Looking for an open boat

[Clint]

I am trying to find a boat manufacturer that builds a 16’ open boat with a side console. When I say open, I mean with no or little front or rear decks. I want something with a Vee bow and some Vee to the hull. I live close to Kentucky Lake and a flat bottom and/or a flat bow makes getting out into the main lake a scary proposition. I have a bass type boat now that I am rebuilding, and I am hoping to find something I can buy as a bare hull and have my motor and controls moved to. A thorough search of the boat builder’s sites shows lots of boats with BIG decks but I have not found one that has small or no decks. One maker’s boats are ALL deck – that is the only thing that is not decked is the foot well in front of the running seats.

Can anyone point me to a manufacturer and model that might come close to this type of boat?

[ShowmeCrappie]

I had a 16/52 F&F that I think would be what you are looking for, it did have a deck but jus big enough for two seat bases. They are custom built in Arkansas and I believe will build to your specs.
My current boat Express XP200 is the same but in a 20 footer. I have 3 bases on the front deck but when I spin to the back I step into the bottom of the boat and not on the deck.

[warhawk]

Look at the Lund Alaskan and Crestliner Kodiak.

[Machine]

Call aad welding in Peoria Illinois

Builds the best I ever seen

Builds it how you want it

[Alphahawk]

Check out Xtreme boats. They built a boat to my specs. Built like a tank.....everything they do is custom and will build it anyway you want. I am not affiliated with them in anyway. I wanted a boat built like I wanted and couldn't find anything close to me that had exactly as I wanted. Nothing special about my boat....it is just built as I wanted it to be. I also checked out Blazer Boats in Missouri....another great custom builder. They sell through Troutt and Sons in ST.James, MO.


Regards

[Timmy Tom]

Have you checked Lowe Boats, they have a open catfish boat.

[smashdn]

Most any of the modified vees that john boat manufacturers have will fit the bill. Get one designed for a tiller and add an aluminum console and use the rear bench seat as the seat for the console to save space.

I agree with you that most boat mftr's want to put too much deck in the boat. I want a big open boat for duck hunting with a side console and anything with a console in it from the factory they steal the floor space by movign the console forward and put in a place for seats.

[Shellback]

Lund Alaskan. They come in 16,18,20 foot models with either tiller, side console or full windshield. I have a 16 foot tiller model with a Honda 50.

[huntinslabs]

Another vote for the Alaskan. Wish our Lund dealer would bring that line in. Really considering the 16' tiller myself. That or the Tracker Pro Guide 16 tiller. Like you I want some realestate in the cockpit.

[spindle]

Check out Crestliner. I have an 18x60 Retriever ordered. They have 16 ft available also. It is a bare bones boat and is extremely well built. There is no rear deck and a small one up front. I ordered a simple console for it from A.K McCallum along with a couple of storage boxes. I am rigging it to fit my needs. Good luck.