Conclusion Posted March 23, 2022 Posted March 23, 2022 I'm looking to purchase my first boat. I'm looking for 16' with smaller engine 24-40hp because I can't tow much, open to side console or tiller no more than 20k CAD. I'm really surprised to see the majority of boats either don't have rod storage or the storage is for smaller rods ( I'm looking at a crestliner Kodiak 167 and the in floor storage says 6' max, that's useless). Have rod lengths really gone up that much in the past 10 years? Also for anyone with a boat and decent size storage, is it as beneficial as I'm making it out to be? I'd like to avoid having to load/unload all my rods every time I want to head out. Thanks Quote
Super User FishTank Posted March 23, 2022 Super User Posted March 23, 2022 One of the guys I fish with has a 16' Crestliner Storm with a 40hp. I think his rod locker holds up to a 7' rod. His rods and reels do get a little beat up bouncing around in there but it gets the job done. Quote
DaubsNU1 Posted March 23, 2022 Posted March 23, 2022 My 14' v-hull didn't have storage...so I improvised. When I renovated last year, didn't want to tear out the benches and flotation...so built framing over the benches...and kept the side rod storage. It is not the best, but it works for me. Holds 6 rods. 4 Quote
Super User gim Posted March 23, 2022 Super User Posted March 23, 2022 Smaller boats lack rod storage. That's just how they are. There simply isn't the space for it. I have a 17 foot 8 inch mod V aluminum bass boat and my rod locker is off to the side with an 8 foot max. I wish it had a big center rod locker but I would need to upgrade sizes to get that. If I was going to buy a 16 foot boat I would definitely go with a tiller. It will save a lot of space not having a console in there. You might have to improvise and do some DIY rod storage like @DaubsNU1 posted in his photo. 1 Quote
Junk Fisherman Posted March 23, 2022 Posted March 23, 2022 My last boat, a 17.5' tin bassboat, only had storage to 6' for rods. I just kept everything on the deck when I traveled with rod socks and reel covers. Never had a problem. Even with my boat now with up to 8' rod storage, I trailer to the lake with 3-4 combos on the deck. And even if you have a rod locker, the standard latch locks are easy for a thief to pop open. It's not a place I would want to store my rods long term unless it was in my garage. Good luck with your purchase. 1 minute ago, gimruis said: If I was going to buy a 16 foot boat I would definitely go with a tiller. It will save a lot of space not having a console in there. This is a great suggestion. My dad had a 16.5 tiller with an open floor plan and a little casting platform upfront. That was a great multispecies boat and with a good trolling motor it was a very functional bass boat. On the other hand, a 16.5 boat with a console is much more cramped. 1 Quote
Conclusion Posted March 23, 2022 Author Posted March 23, 2022 Thanks for the replies. My ideal boat is the Lund fury 1600 tiller, which surprisingly has 7'6" rod storage. It's a nice smaller boat so would be easier for me to solo launch and not a pain to store. There's only one tiller model listed right now anywhere near me and they've outfitted it with an overpowered motor so I'm very hesitant. 1 Quote
Super User gim Posted March 23, 2022 Super User Posted March 23, 2022 1 hour ago, Conclusion said: Lund fury 1600 tiller Good choice Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted March 23, 2022 Global Moderator Posted March 23, 2022 My last boat was a 16' Lowe Roughneck with a 60hp Merc 4 stroke. It had no rod locker so I had to put my rods in every trip. It wasn't too much of a hassle but having all of them in my boat now is way nicer. Quote
padon Posted March 24, 2022 Posted March 24, 2022 my situation is kind of unique in that all my lakes are electric only. they are fairly large fore electric lakes, about 4000 acres. anyway i have a 16 foot tracker grizzly i made rear aluminum deck with strorage for my 8 6 volt batteries . on the front i extended the deck and made storage for tackle and on the left side i came in 14 inches went down the side cut a hole in the front of the rear deck and was able to get rods to 7feet 6 inches in there. i dont have pics i could take some but dont know how to post them. lol . anyway the point is it can be done look at some of the pics above. also look on you tube at a page called tiny boat nation. they show all kinds of mods. Quote
Deephaven Posted March 24, 2022 Posted March 24, 2022 The Lund 1675 only stores up to a 7'5" rod, but is a great small boat layout. If you are crafty, making your own small craft layout is probably the best. For a good example, see Ken's build here: 1 Quote
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