What should I look for in a boat?

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Originally Posted by xring

Leaks first, would be a good beginning..and I'll second the war eagle suggestion, lots of good boats out there, it will look BIG until you start filling it with "necessary" stuff....so buy larger than you think you need...

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rotflDangit XRING you stole my comment about the leaks, but still funny. Really though if you go with an aluminum boat go welded, not rivited. As for boat size I'd say at least get a 14'er. I'd rather get the 16, 17 or even 18'. I had a 14' alumaweld that I decked out with a 20 horse tiller drive motor once and loved it but not really a big lake type boat. If you go with a 16+' boat and 40 horse or so motor, then find something around 30+thrust trolling motor, perferably the high 30's to low 40's in thrust that should be plenty. Oh yeah and look for high sided on the boat, they make them them will all sizes of side walls, the higher sided ones are much more stable and if you deck them out, not bad at all. Find out when was the last time the boat was ran, and take it for a test spin by all means if your serious about buying it. Boats that set up for a while it's really hard on the engines. Also as AgriHawg said check that transom for cracks! I'm no boat expert but these things will help, and good luck but i'm telling ya that small 14'er with the 20 horse I had would surprise ya how stable it was....maybe it was the 3/4" treated decking I had in it too.

Oh, yeah the Xpress boats are super nice but they often want a lung and kidney for those dudes!!! Others make good boats too at more reasonable prices. Not knocking Xpress boats cause they are nice but a bit pricey.

That sounds like a good deal from Big River. I personally have a 1648 war eagle with out a gun box. I love it I can fish anything from the AR river to Greers Ferry and any oxbow that I can get a trailer in. I use mine for everything duck, deer, catfish, bass and most importantly CRAPPIE. Welcome to the board as well.

First decide what kind of water / lakes you will fish most of the time and how many people
I had a 1648 war eagle with a 25 HP. It was great for the small lakes and oxbows in NE AR.
We started fishing Norfork more and more and one nice day ( 30 MPH plus winds and almost 50 deg temps )
I hear a wife saying " I not having any fun " I might add she was a very wet wife from the waves hitting the sides.
It is nice when the wife sends you boat shopping. And yes I got a deep V that has rivets.

The small flat bottoms are ok on the arms of the lakes / rivers or small bodies of water.
If you are going to be out in the main parts of the bigger lakes, get a boat that will handle the waves.
Also take into account how many people you will usually fish with. The 16 foot boat wareagle, you limited to 3 full size people.
I think I can name another website here. iBoats.com has a forum section for each boat manufacture. ( lund, tracker,xpress )
Read them to look for any outstanding problems a model may have.

No smaller than a 15 footer, it don't take long to fill one up with rods cooler and gear. 16ft with a live well is the way to go for a beginner boat. I have had Lowe and Alumacraft and they were both tuff boats. You will have to spend more money to get a console steer than a tiller steer. Be smarter than me, I had 5 boats in 5 years untill I found the perfect boat for me. Besure to go on Craig's List and compare boats. Look at the price and see what you can get for the money you have to spends. Learn what a boat is worth, then you will know a good buy when you see it and never buy before you drive. IMO

Look at buy'n a custom built all welded boat. My buddies at Legendcraft can build to fit. If your wanting used look at Craigslist.

Hey Roughneck,

After 5 boats in five years what did you wind up with?

Thanks for all the input. Keep it coming! Looks like I'll have to spend more than I want to get what I want. For sure need to sell my motorcycle before I can buy. Anybody looking for a motorcycle? I've got a 2006 suzuki blvd 1500 loaded with all the extras. let me know.

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Originally Posted by ski trip

Hey Roughneck,

After 5 boats in five years what did you wind up with?

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I have a 2010 Triton Ambush 18. With a 90hp Optimax. It is camo Rhino lined with an up front fuel tank. For me it is the perfect boat. It is a modfied V. I can run very shallow in the swampy type lakes and it is big enough to handle the big waves of Bull Shoals and Norfork. ( My first trip out in it I was in a thunder storm on Norfork with 2 ft. swells, no problems but I went slow till ti passed.

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Originally Posted by Roughneck

I have a 2010 Triton Ambush 18. With a 90hp Optimax. It is camo Rhino lined with an up front fuel tank. For me it is the perfect boat. It is a modfied V. I can run very shallow in the swampy type lakes and it is big enough to handle the big waves of Bull Shoals and Norfork. ( My first trip out in it I was in a thunder storm on Norfork with 2 ft. swells, no problems but I went slow till ti passed.

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Now this sounds like a nice boat! I've seen those triton aluminum boats and that 90 horse package would take you down the lake at a pretty good clip while sipping fuel, great boat. But I'd bet even that boat new cost 16 or 18K.