I've worked for 49-years and ready to buy a newer boat for crappie and bluegill fishing.
Looking for an aluminum boat with steering wheel and seats mounted to the floor of the boat.
Any ideas from you boat owners?
Thanks
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I've worked for 49-years and ready to buy a newer boat for crappie and bluegill fishing.
Looking for an aluminum boat with steering wheel and seats mounted to the floor of the boat.
Any ideas from you boat owners?
Thanks
Attachment 261635
I too am an old man. The best boat I ever owned was this 17.5' Tracker. I put a 40HP motor on it. It had a great ride and was very stable. I have owned six boats Some were fiberglass, some were Jon boats, one a Crosby boat and one a Venture boat. Of them all I would buy a Tracker again if I could. The problem is that I had a stroke two years ago and my doctor told me to give up the idea of owning another boat. I am now a bank fishing person.
I would second a Tracker boat I you're looking for Aluminum.. I owned a Tracker PT175 and loved that boat. Mine had a 50 hp on it, I would upgrade it to a 60 hp though.. They are really good boats
I fish out of a Wareagle stick steer. Realize they are not for everyone but really suits me with my old legs and dexterity. Never been a tracker guy but with that said. If I was looking for a console steer boat at my age I would look for a older model tracker crappie boat. Some where in the mid 2000's they changed the layout. Older model had seats in back mounted on boxes and a base mounted in flor for fishing with a small rear deck. Gave you a more open floor plan and still had you down in the boat with a lower front deck to eliminate that high step up.
That's what I need Cray... Thanks
Down in the boat is why I like my Crappie Jon. I really like that War Eagle you own Cray. Power trim make the stick steer a good handler. I have never been without a Jon Boat since I was a kid. The only problem is getting in and out of any boat. My legs are not as long as they use to be or something like that.Quote:
Originally Posted by cray
A dealer near me has several ALWELD boats with stick steering. They are welded aluminum jon boats made in Arkansas. They do look good.
Tracker boats are hard to beat. If I wanted a comfortable fishing boat, I'd go with the 19 foot pro team with a 115 4 stroke Mercury. They sip fuel and are very reliable.
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I like my tracker 175 but I can see the day when I will want a boat that I can sit in and not on top of. My balance is not what it used to be. I fishing buddy is 84 and has a Triton 16' with stick steer. I am not a fan of stick steer but, once he gets in,he does not have to get up until he is ready to get out.
I would never want a boat larger than a 1648 aluminum for one person.
Here's the old folks boat I have. It be a 1672. Several older folks here have this boat. Shallow draft, custom built. Lots of options.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...psba8a2895.jpg
Oh the damage I could inflect on some crappie lips wit dat ! Very nice boat bro :ThumbsUpQuote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
My last boat was a 1648 aluminum stick steer and I miss it all the time. The big glass boat I have reacts slower underneath me and doesn't rock so sharply in passing wake. The bigger motor also gives me more range and the get home in a hurry. Or to the bathroom, whichever. My complaint was the pounding on the way back on rough days. Really bothered my lower back. I'm still looking for an open plan 16' jon at the right price and the right time and I will again own 2 boats. I have the canoe now also and have a blast with it, but my time in it is finite as all things change. There is a seat mount called Smooth Moves that takes the beating out of the ride in the front of a stick boat. I feel they're worth every dime of the cost. I passed on an '05 stick tracker in very nice shape, carpet looked new, 40hp, for a little over $5000. Garage kept and lightly used. Heck of a buy. Hope you find what fits you, lots to look at and choose from.......Skeet
Looking is the fun part Tim.
I'm a big fan of Lund boats especially the Alaskan series. Here's a photo of mineQuote:
Originally Posted by BluegillHunter
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...6762621297.jpg
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I like that. It would be hard to fall out of. I have never fallen out of a boat but, after 65 my balance is not what it used to be.
Ask, and you shall receive.
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/perso...-panfish-16-a/
I'll throw in my $.02 - My fishing partner, Walt, has owned a 16' stick steer Panfish Tracker for over 30 years. Great fishing boat. However, know this: if you are the passenger in the rear and water is choppy, you're going to get wet....very wet....from the spray. The hull design on these boats are not meant for rough water. The newer models may very well have changed that, I do not know. You'll just have to ask about that.
The other consideration is that this boat has "thrown" rivets quite often. Constantly having to have them replaced or plugged. Causes boat to take on water frequently. Not a lot of water, but it is annoying sometimes. If they offer a stick steer in an all welded hull, I would consider that as an option.
Finally, the "stick steer" does loosen over time from wear, so you have to constantly keep your hand on the stick if you want to maintain control. Tends to drift quite easily, even at slow speeds. I'm not saying they are not great boats, just that you have to take some things into consideration is all. JMO. :)
I stated in my first post that I preferred a steering wheel boat, with low seats mounted to the floor.
May have to have a boat custom made to get what i want.
You said you were old too.
Lots of info missing to be recommending a boat for you, you fish alone, big lakes or small lakes, got grandkids that may want to go fishing sometimes. Those low sets on the floor are good when your young but not near as fun as you get older and have to stand up.
You gotta understand what being old does to you.Quote:
Originally Posted by clfarms1
I found what I want... thanks everyone.
I will be looking forward to seeing your fishing reports and pictures. When you get the new rig fixed like you want(and this is the fun part rigging it the way you want) I would like to see your boat pictures also. Tight lines and Hope you catch a boat load.
Howdy Cray, I understand you have a War Eagle 754vs? I’m a member of the crippled old man club and am thinking that a stick steer rig is in my future. I’d like to visit with you about your boat.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cray
Just send me a pm with questions. I will help you anyway I can. Going to KY camp in the morning so if you want to get in depth we could talk on phone next week.Quote:
Originally Posted by warhawk
754 are nice. Im boat poor and old as rocks though.
I have a 2006 tracker Tournament V18 115 Mercury Optimax that had never been in the water until last year (eccentric step father bought it) had about 25 hours on it
PM me for price.
What did you end up buying?Quote:
Originally Posted by BluegillHunter
there is two boat builders close to south Alabama. They will build to suit you. All welded system. No wood. Rhino Boats is one of them. Xtreme Boats is the other. They are both within 1 hr drive of Dothan Alabama. I fish from a 16/48 model with a stick. But the make the same boat with a wheel.
I retired 3 years ago and purchased my second Bass Tracker TRX175 with 60 HP last May... I am in the process making it stable for me as far as putting hand rails in it ... I been working on Tracker Boats in Springfield to convince them to offer their Boats with Handicap type accessories.
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Amen. Been a while since this was first posted.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cray
I still have the best "old guy" boat.
With a pretty good old guy in it. I too would like to know what he bought, if anything.Quote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
I think he's referring to the Pondtoon, Skeet. No stepping up/down, plenty of room, and a stable platform ... not to mention his added electronic goodies. :biggrinQuote:
Originally Posted by skeetbum
I realize this is a old thread, but I had to let you know a 60hp and a 50hp mercury are the same engine, if You dont believe me look up the engine specs, obtw my tracker has a 50 3cyl 2stroke merc and will do 37 mph with 2 200# menQuote:
Originally Posted by Orion_70