I Think I Need A Boat

[justletmein]

I thought you got rid of your Boatright for some reason. I need to splash mine it hasn't been in the water in a while.

I built that pontoon barge and got tired of trying to use two boats so sold the old Boatright thinking I'd wait for a good deal to pop up on a larger Boatright. 3 freakin weeks later this one popped up on 2cool and I couldn't pass it up.

[Bucknaked]

That looks like it would pair quite well behind my pickup or burban

It may tear your liver into shreds the first time you get into Chop though! And you might as well get a rain coat from the spray it kicks out but other than that they are Awesome

Whatever you do Op, have patience, boat prices are dropping pretty quickly !

[Electrican]

A deck boat would fit most of your needs. Cruising, pulling some tubes and skiers. I’ve seen some setup for fishing to. Not going to work for hunting or shallow water. Just make sure to get max hp rating for the boat.

[TacticalCowboy]

This is important. If momma likes the boat, it makes it so much easier (and enjoyable).

I have owned a boat since I was 17. I have four now. Can’t imagine life with out a boat. Good luck in your search.

She wants to tube and fish (and ride around the lake). She’s not a serious fisherwoman either.

I want to do some mediocre-effort fishing, tube, run around the lake, and maybe hunt.

Kinda seems like a pontoon and a Jon might be the best move.


I really don’t care about bass fishing on a serious level. If I chunk a lure and they bite, I’m happy. If I throw a lure or 10 for 30 minutes and I don’t get a strike, I’m bored.

[justletmein]

It may tear your liver into shreds the first time you get into Chop though! And you might as well get a rain coat from the spray it kicks out but other than that they are Awesome

Incorrect, it ain't no Alumacraft. These are heavy and push through quite a bit of water but not enough to splash much unless you're in a heavy side wind. It's a smoother ride than my buddy's 23' Shoalwater Cat, quite a bit in fact. His boat will do 65 though and is a little safe in huge stuff. This one's been out in West Matty in flat out irresponsible weather, if you know what you're doing it'll handle it.

[justletmein]

She wants to tube and fish (and ride around the lake). She’s not a serious fisherwoman either.

I want to do some mediocre-effort fishing, tube, run around the lake, and maybe hunt.

Kinda seems like a pontoon and a Jon might be the best move.


I really don’t care about bass fishing on a serious level. If I chunk a lure and they bite, I’m happy. If I throw a lure or 10 for 30 minutes and I don’t get a strike, I’m bored.

Deck boat or a generic bay boat like a Blue Wave (aka San Antonio special) is probably safest play to keep everyone happy. You can get a quick detach ski pole that mounts in the back to help ski better.

[TacticalCowboy]

The problem with a do it all boat is they're typically not great at any one thing or they'll be great at one thing you don't do very often.

I get that. I had a KLR650 for awhile and quickly found out it could do anything but sucked at everything.

Was just hoping the world of boats was more inclusive than the world of motorcycles lol

[Bucknaked]

Incorrect, it ain't no Alumacraft. These are heavy and push through quite a bit of water but not enough to splash much unless you're in a heavy side wind. It's a smoother ride than my buddy's 23' Shoalwater Cat, quite a bit in fact. His boat will do 65 though and is a little safe in huge stuff. This one's been out in West Matty in flat out irresponsible weather, if you know what you're doing it'll handle it.

Nice boats- I’m just giving you a hard time! I have been on one several times set up pretty much like yours and also fished Matty! They do have some decent weight to them which is a plus.

[Notaguide]

This is important. If momma likes the boat, it makes it so much easier (and enjoyable).

I have owned a boat since I was 17. I have four now. Can’t imagine life with out a boat. Good luck in your search.

I feel the same way. I was 17 as well (1988) and have owned something that floats ever since. My first center console was used a lot on Lake Granbury. Lots of late nights tied up under the bridge catching crappie and whites under lights. Lots of good memories.

Our current boat was sold today from the looks of the dealer consignment listing on FB. Momma wanted a different seat layout so it came with a new hull under it. The new whip should be at the Houston boat show and then delivered.

Same people that are always negative about boats are the same that never use them as intended.

[justletmein]

Nice boats- I’m just giving you a hard time! I have been on one several times set up pretty much like yours and also fished Matty! They do have some decent weight to them which is a plus.

Getting me all worked up here! Lol no not really. These boats do have their downsides. I sunk the old one, twice. Both times only the floatation foam kept it up. Both times I was able to hold the bow into waves and let the bilge pump clear it out though. I can't do that with this one because the oil tank is in the bilge. Also had to unplug it while running across Matty on a late rough night because it took on water faster than the pump could keep up. They can be kind of technical, but I love them. My old SeaFox bay boat was wetter, my big *** Carolina Skiff would haul more but rattle your teeth out and I always got it stuck. Every boat really is a compromise.

[hopedale]

Never had anything but a little Jon boat or a canoe. I’m moving near lake granbury and think I might need a boat.

I know if I get one I want to fish, tube, and probably just putt around the lake. I’m not a huge fisherman but I do like to run juglines, crappie fish, and I’ll chunk a bass lure every now and then. I would also like to do some bow fishing and possibly use it for duck hunting. Duck hunting is probably at the bottom of the list for use, but gotta throw it in there lol.

Is there a good do-all boat for this kinda thing? What HP should I be looking at? I’m kinda thinking a pontoon might fit the bill decently.

Also, I’d say a max of 4-6 people on it at once.

I think you may be disappointed in a pontoon boat.

You have a lot of opitions when it comes to fishing, tubing, and putting around the lake. It gets complicated when you add in the duck hunting.

Before the 2023 season get's going, look and see when boat shows are going on. And don't limit yourself to Ft Worth and the town you're moving too.

Austin's boat show is a bunch of cruisers and wake boats. Head to Louisiana and see a bunch of fishing boats, and hunting boats.

The one tip I can give you is on the boat you choose, if the MAX HP is X, get the motor with the HP of X.

[TacticalCowboy]

I think you may be disappointed in a pontoon boat.

You have a lot of opitions when it comes to fishing, tubing, and putting around the lake. It gets complicated when you add in the duck hunting.

Before the 2023 season get's going, look and see when boat shows are going on. And don't limit yourself to Ft Worth and the town you're moving too.

Austin's boat show is a bunch of cruisers and wake boats. Head to Louisiana and see a bunch of fishing boats, and hunting boats.

The one tip I can give you is on the boat you choose, if the MAX HP is X, get the motor with the HP of X.

10-4, like I said before, hunting is not a priority for this one, BUT if it could be in the cards that’s awesome.

I think if I sunk 10-20k in a boat mama would enjoy, there would be a lot bigger possibility of me getting a hunting boat later on.

Mama ain’t gonna like cruising across the lake on a 16’ Jon with a 15hp motor, although that would be pretty ok for me to run jugs and duck hunt from.

[BlessedVeteran0305]

I got a 95 Champion 171 SC bass boat I'll sell ya

[Greenheadless]

There is a Gulf Coast in the classifieds I would seriously be looking at if I was needing a boat on a budget.

[jooger17]

Probably not what you're looking for but I have a 2019 Skeeter FX21LE Seahawks Edition about to hit the market. 2 12" Humminbird Helix's, a Lowrance HDS LIVE 12, Garmin 1222SV with Livescope, Lowrance Ghost 112 trolling motor, 2 8' Power Pole Blades, 12" Atlas Hydraulic Jackplate, Oxygenator, Bluetooth Stereo, Yamaha 250 SHO with over 3 years of warranty left on the engine, upgraded recirculating pumps, $1600 worth custom wiring, 3 X2 Power Group 31 trolling batteries, Trojan Group 31 cranking battery, Perco switch added, padded front deck... It literally has everything. I fished tournaments and ran my guide service out of it for over 2 years. THIS IS NOT MY BOAT BUT IT IS EXACTLY LIKE BOBBY'S mine just has more cool stuff on it