Good Family Fishing Boat

[clayton86]

What would be a good family fishing boat? I want to get a boat when I get home from deployment an want some thing for me and my wife and boys. Some thing safe and roomy. I told the wife and she was cool with it she said she already knew I was getting a boat and had been looking for a bass boat to surprise me with(she's the best) but she was thrilled I was thinking of the family first and put the bass boat dream away. I will mostly be fishing small lakes and parts of Ontario and Erie probably the niagara river also. In thinking like 16 or 17ft deep v im not sure what to look for though or what ones are good.

[Bob C]

I traded my bass boat in on a deep V last fall. Man I miss that boat. The new one has plenty of room for the family. Did I mention I miss my bass boat?

[J Francho]

Clayton, look for a Fish and Ski type boat. Not one of those family boats with a trolling motor up front, but basically a bass boat with a bigger pit and more seating. Many of the big names made them for years. Otherwise, a 17-18' deep-v with a walk through windshield would work, too. That's we always had growing up.

[ww2farmer]

I can tell you what not to get LOL. My Tracker PT170tx is fine for me and one other person on the back deck, two adults on the front deck is too cramped for me, an adult and small kid is ok, but still pretty tight. I once had 3 people fish out of it, me up front, my dad in the center, and a buddy of his on the back deck.......worked fine, but we had to pay attention or we would bang rods together and/or beat my old man in the face with our rods...so I don't imagine he enjoyed it too much.

[J Francho]

He's spent enough time in my Xpress to know better. Two little ones and the wife in my boat.....ehhhh, been there, done that, not again anytime soon!

[clayton86]

He's spent enough time in my Xpress to know better. Two little ones and the wife in my boat.....ehhhh, been there, done that, not again anytime soon!

I love your xpress it's the only bass boat iv been in though. There was one on CL in Rochester the other week for 6500 I think it was. I almost pulled te trigger on it but we were moving and renovating the new place so I didnt.

[dag623]

He's spent enough time in my Xpress to know better. Two little ones and the wife in my boat.....ehhhh, been there, done that, not again anytime soon!

Lol definitely quite chaotic at times... We have our bass boat, and an 18' bayliner we use for family, and my wife and I with the 4 kids all fishing out of it. Well actually, the 4 kids fishing, and the wife and I removing fish and tangles lol...

[jkarol24]

a fish and ski is the way to go. For an idea, check out the triton fish and ski in the flea market section!

[jkarol24]

this one:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/98128-2005-triton-190fs-loaded-200-optimax-must-sell/

[Diablos]

Lowe makes a nice budget fish n ski.

http://www.loweboats.com/fish-and-ski/fs165/

[clayton86]

The one in the flea markets way outa my price range I'm looking for some thing used and a bit older to save some money.

I found this on CL today

http://rochester.craigslist.org/boa/2870986437.html

[jkarol24]

Yeah, just posted for an idea.

That one on craigslist looks real good and a decent price too. Its not gonna go too fast with only a 50 HP motor with the whole family, but otherwise very nice and a good lake boat.

[clayton86]

Not to worried bout speed with them now if I were buying my bass boat and had a job that provided me with extra cash for it I'd have a supped up rig I can't leave nothing stock it's the performance tunning mechanic in me I'd turbo the thing if it was possible lol

[TRYTOFISH]

targa185 sport. you cant fall out of it, have to jump out. great for fishing 3-4 people (adults). no luxury liner but solid and safe.

[Bob C]

targa185 sport. you cant fall out of it, have to jump out. great for fishing 3-4 people (adults). no luxury liner but solid and safe.

I've got a Targa V18. Lots of room for the family. Great boat. I didn't get the combo because I'd lose a lot of storage and it has smaller live wells.

[McAlpine]

Get a Lund and you will never be sorry. I really wanted a bas boat but needed something for the wife and son too. I went with the 1810 predator which is a great combo between a bass boat and a semi-deep v.

Regardless of the model you choose, trust me get a lund.

[backpain...]

I noticed on that grunman that all of the floors etc are new. I would take a look to make sure they did it right before putting down 4k on a 21 year old boat and motor. If someone did a slip shod job on the floors you will have rot in just a few seasons. Personally I would try and get that boat for under 3K and that is if everything checks out.

That looks like a good boat for a family of four. My wife and I take our 4 and 6 year old out in our 16' fisher mod V, but we don't fish much. More or less take turns keeping an eye on the kiddos. Make sure whatever you get that they wear their PFD! My advice get them one they will like, it could save their life but only if they wear it.

[Bassin_0502]

How come nobody suggested a pontoon boat? I'm getting close to retirement, starting to get a few grandchildren, and startingto think about moving closer to them to the Raleigh-Durham area. I had kinda settled on an 18 foot or so pontoon. Seemed like it would be the perfect platform for young ones. Doesn't anyone fish out of one of those?

[Glenn]

G3 Boats makes a ton of boats specifically for this purpose. I counted at least 14 different models. http://www.g3boats.com/Angler_Series