V-Bottom Vs Flat Bottom

[crankbait2009]

Right now, I am in the process of looking for a used aluminum boat to fish from. I am taking my time as I have all winter to make a decision.

I see a lot of flat bottom boats as well as V-Bottom boats.

Are there more positives with one over the other? Which is best?

I do like the flat bottom boats cause it has the flat deck on the bow of the boat. Which makes it great to fish off of. I don't beleive I have ever seen a V-Bottom boat with this feature.

I have never owned a boat so this would definitley be a first for me. Not sure if one of the above boats would be more beneficial for a first time boat owner.

Any advice??

[OkobojiEagle]

It would easier for us to make informed suggestions if we knew how big of boat you were interested in and the type/size of water you would be using it in.

oe

[crankbait2009]

oh, my mistake.

Not sure how length would benefit anyone except for room to move around. So, I am thinking maybe 12-14' in length.

As for the waters, It will primarily be used on East Fork Lake in Batavia, Ohio. It is a 2,160 acre lake, with unlimited horsepower limits.

here is a link with more info if needed: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/eastfork/tabid/732/Default.aspx

Thanks for the help....

[00 mod]

I voted v bottom because they ride better. The flat bottom will be a little more stable up front when standing on the bow deck, but the v is much better ride and I think as long as you get a wide enough boat (48" minimum) there isnt that much of a difference! There are plenty of v bottoms with casting decks up front. You just havent found the right one yet. Also check out tinboats.net a plethora of knowledge there!

Jeff

pre terrova, depth finder and motor!

[Grey Wolf]

You definately need a semi-v bottom and with that size of lake I would want at least a 17 ft x 54 inch bottom width boat.JMO

[NBR]

Flat vs V can have a lot to do with lake shape/size. If the 2000a+ has a lot of open water then I'd look at a V but if it has lots of bays, points, creek arms and more shelter then I'd consider the flat bottom. In my experience V's handle rougher water much better but flat bottoms are a more stable fishing platform. Flat bottoms can beat you to death running into the wind.

[crankbait2009]

This lake is wide open in the center of it but it also has A LOT of "fingers" off the lake that lead back to shallower channels (which is where I would most likely be). The open waters are where all the speed boats play. Just like anywhere else, it does get windy in the area. (except in the channels)

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

IMO get a V bottom.

A lake that size can get really rough.

Also, one of the key's for me, a wide, deep V bottom boat will handle much bigger, rougher water than a mod V or flat bottom boat. At least when comparing sizes.

A really wide deep 16' boat would be safe (using common sense) on pretty big water. A 16' mod v or flat bottom is going to be confined to smaller inland lakes.

As for the deck, even when not all the way to the top, they are plenty high enough to fish from. I'm only 5'10, and I don't find any issue in working jerkbaits on that style deck. Only difference is you use a little shorter rod. Even still I use a 6'6 rod for jerkbaits.

If you are handy, score a great deal on a boat, and build/modify it yourself. Like 00 MOD said, tinboats is a pretty good place.

Here is my build going on over there. A 17' Sea Nymph...Originally a walk thru windshield boat, converting it to tiller w/65hp Evinrude.

http://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=16904

[JIGFISHERMAN.]

oh, my mistake.

Not sure how length would benefit anyone except for room to move around. So, I am thinking maybe 12-14' in length.

As for the waters, It will primarily be used on East Fork Lake in Batavia, Ohio. It is a 2,160 acre lake, with unlimited horsepower limits.

here is a link with more info if needed: http://www.dnr.state...32/Default.aspx

Thanks for the help....

A longer boat will be wider, and heavier making it ride better, and be more stable.

This lake is wide open in the center of it but it also has A LOT of "fingers" off the lake that lead back to shallower channels (which is where I would most likely be). The open waters are where all the speed boats play. Just like anywhere else, it does get windy in the area. (except in the channels)

Without seeing this lake, I'm guessing it will get pretty rough. My home lake is only a hair over 800 acres, and it can get really rough too.

I prefer not getting blown off the lake, no matter the conditions.

[Hi Salenity]

I voted v bottom because they ride better. The flat bottom will be a little more stable up front when standing on the bow deck, but the v is much better ride and I think as long as you get a wide enough boat (48" minimum) there isnt that much of a difference! There are plenty of v bottoms with casting decks up front. You just havent found the right one yet. Also check out tinboats.net a plethora of knowledge there!

Jeff

pre terrova, depth finder and motor!

I take it that's the same boat but It has different trolling motors? My boat is about like yours and I was wanting to get the hand operated motor not the foot . Did you not like the hand operated one?

I also think a V is a nicer boat but flats are cheaper.

[00 mod]

Yes same boat!

I liked the hand operated trolling motor fine, but the problem was alot of times I fish seated(LAZY) and with the hand operated it sits alot higher on the deck. Also after fishing from a buddy's boat with the i-pilot/anchor lock features of the Terrova, there was no way I was ever gonna fish again without one! LOL!

PS> crankbait- the front deck on my boat is 5 foot long and over 4.5 foot wide, and the rear deck is 4 foot long and and the same width! The best thing about aluminum boats is the world is your imagination! Everything is aluminum built(no wood to rot).

Jeff

[Hi Salenity]

oh, my mistake.

Not sure how length would benefit anyone except for room to move around. So, I am thinking maybe 12-14' in length.

As for the waters, It will primarily be used on East Fork Lake in Batavia, Ohio. It is a 2,160 acre lake, with unlimited horsepower limits.

here is a link with more info if needed: http://www.dnr.state...32/Default.aspx

Thanks for the help....

If we are just talking about a 14' max Jon ? Lowe makes a 14' V NOSE flat bottom . This is what I have. It's 6' wide in the back and very stable for a small boat .

[Hi Salenity]

http://www.loweboats.com/showroom/riveted-jon/lowe-jon/l1448mt.php

Pleas delete if this Linc is not alowed...

[00 mod]

The measurements we were posting are floor width which is where the stability is!

Jeff

[crankbait2009]

thank you for the advice so far!!

[00 mod]

If we are just talking about a 14' max Jon ? Lowe makes a 14' V NOSE flat bottom . This is what I have. It's 6' wide in the back and very stable for a small boat .

This boats floor width is 48" which is a stable boat, and the wider you get floor width the more stable it will be!

Jeff

[J Francho]

Are you going to be rowing, electric, or small OB? That would make a big difference to me.

For me, I'd be looking for a modified-vee like 00 mod's boat for what you need. 14' and 48" wide would be fine.

I'd also recommend a SOT kayak rigged for fishing a option to look at.

[crankbait2009]

J Francho - I remember last year some time I had a thread about kayak fishing but am leaning more towards a Jon Boat, especially for the lake that is like 5 minutes from the house. It would get more use.

That being said, I would like to assume that I would have an electric trolling motor as well as a small OB.

[crankbait2009]

On 00 Mod's boat, I notice that there are platforms mounted inside it (blue carpeted areas). How difficult is it to make those decks? A lot of boats I have been seeing have open to deck boats, no platforms.

[J Francho]

If you want to stand, a mod vee is probably the best. I would keep it simple, skip the decks, but carpet the interior.

[Hamby]

I fish out of a 14' deep v with a 40hp. It lacks stability when standing in the boat with more than one person, the wind blows it all over the place because it's light, and i get very wet when there's large waves. I fish a 2500 acre lake and i've been out during the windiest of days. I have to go slow on those days and runs across the lake usually take 3-5 times as long at least. I've never felt threatened, but wind is usually a day killer for me.

I'd go with at least a 16ft with an appropriately sized engine. You'll be happy with something small at first, but if you're gonna put work into it you'll be happy you spent the time on something a little larger than a 12-14ft.

I can't tell you how much it absolutely sucks to have a few hours in a while to fish and there's 25mph winds forecasted for several days. At least with something larger you can still make the run quickly across the lake to that protected shoreline.

[Hi Salenity]

On 00 Mod's boat, I notice that there are platforms mounted inside it (blue carpeted areas). How difficult is it to make those decks? A lot of boats I have been seeing have open to deck boats, no platforms.

OO Mod's boat has super nice decks that probably took some time & money to do. I built the deck on my boat in just over 1 hour with scraps I had laying around. I figure it was just over $25 worth of steel studs and pickets and it weighs around 25# extra. It opens up for storage and also holds the gas tank/battery life jackets & oar... I am going to mount a seat on it but haven't done it yet. I'll get a picture up of it in a bit.

[Hi Salenity]

[00 mod]

My front deck came on the boat when I ordered it. The rear deck was just a bench that I cut out aluminum angle and made braces and then took a large sheet of aluminum and cut to fit. welded it all in and then used a stainless "piano type" hinge to make access. here are the pics...

[00 mod]

In the 3rd picture, I had to end up cutting a larger hole out for my OB. involved taking back the carpet as well, but it laid back down nicely. it now has a mercury 25 efi.

Jeff