Thread: Up-grading boat, questions.

The size of boat isn't as important as the ramp depth needed to launch. Measure from the parking lot surface up to the mud line on the boat's transom. Some ramps (Lake Abel is a prime example) have so little depth that summer droughts can force you to back dangerously far out into the lake. If the boats you're considering have you seated up on a casting deck, consider a different design. What's going to stop your fall over the side if your lose your balance?

Richard, How did I know the part about platform was coming! I was trying to find a way to put it in my earlier post, I really do like Taps and your boats and that "style" ( I would love to find 18' v-hull, and I want tiller to save room ) but thier cost is far beyond what I am looking to put out at this time. the b-boat I am looking at Is fairly close in cost to what I can get out of my tracker ( Its cheap).. I am hoping that benifits will outweigh cost.
Hey-- Later if I deside to continue on mainly crappie fishing, I can sell my boats and get My Tapout boat, and BE a TV star! LOL ( the song-- "thier going to put me in the movies- thier going to make a big star outta me" ) LOL

Chralie,had glass boat with 150 motor, a couple times had load with tm ,not hard ,just back trailer farther in water, but without walking board on trailer, hard to get to wench and rope to wind in.but like corker said if a slow slant its a pain. I do not set tm on high, but turn it up on high as needed ,then back down, can stay where you want it easier at a low speed and do not scare fish as easy.Love my bass tracker 175 since I lowered deck for safety and knees.

The only help I can offer on this one is I can tell no difference between loading my aluminum semi-v Tracker and my fiberglass flat bottom Skiff on TM only lakes. They key is to be able to get the boat most of the way on the trailer before you have to start winch it.

Trailer (boat) guides I guess could help if I have to get trailer deeper. And I allways forget about walk boards.. with I need on my tracker because trailer is made for much larger boat. BTW, GeneC my tracker is an 1986 16ft -much smaller than your boat . It was fine for small waters but I am noticing that Lake anna and when I fish buggs I really need bigger.

When I was fishing TM only lakes a lot I had to add another troller on the stern just for loading the boat back on the trailer. It sure made it a lot easier.

I had forgotten till you mentioned it , This spring I was fishing LCR with TM front and back. Using the back TM sure made it easier to load! I haven't needed to back TM since I got a 24v TM. But its still in shed. It will help loading and speed on TM lakes.

Any boat in mind Charlie?CF