02-01-2011, 05:00 PM
The information you provided is great. Based on you feedback, you should be looking for at least a 20' boat in order to be comfortable with 5-8 people in it. Additionally, you will be wanting something with an outboard and since most aluminum boats come with outboards, that won't be a problem. Yamaha and Mercury are the most widely serviced motors here in Utah, so I would stick with something that has either one of those motors on it. Although Honda is an excellent brand, there aren't many shops that service them.
You may also want to consider a pontoon boat if you haven't already. If you plan on fishing 8 people from a boat, that's a lot of rods flying around and for the money, it's a great way to go. Otherwise, you will be looking at a limited number of brands that sell boats that will be comfortable to fish that many people from. I have also seen plenty of boats get tickets for having too many in their boat because the boaters don't pay attention to the coast guard capacity sticker.
As for brand based on your budget and size requirements, you will be looking at those that have bigger boats such as Alumacraft, Lund, or Crestliner. You will also want to max out your HP as much as possible. Since your price range is around 20K, you will also looking at a used boat and finding one that has been well maintained is critical. You may find a clean boat, but the motor has been poorly maintained or the other way around.
As for pontoons, Bennington has been the best for years, but so is Crest and Lowe's Suncruiser Series.
What you may find is that when look around, your requirements change, and as they do, consider your options.
Hope this helps.
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You may also want to consider a pontoon boat if you haven't already. If you plan on fishing 8 people from a boat, that's a lot of rods flying around and for the money, it's a great way to go. Otherwise, you will be looking at a limited number of brands that sell boats that will be comfortable to fish that many people from. I have also seen plenty of boats get tickets for having too many in their boat because the boaters don't pay attention to the coast guard capacity sticker.
As for brand based on your budget and size requirements, you will be looking at those that have bigger boats such as Alumacraft, Lund, or Crestliner. You will also want to max out your HP as much as possible. Since your price range is around 20K, you will also looking at a used boat and finding one that has been well maintained is critical. You may find a clean boat, but the motor has been poorly maintained or the other way around.
As for pontoons, Bennington has been the best for years, but so is Crest and Lowe's Suncruiser Series.
What you may find is that when look around, your requirements change, and as they do, consider your options.
Hope this helps.
[signature]
I had to call in sick so I could go to Lake Powell!