03-29-2013, 01:58 PM
How long do you think you will hold the interest? I picked up an older used boat that had a good reliable engine and no payments. Since I've added the down riggers kicker motor and etc that made it a lot of fun. It isn't going to win any fashion shows but its a lot of fun. Tax, license and insurance run me about $170 a year and its a 70 vintage trihull. If ya fish out of state the invasive species stickers are around $30 to $35 a piece and 100 hp plus motors suck a lot of gas. Make sure you get a small kicker and 4 strokes are great. I run 9.9 Yamaha and can troll all day on 2 gallons. The main Merc sucks down 13 to do the same thing plus oil. Launch fees are $6 to $12 a shot so plan on an annual pass if fishing is in your blood. As far as wind safety the best bet is to get off when ya see it coming. We got in an ugly one on Flamming gorge last summer was 10+ miles out and this boat wasn't big enough but the trihull kept us stable even if it did shake our teeth out. I can fish the numbers you mentioned and do about all you listed. It just depends on how much money you can spend. I preferred to have bait and fuel money so I went used. Far from the nicest but I'm not showing off anymore so function is key to me. Good luck. J
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