/or lay the rods down
-Changing lures is more challenging for me in the kayak
-Taking a leak is a whole new challenge from a yak
-Probably the biggest 'issue' for me is that at the end of the day, I nearly always feel that I spent way too much paddling compared to fishing
Pros:
-$$$$
-I can store it easily behind my garageless townhouse
-I don't have to worry about how I'm going to charge batteries (at my garageless townhouse -- or at some electricity-deprived storage lot)
-I can put in at beaches, ponds, creeks, etc, that I'd never consider putting a boat in
-I can put it on the car in the morning before work and stop on the way home and put in for a couple/few hours
-I can't take 8 rods, two duffle bags, a backpack and two tackle boxes
-Wife is happier because I will probably only be gone for ~6 hours....if I'm in a boat, its more like 15
-Fishing alone
OperationEagle reply :
Wow...what great perspectives from EVERYONE. I owe you all an update. The transition is in progress. I picked up a Ranger RT178 w a 60 Merc. Although the fishing season is over, the fishing and boating equipment clearance sales season has been in full swing.
I can tell already that this will be a markedly different experience. (Half of you are saying "duh" and the other half are saying "that's what we have been telling you").
- Equipment investment alone is a big step function difference up. I plan on buying two finders, both at least 7 inches. (I bought the boat w/o electronics so I could rig it the way I wanted it.). The new Helix series seems to pack a lot for the $$.
- The rigging itself has been interesting and fun figuring out where and how to wire through existing channels/chases.
Trolling motor will be something that has 80# and spot lock.
Some things that are tradeoffs...
- Being low to the water on a kayak just gave fishing a different feel. Took some adjustment but something I really enjoyed.
- I cant count the number of times I pulled up to the dock to unload, passing people w trailers waiting for a spot. Looks like I will be an early riser to avoid this! Maybe I will be adding an on board coffee maker.
Overall I am seeing my fishing possibilities explode this coming season. Having it in the garage until spring is a good thing as it allows me to be methodical about planning my deck out as well as find the best deals.
I am a consummate saver and this was admittedly a tough purchase for me. The kayak fit the bill for a while but I could feel it start to cost me in different ways. Most of us are getting older (the rest of you are in denial)...with growing limitations. Also just my "maturation" process of recognizing that life needs to be lived to its fullest certainly played a role. I look forward to having my daughter and pup join me this season.
I'd love to hear more advice, tips, perspectives and I can certainly continue to share mine as this transition continues.
Thanks to all of your for sharing your experiences...I hope this thread helped others considering a similar path.
Best to all of you during this special time of year.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
A lot of good perspectives!
A-Jay reply :
On 12/22/2015 at 12:29 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:I can not be bothered by the rich people and their big boats and jet ski's
there are a lot wealthy boat owners who simply do not have a clue I
Glad you like your boat.
I will have disagree with your over stated generalizations regarding a person's income as it compares to boating inexperience.
My career has shown that bad decisions made as a result of inexperience and or lack of local knowledge are not limited any level of income.
I've responded to & rescued just as many (if not more) cases involving vessels less that 16 ft as the larger vessels.
One isolated incident is just that.
btw - I fish from a canoe.
A-Jay
FloridaFishinFool reply :
Just sayin' from experience, when I run into trouble on the river, it is usually those with money far more money than I... & I have had almost zero conflict with people of similar status to myself. Trouble for me out there has always come from the more wealthy around here. Yes it is a generalization, but it is also an observation of reality plainly stated.
I grew up fishing out of canoes too. Still have a couple, but rarely use them.
A-Jay reply :
On 12/22/2015 at 1:10 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:Just sayin' from experience, when I run into trouble on the river, it is usually those with money far more money than I... & I have had almost zero conflict with people of similar status to myself. Trouble for me out there has always come from the more wealthy around here. Yes it is a generalization, but it is also an observation of reality plainly stated.
I grew up fishing out of canoes too. Still have a couple, but rarely use them.
Again, if competence were directly related to income, the Presidential Elections would look a whole lot different.
Have a good one
A-Jay
gulfcaptain reply :
I'd have to agree with A-Jay, being in the marine industry, I think EVERYBODY should have some sort of boating course and know the rules before ever being able to buy or drive a motorized vessel just like you do a car. I've seen both sides, people in small boats act a fool as well as people in bigger boats. If everyone in those bigger boats realized if they hurt anyone with one of their wakes and new that they were resposible for that wake they would be so inconsiderate.....I highly doubt it. Just like how little boats run down the bayous of the Gulf where I work think they own them and cuss me when they are passing me because I didn't stop completely and they were rocked....again, rules. Overtaken boat has the right away, not the little one that's overtaking it. But lack of knowing the rules causes accidents. Just like I would NEVER take a boat in a body of water that I am unfamiliar with without looking at a chart or map of some sort. Again, that's part of safe navigating, weather it be in a 170ft crewboat or a 20ft bass boat.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 12/22/2015 at 1:34 AM, A-Jay said:Again, if competence were directly related to income, the Presidential Elections would look a whole lot different.
Have a good one
A-Jay
Very true
Aluminum means problem solved for many of us. The big rich fiberglass boats go one way and us aluminum boats and air boats head in the other direction hoping to avoid the other. Simple as that.
Logan S reply :
The whole "fiberglass big rich boat" thing just seems like a little bit of jealousy to me...But what do I know, I'm one of those fiberglass guys that rips up and down the river. BRB, gotta go find an AL boat to wake. I'm glad you think I'm rich, could you pass that information along to my bank? Where do plastic boats fit into the hierarchy?
Kidding aside, no body of water is immune to inexperienced or inconsiderate boaters. You just learn to deal with it. I've seen boneheads in everything from canoes to yachts, has nothing to do with financial status.
FloridaFishinFool reply :
No, not jealousy. I don't want one of those boats. Never did. And here in Florida there are boats galore to be had cheap too. I could afford a bigger boat if I wanted one, but I choose to not go through the trouble and hassle and added expense. So it is not jealousy you are reading in my words. I have no desire for a boat like some of them have.
I just left the gas station near the river and ran into one of those big rich man's boats- big enough to live on. It was so big the rig blocked up the parking lot up. They pumped more than $300.00 of fuel into it. Huge twin 200hp Suzuki outboards. That boat was so big it could run over any bass boat and not even notice it. "Hey George, did you feel a bump? Nope..." So no, nothing to be jealous about there. I like having a nearly maintenance free boat that is economical on fuel. I fill a 6 gallon tank and it can last 5 outings or more. Some of those big rich boats will blow through 6 gallons in less than an hour or a few miles. I am not jealous of that!
Boats like that can run the river north of Sanford where it is deeper and dredged out for them. But where I go with my aluminum boat, they can not go. Aluminum to the rescue!
When I describe a rich boat, it really is a rich boat. Some cost in the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars and more. I would not consider a used fiberglass bass boat as fitting into the same bag as a "rich" boat- though some do cost tens of thousands too, that was not what I was attempting to describe. Not even close. Most of those guys are on par with us river rats and follow the rules and show respect for their fellow boaters. My point may have been miscommunicated. I have passed up nice used fiberglass bass boats and trailers with 125hp outboards for $2,000. That is not what I would describe as a rich boat- not even close. I'm in Florida near the coast. Think really rich past average bass fishing boats. Bigger my good man. That is what we have to deal with around here quite often. This photo was taken just minutes ago at the last gas station before the river ramps... and yes, boats this size and much bigger routinely run up and down the river...
Here are some abandoned boats in the St. Johns river us tax payers will have to foot the bill to remove. Notice these are not bass boats... most are deteriorating rotting fiberglass boats and definitely not formerly owned by the working class type of guys...
Definitely not your average working man class of boats there...
I simply tried to point out that generally the bigger the boat, the less respect and consideration for others I have witnessed over the years. The smaller the boat, the more respect and consideration for others I have witnessed. Aluminum boats has its limitations and advantages.
The original OP asked what he might expect transitioning into an aluminum boat. Hopefully I brought some details into the discussion that I had not read previously on the subject.
gulfcaptain reply :
On 12/22/2015 at 2:53 AM, FloridaFishinFool said:No, not jealousy. I don't want one of those boats. Never did. And here in Florida there are boats galore to be had cheap too. I could afford a bigger boat if I wanted one, but I choose to not go through the trouble and hassle and added expense. So it is not jealousy you are reading in my words. I have no desire for a boat like some of them have.
I just left the gas station near the river and ran into one of those big rich man's boats- big enough to live on. It was so big the rig blocked up the parking lot up. They pumped more than $300.00 of fuel into it. Huge twin 200hp Suzuki outboards. That boat was so big it could run over any bass boat and not even notice it. "Hey George, did you feel a bump? Nope..." So no, nothing to be jealous about there. I like having a nearly maintenance free boat that is economical on fuel. I fill a 6 gallon tank and it can last 5 outings or more. Some of those big rich boats will blow through 6 gallons in less than an hour or a few miles. I am not jealous of that!
Boats like that can run the river north of Sanford where it is deeper and dredged out for them. But where I go with my aluminum boat, they can not go. Aluminum to the rescue!
When I describe a rich boat, it really is a rich boat. Some cost in the tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars and more. I would not consider a used fiberglass bass boat as fitting into the same bag as a "rich" boat- though some do cost tens of thousands too, that was not what I was attempting to describe. Not even close. Most of those guys are on par with us river rats and follow the rules and show respect for their fellow boaters. My point may have been miscommunicated. I have passed up nice used fiberglass bass boats and trailers with 125hp outboards for $2,000. That is not what I would describe as a rich boat- not even close. I'm in Florida near the coast. Think really rich past average bass fishing boats. Bigger my good man. That is what we have to deal with around here quite often. This photo was taken just minutes ago at the last gas station before the river ramps... and yes, boats this size and much bigger routinely run up and down the river...
Here are some abandoned boats in the St. Johns river us tax payers will have to foot the bill to remove. Notice these are not bass boats... most are deteriorating rotting fiberglass boats and definitely not formerly owned by the working class type of guys...
Definitely not your average working man class of boats there...
I simply tried to point out that generally the bigger the boat, the less respect and consideration for others I have witnessed over the years. The smaller the boat, the more respect and consideration for others I have witnessed. Aluminum boats has its limitations and advantages.
The original OP asked what he might expect transitioning into an aluminum boat. Hopefully I brought some details into the discussion that I had not read previously on the subject.
They can be working man's boats now.....lol I'm sure they are going cheap when they are in that condition.
CarlF reply :
I went from a float tube, to a motorized canoe, to an aluminum fishing boat. I think the biggest difference between a kayak and an aluminum bass boat (besides all of the previously mentioned issues) is the maintenance factors which you encounter with the boat. With the boat setup, you have to maintain the trailer, batteries, motor, pumps, boat body. Ive never owned a fiberglass, so my maintenance is relatively minor compared. But once in a while, when I find myself spending time and money on maintenance and repairs, I miss the ease of the plastic/inflatable alternative.
Racerx reply :
Looking at all the perspectives on here, I don't think there IS one perfect mode of fishing between them. Each will have their strengths and weaknesses, and each of us will have our own preferences and biases. For ME, I started in a canoe a year ago, and quickly grew tired of hoisting that thing on and off my vehicle! Since most of the time, I fish, alone, and I liked having access to many spots not reachable by a boat, I bought a kayak, and couldn't be happier. If wind is an issue, you should be running an anchor system. Boat traffic, and wakes was cleared up by adding outiggers that could be added or removed on a whim, plus it can allow you to stand up and fish, with plenty of stability, if you kayak isn't already stable enough.. These days, many people are adding trolling motors, and not just the high end Torqeedos, to get far out, quickly, and with little effort, and you don't need something really powerful. 15-20 lbs. of thrust is usually adequate, and they can be bought rather cheaply off someone on Craigslist. All this is possible, and with MUCH less cash than a boat.
Like I said, this is just me, but I DO read all the time of guys selling their boats and going with a kayak, and never being happier. Whatever your choice, I hope it's the right one. 
FloridaFishinFool reply :
On 12/31/2015 at 11:29 PM, Racerx said:...I DO read all the time of guys selling their boats and going with a kayak, and never being happier. Whatever your choice, I hope it's the right one.
That is not a good option for me in central Florida. Or I should say not the safest option for me around here.
We have some really big alligators around here and lots of them. A kayak might look kind of tasty or might trigger a territorial attack response from a big male alligator or a big female protecting young and nest, or it might think the kayak looks kind of sexy! And back up in the remote swamps and woods around here that is the last place any kayaker would want have any up close problems with a big, aggressive, hungry gator! There are places in Florida help won't come until long after it is too late.
So no, I can not say I would be happier in a kayak due to environmental reasons.
God knows I would not want to be in a kayak when an 11 or 12 foot gator got aggressive maybe wanting to eat a fish I had on the line reeling in close to the kayak is like offering a dog a bone. No way! Just too dangerous for us here. Other than that, they are great!
Racerx reply :
Ooh! Good point! I watch kayak bass vids where people are fishing around gators, and I'm thinking "Screw THAT!". I saw Bill Dance in a TUBE, with a gator within rod's reach and thought "Uh-UH!"! The gator started to trail him! Just watched a Yankangler vid, a bunch of them went fishing in the Everglades. Now, I like fishing, but not THAT much!
Yeah, I'd stick with the boat, if I were you. 
kjfishman reply :
I am over 60 and find I use my aluminum deep v less and less. As we age we need to stay active and kayaking is a good way to do that.
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