Your Thoughts on Fish-n-Skis

[kbm]

Folks,

I am contemplating a new boat purchase this spring. My wife gave me the green light to get something a bit more comfortable for her when she comes with me. I currently fish out of an 18' SeaArk SuperJon, so anything will be an improvement. I fish 3-4 a week starting April through October. I don't plan to fish tournaments... just recreation.

I am leaning toward a fish-n-ski; most likely Skeeter SL210; because it offers a little more versatility that a straight up bass boat.

I would like to get your feedback on using a fish-n-ski in terms of storage, fishing platform, etc... I realize that this boat will have drawbacks, just not sure how severe they will be.

I appreciate your opinions.

Ken

[OutdoorFrontiers]

I guess what you have to consider is how much time are you going to be fishing versus pleasure boats/skiing and how many people will typically be in the boat at one time?

Bassboats are very comfortable for two to three people, whereas a fish & ski can seat usually four people.

Bassboats usually have a lot more storage underneath the decks and the forward/aft decks are much larger.  Bassboats typically have longer rod lockers so you can store longer rods and usually more of them.  Livewell capacity is usually greater in a bassboat.

I've never really been a fan of fish & ski type boats as they are a compromise between two different boats, and as a compromise boat, they don't do either very well, at least in my opinion.  They usually don't offer the passenger carrying capacity of a bowrider, nor the storage of a bassboat.

But as I said, I'm not a fan, so I find it difficult to say too many nice things about them.  I find it much easier to ski behind a bassboat than fish from a ski boat.

Of course, now that I've said that, someone will come along and rave about how much they love their fish & ski, so what do I know?  I suppose that if your choice is to either fish from a jonboat or get a fish & ski, I'd get the fish & ski.  But I'd also think long and hard about the choice.

Those are my thoughts anyway...

Steve

[wisconsinrod]

I was in the same situation with my wife.  She wanted a family cruiser with a sundeck, I wanted something that could fish well.  I am a recreational fisherman.  I don't fish tournaments, just needed a boat that was comertable to fish out of.  We ended up buying a Glastron 205 Ski and Fish.  We've had it for two years and for us it was the right choice.  Plenty of room and power (Volvo 5 liter) for the family (boat seats 7 pretty comfortably).  Converts nicely for fishing with two casting platforms and swivel fishing chairs, an aerated livewell, upgraded Minnkota tolling motor, Lowrance HD8 at the helm and plenty of storage.  If i had a choice, i would have two boats, one for fishing and one for cruising.  That is not in the cards for us.  The Glastron has really worked out well for us.

Wisconsin Rod   

[PickensTJ]

My wife goes "fishing" with me often. However, she has not cast a lure in the past fifteen years. She is very comfortable in my Triton Bass Boat. All she needs is room to lay out in the sun, sit to read a book, and a boarding ladder for dips to cool off. I say all this to suggest you get a dual console bass boat.

Even though you are not a tournament angler, you are fishing a lot (lucky dog) if you go 3-4 times a week. The storage, performance, and overall room will be much better in a bass boat.

I have seen so many people who find fish and ski's to be too much of a compromise for fishing. I have seen so many people who find fish and ski's to be too much of a compromise for skiing.

For my style of fishing, there is just too much "stuff" in the way to fish well in the fish and ski.

I am just sharing my opinion. In the end, you need to buy the one that makes you and your wife happy.

Tim

[ajMarshall]

Hey,

I have had a lot of pleasure out of fish-n-ski's over the years. OutdoorFrontiers makes a good point, but for me they have done just fine. All about personal preferences I suppose

[rjn cajun]

Funny you brought this topic up as the wife and I were talking about this last night. I want a bass boat she wants a ski boat. I was looking at the new rangers and today had the pleasure of fishing off one. My mind is made up. Not sure what the model is I will check on friday as I`m going out again. These boats have everything a bass guy wants and the comfort she wants except maybe extra storage. Check them out there great.

[Stump bumper]

IMO they don't do either very well and you will be taking a big hit when you try to sell the boat in a year or two when you decide if you want to sit on the lake with the wife and pull her around when the weather is just right or if you want to fish when the weather is not fit for man or beast.

I hate fishing when the ski boats come out so in the summer I am putting in when the the last of the skiers are coming in and off the water when the skiers are just having their first cup of coffee or leaving out as the thunderstorm is starting. It is hard to get the wife to fish like that and not pleasent when she is there.

Maybe you should rent a few boats and see how much wake and sun your wife can take. My wife thought she wanted to go tubing so I borrowed a tube and pulled her for about 15min and she had all she wanted. Glad I didn't pay $100 for something to take up more room in my garage.