Boat questions

Daleo8803

Daleo8803

Move along, move along
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Dec 18, 2016
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Rock Hill SC
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Ok guys I might be looking for a small boat. All I fish is small lakes and ponds. Biggest lake I would go to would be lake Wylie. What I think would be perfect would be a 16ft flat bottom aluminum boat, Jon boat type. I fish for pan fish, cat fish and bass. Just for fun for me and the little lady. Besides it floating what should I look for in a used boat? What should I look for if it has a outboard motor? Thanks
 
Daleo8803 said:
Ok guys I might be looking for a small boat. All I fish is small lakes and ponds. Biggest lake I would go to would be lake Wylie. What I think would be perfect would be a 16ft flat bottom aluminum boat, Jon boat type. I fish for pan fish, cat fish and bass. Just for fun for me and the little lady. Besides it floating what should I look for in a used boat? What should I look for if it has a outboard motor? Thanks
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You don't have time to fish, get to work on that Chevelle.

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Whatever you look at take it for a test ride. Make sure the motor doesn’t struggle under load, a barrel or muffs isn’t sufficient for that.
 
i have had all types of fishing boats, the best all round boat i had was a aluminum 16 foot Panfish made by Basstracker , it has 2 nice chairs one in front one in back livewell inbetween them, you drove boat from front seat, stick steering, great vision , you can see whats in front of you. had foot control trolling motor, fish finder, built in ice chest ,rod storage , had 25 hp. Mercury, fish all day on 6 gallons of gas . i had rod holders, could troll for Stripers, Crappie, could anchor for catfish , use trolling motor for bass fishing, it had drive on trailor all electrical switches on side easy to operate , it would run around 24 mph. with 2 people , like i will tell anyone its the best all round fishing boat , in my opinion .
 
I've got an 18ft Express. It's a center console and has plenty of room. Flat bottom, pretty good V-Nose so you don't get beat up if it gets choppy. Great fishing boat. What Dman said, test drive it. A boat running on land is different from a boat on the water. I've had a 16ft, now have the 18ft. those 2 feet on a boat make a big difference, if you can get comfy on a 16ft, you'll love an 18. I was always a 2 stroke guy until I got this one, 4 stroke is the way to go. Even though I still love the smell of burning oil.
I've had a boat for the last 30yrs. My Dad got me into fishing when I was about 5-6yrs old, fishing for Snapper Blues off of the old Sea-Plane launching ramp. Me and him had that old 1971 Starcraft, 16ft for 20+yrs, spent many days in the inlet, around the jetties, and out at 3 mile. Also countless hours on the river hunting. Hated to see the old girl go, but she went to a good home and I think my dad would approve of the upgrade.
Don't get a glass boat, go aluminum, you can beat the crap out of a good aluminum boat, I'd break a glass boat.
The old Battleship
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The new one
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Goofyfoot2001 said:
If lake Wiylie is the biggest thing you're going in then I would get a couple fishing kayaks and you can also hit the catawba and other rivers. The fish in Wylie are toxic anyway.
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I have a fishing kayak. BUT the little lady wont get on a kayak so that's a no go lol
 
hard to go wrong with any of the newer 4 stroke engines. I cant give a recommendation of the e-tecs as there are so few down here I cant say if they are any good or not. One thing you will find out is a quality aluminum boat is expensive, probably more so than the equivalent fiberglass boat. Sea Ark and Alumniweld rank high on the quality side. Go with a welded boat if you can afford it. When shopping used, look for cracks in the ribs right where they bend and where they attach to the stringers. Make sure you float test it for leaks. If you are entertaining a riveted boat, make sure it does not leak, if it leaks past the rivets, its only going to get worse with use. Avoid any aluminum boat that's been used in salt.
 
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