Maryland I need boat advice please

[bigb201]

Hello fellow Marylanders,

I have talked the wife into getting a boat. tired of my jon boat and canoe. The compromise I made with the wife is that it will be able to take four people out and go tubing or skiing.

Here is my dilema, I want a comfortable fishing platform and something that can handle the bay waters for family outings. Does anyone know if a boat like a nitro Z6 or a basscat will handle the bay? I have seen the deep V bass boats but they do not look like they can get in very skinny water. I am looking for an all around compromise. Does anyone here have experience with this dilema? can a fiberglass boat hold up in the bay?

Thanks
Brian

[DelMarAlan]

I wouldn't unless you get all SS hardware the saltwater will rust it up if your referring to the real bay unlike the upper bay, potomac, flats etc that are brackish but if you did you would want to put copious amounts of salt-away or corrosion block before use, wash everything with water afterwards and then apply a little more. You could always go with a tracker PT 175 TF that holds 4 people, you can get it upgraded for like 300$ to the non skid flooring like in most saltwater boats, sea chaser, carolina skiff etc, and all SS hardware to handle the salt and you've still got the deep walls to handle chop.

[deducker]

i think 4 people is over capacity for a nitro z6. also if you do decide on the z6 make sure it has the 115 and not the 90 on it. my first boat was a 17 with a 115 on it. it was a great little boat. however its not built to be out pounding 2-3 swells all day.

[bigb201]

Ok, so it sounds like I need a deeper v hull. Won't that compromise my ability to get into shallow water?


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[tdt91]

not that much with the boats stated.

[bigb201]

Just got back from bass pro and the tracker guy pointed us too the mod v hull 175 and said it could handle the rivers around the bay and scoot across the bay early morning. Had seating for four and vinyl instead of carpet. They also had the deep v hull tracker 185 which was quite a bit more and a bit more of a ski/pleasure boat. How shallow of water does everyone like there boats to be able to fish in?


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[tdt91]

1.5 - 2' is good and that tracker should do that fine

[Baybass]

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/boats/tracker.html 

http://tracker-marine-group.pissedconsumer.com/ 

http://www.bassboatcentral.com/trackerlikes_dislikes.htm

http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/bassboard/boats_motors/message.html?message_id=159715 

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1563 

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=197762

I have owned one, and I could have written every one of these reviews, as I've had the exact same experiences.  6 months I was out of a hull, no communication, broken promises, backlog of boats needing serious warranty work.  Terrible customer service, terrible communication between dealer and manufacturer. 

Go 20-21' fiberglass bass boat sevi-v with a 225-250 single console (you'll need the space for the family) from a legit company known for excellent customer service like the other one you mentioned above.  15-23K used through a dealer with financing including 15% down and $220/month and call it a day.  I'm not hating against Tracker, but I'll tell it like....and how thousands of their other current and past owners feel..... However look at this here.....and how the heck does this happen?  Maybe the BBB case workers receive free guided trips...lol

http://www.bbb.org/southwestern-missouri/business-reviews/boat-builders/tracker-marine-in-springfield-mo-10611 

[bigb201]

holy moly!! thanks for the heads up. I was planning on doing a lot more research, but you just did all the leg work. how about any other semi-V hull brands? I think now that a full on bass boat will not handle the rivers on the bay. To clarify, I live in annapolis and will be launching out of sandy point and heading to the rivers around there for family fun. and for fishing it will most likely be the potomac. my whole point is to start the proccess of looking. I just need to know what type of boat will fit my needs. thanks again

[deducker]

you're in deep chit! because the boat you need is a fish-n-ski. the only problem there is it aint worth a chit for fishing or skiing/pleasure boating with family. 

[jstrozier]

I am not sure what you mean by a bass boat cant handle the rivers on the bay. What do you think the 5000 bass fishermen are using? Not fish and skis thats for sure. I understand your predicment with the family and needing extra seats. But to say bass boats cant handle the rivers blows my mind.


Problem Solved

http://www.crestliner.com/sport-fish-wakeboarding-boats-1950/


Just another note........ I know quite a few people who had fish and ski's and hated them. They got them the same reason as yourself. At the end there wife's never went out with them anyway so they had a boat they didnt need.

By her a big fat shiney rock, take her to dinner, then go buy a Legend.

http://legendmarine.com/alpha211/

[ryan o]

Go to Bass Pro and look at some of the Mako's they have.  They are fiberglass center consoles, but they have a nice front deck with a trolling motor mount.  They will also handle the bay, and easily accommodate four people.

Just another option for you.

[jstrozier]

Ryan has a good idea. I see alot of those too

[West6550]

Wife said the same thing and got me a 19 ft center console flats boat. Holds max of 7.. I have had 4 people on it once... and we were fishing. She actually went with me yesterday to look for marine wood as I am going to rip out old seats and build a deck on the back cause now she complains about not big enough for her to walk on lol

[fishinjim]

Don't know if you'd be interested in an older boat that needs some work, but this may be for sale soon 



Its a 1990 Champion 201 fish and ski... its more fish than ski, but has pulled a waterskier or two.
I was in a similar situation to yours when I bought it.
I could give you more details if your interested, but I may have a potential buyer already.

[bigb201]

I'm definitely interested if your buyer backs out. I would like more details as well.


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[deducker]

i really dig your boat! that's so diffrent than today's fish-n-ski. you wouldnt have to worry about giving her carpet burns on that. can you post some better pics of it?

[fishinjim]

Bigb201,
I will keep you posted.  Unfortunately, I will not know until early July what is going on with the potential buyer. 
Quickly though... It has a 200xp evinrude of the same year.  The boat has been sitting in storage for two years.  Had a compression check and tune up done about a week before going into storage.  Ran great, but after sitting that long, it the motor may need some attention.  Its definitely in need of some cleaning. lol.

Don't have many other pics, but here is a side-ish view...

[Baybass]

holy moly!! thanks for the heads up. I was planning on doing a lot more research, but you just did all the leg work. how about any other semi-V hull brands? I think now that a full on bass boat will not handle the rivers on the bay. To clarify, I live in annapolis and will be launching out of sandy point and heading to the rivers around there for family fun. and for fishing it will most likely be the potomac. my whole point is to start the proccess of looking. I just need to know what type of boat will fit my needs. thanks again

If your planning on running out of Sandy Point, you're in a great area, yet wide open to weather and long runs.  I've ran it all out there boats wise.  We've even used little tin boats 14-17' long out on those B.B. pilings, foundations, and rockpiles, so you may not need to turn your outboard on at all, but you will need a 36/24 75lb+ thrust or greater TM, as well as a good solid 20-25lb anchor and plenty of rope.  Your launching from a area with so many rockfish I'm running there all the way from Middle River often in the summer and fall/winter.  At times, and especially on the weekends or windy days, running from Sandy Point, even in a boat like my older Skeeter Bay Pro 21 with a 200ProV (center console/raised decks) is going to get beat to death going anywhere from Sandy Point, even making it over to the Eastern Shore would give you a little jarring.  It will not always be a fun ride, but with the wrong boat, a tough no fun back breaking experience for everyone. 

I've made those runs to the Bay bridge and back to Middle River in 17'10" Ranger 350V's with 150's as well as tin boats a few crazy times, which is just fine on the right day, but obviously not large enough for my family either.  The problem with a center console is that the passengers are tossed around like loose plastic bottles while running 50mph over a 2-3' chop.  Remember they are standing up, holding onto the center console rails or sitting up on the bow/deck cushions or on top of the baitwell seats, which we all know will cause serious back issues and "other" associated lower body injury.  Also lack of space for the true "dry" storage you'll find with a bass boat.  Driving long distances over this type of water while standing is terrible, trust me, even in a 21' Skeeter.  I'd rather have been in my late 18' Rangers.

Like Strozier said, the Legend's take it great, I rode in my first last month.  Ranger's are good solid boats, with great customer service and resale value....Champions and Bass Cats, and Tritons, and Phoenix/Bee Line, Stratos, Bumble Bee, Allison, and on and on.  Your talking about making some long runs man....Sandy point to the rivers at 6am is no joke even on a calm day we're talking 60-70mph over a 1' chop and occasional stray 4' roller out of no-where with helmets/face shields, all life vests on, kill switch, everything locked down and loaded.  You can't make those runs safely with 3-4 people in a 18' Aluminum boat with a 50-90hp, unless it's a deep V, but now your speed and run times are compromised....Here are some quick ideas of a dealers used boats that would just need the ski attachments mounted (very carefully)   These boats may be a little on the steep side asking price wise, but easily financed in house in seconds.  There are also some board sponsoring boat dealers I'm sure that would have some used boats for sale.  If these boats are over budget, just search for earlier year models, like early 2000 year models.  Good luck in your searches. 

http://www.greeneboats.com/2001-BassCat-Jaguar-Consignment-Boat-id-398.php 

http://www.anglerschoicemarine.com/boats.html?task=detail&id=136

http://www.anglerschoicemarine.com/boats.html?task=detail&id=461 

http://www.anglerschoicemarine.com/boats.html?task=detail&id=396

Here is a tin boat that will withstand anything out there, and provide a great boat for the entire family, just not as fast and flashy, but VERY stable and known for rough water up north in the states where certain tin boats are used for structure.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2012-Lund-1875-Impact-101714047

[bigb201]

Thanks baybass for the info. Very good points you brought up. I now need to sit back down with the wife and go over our options. Hopefully she will just say get whatever you want. Lol


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[hockeyref]

My first boat was a triton fish and ski My wife made be buy something that could hold 4-6 people could ski and tube but i was still able to fish tournys out of it has live wells and all I know some other compaines make them just look up Fish and Ski

[zelmo]

How old are your children?  Before you make a big compromise be realistic about how many times they will go out with you.

When I got my boat the kids had the same idea - we want to go waterskiing!  Mine were in high school at the time.  I just got a bass boat and hooked up a harness for the tow rope.  Works fine for the few times they actually went.

My wife still says I should have gotten a pontoon boat.  Of course no one but she would have been happy with that, so it wasn't going to happen.

Only you know your family.  Boats are always a compromise.  Make sure the ones you make are something you can live with.  Also remember the old adage - you get what you pay for.

[Dbrunner]

Boats are like anything else, it all comes down to how much you want to spend or can spend. Another thing to consider is a tow vehicle, if you are considering a 18-20 ft fiberglass you need a strong 1/2 ton or a 3/4 ton to pull it. I have the 190 tracker with a 90 horse merc and I fish club txs on the upper bay and the Potomac without any problems

[bigb201]

My daughter is 14 and could care less about getting on the boat. Lol. The family aspect is for more or less four adults. And you guys are right, 90% of the time it will be me and a fishing buddy.

I have a 1500 gmc z71. Am I ok to tow? I haven't looked at the specs for the tow weight. I guess my price range will be
New 15 to 20k
Used 5 to 10k

I'm really leaning towards a used bass boat in the 5k range. This will be my first boat so I think I'll get out all of my learning/growing pains on a less expensive toy. I am fully prepared to throw mounds of money and time into a used boat. Lol. I'm very handy at fixing things and will enjoy the challenge.


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[tdt91]

Don't think 5 will get you much but the 10 should get you something you will enjoy.