Good boat for the feeble

[livemusic]

LOL, boat for the feeble. Not me, for me taking my brother fishing. He is almost age 70, who knows how many years he has left, but he likes to fish and certainly needs to have some fun. I have a 17' bass tracker and he doesn't like to fish out of it due to its bass boat design, with the rear deck. He's overweight and has bad knees. I took him fishing and found him fishing, sitting in the little seat you use when running down the lake... you know, below the gunwales!

 

Now, I'd rather not have two boat rigs, but if I could buy one that would work well with two kinds of fishing, and could find a used one, I might do it. I could use my tracker for bass fishing.

 

My brother likes panfishing. Bream in the spring, white perch (crappie) in spring and winter. A real fast boat isn't necessary for any of this. Two types of boats come to mind. First is an open hull type, even a stick steer aluminum or glass 'panfish' type boat. Hard to fall out of. Second type is a small pontoon boat. Although, he'd have to stay behind the 'fence' to be/feel safe.

 

Anyone got any ideas, ever faced this problem? Should be common, fishermen age!

 

Ideally, needs to have enough horsepower to go, say, 25 mph or more in case you got to hightail it off lake due to a storm. Trolling motor sure would be nice to have.

[J Francho]

All I could think of would be a fishing pontoon.

[livemusic]

A Lund type v hull or mod v hull that had a single seat in the back could work. Or even a deep hull 'duck boat' aluminum jon boat. A buddy has one with stick steer and I like it. No deck, but overall, it works ok, especially, since we like to catfish with limb lines and that stick steer is real handy.

[J Francho]

OK, I was under the impression that stepping down would be a problem, but I guess not.  I fish out my buddy's Lund tiller, and that may be perfect.  Depending on what model, you don't have to lose the deck up front, and he'll have a good fishing position in the back.

[fishnkamp]

Forget the stick steer. I have had one and they are good fishing boats, but do not have any advantage over what you have.

Since you have a Tracker and seem to like it look at a Tracker deep V series boat.  There are two models to consider.  They will not draft much more than yours does, but it should make your brother more comfortable since he can just sit down inside the boat. For you, the change will not be too much. You will still fish from a raised front deck using a front mounted trolling motor, drive sitting behind a side console, and have some usable storage. The boat should handle waves a bit better too.  Take a look at both the Pro Guide V16 SC and the Pro Guide 175SC. Here are a few pics.  Notice some of he options. The Versa Track system means you can add fishing rod holders , in case you want to stop and catfish or crappie with multiple rigs at once, as well as add drink holders, a cutting board or tackle trays and tool holders. You could tailor it to your style of fishing when your brother is with you and go back to a more traditional way of bass fishing when you are not fishing together.  They may be happy to work with you since you already fish from a Tracker. I would see what type of a trade in they would work out with you.  Also do not just check with one Tracker dealer.  I live between two BPS and the difference between the two marine departments is night and day.  It depends on the manager. One hardly wants to deal at all and the other deals all the time.  The one that deals all the time is busy and profitable year round, the other not so much.

 

[J Francho]

For about the same $$$, you can get a Rebel XS tiller.  Better build quality, Command Thrust Big Tiller handle, better storage, basically has all the goodies, and an open floor plan.

[slonezp]

Budget?

[livemusic]

Budget? Generally, I'd guess $30k if I were to buy new, but I am very open to buying used.

[J Francho]

You could jump up to a Lund Pro Guide for that.  That's what I'm lusting after.

At any rate, good luck in your search.

[livemusic]

I fish for bass and crappie/bream and also some nightfishing for catfish and crappie. This boat layout below intrigues me. My boat should primarily serve my needs, as I fish alone alot because I often can't find anyone to go. But I like to bring a friend when I can, so, it needs to be good for him/her, too. I need a front deck for bass fishing, and a rear deck is a plus for a guest. I think a side console is preferred over center console. Live well, a must. Onboard rod storage a must; one on each side is even better. Want a washdown pump, catfishing is nasty. A center drain grate is handy for washdown. I'd like a motor capable of going at least 40mph but it doesn't have to be much faster than that. Economical is nice! I think I prefer 4-stroke because they are so quiet. I like a lot of open floor deck space for ice chest, tackle, big flopping fish, etc.

 

With this first model below (Excel), my not-so-nimble brother could sit in the bottom of the boat in the chair at the back (but not on top the rear deck).

 

Anyone have any models to suggest? Here is one below by Excel Boats, the Catfish model. I wonder if they have other  models similar to this layout.

 

Xpress Boats also has a catfish model that might offer a similar floorplan. Image is second below. I would not want that many seats in my boat.

 

I have been intrigued with Lund boats but found that they have no dealers anywhere around here. I guess it's primarily a more northern USA brand. They appear well-made, though!

 

[roadwarrior]

I recently bought a pontoon boat which is perfect in every way!  Most importantly,

you can get up and walk around.

 

[Jig Man]

You might want to consider a deck boat.  Lots of them have flat floors with trolling motor, front and rear fishing seats as well as a table for eating and a bimini top to get out of the sun.  My wife had one for several years.  She loved that thing.

[LadiMopar]

Hey Livemusic,

I can't really add anything to this discussion in regards to type or model of boat, but I just wanted to express how truly heart warming it is to see this level of brotherly love and support.

 

Folks like you do us all a great service by reminding us about what is important in this life. I hope you find just the right boat, and that you and your brother spend many happy hours on the water enjoying each other's company as well as making great memories.

 

All the best-selling

LM

[livemusic]

2 hours ago, LadiMopar said:

Hey Livemusic,

I can't really add anything to this discussion in regards to type or model of boat, but I just wanted to express how truly heart warming it is to see this level of brotherly love and support.

 

Folks like you do us all a great service by reminding us about what is important in this life. I hope you find just the right boat, and that you and your brother spend many happy hours on the water enjoying each other's company as well as making great memories.

 

All the best-selling

LM

Well, thank you kindly. Going to a boat show tomorrow. Hopefully, will find good info, as both of the manufacturers I posted images of are going to be at the show! Looking forward to it. I have a good idea what would make the ideal boat for the types of fishing we do. I don't know if I will pull the trigger but I'm closer to spending the money now, lol. Can't take it with you.