What's everyone's boat set up?

Year, brand, style, motor, trolling motor, electronics, other must haves? Pros and cons of your set up? Things you would add or do without?

Im looking at buying a new to me boat, and trying to get ideas of what I need or want.

So far my prerequisites are: must float, and have enough room for the old man and I to fish without him getting in my way:Rofl.
I'm thinking 16'(what we use now) to 18'. We do mostly inland smaller lakes, with occasional trips to Drummond Island and/or houghton lake type waters.
ive got the new catalogs on the brand new boats, and I've paid less for houses then they want for a brand new one, so I'm gonna hold off on that till I exhaust the used market.

If anyone knows of any good deals out there, let me know.

2011 Alumacraft 160 with a 2012 40hp yamaha 4 stroke. Lowrance HDS7 with side scan and down imaging. Minnkota powerdrive V2 with co-pilot (upgrading to I-pilot).

This boat has been in Lake Michigan, Erie, Huron and every smaller lake in between. I like it because it isn't too big to get into a lake. I will be upgrading in the next couple of years however I will be keeping this one.

On a new boat, I will only go with a 4 stroke motor (they are quiet and economical). I will continue to use Lowrance however I will upgrade to an HDS 10 at the helm and 8 up front. I would change to a Minnkota Terrova 24volt system as I am planning on a bigger boat. I-pilot is a must.

I look at boats all the time. There is a much wider selection outside of Michigan if you are willing to travel to Wisconsin or Minnesota. Boat trader, Craigslist... to name a few. Also, check with dealers who have out of stock leftover models. I bought my 2011 in 2012 after they switched model and styles. They discount them huge because it is no longer made and they want to get rid of it. I know of dealers that have 2010 boats still in stock and try to practically give them away. I found a 2010 Alumacraft Lunker II (no longer built model) sitting at a dealership just the other day. I think I did a search on boat trader for Alumacraft. That boat is the same as mine excpet it is a touch wider. Would be right up your alley.

One other thing: I have found that shore landr trailers are not near as good as the trailmaster trailer. Each dealer usually uses the brand trailer they are loyal to. My buddy has an identical boat to mine but a shore landr trailer and he hates it yet mine will load with one hand.

2002 Tracker 175XT pro series w/ 90/65 Merc Jetdrive. Minn Kota Terrova 80# w/ Ipilot. Humminbird 798's with side imaging networked. One in the cockpit and one at the bow. Side by seat mounts for double team fishing pushing jigs.

Here's a link to a member out of state that has a boat for sale for a fair price:

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/perso...-8000-memphis/

Thanks guys. That's exactly the kind of info I was after.

16' Starcraft/ 30HP 4 stroke. Minnkota 55lb. thrust I-Pilot. Hummingbird 570 DI, Garmin Map 76 CSx. 2 Spyder Lock four place rod holders in the front and double seats for Spider Rigging. I need to upgrade my GPS, it's an old one but it works good and gets me to my spots & back. Good Luck in your search for a boat.

2012 lund 1775 impact sport, 17'9". 115 merc 4s, lowrance hds10 ,minn kota terrova 24v ipilot Hope to add hds touch soon and kicker motor for trolling

Looking at boats is exhausting. I need to just pick one.

Lot of nice boats out there. I personally prefer a tin boat to glass.

And I am just the opposite, prefer glass to tin. Keep your eyes open for a older BassCat Pantera II, you can pick em up without breaking the bank and they are awesome fishing rigs. Mine is an 89 model and fishes great no matter the style or technique, from single poling to pulling cranks and all in between. Is it perfect? NO, there is no such animal but for me its close, we fish 3 out of mine a lot and there is plenty of room. Good luck with your hunt, its fun and rigging is a hole nuther step.
PS, buy an older solid boat and spend the difference on electronics and other rigging.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yankee doodler

Lot of nice boats out there. I personally prefer a tin boat to glass.

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Ive always been under the same thought. My old man swears tin. Something about glass keeps catching my eye though... I think it's that bass boat sparkle:Rofl

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rees Guide

And I am just the opposite, prefer glass to tin. Keep your eyes open for a older BassCat Pantera II, you can pick em up without breaking the bank and they are awesome fishing rigs. Mine is an 89 model and fishes great no matter the style or technique, from single poling to pulling cranks and all in between. Is it perfect? NO, there is no such animal but for me its close, we fish 3 out of mine a lot and there is plenty of room. Good luck with your hunt, its fun and rigging is a hole nuther step.
PS, buy an older solid boat and spend the difference on electronics and other rigging.

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I looked at a pantera II last weak. It was on the side of the road.
The whole older boat then spend the difference on upgrades is what I struggle with. My mind keeps telling me newer is better, but the newer boats I'm looking at have less than ideal electronics and trolling motors.

I looked at a decent Tracker today. Was told it was immaculate and clean. I get there and it looks like its sat in the water all year with no cover. It was the right boat, but needed some elbow grease for clean up. He wouldn't budge on his price which I thought was a bit high for the condition, so I passed again.

Uh oh....
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...psntc1jeeu.jpg
:biggrin

Who's boat could that be? Or are you saying look at my NEW boat!!!

Yes... I'm saying look at the cool stickers on my new to me boat.:cheers2

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...psc3a9c074.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps1a4d5991.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps6a530a7b.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...ps5e868ca6.jpg

Crestliner 1650 Fishhawk
it came with an old black and white Lowrance fish finder, Minn Kota Power Drive trolling motor, 50horse motor, live wells, cover, lights, CD player, 5 life jackets, anchor, wind sock, and he left three rods/reels in there as well.


It has a fair amount of storage too
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...psevjfzn8k.jpg

That's a very clean boat you got there, needs a lil bit of slime in it. Congrats on the new to you rig.

Best part is, I followed this advice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rees Guide

...buy an older solid boat and spend the difference on electronics and other rigging.

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I got the boat cheap enough, I can upgrade the electronics and the trolling motor.

Congrats on your "new to you rig", looks like a fish catching machine.

Nice Alboy! That IS a clean looking machine. Go get er dirty now.

Nice rig, hope you get a lot of enjoyment out of it.

lowrance wont work with terrova has to be motor guide xi5. awesome.

Select.. I'm not sure exactly what you mean by the comment "lowrance won't work with Terrova".... are you refering to the universal sonar? If that is the case then lowrance will in fact work with universal sonar. I have it on my boat as do many of us. Just a short lead jumper (made by Minnkota) that plugs directly in to the universal sonar cable coming from the trolling motor. In the lowarance menu you select the correct transducer and you are set. If running multiple units, you network them through an LSS structure scan hub or a standard ethernet cable and you can utilize either transducer from either device (front or back).

If however you are refering to the use of following contour lines from your map, then you are correct in the sense that Lowrance will not work. Hummingbird is setup with the Link system that operates through the terrova trolling motor and the use of a Link remote.

I've had both the motor guide and the minnkota and although both are good trolling motors, motor guide has a long way to go to catch up with the functions of minnkota. In my opinion, motor guide is way behind in regards to spot lock, auto pilot, and navigation. After a day of fishing in my tournament boat with the motor guide, I was ready to throw it in the water due to the constant beeping every time you hit a button to change direction or speed on the trolling motor remote. Minnkota doesn't do this.

His current setup is a Powerdrive unit however, most have reccomended that "when" he decides to switch, he switches to the 24v terrova.

Good looking boat Alboy..