Boat Recommendations

[GAMEOVER]

Id like to get a boat in the near future, my dream boat would be a Triton Tr-21XD but blowing 40 large on a boat at 23 with a wife and kid just isnt possible. Ive seen two of these on the Great Lakes of Michigan and fell in love with them when I was offered a trip in one. Beng realistic I could only afford 10-15 large at most on a boat and motor. I have no restoration skills so id have to buy it in good condition. My question to you guys is what boats do you guys think would tackle the Great Lakes of Michigan when on the hunt primarly for Small and Largemouth Bass and be in my price range?

Thanks,

-Eric

[bipr8]

Crestliner.  They make a great aluminum deep V boat.  I have an 18' deep V.  Even though it is a V, it is a bass boat all the same.  I love it.

http://www.crestliner.com/boats/boat_model.asp?TID=304&BID=131

[cart7t]

You're gonna wanna get a big boat!

[Its a big one]

that looks like pickwick with a 15 mph wind out of the east.

[cart7t]

Seriously, that photo was taken within the past few weeks on Erie.  You don't really want to get out in that at all but certainly not in anything under a 20 ft boat.  Unfortunately, 20 footers need big motors to push them and big trailers underneath them.  For only $10-15k, you're going to be stuck getting a fairly old boat in that size range that may or may not need repair.

[Sam]

Great question, especially since you will be fishing a very large and powerful body of water.

Please discuss fishing on local lakes with local guys who do a lot of fishing on these lakes.

Some boats handle very well in rough water while others do not and it is imperative that you find the make of boat that can handle the rough water.

One of my friends does not have a windshield on his bass boat as the waves from a tug boat on the James River caused it to blow away when he hit the tug's wake and the water washed over the boat.

Another friend got a broken nose on an inland Virginia  lake in rough water when a wave came over the bow and smashed into the boat and tore the windshield off its base.

We lost two fishermen in Poquoson two weekends ago when they were washed out of their boat and drowned in rough water.  They were in coastal waters that can get rough, fast.

Two other fishermen were thrown out of their bass boat on the Potomac River last month and it was very fortunate for them that other bass fishermen were around to rescue them.  One of the guys was in bad shape.  The accident was caused by rough water in a river.

Our Virginia lakes and rivers are no match for the Great Lakes for rough water and sever weather conditions. So if all this stuff can happen in Virginia I hate to think what could happen on one of the Great Lakes.

So please think of your family when purchasing the boat.  A little more money than you would want to pay for a boat balanced with the additional safety of a stronger and higher quality boat is a top priority.  

Be sure to post a photo of your new boat when you get it so we all can see it.

[GAMEOVER]

Yeah the Great Lakes can be horrific. I wonder why Triton labled the Tr-21XD as their Great Lakes model. Id primarly be fishing Lake St.Clair, Lake Erie, and Lake Michigan (Lk. Michigan for the smallie state record). Guess I just better save up.. some great opinions though, thanks.

You're gonna wanna get a big boat!

Please tell me that isnt your boat on the Great Lakes.. wow. Yeah no way can my son grow up fatherless, if I just have to rent em for awhile id better instead of going and getting a potential half a55 boat that can kill me.

[cart7t]

That photo was shot a couple weeks ago at a Fishers of men tournament.  No way that's me. I wouldn't be crazy enough to go out in that mess.  

[tipptruck1]

Hey cart my buddy just came back from mille lacs lake in Minnesota. He said the lake was like that picture. He was in a 20 foot deep-v but that still had to scare the hell out of him. He said that him and his buddy went even scared. I also use to live on lake michigan and it was scary some times.

[Way2slow]

Don't have to be the Great Lakes.  I've been on inland bodies of water that looked like that.  Get down toward the dam on Clarks hill and have one of those afternoon thunderstorms come up and it can put a 20' boat looking for calmer water.  Been there, done that.  4' - 6' white caps in a 40 mph wind ain't no fun at all.

[NBR]

There is not a boat of any size that will withstand anything the big lakes can give you. Think of the Edmund Fitzgerald. I have fished Michigan, Erie, St Clair and any number of large inland lakes in my 19' bass boat but when it starts to threaten in the distance I beat a very, very, very hasty retreat. I also watch the weather very closely if its going to be bad change plans and pick a smaller body of water. If there are going to be thunder storms stay home.

When the waves start to build may be too late. First you can't go as fast and secondly your over the bottom speed reduces since you are going up and down hill (the waves).

Over the years I have spent a lot of time on the big lakes and over the years I have grown into "Captain Chicken". When it might get bad I head in or stay home. I have never seen a fish worth leaving a widow and/or an orphan.

Look for a used or new boat with reasonably deep draft and length that you can afford any buy it. Take a Coast Guard Auxillary course on seamanship so you have the knowledge and skills to stay out of big trouble and go fishing. My first performance bass boat was used. It served me well for about 7 years and I sold it for about what I had paid less a very few improvements, mostly of the clean up spruce up variety.

[Nick_Barr]

One of the best rough water boats I have ridden in are in this order:

1. RANGER 521 VS

2. CHAMPION 213 or 203?

3. Skeeter ZX 300

4. (SURPRISINGLY) Bullet 22XD

ALL BIG WATERS when it gets bad are not suitable for small craft. But I would suggest looking at buying a RANGER or CHAMPION in your price range. AS LONG AS IT MECHANICALLY WORKS AND IS SAFE, It is fishable and it will keep you as safe as you can get in a bass boat. Dont worry about colors, gel coat, carpet, cosmetics, that is your last consideration when you are in 8 footers.

[Tom Bass]

Eric,

I would go to the docks and ramps in your area and look at what the hard core guys are using. I would talk to them and ask their recommendations as they would know best. Listening to any of us who are not savvy to the area you fish may be a serious mistake.

I am a good example. I have a Regal 2120 that I use for pleasure and fishing. It's not a fishing boat. It's a "Fun" boat. I decided to buy a small fishing boat to use on Lake Norman on nice summer days. Lake Norman is like an inland sea here in NC. I bought a used 12' Lowe Sea Nymph with a 9.9 HP motor. It's a nice little boat in calm water. Two weeks ago I nearly flipped it when traversing the lake in moderate winds and some boat chop. My Sea Nymph is not a big water boat in any way. My Regal, on the other hand, is great in heavy waves on Lake Norman. I wouldn't take my Regal to sea nor would I take her out on the Great Lakes if I thought the weather was going bad.

I have been in heavy seas in the Navy. Not having enough boat can be deadly. Don't tempt fate. The Great Lakes can be just as deadly as the Virginia Capes and the North Atlantic.

My recommendation would be a deep V fishing boat with a big motor...preferably two big motors so if one dies you have the other to get you home.

Pretty is cool but functional saves your life.

[dhuffnmu]

Gameover,

You can easily buy a really nice boat for that amount that will get you out there on those lakes and fish.  The lakes are not that rough all the time.  My buddy has an 18ft triton with a 150hp on it and we go all over on St. Clair Erie the river Saginaw Bay.  You just cant go out there when it is 5 footers or more.  Which even if you had a bigger boat you wouldn't want to go out in them anyways.  So you don't HAVE to have a bigger boat.  An 18 footer with a 150 is more than sufficient.

[Triton9]

my boat is a Triton Tr21XD, love it. it really is a great boat.

[HPBB]

Try looking at some Deep V's most co. make models that are set up like Bass Boats inside. I have a Sea Nynmph GLS 175 (Great Lakes Special) with a 75 Suzuki, and my Father has a Alumacraft Trophy 17 with a 125 Merc. Both Boats are great on Big water ( fish Lake erie  alot) . yes you get wet, but that is what rain gear is for. I have never been in any boat ( expect very large boat) that you didn't get wet when running in big waves. both were bought used for well under 10,000 at 5 years old. they also fish smaller water very well. And they tow very easy. we have towed both of the with V6 S-10 and had no problems

[mudcatwilly]

Nitro makes a real nice boat.  Brand new it will cost you $20k, but you can get a used one for $12k to $14k.

[5bass]

Be sure to look at a few Gamblers......