Thread: Stick Steer Boat

Originally Posted by creekslick

The reason I ask is because if you plan on fishing some of the big open lakes, Maumelle or Greers, gomer snerd is right about it being a rough wet ride in rough water.

I agree with slick and gomer cause I have owned one. On a windy day the front seat gets the rough ride and the passenger in the back seat gets soaked.
Personally, if I was going for a 16 footer, I would opt for 16' wide beam with a tillar and casting deck for the room and the freedom of movement. I used one for 8 years and loved it untill I recently bought my Lowe 18'. The resale is high and they are easy to sell.
Been there, done that.

Great responses so far. Like I said earlier, it's easy to think you know what you want until you really start looking around. I was the same way with my pickup. The wife and I don't have kids yet and she wants to go the boat out of the way before then so we can have one and take our theoretical future kids fishing. I might see what I can price a 16' or 17' console steer as well.

Stick is all I'v ever owned. I fish fish all waters with it we even scuba dive on Ouachita with it
Love them. Probly biggest drawbacks are... In rain you are up in it when running. Been caught in big T storms on Ouachita what fun. And in stumpy lakes ( Conway) don't run fast in boat lanes its easy to lose your seat lol

Well before I ever read any of the others comments here's what I've seen having my father just bought one and my buddy as well. They are more expensive when you look into the longer cables for them if you ever have to go that route. Also they take up more room in a smaller boat which isn't a good thing when your cramped for room already. Now, don't get me wrong I like them in other ways....never have to get up and down to run the boat when you can stay seated and idle over to your next spot all from one place. If you do any troutlines they come in handy also. All in all they are easy to operate and I kinda like em. Now if your like me and you wanna get all the speed out of an already small setup with me big butt holding the front of the boat down that kinda sucks instead of both guys sitting at the back where the vessel can get on plane better. Here's the thing on that though....small boats are only going to get you there so fast to begin with and added decking, added weight that is, is a must in my opinion come those windy Spring days so I've grown not to worry about speed as much on smaller setups. Once again I'd stress added weight with decking as most older small boats don't have????? Now the newer ones utilize space much better for storage, stability, and weight all in one. Newer motors are definitely the way to go also, carbs equal a lotta problems! Long as the hulls in good shape and stable in the water + doesn't leak any old hull will work. Good luck and hope you get a good boat outa the deal.

All in all I fish out of an older skeeter, 18' with 150 Merc. but if I was to get a smaller crappie boat I'd for sure wanna get at least a 17 and 1/2' boat with at least a 40 and prolly more like a 60-90 range motor on it just for the added room, stability, storage, all with about the same gas mileage. I'd look to go 4 stroke with a console and either bench or just the 2 seats with front seat. I've owned a 14' alumaweld with 20 horse tiller drive on it that we fixed up with deck, live well ect. and riding in several smaller boats none of them are very stable when it comes to any kinda chop in the water like just a bigger boats going to give you. Now the price will go up on a job like that but like I said earlier older boat will work fine long as it don't leak, (welded boat) and is big/stable enough then for just under 10K you should be able to put a motor, TR motor and electronics of your choice on it just about. Last I checked you can get a 50 horse for around 5K so for a 75ish or even maybe a 90 you should still be under the 10K mark and have $ left over for the other items. New boats these days are too high, I'd say whatever you get look for used, same a new cars vs used ones.....let em sit on them new prices and you'll still be happy!

Had a stick steer Duracraft with a 25 hp loved it.The only draw back(If it is) is you are setting up front and if you hit something,log,stump,high hard wave if you don,t have your life jacket and kill switch hooked up it will throw you forward and could throw you out of the boat and could possibly run over you.Great boats!!! Please be careful!!!

I have used a 15' 4 stick steer for 3 years now and couldn't be happier! Have to disagree about the rough wet ride. I handle a foot to foot and a half chop at 25/30 MPH with no problems. Lack of a steering console frees up space in a smaller boat, making plenty of room to fish 2. Being up front means you don't have to move around, that you have a better view of the water in front of you than looking over the bow through a windscreen so it is easier to see obstructions and a breeze to load on the trailer. Oh, and you only need one fishfinder..... with a 'ducer on the stern and one on the TM and a selector switch, you are good to go!

I have a 754VS WarEagle stick steer and wouldn't trade it for anything but the 17 ft Seaark like Cache22 has. No real rough ride, passenger dosnt get wet and love the fact I drive up to a spot ready to fish. Legs don't work as good as they used to. No decks to climb off and on. That 30 on a 16 should be plenty of motor set up right. Just a little tricky to learn to drive at first. If you get one take it out without tackle to someplace you can practice especially backing up so you are comfortable especially around a crowed ramp.