If I Were Going To Design A Fishing Boat...

[Further North]

They bay boat topic got me to thinking...

 

I'd start with a bass boat layout...for me, it'd be 18 - 19 ft long, 150, 200 HP.  4 stroke...or maybe 2...I want quiet, good on gas, low operating costs.  I don't need, or want more than that in the water I fish...don't need to go 70+ in a boat either, not on the NW WI, MN and Canadian water I fish.

 

It'd be set up to run shallow...but not be a PITA on big water like LOTW.

 

Aluminum hull for me...to many BAMF rocks where I fish...and it's lighter to pull with a smaller vehicle...which saves me $$$ on MPG for the 90% of the time I'm not pulling my boat.

 

I'd take the two side consoles, shove them into the middle so I could easily work around the outside of the boat for both casting and lading bigger fish.  This would sacrifice a center rod locker, but it'd open the potential for really long rod storage along the outsides of the boat...I fish for Musky...and I fly fish a lot...so 9 ft. + rod storage would be good.

 

Seating for three or four?  Don't need it.  Rather have the under-deck storage.

 

That would move the outside storage to the center...and there'd be more of it, because rod tips don' take up that much room.

 

I'd rig the boat for 36 volt trolling motor...go 24 if you want, but I fish too many long days in current to give up my 36 volt system.  Three batteries, low and center would get it done for that.  Two more batteries, one for the motor, one for the electronics would round out the batteries...too bad they don't make a 5 bank charger...so a 3 bank and a two bank would get that done.

 

No live well for me, I don't keep fish (this isn't a life-style statement or a criticism, I'm alergic).  Convert that space to storage.

 

Electronics...big screen at console, mall one up front.  Big stuff stuff grabs fly lines.  That's bad on my boat.

 

Retractable or collapsible rope cleats, see above, re - fly lines.

 

A shallow water anchor on one side at the back, Humminbird 360° on the other.  No kicker...I don't care for trolling.

 

Trailer...single axle, bunk style, side guides, two spares, steps as far around the outside as I could get.  15" wheels, minimum.

 

I'd love to see what others would do...let's not bash other guys' choices, just talk about what trips our triggers and why.

 

 

[bassinrobert54]

FURTHER NORTH,That sounds like the perfect boat for me.I think I found it, the new Lund Pro V Bass or Musky version.Check it out.

 

bob620

[Preytorien]

I like the idea. I'm allergic to fish too, so I could use that for more tackle boxes. I think your setup sounds great.

[PAGreg]

I like most of it. The one change I'd prefer is to move the dual consoles in just a hair further than normal to have a good 8 inches or so along the sides for rods to lay. Then, have the deck extend from front to back between the consoles so I could walk front to back on the same level. This would create cockpit-like seating at each console and the center could be two rod lockers, side by side. One for the guy in front and one for the guy in back.

[WIGuide]

Just curious as to how many have ever fished out of a center console bass boat before? Not meaning to bash, because maybe a custom design might work out better, but I've fished out one and been in another brands and the layout is cumbersome to say the least.

[Further North]

FURTHER NORTH,That sounds like the perfect boat for me.I think I found it, the new Lund Pro V Bass or Musky version.Check it out.

 

bob620

Bob, I've looked at it - it's a heck of a rig and very close to what I'd build if I could do it myself.  The only real change I'd make would be to shove the consoles closer together to make that space down the sides wider - I'd like to be able fish from there instead of just walk through.

 

If something happens to my current boat (a Crestliner CMV) the new Lund would be one of the boats I'd look hard at.

[Further North]

Just curious as to how many have ever fished out of a center console bass boat before? Not meaning to bash, because maybe a custom design might work out better, but I've fished out one and been in another brands and the layout is cumbersome to say the least.

The center console boat's I've been in have a higher console than a bass boat does - those can definitely get in the way.

[Further North]

I like most of it. The one change I'd prefer is to move the dual consoles in just a hair further than normal to have a good 8 inches or so along the sides for rods to lay. Then, have the deck extend from front to back between the consoles so I could walk front to back on the same level. This would create cockpit-like seating at each console and the center could be two rod lockers, side by side. One for the guy in front and one for the guy in back.

That's an interesting thought.  In my head the side rod lockers would cover that, but this is sure a viable option too.  I like it.

[WIGuide]

The center console boat's I've been in have a higher console than a bass boat does - those can definitely get in the way.

My uncle used to have a Bayliner bass boat with the center consoles. And I never fished out of one, but when Nitro had theirs I got to walk around in one. They were both very cumbersome and not due to the height of the consoles, just from the placement. 

[Catch 22]

Alum hull,max size 4 stroke tiller,elect start,trim//tilt,stainless Skegard, galvanized bunk trailer,14" wheels with a drop axle.12/24 v t motor hand control.< a BIG ONE

Plenty of lockable storage in the gunwales with 9" top surface . One livewell in front.Duel bilge pumps

A lockable alum box attached to port side to house electric panel, depth finder,pliers,ect.Remote gps receiver. am/fm/cd radio

 

I almost described my 16/6 Pro Vee Lund. Love that boat.

 

If you have  a 24v. or 36 v. t motor, a problem with any one battery may  shorten your day.Also with a engine start fail,the 3 batteries[1 start==2 t motor]just might get you home.I choose the hand motor because  I can`t perch on one leg like the past. I know you can sit down,I just don`t do it.

 

With the tiller it leaves all the open space  you can ask for.

 

I would love to have one of those west coast all alum boats with a self bailing deck.Some of them have 1/4" plate hulls

[Further North]

My uncle used to have a Bayliner bass boat with the center consoles. And I never fished out of one, but when Nitro had theirs I got to walk around in one. They were both very cumbersome and not due to the height of the consoles, just from the placement. 

Interesting - very...how would you characterize how they were cumbersome?

 

Not a challenge at all, I am very interested in how you felt they were hard to get around in.

[Further North]

I choose the hand motor because  I can`t perch on one leg like the past. I know you can sit down,I just don`t do it.

 

 

Have you considered one of the TMs with a remote?

[Catch 22]

 

 

 

Have you considered one of the TMs with a remote?

 

 

Fortunately mine still works fine. I may have to take up your suggestion in the future. Thanks

[A-Jay]

You're just described the Lund 1875 Pro V Bass Boat new this year ~

 

Check it out . . .

 

A-Jay

 

http://www.lundboats.com/boat-models/1875-pro-v-bass/

[Further North]

You're just described the Lund 1875 Pro V Bass Boat new this year ~

 

Check it out . . .

 

A-Jay

 

http://www.lundboats.com/boat-models/1875-pro-v-bass/

Close - see above.

 

That looks like a great boat, pretty close to what I'd described.

[68camaro]

Interesting thread, I am shore guy that went out with two different guides over weekend on their bass boats. One bass boat had walk-around decking and it was very convenient, the other had a center console but you had to step down then up to get from front to back, it was less convenient but in all reality not too bad.

 

I didn't realize what I was missing. My local areas are too small for a motorized bass boat but kayak or canoe may be in the offering. 

[slonezp]

Boat has already been designed minus the aluminum hull. Google images of lanier custom boats. There's a guy in my club with one. The deck is like a dance floor. Catamaran hull gives you all the storage you will ever need.

[A-Jay]

Boat has already been designed minus the aluminum hull. Google images of lanier custom boats. There's a guy in my club with one. The deck is like a dance floor. Catamaran hull gives you all the storage you will ever need.

 

Just checked them out - that's a pretty wild design.

 

Cool though.

 

Looks Fast.

 

A-Jay

[slonezp]

Just checked them out - that's a pretty wild design.

 

Cool though.

 

Looks Fast.

 

A-Jay

The guy in my club has a 250 vmax on his. He said 72mph but was still searching for a better prop

[WIGuide]

Interesting - very...how would you characterize how they were cumbersome?

 

Not a challenge at all, I am very interested in how you felt they were hard to get around in.

Well think of a dual console boat. There are plenty of people who don't like the extra console because it cuts down on the room in the bottom of the boat, and there's not tons of room to get up to the front deck. Whether you feel that way or not, you can't deny there's less room. Now if you move them to the middle of the boat, you take the distance between the consoles in a normal dual console boat and divide it by two and that's the room you have to work with to get around the consoles. Also, due to engine controls and wires running to and from the console, there needs to be a small wall in between the driver and passenger. I was looking for pictures online to try to give a visual to go along with what I'm saying. I ran across pictures of Sterling's center console boat, which is the only one I've seen that keeps the driver on the right. It's actually the best design I've seen of a center console, but there are still issues. If you look at the picture I've included, if the passenger brings along rods to fish with, he would have to use the step on his side as a rod ramp. If he does, not only will he most likely have to fight with them as he slides out from behind the console, he'd have to be careful when stepping up to the back deck to not step on them if he goes up on his side. Otherwise he would have to try to step over the shifter, or go up on the front deck to go around around the console to use the step on the other side. I guess if you don't care you could step on the seat too, but that's less than ideal. If you were to custom design one, you could probably get creative and come up with a solution to some of this, but I've yet to see a design that flows as well as the standard side console designs. 

[Further North]

WIGuide - thanks - good input.

 

Looking at that Sterling...I'd raise the floor on the sides up level with the deck...I think that'd allow room for controls and wires back to the motor, under the deck.

[Further North]

Boat has already been designed minus the aluminum hull. Google images of lanier custom boats. There's a guy in my club with one. The deck is like a dance floor. Catamaran hull gives you all the storage you will ever need.

Got a chance to look at them tonight - I like the idea...anyone have an idea what they cost?

[DogBone_384]

Nobody mentioned air bags, collision avoidance, ballast control, automatic docking assist, and at least four or five 'safety' cameras....

 

 

 

 

...Though an Alpine stereo would be nice too...

[Further North]

I get why some folks want a radio on board...but the last thing I want while I'm on the water is noise from the world.  I've got plenty of chances for that.