Choosing a Boat

Utah Fishing Reports & Discussion Utah Fishing General
1

I have been thinking about upgrading from my kick boat. Iwould like to be able to share my excitement of fishing with my wife, childrenand grandchildren. Most likely the biggest water I would use it on would beStrawberry, and the smallest body of water something like Pelican Lake.

So with that in mind, this is what I may be looking for. Iwould like to hear your opinions.

1- Activity: Freshwater fishing.

2- Species: Trout and Pan fish.

3- Passengers: Cruising around (4-6), Trolling (3-4),
Drifting and casting (2-3).

4- Length: 16 ft – 18 ft.

5- Propulsion: Outboard motor to get from point A to point B. Kickerfor trolling, and an electric.

6- Steering: Not sure. Tiller, Side console, Sideconsole with walk through windshield.

7- Deep hull and wide beam for stability.

8- New or used, depends on the price and condition.

9- Price Range: best bang for my buck for the abovecriteria.
My questions:
If you were in the middle of Strawberry in a boat and thewind kicked up, how comfortable would you be in a Deep hull 16 to 18 foot boat?

What horsepower outboard would you feel confident in gettingyou to the dock safely in the wind in a 16 foot? What about an 18 foot?

Do any of the lakes in Utah have horsepower restrictions?

Your thoughts, on kicker motors?

Any comments or preference about steering configuration,Tiller (more deck space), side console (not sure of any advantages), walkthrough windshield (protection from the elements)?

Hull depths boat lengths and widths, any opinions?

How much could I expect to pay for insurance and propertytaxes?

I have heard that boats are a high maintenance toy?

I know there are a lot of personal preferences in boatmanufactures out there, but what do some of you think would best fit my needsfrom the list above? Give me some makes and models to consider.

Thanks

2

You have a Ton of variables with your criteria. In a nutshell I would look at crestliner and similar. Id go 18 if that’s your max and get the highest hp motor it’s rated for. Wider the better for high seas and trolling 3-4.

3

You’re welcome to come & see my 1750 Crestliner Fish Hawk w/115 4-stroke Merc & dual consoles. In my garage as we speak. Pretty much fits the bill. Send me a PM.

4

Those are all great questions and things to definitely consider. Here is my opinion and it’s just that, my opinion:

You are right to question what you would feel “safe” in during a wind storm…Strawberry can get nasty, but so can most other lakes that have wind and not a lot of areas to get out of it…Utah lake can be real bad and I have seen Willard about as bad as it gets. There’s been times that I don’t feel real safe on my dads 23 foot Trophy walkaround in the wind at willard. That being said, I have seen guys that are having the time of there life in a 14 foot aluminum in the same wind storm.

With regards to bringing the family, the wives and children love a place to get out of the wind or sun from time to time. There are many different ways to do this…I wouldn’t rule out looking at a boat that has a cuddy cabin. They are tons of fun and storage is great and if you decide to spend the night it can make it a little more “luxorious.” Cuddies may not be the perfect option however, I grew up with my family always having a boat and a 1970 invader with a windshield you can make some great “forts” with a blanket to hide out of the elements. I would recommend some type of walk through however, especially if you plan on taking the family. It’s just a little extra added coverage that can make the trip a bit more fun for them in the weather.

The second boat I grew up on was a 20 foot sea ray with a cuddy cabin. The cabin was great but it was a bit of a challenge to fish for bass, crappie, perch…with more than two people. Someone always had to crawl up on the bow and fish up there. It was a great family boat though, tons of waterskiing, tubing, cruising, and my dad turned it into a fishing boat for the majority of the time…remote troll, pole holders, downriggers, fish finders…etc.

I then became of the age that I wanted to get out and fish more often and so my dad let me turn the 16 foot, flat bottom, aluminum duck hunting boat into a fishing boat for the summers. I put our old 10 horse honda motor on it and away I went. Trust me, if you want to take the family, this is not the way to go! It was great for me and my dog but that’s about it. I could have used a bigger motor. It was just about perfect though for the weeds at pineview or even trolling for some rainbows at deer creek or rockport.

Anyway, I am starting to get a little long winded here but I LOVE talking about boats! Currently my dad runs a 23 foot Trophy walkaround with a 225 hp Merc and a 9.9 kicker. It is tons of fun for trolling and downrigging and can be a bit challenging for pan fish or bass. My mom LOVES the cabin and spending the night on it is a blast! I run a 17 foot Tracker Targa with a 75 hp merc, a 6 hp kicker, and a bow mounted electric. I have only had it for a year but it has been a blast. It is very stable and cuts through waves surprisingly well. Brand wise I think it is all personal prefence…I would have loved to got a Ranger walkthrough or a lund but could in no way afford one. Crestliner, lowe, alumacraft, G3, all make great boats and deciding of a certain brand is entirely up to you.

Good luck on your decision and have fun with it. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask, as you can see I love talking about boats! Hmm, I never even mentioned anything about outboard vs inboard/outboard…

5

… as you can see I love talking about boats! Hmm, I never even mentioned anything about outboard vs inboard/outboard…

I’ve been on and off thinking about getting a different boat.

My current boat is a quality pontoon fly fishing boat. I’ve used it with oars for an upper body workout, but it takes time away from fishing when it’s windy.

Last two times I brought it with me, it stayed strapped inflated and ready on the top of my vehicle while I shore fished. With wind that would have wasted time rowing, I instead was able to fish 100% of the time and covered a lot of shore and caught more fish.

I’m going to try bicycle fishing next. That’s still inexpensive shore fishing, but I’ll be able to get around fast and cover more shore and easily pack a lot more lures and rods, etc. It will be a good match for me because I’m a bicycle racer.

Still, I love boats and they will be in my future. My childhood was enjoying the family boat with deep sea fishing. A big twin diesel made sense then, but I’ll buy or build a sailboat for my future ocean boat.

With that in mind, sometimes I look at a pedal powered sailing kayak with outriggers as a possibly for my next reservoir fishing boat. I also like the idea of putting on a electric trolling motor of the type that uses GPS for courses, depth contour following and even holding a position. The ones that do that are also more powerful. It intrigues me to think about putting one on that has 100 pounds of thrust. If I did that, I would also use the lighter weight lithium batteries that have a much greater energy density. Putting a large solar panel on would mean it’s charging most of the time and recharging from short bursts of power. Actually, power isn’t needed because I’m fit, but I just like the idea of all those GPS features and the ability to focus on fishing while it follows programs automatically. It also increases my practical range while taking less time away from fishing compared to pedaling. I also like that it’s a sailboat because I need that experience since almost all of my boating experience has been large powerboats which are a bad choice for future harsh times to come when our preparedness is necessary.

I can get innovative with boat designs. When I build my future sailboat, it will have many preparedness advantages.

But, getting back to BSF’s questions, I enjoy rough seas in any boat of any size, but that’s just me. I’ve seen it get quite rough and windy for my friend’s ski boat on Utah Lake. It’s a big and powerful boat and most wouldn’t feel comfortable even on that in the wind and waves on the day I was enjoying flying the Air Chair and the way it’s hydrofoil cuts through the waves for a smooth ride until I crash which I do frequently and then get back up to do it again and again and into the night.

I hear some people concerned about swamping favor the unsinkable designs with built-in flotation.

6

I am like Scout, I love talking about, being around, and using boats and motors.
In fact, I am eligible for retirement in 6 years. I will only be 49 so there is no way I will be able to afford to quit work but I am hoping to change careers and work for one of the local boat dealerships or maybe move to a boating community where you live along the lake and keep your boat in a sling.
I have went through about 13 or 14 boats in my life. I’ve had airboats, aluminum fishing boats, a Reinell cuddy cabin, fiberglass runabouts, and john boats.
My motors have been Lycoming airplane engines, Chevy inboards, Ford inboards, a 175 Evinrude outboard, and Mercury outboards. My out drives have been Mercurys and Volvos.
I currently run a 181/2 aluminum G3 with a 150 hp Yamaha four stroke hanging on the back. It has a 5hp Honda kicker and a MinnKota Terrova I pilot on the front.
I fish 99% of the time. I also am on my own most of the time I boat because I love the solitude.
As far as your question, I feel the biggest thing to ask yourself is if most of your boating opportunities are going to be short day trips or longer? That has been the biggest factor of all in my choices.
I will be happy to let you check out my boat if it helps in your decision.

7

If you want a boat that will last your lifetime and hold its value, you need a welded aluminum like a weldcraft, alumaweld, or something of that nature. The fiberglass boats are nice and less money but in ten years they lose alot of value. You can find alot of used boats like this in oregon, and washington, be carefull because they get used on the ocean. I chose to go new, this is the only boat I will ever buy and it will last me my entire life.

Outboard all the way on the motor, you can fish year round if the water isn’t frozen. They are all self draining these new ones, raise it up and down a few times and go and if you use it at least once a month through the winter you dont have to do the fogging or all the other winter type maintenance. If you get something above 100hp you will be able to ski, tube, and do the water sports. My family likes fishing but they love the tubes and skis. A little kicker moter for trolling or a bowmount electric, then you can jig or troll.

I had the exact same questions when I got my boat, I decided on a little bit more boat after climbing in a few and I feel safe anywhere I go, even in big wind on the Gorge.

8

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

9

I just spent the last two years researching new boats. My final decision was a Ranger Reata 1850ls with 150hp outboard.

My search began by looking at Trackers and Lunds. I very quickly moved away from them, and set my sights on a Crestliner. I fell in love with the Crestliner boats. I went to the boat show and stopped in at the Robertson Marine booth and looked at their Crestliner on display. I loved it.

then I went into Robertson’s show room in SLC. That was the day I changed my mind. Over a year later, I hooked up my Ranger and drove it home.

To be honest, I don’t think you’d go wrong with a Crestliner. They are probably a bit more expensive than a Lund or Tracker, but they are nicer boats. You can rig them for everything that you want to do. I wouldn’t fault a guy for a second for buying a Crestliner, and I think I probably would have been happy with a Crestliner. For my money, I decided to take that next step up and went with the Ranger.

The best piece of advice I can give you is to go see Rick at Robertson’s Marine in downtown SLC. Look at the Crestliner’s he currently has in stock (he’s got some very nice boats right now!). Robertson’s is a great place – I’ve never shopped for an motorized vehicle where the salesmen continued to tell me “let’s wait…let’s wait…”. Awesome experience with that dealer.

Good luck.

10

Lots of questions. I have an 18.5’ walk through windshield with an open bow. It’s used pretty much solely as a fishing boat. I like the full windshield as the mornings in UT are cold, your passengers as well as yourself will appreciate the ability to have the wind blocked when you’re moving. It does take up some critical fishing space but the trade off is well worth it in my opinion. I have a 115 2 stroke primary and a 5 hp 2 stroke kicker. I would make the kicker a 9.9 4 stroke (just a safety precaution, would get me in if my primary died even in the wind, four stroke because it would be nice not to hear that kicker running like I do) and get as big a primary motor as the boat you buy will allow. If a wind storm comes up you want to be able to get off before you’re riding 3 footers in to the launch. I would look at a lot of boats before you buy. Mine is a 96 Starcraft deep V. I fish primarily the Gorge and the wind can be on you before you know it, I’ve been in some rough water and feel pretty safe in it. I am not a risk taker however, if it’s not good weather I’ll roll the ATV’s out instead of the boat.

Six passengers is a lot of people on a fishing boat, mine is only rated for five people total.

11

I bought a boat, motor, trailer package at the boat show in SLC in 2005. I got a 2004 16 foot Tracker Varga with a 2005 75 hp Merc Optimax (2-stroke). Maintenance over 8 years has consisted of replacing the drive belt (it broke on my first trip of 2012) and the spark plugs last fall when it got its annual winterization service. The water pump impeller has been replaced twice. The motor hours are near 650 hours with about 85% of that at trolling speed.


I don’t have a separate trolling motor as I don’t need one. I have a trolling plate on the motor and it will get me down to about 0.5 mph if needed and the Optimax will troll all day long with absolutely no ill effects – doesn’t load up, doesn’t smoke, and has very little fume smell.

I can fish 3 comfortably but 4 would be crowded. I run planner boards off a front mast and 2 Cannon electric down riggers. I’ve been caught in high winds on both Strawberry and Willard and never felt like I was in any real danger of swamping or sinking. But I was experiencing some white knuckles and mentally I was on full alert.

The 18 foot version of my boat would be even better and would handle 4 people fishing. It also has 2 motor choices; 115 hp or 150 hp. Price new will depend on motor selection and will run between $23,600 to $28,400 plus any options you might want – down riggers, bimini top, kicker motor, etc. All the Tracker Deep V’s come with an electric trolling motor up front.

If you want to check out all the Deep-V offerings from Tracker, go here. Now, only the 18 foot comes as a Targa. The rest are either a Guide series or a Pro-guide series.

My State Farm insurance for the package runs $10.41 a month.

12

+1 to what Bob writes. I’ve had a Tracker deep V 16’ for about 8 years and have fished the heck out of it. Merc 4-stroke has run like a charm. I’ve had to run across Lake Powell in big white caps and was very happy not to have a tri-hull (owned one before) or other hull shape - no question waves would be over the bow.

That said - an 18’ would be even better. I like to have my boats garaged, and that has been a limitation to length (adding outboard and tongue length). But if I can fix that - I’m in for an upgrade - Lund, Crestliner or maybe another Tracker.

13

When I bought my boat it wouldn’t fit in the garage, I took it down to Metal Craft and had them put on a hinging tongue to the trailer. That did the trick. Then I bought a place in Manila so ultimately it was wasted money as my garage there it fits in. Just FYI stuff in case you didn’t know about that option.

14

I have looked at the hinged trailer and it absolutely is a great option. I guess a Manila option is also available[;)].

15

Manila option is best option ha ha. Worst part is I added a second axel then as well, so now I have to license the trailer and I pull it a few miles and thats it. If I had only known I would have saved myself some money for sure.

16

I really like the idea of the Manila option. I need to start looking around when I go next time!

.

17

There is a bunch for sale there. Hop on the web. Probably a good time to buy with the economy glowing like it is.