Post By: Brian232 Posted: 5/9/2012 11:22:21 PM Points: 0
Hello alll,
I will be moving to Durango in the coming months and I need help picking out a boat. 30K budget, prefer new as I'm not mechanically inclined. I will be splitting my time between Navajo and Vallecito.
I have never fished either of these waters. Preliminary research has me thinking 16-18 foot multi-species with a tarp? Or is a full-on bass boat more suitable for these waters? Something else?
Reply by: Flyrodn Posted: 5/10/2012 8:13:45 AM Points: 48351
Surprised you didn't get a myriad of answers. It sounds like you're doing plenty of research. My advice is always to ask what the primary use will be and then go from there. If you like casting, as I do, then a boat with a casting deck/area is a must, whereas if you're into trolling, not so much.
Reply by: Ajax5240 Posted: 5/10/2012 9:50:23 AM Points: 105
I am no expert on that lake, having never been there.
rom my experience I would go with a deeper boat. The bass boats are great on calm days, they fly across the water, and have a ton of storage under the deck. However, in Colorado we have rapidly changing weather, and wind, wind, wind. The deep boats are incredibly stable and can handle the big chop.
Not saying that you won't love a bass boat if you get one, hell I wish I had your budget for a boat, but I always like to purchase equipment for the worst case scenario and work backwards from there.
I will however admit that I have not owned a newer bass boat, and they could be great in chop... but i doubt it.
Good luck, you should have no problem getting a great boat for that $$
Reply by: bayprowla Posted: 5/10/2012 10:45:45 AM Points: 175
I've been fishing 20 plus years ,I've had a coleman canoe,a tracker 14 ft tracker utility v, a duranautic 16 ft offshore v , and a stratos 285 plo xl bass boat , i loved the bass boat but regretted getting it , lots of maintenance with a glass boat . The only reel ( ha get the pun ) advantage to having a bass boat is the raised deck for flipping and pitching .While they have tons of storage they have limited space for more than 2 people . If you do not flip or pitch baits I would suggest not getting a bass boat . with that kinda bankroll you could get a sweet deep V .
I grew up fishing on bass boats for 20 years. However, that was in California and they are great for their weather and bodies of water. I have found in Colorado with the winds and our bodies of water the deep-v is best in my opinion. We just bought a Tracker Targa V-18 and really love it. It has handled great in the high wind and choppy water. Best luck in deciding what to get.
I agree with a lot of this. The weather and wind are big factors I think. We have a twenty foot fiber glass ski/fish. I agree a fiberglass boat takes some extra effort but for me having a nice heavy boat makes a difference in the wind. Its not getting tossed around.
I think protection from the weather matters also. If I had it to do over I'd look for a fishable cuddy. As it is our boat is deep with a full windshield and bimini top, and that's not too bad. I like to fish late season and sitting exposed to 40 degree rain is not my thing.
Deep V definitely. You really need protection from sun/rain I think.
Outboards are easier to maintain for the non-inclined also. Hard not to love a big block V8 though.
Do not get something under powered to save a buck. You'll kick yourself.
I don't know those waters but think these things are important. Hope it helps.
I would deffinetly go Deep V and 18" would be perfect length for Colorado. With an 18" youll have plenty of room for a couple passengers without feeling crowded. You can get an open bow and stil be able to stand in the front and pitch and flip, but you'll be able to handle the 3-4 foot chop that colorado is so well known for with the deeper boat. If I were you, I would go with something other than tracker. I own a Tracker and love almost everything about it. However, all the tracker models have low transom and therefore wave rockers or splash guards are needed to keep waves from coming over the back of the transom. I would look at Lund and Alumacraft If I were you, something that has a tall / high transom.
Lots of great advice, a pretty decent V hull is the better choice, and aluminum is much lower maintenance than fiberglass. Also give some consideration to the height of the gunwales relative to the deck. When the wind starts bouncing that boat around, it's good to keep all the passengers in the boat. My Alumacraft V16 with a 9.8 hp Nissan is a great boat on all of CO waters in winds up to 15 mph, and at higher winds, the waters really require a much more expensive boat.
This boat was only 5k new, but I've put another 5k into the second outboard motor and all the gear and rigging. If I was working with a 30k budget, I'd probably get a Lund Alaskan. I lean toward less HP in the motor for better fuel economy and more low end control trolling. With the 9.8 and 20 HP Nissans, on my V16, I have to fill the two three gallon gas tanks every three or four trips to the lake. You might even consider going with dual 40-60 HP motors, the control with two outboards in windy conditions is far superior, the redundancy is much more sure to get you home, and using a single lower HP motor for trolling is far more fuel efficient and gives greater control over low end speeds.
id go deep v alluminum with a good 4stroke engine. gas only no premix. i just got a 18.5 deepv very wide beam stable to fish. go full windshield too. water spray gets cold early am fishing.
I just purchased a Lund Rebel 1825. I think that this is the best boat for the money. It has a 4 stoke 115 hp motor. I have trolled all day long on a 1/4 tank or less. 16 gallon tank. I have been in some 3 to 4 foot waves at spinney and it handles like a dream. There is plenty of room for the whole family. Price with tax was under 30k.
Tracker definitely makes some pretty good deep-v boats, as does alumnacraft. I would also take a look at crestliner, lund, ranger, and triton boats. Triton does have some nice deep v models. I would definitely go with an 18 foot or larger deep-v. It really comes down to how you want the boat layed out and what type of fishing you do the most often.
The weight of a fiberglass boat is nice but the price of an aluminum boat is nice too, I figure if you can spend a little less then your budget on the boat and motor then you can outfit it with better electronics, trolling motors, power poles etc.
Good luck in your search, and post some pics when you get it!!!
I wouldn't go aluminum but these are all nice boats. Electronics, absolutely. And motor. And protection from weather. No pre-mix please.
I'd actually look C-Dory or something similar if I had it to do again. Which a boat buyer never does! :>) I took out my 305 and did a personal build 350 Stroker. She doesn't run bad but I cannot afford to do that again.
It's a fun situation but you will live with it a long time and never get your money back. Make a good choice.
i know that lake. great fishery. i would want a 18 ft walk through, with a snap enclosure for trolling for big browns in winter time its a big lake so at least a 90 np for getting around.aluminum. geta kicker motor as well. also definitley 4 stroke
I agree totally on the tracker targa V-18. Super impressive boat. Match up with a 4 stroke motor and a vinyl floor and you have an impressive rig and cash left over. You can see one at any bass pro shops and there are tons of independent dealers also. I own a nitro bass boat, but aspire to purchase a targa at the next opportunity.
Reply by: Dan Swanson Posted: 6/27/2012 7:38:39 PM Points: 1289
I've had aluminum deep v boats and fiberglass deep v boats. I'll take the fiberglass any day when it comes to ride and boat control in the wind. As far as maintenance I don't find the fiberglass boat to be any more difficult to take care of than the aluminum. Fiberglass weigh a bit more, but not as much as you might think - a few hundred pounds for an 18 foot class boat. But if I'm going to beach my boat the aluminum gets scratched but it can be painted. Gel coat repair on a 'glass boat will not be so easy. Same thing if you're bad at docking and scratch your boat. But in trees I'd rather be in my fiberglass boat. Trees won't scratch it and no decals to scratch either.
As far as 2 stroke vs 4 stroke. 2 strokes these days are fuel injected and oil injected. No mixing of oil. Separate tank for the oil. But you still have to buy oil instead of changing it once in a while. 4 strokes are heavier. New 2 strokes run as clean or cleaner (emissions) than 4 strokes. The Evinrude ETEC is just as quiet as a 4 stroke, but not all 2 strokes are.
It really comes down to what you like. Go with the Lunds, Crestliners, Alumacrafts, Rangers, Skeeters, Tritons in the deep V boats. If you're a tiller boat person check out the Ranger 175VS Should be in your price range. [log in for link]
If you're not a tiller guy check out the 1750 Ranger Reata, also in the price range you're looking at. [log in for link] or 1760 Angler [log in for link] (you can get the full windshield if you want).
I agree with Dan Swanson on the issues/differences between 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines.
Each technology have their place in regards to use. You may want to consider retail price when it comes to 2-stroke vs 4-stroke.
If you are somewhat mechanically inclined, (or not) then a 2-stroke outboard motor should meet your minimal requirement. (more easily rebuidable than a 4-stroke motor).
Either way......with "most" applications, the motor is generally considered the more expensive part of the boat expense.
