Thread: Stick Steer Boat

Anyone here drive a stick steer boat? I was thinking of getting a 16' Stick Steer with a 30 HP for the wife and I. This would be my first step up from a 16' Jon with a 9.9. I've found a good deal locally on one and am in the final stages of the decision. Can anyone suggest why I would or wouldn't be better with a 16' or 17' side console with a casting deck instead?

Any help welcome. I got the go ahead to get a new boat from the wife and she's actually excited. In fact, when I was talking about patio furniture she said "Yep, that's the top priority after a boat..." Last year she scoffed at me, now that we've been moved back to Arkansas for about a year she's realized what a paradise it is here.

Rough ride

I prefer to stay in a 16' boat for price and ease of storage for myself, and it appears the rough ride might be true for most boats in this category. It's tough. Just like buying a truck or a house, you go in thinking exactly what you want and then you keep looking at the next step up, the next step up from that, and then all of a sudden you're way above where you wanted to be originally. Each time you think "Oh, that's only $2000 more dollars and that might be worth it for what I'm getting..." Then you see the next model and you think the same thing again.

What lakes do you plan on fishing?

Originally Posted by creekslick

What lakes do you plan on fishing?

I'm in Central Arkansas and used to always use Conway. I'd like to start branching out and try out Maumelle, Dardanelle, and some of the lakes out east. I want to start getting on some of the rivers too occasionally. I'm not one that needs a big lake but I'd like to be able to get on some of the bigger lakes every once in a while.

ive had every kind of boat made...where i fish the stick steer is the choice.i now have a g3 with a 50 yamaha...with 2 people you will need at least a 40 hp motor.it would be ideal for lake conway.. i grew up in little rock...i fished conway as a youngster and a teen..i fished conway in 1958

We have one and the turning isn't that great but if you are fishing open water that might not be a problem. I prefer a tiller or a wheel.

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.

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.

That's definitely a good consideration.

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.