15 foot vs. 16 foot

[TheHawg]

Hello again guys,
I don't mean to worry y'all to death, but I need to make a decision about which boat and motor to get. I would use the boat for fishing 90% of the time and duck hunting 10% of the time. I realize that it is probably a mistake to ask a boat to do double duty.
If I go with the 16' most people say I need a 40 hp. If I go with the 15' then a 25 is ok. I fish by myself most of the time, so I really don't need a lot of room. I am thinking of the War Eagle 1648 vs. the War Eagle 1542. A few of the aluminum boat companies offer wider 15'ers.
I'm trying to get back into fishing without spending a fortune.
Do any of you fish out of 15 footers or less?
What are your opinions, and I promise I'll shut-up about this and stop bothering you.
Thanks,
TheHawg

[fishin3]

My boat is fiberglass and 15'9". It is okay as long as it is not choppy windy and that such. Also hard with too much tackle in it. I want a 175 tracker at least!!

[ShilohRed]

I have a 25 hp Yamaha on a 1754 war-eagle and it does OK. If its $$ and your not looking to fly. The 25 will do for both of the boats your looking at.
My 1754 with aluminum floor and 6 ft gun box, Will run about 25 MPH and that is with a GPS.
Also my 1754 is rated for a 50 hp.
Also i would go with at least the 48" bottom .
Pete

[ncnat]

I have the 1648 grizzly with a 25 HP on it and it will run 28 MPH with a full live well all my gear and the wife. It does double duty also. I had a dealer tell me that the 25 HP was marginal for the 17 foot boats and out of the question for and 18 footer. He lied. 2 weeks later I saw an 18 by 60 with a 25 on it and it left my 14 by 36 with a 25 on it as if I was paddling.

[labill]

Hello again guys,
I don't mean to worry y'all to death, but I need to make a decision about which boat and motor to get. I would use the boat for fishing 90% of the time and duck hunting 10% of the time. I realize that it is probably a mistake to ask a boat to do double duty.
If I go with the 16' most people say I need a 40 hp. If I go with the 15' then a 25 is ok. I fish by myself most of the time, so I really don't need a lot of room. I am thinking of the War Eagle 1648 vs. the War Eagle 1542. A few of the aluminum boat companies offer wider 15'ers.
I'm trying to get back into fishing without spending a fortune.
Do any of you fish out of 15 footers or less?
What are your opinions, and I promise I'll shut-up about this and stop bothering you.
Thanks,
TheHawg

Hello, TheHawg.......Hard to tell what someone else needs in a boat, but I can tell you what I did in choosing mine. I bought a 16" Monarch hull and outfitted it myself, complete with carpeted decks and floors, console, steering, livewell and everything else I could think of. My worse mistake with that boat was the 25 hp. Mariner I bought for it. Pushed the boat just fine before I added all the weight in modifications and amenities...(before=23 mph, and after=17.5) and regretted the loss in speed. I ran it a couple years with the 25, but then sold the motor and bought a 45 hp. Mariner, which was the max for my boat. I promised myself if I ever bought another boat, It would be with a max rated outboard, something I could outrun a rainstorm or lightning with. That was 20 years past, but she will still push 28 mph. with three in the boat....certainly no speed record, but all I need. Oh, yeah.....I'm also glad I opted for the power trim!!!! :D Just one Louisiana boy's opinion. In the end, Hawg, it's your choice. Main thing is, have some fun doing it!

[duane]

Does any boat makers have a wide body boat with stick steering?

[Cane Pole]

I have 16.xx ft Spectrum (tin) with 40 hp mariner. Wish I had bought 70hp which it can handle. Lack of power sucks sometimes, especially if a storm comes up or u are late for supper. I like it, it can handle rough water. It is high and wide for a 16 footer. Don't hunt anymore, but used to. Still have jon boat i used when i was able to hunt. Buy 2 boats. Shop around. Be suprised what u might find.

[TheHawg]

I had a 15' Fisher Marine with a Johnson 25hp and stick steering that I sold about 8 years ago. It was a pretty good boat, but I could not use the stick if I was by myself. If I sat up front and used the stick while alone, the bow would dig into the water and take on water over the bow. I had to drive it tiller style. I don't know if the newer boats are designed better and if the problem is solved or not. I'm a pretty big boy at 240, so I think stick steering is out for me.
TheHawg

[PanMan_VA]

I own a Lowe 1448 with a modified 9.9hp four stroke. According to the GPS, it will run 21 mph with just me and 18 mph with a passenger. I recommend looking for a boat with at least 48" bottom width and then get the length and horsepower that fits within your budget.

[FalconSmitty]

I have a 14'7" fiberglass with a 25 evinrude. All the speed I need I ama big one myself. I put a whale tail on it and it works great.