Thread: Lake Eufaula-best boat

What is the best type of crappie boat for Lake Eufaula? I am looking for my first fishing boat. I usually fish under the Hwy 69 bridge and around submerged trees and in coves. I might fish in Lake Oologah some.

I want something really stable so I won't fall out WHEN I do something stupid! :D Then again, maybe I need a boat with a ladder! :D I want lots of storage and deck space for at least 4 people. I don't want anything that goes really fast because I want decent fuel economy.

So here are my questions: Remember I am new to boating and fishing!
1. Fiberglass or aluminum? (around submerged trees?)
2. Modified V, Deep V, etc?
3. What makes a boat stable? width?
4. How do you know if the used boat has leaks or other problems?

Also, would anyone buy a 1987 Fisher 16' aluminum boat? Seems really old to me, but I know nothing about boats. I can get it really cheap (cash). I know nothing about repairing boats or motors so I don't know about an old boat. I think 1995-2005 year models would be around my price range.

Any help would be appreciated! Model #s, boats to stay away from, etc.

Thanks,
Peke

If you plan on fishing the O up here best thing I can tell you is have one that can be stable in the wind same as the Big E,wide and stable no matter what kind

I would not buy anything less that 18' long if you plan on crossing the main body of the lake in windy conditions.

The guy's that run center console's swear by them.

I would say at least 18', deep v, and front center console. Possibly a falcon. Really depends on what you wanna spend I guess.

those bass tracker deep v boats are sure nice...my friend has one that is 17 feet long with a 90 horse mercury 4 stroke that runs around 52 with 3 fat guys in it and we all stay dry on those windy spring days...it is very stable and tows really nice because it is lighter than most big water fiberglass boats....falcons are very heavy. One thing to keep in mind is will you store it inside or out...the aluminum boat will last longer in the elements and the transom will remain tough for many years to come.....bass pro has them for 17,900...my friend lucked out and found his for 8700 with around 20 hours on the motor....LUCKY....look around there are many manufactures out there....lund, princecraft, polar kraft, sylvain,fisher,lowe......the list goes on......if you go with one of these boats...you will spend the whole month of may and early April down on texoma catching big stripers with us...makes a great texoma boat...try that in an 18 foot ranger....lol

In Oklahoma if you buy a new boat, do you have to pay excise tax like when you buy a new car? If so, then it seems to me that buying a used boat puts a person ahead in more ways than one.

i bought a new ski boat in 2004 and when i went to buy my tag.....i paid nearly 1200 dollars...so yes....the price will not be your final price if you buy a new boat

We will definitely buy a used one. I found a 1987 Fisher for around $2,000, but I worry about buying one that old. I also found a Bass Tracker Pro Crappie 175 for $5500.

Would both of those be big enough and stable enough? I think they are 17' long. Don't know how wide.
Thanks,

Peke

Originally Posted by The Lip RIPPERS

The guy's that run center console's swear by them.

Yep, I have one and wouldnt trade it for anything! My advice for Eufaula which is the lake I started getting serious about fishing on, is buy the biggest and widest you can afford! I too have spent many nights tied up under that 69 bridge.