I agree with CON MAN about the fish and ski boat option. I also have a 19’ skeeter fish and ski 2001 and its been great for the family. It only takes a minute to reel in the poles and throw up the pile-on and slap on some skiis or board for some family fun.
with a 150-175 hp motor these boats are way fun to cruise around in. I have been very pleased with my boat. I looked at many boats before ordering my skeeter. These boats are light weight and doesn’t take alot gas to have a good time. I have been in your position, I recommend a fish and ski model no matter what the brand!
that is a really nice boat. a little out of my price range though.
Check out the crestliner sportfish 19 or 21’, or the duckworth pacific navigator 19 or 21’. Put a 250 outboard on the back and youve got a boat for life. If youre not buying this year, spend some time at the boat show. Its great to see and feel. I personally like the outboard, gives you alot more room in the back of the boat and you can fish in the winter. Good luck
I agree with addicted2fishin, but I want to point out a few things. Yes, it is true that being in the middle of Strawberry in a 14’ boat in a storm is a bad idea. In my 24’ boat it is no big deal, but in the little 14’ boat it really is a big deal.
HOWEVER, the other beauty of the 14’ boat is the ability to launch anywhere on the lake. If I’m fishing MudCreek, I launch at MudCreek. If I’m fishing the Ladders or the Knolls, I launch at the Ladders. By launching near the proximity of where you plan on fishing, you are never far from the launch site and you can always get back and have time to get back if the weather turns.
That is one of the beauties of the 14’ boat…ability to launch anywhere!
If I motor across the lake in my boat, I am fully prepared to beach it on any shore if needed and hitchhike to the marina to get my truck!
Again, you need to weigh out the pro’s and con’s. Actually, with a nice deep 14’ boat, like the one I have, and a nice motor, it can get scary out there, but I’ve never felt threatened.
I mentioned before that my boat is a “wet” ride. The chines are designed more for efficiency and speed, but it produces a LOT of spray. If it is windy outside, you will be wet by the time you get where you are going. I also always take my raingear with me for that very reason! My old Appleby, although not as fast, was a MUCH drier ride.
Hope this helps.
Randy
thanks for all your help. I am still trying to figure out what to do. I go to Iraq in Jan and may wait till after we get back to buy an expensive one.
You’ve got just enough time to enjoy the best fishing from a boat at Strawberry then!
According to my ledgers that I keep, the best fishing starts about now and you can continue to boat fish thru Thanksgiving! October and November are absolutely phenomenal.
Good luck in your boat search.
Oh, also, my cousin has my old 14’ Appleby, and he does not maintain the gas motor as good as he should, but also has an electric motor. We have fished many days in his boat just using the electric motor to get us from the shore out to the fishing spot when his gas motor wouldn’t start.
Launching at the Ladders or at Mudcreek does not really require much of a motor if any to get you out to the fish. Worst case scenario, oars will do. An electric motor just makes it that much easier!
Randy
pm’ed you
Hey
I have a 16 1/2 ft tracker and love it and it rides great, I 've had it in huge waves day or night and it was a champ. It has a walk through windshield and elevated fishing platform up front with a good bit of storage up front and on the sides with a good size live well on the side. I would strongly reccomend something like that in 16 1/2 to about 18ish, more to the larger end with a family and get the largest motor it will handle, wide is good. this boat works nice at strawberry, I had a 14 foot aluminum before that, it was a fun boat but the difference has been night and day for fishing comfort and stability, two people standing on one side of a 14 foot will just about tip it over, not so good with kids and multiple people. Good boat handling skills are a must with that kind of boat.
I recommend getting a boat with a steering wheel rather than a tiller, much easier and comfortable to drive all day.
I hope this helps you in your decision making process and best wishes on your deployment, hope you and your crew come home safe.
Apocalypse.