What To Look For In A Beginner Boat

[tomustang]

Something used around 14-16', are their brands/models to avoid or recommend?

Would be used in rivers and small non-powered lakes, Im guessing a semi v would be choice

There an average weight limit for styles and lengths? motor/trolling motor/battery/carpet/fishing gear etc plus two people going to be overkill?

More questions to come when I think of them

[Catt]

15 or16’ in length constructed of no less than .100 gauge aluminum all welded modified V bottom with a minimum bottom width of 44”. Plus a factory installed aluminum floor & front casting deck.

Depending on bottom width maximum weight/person/motor/gear: 748 – 1065 lbs

[dulouz]

I stumbled on a great deal of a boat for my first rig. It is a 12' aluminum v, with a 6hp johnson and trailer. I put a 50lb thrust trolling motor on it. I fish a medium sized river mostly, and a few small lakes with restrictions. It is perfect for me to go out and fish from. Someday I would like a bigger boat, I am thinking 16' jon with a 25hp, but right now what I have is just fine.

[Way2slow]

Stay with what you can afford and hopefully won't have to finance, if finaced, keep it to only a year or two. Boats are expensive to operate and they have a tendency to get used less and less, the longer you keep one, so minimize what you're loses will be if you decide that's not what you really wanted.

I prefer fiberglass because of the ride, storage and comfort, but they are the most expensive to own. They are heavier so you have to pay closer attention to what you're going to tow with, and it takes more gas to tow them. They also require a bigger motor for the same size boat as aluminum so they will use more gas to run. They do tend to have more storage room for the same size boat because the aluminum has less under floor floation, so they have to add it in areas you could have used for storage.

Aluminum is usually the better option for a new owner and want to keep limits on what it cost to use it to a minimum.

One thing about the two, if you are fishing rivers, or a lot of areas that have a lot of obstrucions, then aluminum is a lot more in line to your needs that fiberglass. The first time you hang or stick a fiberglass and have to get out of the boat to get it free, or in a area you can't get out and have to get help to get it free, you will keep thinking how much easier it would have been in an aluminum.

[Fishing Rhino]

What Way2slow said about possibly beating it up. In addition to this being a fishing boat, it's going to be a floating classroom for you to learn boat handling, your limits, and the limits of the boat. Always stay within the limits of both.

You're going to learn about current and wind drifts, how to berth a boat at a dock, and how to beach it should the need arise. It's why you never see a Mercedes with a "Driving School" sign on the roof. At least I haven't. They are usually smaller, easier to handle vehicles. Keep that in mind when choosing a boat, big enough to be stable and safe, but small enough to handle, or fend off a dock or other obstructions using a paddle or an oar.

[tomustang]

Yeah that's the whole point, something cheap to learn off of, yet not too small where I can't experiment with options or upgrading. trolling motors, currents, room, casting blah blah

[Fishing Rhino]

One other suggestion, take a safe boat handling course. The Coast Guard Auxiliary used to conduct them in many places, including inland. Here's one site approved by the Coast Guard.

http://www.uspowerboating.com/Home/Courses/Types_of_Courses/Safe_Powerboat_Handling.htm

[dulouz]

What Way2slow said about possibly beating it up. In addition to this being a fishing boat, it's going to be a floating classroom for you to learn boat handling, your limits, and the limits of the boat. Always stay within the limits of both.

You're going to learn about current and wind drifts, how to berth a boat at a dock, and how to beach it should the need arise. It's why you never see a Mercedes with a "Driving School" sign on the roof. At least I haven't. They are usually smaller, easier to handle vehicles. Keep that in mind when choosing a boat, big enough to be stable and safe, but small enough to handle, or fend off a dock or other obstructions using a paddle or an oar.

I am a perfect example of what you are saying. I am new to boating and do my best to take care of my boat, but mistakes happen and I would feel much worse if I made these mistakes in an expensive boat.

[Nitrofreak]

All real sound advise, Just dont rush your decision to buy the first thing you see, TAKE YOUR TIME !!!

The wider the boat the more stable it will be especially if you have two or more people on the boat.

I like 14 to 16 feet it gives ample room for your gear.

Make sure that when you do get this boat and you set sail for the first time that you try to have someone with experience there with you if that is not an option make sure you have a time table prepaired of where you are going and when you will be back with emergency numbers etc...

Be sure to pay close attention to detail, WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET!!!!

Send us some pics when you get one picked out.

Good luck and be safe!!!

[Way2slow]

To show you want can happen to new boat owners.

Back in the late 60's a local hometown hero got drafted by the Oakland Raiders (small town) and they had a special day and parade to celebrate this. A boat dealer gave him a nice little Bomber style boat, the chevy dealer gave him a new Blazer and there were a number of other gifts bestowed apon him that day. A couple of days after this, my dad and I were coming in from our morning bass fishing trip and he was at the ramp launching his new boat. I pull to the bank and wait because he was having his problems. He leaves his boat in the middle of the ramp while he goes parks his Blazer and I'm noticing it looks like the back is getting deeper in the water. I walk over and look, he launched without puting the plug in. I holler for him to bring his trailer back. I help him get it on the trailer and drain it. Now he's getting all nervous and shook because a couple of others are waiting on the ramp also, jumps in the Blazer, backs back down to launch the boat again, jumps out as he's slamming it in Park, it didn't make it to park (guess what gear comes before park). Well, this is a fairly steep ramp and the door knocks him down as he exits the vehicle. It wasn't long before the whole Blazer was out of sight and with the winch still hooked to the bow of the boat, it pulled the bow down until it started taking on water and joined the Blazer. I dove down with a tow strap to hook to the front but it wasn't long enough to reach the bank so I finally tied a life jacket to the end and gave him a ride to the nearest phone so he could call wrecker to get it out.

See what fun the first trip to the lake can be in your new boat and don't laugh. There ain't no telling how many get launched without the drain plug in, he just had a very bad day.

[Nitrofreak]

To show you want can happen to new boat owners.

Back in the late 60's a local hometown hero got drafted by the Oakland Raiders (small town) and they had a special day and parade to celebrate this. A boat dealer gave him a nice little Bomber style boat, the chevy dealer gave him a new Blazer and there were a number of other gifts bestowed apon him that day. A couple of days after this, my dad and I were coming in from our morning bass fishing trip and he was at the ramp launching his new boat. I pull to the bank and wait because he was having his problems. He leaves his boat in the middle of the ramp while he goes parks his Blazer and I'm noticing it looks like the back is getting deeper in the water. I walk over and look, he launched without puting the plug in. I holler for him to bring his trailer back. I help him get it on the trailer and drain it. Now he's getting all nervous and shook because a couple of others are waiting on the ramp also, jumps in the Blazer, backs back down to launch the boat again, jumps out as he's slamming it in Park, it didn't make it to park (guess what gear comes before park). Well, this is a fairly steep ramp and the door knocks him down as he exits the vehicle. It wasn't long before the whole Blazer was out of sight and with the winch still hooked to the bow of the boat, it pulled the bow down until it started taking on water and joined the Blazer. I dove down with a tow strap to hook to the front but it wasn't long enough to reach the bank so I finally tied a life jacket to the end and gave him a ride to the nearest phone so he could call wrecker to get it out.

See what fun the first trip to the lake can be in your new boat and don't laugh. There ain't no telling how many get launched without the drain plug in, he just had a very bad day.

Great story Way2slow!!!

It does however bring up a very intersting point, You must make sure you are completely ready before you launch your boat it does not matter if it is your first time or your 100th time even if there is a lot of people waiting to launch, take your time especially since this will be your first time and do not worry about what other people are thinking or saying and just focus on launching yours, One simple mistake could end up in disaster just like in the story above.

Practice having everything ready a couple days ahead of time when you do get one and it will go like clockwork.

[grampa1114]

Things can be much easier and more successful. Pick the right size boat for your needs...suggestions are all excellent but most important is your commitment...If you are going to be an occasional angler then don't break the bank...and if you don't know your commitment level yet...don't break the bank.Look for stability, comfort, storage and ease of operation. Most of all remember that this is supposed to be fun. Good luck...

Grampa

[K_Mac]

As always here much great advice. A first boat is much like a first car. If you are like me, some of the decisions you make will be inadvisable, if not down right dumb. Fishing rivers raises the stakes a bit when learning. Having enough boat and HP keep you out of trouble is important. A small aluminum boat and outboard will work well on many lakes, but may be dangerously inadequate on others, or on a river, or when the wind picks up.

Owning a fishing boat is one life's simple pleasures, and some of my best memories are of my first boat, a 14' Polarcraft with an old 18 HP Johnson. I also recommend buying something well within your budget. Making payments on a first boat is not a good idea for most of us. I am not convinced ever making payments on a boat is a good idea, but that is another thread. Learning to care for and operate a boat is an adventure. Enjoy the process. Good luck.