First-Time Bass Boat for Fun Fishing and Tournaments

[Susky River Rat]

@HawkeyeSmallie it all depends on the boat, motor and trailer Configuration. There is no real solid answer to this. If I had to guess you’d need 20-22’ for a 18’ boat. 

[gim]

19 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Mind if I piggyback this thread?

 

Do most of you keep your boats in your garage?

 

How deep does a garage have to be to store a boat?

 

For example, if your boat is say a 18 ft boat, how much more do you need for the trailer?

 

Garage kept here.  I have a 21 foot garage depth and my boat is 17 ft, 8 inches long with a 75 hp outboard.  It fits but only by about 2-3 inches.

 

The nice part about most modern trailers is that they come with a swing away tongue which can save anywhere from 12-20 inches in storage space.  If my trailer didn't have that, it wouldn't fit in my garage.  I save 16 inches on mine right now.

 

Many websites will list something like "length on trailer" under their specs.  That is the storage space required with the stock motor that it comes with.  But keep in mind it may not be 100% accurate either.  The best way to determine total length is to go to the dealer, bring a tape measure, and do it yourself.   Buying a boat and then coming home with it only to find out it doesn't fit in your garage would be a buzz kill.

 

I personally would not own a boat if it didn't fit in my garage either.  But I live in the north.  Keeping mine outside when its -20 with 2 feet of snow on the ground isn't an option either.  In a more temperate climate, storing a boat outside would be more tolerable.

 

The nice part about keeping my boat in the garage is that I can keep everything right in the boat.  I don't have to remove any gear or graphs or put the cover on.  I just back in, hook up, and go.  Its very convenient and saves time.

[DaubsNU1]

Like@gimruis, my boat is garage kept during the fishing season. Two garage bays are 21' deep...the third bay, where the boat sits, is 19'4"

 

My Lund is 20' with motor and trailer. I dolly it in through the middle bay...and don't have to use the swing tongue.

 

 

I am fortunate, able to move boat to the 40x30 shop for winter storage.

 

 

I did a ton of research, and measuring when looking for a boat. Did not think the 1775 was going to fit...and technically it is too long to fit in that third bay...but angling it in was 100% the way to go.

 

It's so convenient to leave all my gear in the boat, electronics hooked up, plugged in, etc.

 

Another thing to consider...winter storage, you want to make sure mice are not getting in your boat. Thankfully I have been able to keep mice out of my shop

[gim]

Nice shop and nice dog there @DaubsNU1!

[Jig Man]

This thread got me to thinking about my boat.  It is 20’4” long. Add the jack plate and motor makes it 23’4”.  Then the crank and trailer tongue another 3’.  So it is 26’4” with the motor trimmed all the way down.  I had my boat bay in the garage built 15x30.  I have walking room in the back but the tongue has to be swung away so I can walk around the front.

[GaryH]

Check the boat first with the motor down, if available trailer tongue folded in for accurate measurements. Also if you go with power poles height. I have a 28’ garage. With a 21’ bass boat with a 250 Yam. And 12” Jack plate Im inches from the back wall just enough room to get by at the front with the trailer tongue folded in.

[Born 2 fish]

On 9/12/2024 at 1:41 PM, HawkeyeSmallie said:

Mind if I piggyback this thread?

 

Do most of you keep your boats in your garage?

 

How deep does a garage have to be to store a boat?

 

For example, if your boat is say a 18 ft boat, how much more do you need for the trailer?

 Yes my boat is garage kept.My Garage is 23’6 and I keep my Phoenix 819 pro fits great 

 

[casts_by_fly]

On 9/12/2024 at 2:53 AM, WRB said:

I have no idea what the OP’s budget is?

Owned serval bass boats and a few smaller aluminum boats.

When op says he plans to fish tournaments at some point he needs a boat bass anglers like to fish out of.

If I was to buy a bass boat today for the size of lakes the mentioned and enjoy the fun factor of owning a bass boat it would the I recommended Bass Cat Bob Cat w/ 150 hp 4 stroke factory assembled used or new.

Tom

 

On 9/12/2024 at 5:04 AM, WRB said:

$15-$20K think good condition 2005 Trident SR 175 w/ 115 opimax.

Tom

both are going to be way to heavy for his suv to tow. His max tow weight is 1500. 

[airshot]

On 9/13/2024 at 11:12 AM, DaubsNU1 said:

Like@gimruis, my boat is garage kept during the fishing season. Two garage bays are 21' deep...the third bay, where the boat sits, is 19'4"

 

My Lund is 20' with motor and trailer. I dolly it in through the middle bay...and don't have to use the swing tongue.

 

 

I am fortunate, able to move boat to the 40x30 shop for winter storage.

 

 

I did a ton of research, and measuring when looking for a boat. Did not think the 1775 was going to fit...and technically it is too long to fit in that third bay...but angling it in was 100% the way to go.

 

It's so convenient to leave all my gear in the boat, electronics hooked up, plugged in, etc.

 

Another thing to consider...winter storage, you want to make sure mice are not getting in your boat. Thankfully I have been able to keep mice out of my shop

No mice in that garage....there is a gard dog there to keep them out !! Lol..