Crappie boat

[Murdock]

I was wondering what the opinion might be out there as to what the best type of boat might be for crappie fishing. I currently have a pontoon but am considering selling out and buying a boat better suited for fishing but would still like to use it for family stuff. I would appreciate any opinions regarding: fiberglass vs aluminum, bass boat?, center console? I know everyone has their own preferences, likes and dislikes. I would like to take advantage of all of the experience here on the forum so please help me out.

 

[Gator]

Danny, you have about as many choices as there are boaters on this topic. An aluminum boat such as a Tracker is great as it's light and easy to pull & handle but generally doesn't take to rough water very well while a much heavier fiberglass rig will handle the rougher water yet be heavier loading. Personally, I like the fiberglass rig for performance, at least 17.5 in length with enough power to perform. Also generally there's enough storage on a boat this size. Mine is 17.5 ft w/150 merc and performs well. I also use it to pull the grandkids on tubes so it'll serve both purposes if need be. If I had a bigger garage I'd get a 19 or 20 ft boat next time. If your budget could stand it, keep the pontoon and buy a fishing boat too.

 

[Guest]

I am partial to the one I have in my picture, it is 80 inches wide in the bottom and is 21 foot long, center console, plenty of room, will haul 16 people, floats in spit, get to the shallow areas real easy, can be used off shore if need be, does 42 MPH. The perfect all around boat for me, I chose it for safety and the roomieness, motor just sips gas. My 2 cents worth

 

[BackOnTheWater]

Just my opinion, but with kids on board I would rather have the pontoon, with a little room for them to "be kids" without falling overboard.</p>

Most bass boats have shallow sides and falling out or losing items overboard is easy.</p>

If kids' safety is a factor, stick with the pontoon or get a center console.</p>

More often than not I wish I had bought a pontoon instead of a bass boat. Much less chance of expensive repairs to boat, motor, and trailer.</p>

 

[SpurHunter]

Carolina Skiff for <u>serious</u> all-around fishing with LOTS of room, and weight rating for a party fishing trip! If your gonna fish ALOT by yourself, I say an aluminum boat like the G3's or Trackers are great. Easy to load and unload. Good storage, and terrific for getting in tight to docks and such. My .02

 

[harbuck handyman]

Get Doc 1 to take you for a ride.He has the most sensible, do it all well rig of us all. The wide open,low maintenance design of the carpetless Carolina Skiff combined with the 115 workhorse that may not win the race at the bass tournaments but is plenty fast enough for the average sane person without costing you a bundle at the gas pump and not as likely to blow up as a full tilt racing(I mean tournament ) hog is salt water tough and fresh water reliable.If he ever wants to sell it I hope he posts it here first.

 

[inthebox30lbs]

I have a G3 165 eagle and it would be a great boat for what you are looking to do. Plenty of room all the features of a bass rig for half the cost. My boat is carpeted but they now offer all of there boats with vinyl interior that you can just spray down. 50 hp yamaha is excellent on gas. Best part about the g3's is the price tag, check em out.
Scott

 

[puddle jumper]

I looked at g-3 , Tracker ,Sea Arks , War Eagles and Triton and for my money decided on the Triton ive had it for about 8 monthes and love it, good lay out , lots of storage , rod locker and three live wells, one bait one live well and a combination well in the back. 50hp merc. that gets great gas milage..good price on left over models,, just my two..

http://www.bucksisland.com/showroom_details.php?id=337

Puddle...emoUSA
Also give the guys at Buck Isl propes for being straight up to deal with...

 

[Buoy-Master]

Puddlejumper gave some really good boats there. Out of all of them, and I know all those boats pretty well being we build trailers for them....I would give a hard look at the G3 line. They seem to be built better and more stable in the water than most. Triton may cost more but well worth it too!!! Depends on what your looking to spend. If not that, I'd lean towards a center console like Doc mentioned. </p>

 

[drumking]

I own a Pro Crappie Tracker with a 40-4 stroke Merc. The only drawback to it is not enough storage space. But I'd probably complain about storage space if I had the QE2. emoLaugh With the new hulls that the Tracker has, it takes rough water easily. I have ridden in a couple of G3's that beat you to death if a very little chop is on the water. I like the way the G3's are laid out, but the ride would discourage me from buying one of those.

The Pro Crappie has recessed decks so that it is safer than sitting on top deck of a bass boat. I bought this boat not only for crappie fishing, but to be safer when fishing tailwaters of dams. But for family activities (more than 3 people) I would look for something else.

I wouldn't swap my Tracker for a fiberglass boat for more than one reason. emoGeezer

 

[Buoy-Master]

I'll admit the ride on that Tracker 170 I had was pretty smooth. Flips G3 rides pretty good. I don't complain and gets around 55 or better.</p>

You should go and sit in these boats, ride in them and be sure its what your going to find best...money wise, ride and personal taste. I didnt when I got into all this stuff..LOL. Ended up having 2 Trackers, new that is, 1 Stratos 185 then a 200 ProXL..LOL!  </p>

I'm happy now.

</p>

 

[Guest]

Danny if you want aluminum the SeaArk 15 degree hull is the best out there. Lots of room if you get the 20 foot or longer. Best hull of any aluminum and the storage can be customized to suit your needs. Stay away form any hull less than the 15 degree if you want a good ride in rough water. If you are leaning to fiberglass look at the Carolina Skiff DLV series. They ride good and are stable for a family. My choice if I were going to buy now would be the 21' DLV Carolina Skiff with a 115 Suzuki or Yamaha 4 stroke. The only real negative to the Carolina Skiff in my opinion is that all of their gas tanks are in the console and you have to climb up in the boat to fuel them.

 

[crdodge45]

For my next boat for crappie will be a center console bay boat or skiff 21ft. 8ft.wide then add your on touch for storage. Take a ride with O'Doc 1 see what you think.