fish and ski boats?

[sodaksker]

Do you any of you own a combo type boat?  Are you happy or unhappy with them?

[sodaksker]

more specificallly, does anyone have a procraft combo boat or have any thoughts on them?

[Ben]

I don't have one and for my personal use have no need for one. They have the name a little backwards though, should be ski and fish because they are a lot more suited for skiing than fishing. Their strong point is they give a family man a boat he can take the family to the lake and have a good time, yet still be able to slip off and do a little fishing.

You have to figure, a bass boat is pretty much designed for two people, the larger ones can seat three and are not set up at all for several people, a bunch of life jackets, room for skies, and all the other stuff that goes along with a family day at the lake.

When it comes to fishing out of a F/S, it has a trolling motor setup and a front seat. I see that big walkthru windshield being in the way trying to cast toward the front of the boat and that front deck is going to be rather cramped for space. Also figure rod storage is going to be a bit of a problem. Performance wise, they are going to be slower than their bass boat cousin because of the extra weight and it being more foward in the bow.

They still beat the heck out of my first "big" boat. In 1965, while still in high school, I bought me a brand new 14' Glass Master run-about with a 65hp Merc (paid a whopping $1,427 for whole outfit) for water skiing and having fun at the lake. When it came time to go fishing, I climbed over the windshield and set on the point of the bow with my feet hanging in the water and used a paddle for as my trolling motor.

[abelfisher]

I considered one of these before.  After serious thought, I had to ask myself and my wife how often would we as a family really use it for the lake, ie. skiing, etc.  After much discussion we realized we would not use it anywhere nears as much as I would for fishing, so I scrapped the idea.  Nothing worse than being stuck with a "fishing boat" that really isn't what you feel comfortable with when you are out after the bigguns!

[roadwarrior]

My first boat was a Bayliner Fish & Ski. It was really a ski boat that allowed you to configure the seats to fish out of. I would NOT recommend Bayliners, the quality is mediocre to poor, but the style (F & S) was okay.

[Yankee_Bassman]

I've got a Nitro 185 F/S; like anything else made to do two things, it does each OK, neither extremely well.

Ben is right on; the front deck is small, the rear deck is small, no rod storage, small livewells. The windshield I don't find as a problem. You can't lay rods down on the front deck, they're hanging over and in the way.

I bought it because it was a good deal as a used boat from a neighbor. I'm happy with it, but when I upgrade in a few years, it will be to a dedicated bass boat.  

[Guest hydrillagorilla]

other than the obvious of limited space on the front and rear decks, the windshildes is what turned me off- they can be like a sail if the wind is blowing.  

Better than no boat by a long shot!

[sodaksker]

[quote author=hydrillagorilla

the windshildes is what turned me off- they can be like a sail if the wind is blowing.

your right, this boat weighs 2300 lbs and I was fishing this last weekend in about a 5-10 mph wind, and I kept thinking, "dang this thing is moving a lot" > I wonder what it will be like in a big wind.

[Smib]

I've had one since '92, which I bought new.  It's an Astro, which is sister to the Procraft.  I've fished monthly tournaments in it and done well.  I've also taken the family out in it and have enjoyed the boat.  Because they are deep hulled (mine is an 18 FSX), it has a real nice ride and is super in rough water.  It does have limitations in fishing.  I've had to get suction cup straps to put on the windshields to hold my rods.  This works well until you get in some rough water and they start to bounce around.  Overall, I've liked the boat but the short front deck causes some problems.  If you've ever had a bass boat with a big deck you may not like it.  For the family and just fun fishing it can't be beat.  SMIB          

[Smib]

My back deck is enormous.  I ordered it with a deck extension which folds over the rear seats.  Three people can lay out back there.  Also my live wells are bigger than some bass boats that I have seen.  SMIB

[booty0]

I've got an 18 ft. Stratos F & S with a 'Rude 175. It's a great boat for what it is. Pulls skiers very well, has an awesome holeshot, and will run 65 mph with a nice ride. The drawbacks are a lack of storage space and small decks. It fishes fine for me though you do have stay aware of the windshield while casting. If I had it to do again, I would get something in the 20 ft. range for the larger decks and more storage. The Viper Coral 202 is probably the nicest F & S I've seen.

[phisher_d]

What about the Legend Xcalibur series? my friend has the 17-foot one of those and he and his family do a lot of fishing and skiing.  The back bench folds into a rear casting deck and the front deck has removable cushions and backrests.  Good storage and livewells.

  Check them out at www.legendboats.com

[J._Bricker]

sodaksker-  saw the flick of your ProCraft- good looking boat, I know how that smile feels.  Anyway, my family discussion center around how much the whole family would be using the boat (maybe 3-4 times a summer), as opposed to how much I would use the boat bass fishing (1-3 times a week).  The bass boat won, with a ski pole and boarding ladder as added accessories.  I gotta' take my kids tubin' some time.  But the bottom line, you have a beautiful boat in that ProCraft!  ;D

The big windshield issue, maybe ProCraft has lower profile bass boat-type which may further clean up the boat lines. Just my .02 on that.  JB

[Skeeter_Bo]

My first real boat (besides my beat up duck boat) was and Astro Fish-n-Ski.  It was a really well built boat, Astro/Procraft makes a good boat but like a lot of these other guys were saying I did more fishing than skiing.  I fish Carolina Rigs most of the time and I come close to busting that big windshield many times with that big ole 3/4 ounce sinker.  I enjoyed the boat but realized I needed more room up front.  I'm 6'4" so I needed more leg room.  Bought a 19ft Skeeter 2 years ago with a Yamaha 150 and I'm in love with that boat.  Plenty of room up front and lots of storage.

[Danno]

I have a 17' Sprint FS.  The extra seats are a necessity for family outings as I have two girls (5 and 8 ) who love to fish.  It does double duty nicely, but neither one as well as a single duty boat.