View Full Version : Boat for fish/waterski?
msmst25
07-23-2005, 08:25 PM
My wife has tentatively approved the purchase of a new boat in the next 1-2 years, and I was wondering if anyone could offer any advice. I'm interested in a boat that will work well for both fishing and waterskiing, and can be towed on a trailer. My 2 boys will be about 3-4 years old at the time of purchase, and I'd like to be able to take out 5-6 people at a time comfortably.
At this point I'm still in the daydreaming phase, so I'm interested in hearing about any suggestions. Later I'll start to come down to reality and consider the price. Thanks for your help.
Matt
Gundog
07-24-2005, 09:32 AM
How much water sking compared to fishing 20% / 80% so on. You can drag someone on a tube or ski with just about anything of 150 HP or more. I used to pull the kids in my old Bayliner Trophy with 120 HP outboard hardly a competition ski boat though. Decide what you will do most with the boat and go from there.
Mike
5-6 fishing or watersports? If you are talking water sports, most sizes that are safe work since there are usually 3-4 in the boat(people are in the water). :smile:
Are you thinking about any saltwater? How about shallow river running? How about fishing in inclement weather?
Fish mojo
07-25-2005, 06:23 AM
check out the Crestliner Sportfish. Welded Aluminum outboard. Great combo boat. Dealer in Beaverton has them.
SeanD
07-25-2005, 07:49 AM
Gundog has it right. It really depends on if you ever get really into waterskiing. If you are only going to go a couple times a year and mostly wakeboard or pull a tube, then it would be ok i guess. If you are going enjoy skiing, it really is not fun to do it behind a deep-vee glass fishing boat. Ski boats have a very small wake. Id get two cheaper boats if you want to do both.
6wapiti6
07-25-2005, 02:20 PM
If I had to pick one, it would be North River's Commander X.
Mikeymoto
07-25-2005, 10:45 PM
Lots of great questions so far. Throw up a budget range and we can get you diald in.
You will need to go at least 20' or more probably.
MM
NeedaFlyBridge
07-26-2005, 12:46 PM
I'm interested in the same thing, as I have one boat for each right now, and it is spendy (not just to buy, but to maintain, insure, store, etc.)
Jon
Wet-Net
07-28-2005, 08:33 PM
20ft Alumaweld Intruder w/ Sterndrive & 18 Degree Hull
4.3 V6 w/ 4bbl = 225 hp. Pulls skiers of all sizes on a single ski,tube and etc. Plenty of room for six seating comfortable & fishes Great! Get the Semi-Rigid Top amd the Master Fisherman's pgk where 9.9 kicker attaches directly
to the transom & heats the water into a built in sink. No need to remove the kicker. Fish in the A.M. then ski in the hot afternoons without blinking an eye....Mine is Black...
Road Rage
07-29-2005, 10:08 AM
I would suggest a welded aluminum boat (Alumaweld, NorthRiver, Jef Craft, Thunder Jet, etc) in the 20-21' range with forward helm/windsheild, and a 150 (ish) horse-power outboard. Like mentioned before, decide where your priority is and buy a boat for that purpose, but that will "work" for the other.
Personally, I've got a Trophy 2052 that is an awesome all-around boat. I've not yet towed a skier or tuber, but I don't think I'd have any problem doing so. It's pretty big to be used a ski boat though...
wwjetboater
08-02-2005, 11:52 AM
Look at Edge marine Its kind of the Boice clone My Boice jet I wake board behind mine as well as fish.
RiverRover
08-04-2005, 10:34 PM
Here's what happened when my wife said "OK, but I want to be able to "lay out" and I want a family boat".
One boat show later, I drove this one home....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/riverrover/Boat/NorthRiver002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/riverrover/Boat/P10104122.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/riverrover/Boat/fishmode.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v647/riverrover/Boat/NorthRiver011.jpg
Hands down, the best combo boat out there. Way more a fishing tool, this boat surprises me every time I take out the family (wife, two daughters ages 3 and 1). It is the most comfortable boat around.
PM me if you want to hear more, including the service which cannot be topped. VERY IMPORTANT FACTOR: GOOD SERVICE!
TheRogue
08-05-2005, 06:52 AM
The perfect boat was out there in production....until business end fell through (absolutely NOT the fault of the product, but the owner), see post a couple above. The NR Commander X is a great substitute, if you have major $$$$$. Otherwise, there's plenty of options for you. I'm a complete aluminum fan myself....I'd buy for fishing, and rig for watersports playing...
TR
norsky
08-05-2005, 11:42 PM
Ah yes the big question. And I commend you for asking other boaters before taking the big plunge. I have worked on boats of many varieties since 1968. and your question is the biggest and most common for those new to boating. If Bucks are not a problem the North River Fishing/sking/wakeboard convertible doo all in one of the replies would be the best choice. Semi vee hull, good power to weight ratio, YOU CAN KEEP IT IN ONE STORAGE PLACE. Otherwise the question will always be there. The other option is a good semi-vee glass runabout, avoid the long downturned bows common to play boats. There are also newer aluminum boats out there that at first glance almost look like glass boats. At any rate if you use the general lines and hull shape as that North river as a guide, you will find many boats suited to water play and fishing. In one boat. And beyand that if you want to fish shallow water a jet would be the choice, otherwise a prop motor is the best choice as far as upkeep, maintenance, and fuel economy go. Try the web board at coastal visions they have some good info and discussions for first time boat owners. Do your homework. And Happy boating!
MrOlearhy
08-08-2005, 08:00 PM
Please excuse my little side bar here.
That has to be the most "[petunias!] out" fishing boat ever! Way cool.
T.
Mtnsilverwolf
08-09-2005, 08:44 AM
WE (wife and I) bought an Edge Marine for the same reasons described above. Love the boat. Service has been great with my rep, although being a newer company has defineitely taken the "speed" out of the service. Take a look. They are pricy, but like Grandad said, "You can buy the good ones once or keep buying the seconds." http://Edge Marine.com
jjzzfishkiller
08-11-2005, 05:49 PM
We have a NR 20' Trapper and just love it. Next year I plan to put a wake board tower on it. I just take the kicker box and moter off for the summer and we use it 1-2 times a week as a family boat. Last year I fished all fall and also went crabbing 4-5 times. Love our boat!!!