Looking for a boat.

[Fugsy]

My wife and I are about to retire from teaching and are moving to be closer to her family in Campbellsville near Green River Lake. I've only had a 14' jon boat at home to fish in our strip pits but will need another boat to fish Green River. I'd like to Crappie, Bass, and learn to Walleye fish till the good Lord has something else for me to do. Is an Alum. boat good enough to fight the wind and rough water or will I need a fiberglass boat. I would like a boat with 2 seats up front for spider riggin. I suppose they spider rig for crappie at Green River. I'm thinking it should have a motor of at least 50Hp and maybe 16 or 17' long boat with an easy loading trailer. Would anyone suggest buying a tiller? I think it would be easier to troll with a tiller. The more I research the more I get confused. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

[crappiemax]

Both alum & glass boat each have their good and bad points. Why don't you spend a little time at the launch ramp this spring and look around. See what folks have and ask some question.
Most people will be glad to talk to you.
When I bought my current boat (it's hard to believe I've had it for 19 years) I chose a 17'-6" V hull. At the time I had several friends that had 16' boats and they wish they had something bigger. I used that info in my decision. My boat has a 40 hp motor. I wish I would have bought the 60hp motor.
My boat has great storage spaces, my friends boat has minimal storage, he wishes he had more. Another friend's boat has water proof storage, mine is not and that was something I never considered.
Lots of things to look at and some compomises may have to be made. Rarley is any one boat perfect for every situation.
I hope I gave you some things to consider. I hope this helps.

[chaunc]

Good info C-max. Another thing is to make sure you have enuff leg room up front with those two seats. I have a 16.6' lund that doesn't have enuff space up front for the double seat setup i had bought. So be aware of the room above the console when you choose your boat. I absolutely love my boat but it's not a model for two up front. Lund has new models out now that have the setup you're looking for. They are some of the most universal fishing boats made today. I fish all species from mine on small lakes to the big Lake erie for walleyes and smallies. I also have a 90 hp 4 stroke Honda on mine. Happy boat hunting.

[BigRiverMarine]

If you choose aluminum, and still want a high performance pad ride boat, check out the Xpress PFC's. they are one of the nicest aluminum multi species boats on the market.


Big River Marine
Bill Burnett
870-635-0202

We sell XPRESS, EXCEL, and ALWELD Boats. Yamaha, Suzuki, Evinrude, Mud Buddy, and Tohatsu/Nissan Engines.
Pro Staff, Southern Pro Tackle and Ozark Rods.
Member, Tri-State Crappie Anglers

[Fugsy]

Thanks to everyone. I hope to see you at the boat ramp some weekend. Jim

[prefers shiners]

lots of storage, rod box, max motor size for the boat, up front live well....and my personal must, a windshield.....I have a fish & ski and I only fish thru the winter(Sept-May)....