1st boat advice

[Itch'N2Fish]

Hey all, I'm a new member to Crappie.com and searching for some advice. Being that I'm 26, moved back to KC metro area, absolutely love to fish, but don't have a boat, I'm search for some advice....What is the best boat for me? I grew up spoiled fishing out of dads old Ranger. The past five years or so the old man and I have been catching slabs out of his bass tracker. Now that I'm living in KC full time I thinks its time to put my big boys pants on and buy a boat for myself. I really like the 2000's models of the Lowe 170W or 180W's. I don't think I need a big fiberglass boat but I do want something that can handle the KS winds. Let me know if ya'll have an advice for me. Thanks Matt.

[Slab a Ganza]

Yeeeeep. I think a nice deep-hull paddle boat could handle the KS wind. Just a little leg power and you could hold yourself on a spot all day.

[usafret99]

I have tracker due to storage limitations, but if I could I'd buy fiberglass to help in wind. Can be a real pain to fish in wind if boat can't handle it

[walleyecrazy839]

Most deep v's are good boats I believe its how you rig them that makes the Difference. My opinion a 90 thousand dollar boat rigged with 20 dollar elecrronics is worthless. Get the biggest mtr.raited for the boat and the most powerfull trolling motor is a good start. Then the best under water eyes are a must for catching fish and figuring out a lake.

[Mrs. Crappie Stalker]

Tin boats are great and we've had several, but fiberglass is just gonna be better in the wind. Whatever you get, try to get the max hp the boat is rated for. You don't want to be underpowered.

[birddog one]

welcome to CDC glass is the only way to fly

[kingfish387]

I have a Lowe deep v with a 115 and love it.Handles the roughest water.Can get in the trees and not worry about banging up the boat.But it does catch all the wind and gets blown around easy.For jigging and dipping trees its great.For rigging open water with wind or boat traffic not so great.Make sure you get a strong trolling motor.I fish mostly with my daughter and its great for kids.

[jigfisherx]

If you get to pick a trolling motor consider one with a variable speed vs one with a 5 speed. The 5 speed always seems to be in between speeds in the wind. I suggest having the electronics installed by the dealer as well. Some combinations will have interference on the front graph that can be a real pain to resolve.

[PTShad]

You have fished in a Ranger and in a Tracker. Use those experiences as a guide. To me, the layout of the boat tops the list of considerations. A boat can handle like a dream but have a terrible layout and you will hate it. Best advice I know to give is to get in as many different boats in your price range as you can. Once you find one or two that you like the layout and feel of, try to arrange on the water tests. Once you find the boat you like, then you can worry about all the options. I agree with the others, get the best trolling motor and electronics that you can afford to buy. However, don't think you have to have the Lowrance HDS12-Touch or the equivalent 'Bird unit just because its the most expensive. My advice as a younger (29) boat owner is to not break the bank on the initial purchase, get something you like and will be satisfied owning for 5yrs+, buy the best electronics you can afford and upgrade as you can. Good luck and enjoy!!

[crappie_hunter15]

I bought an older fiberglass bass boat (similar to a ranger) and spent more on the electronics and trolling motor than what the boat cost me. I don't regret buying it one bit(probably the best purchase I have ever made next to side imagining). If you're crappie fishing you want something that is versatile (able to fish shallow, standing timber, hold open water brush and ledges). For me the boat just has to get me there and back. The right electronics and trolling motor are what HELP you find and stay on fish. I'm not sure what all the talk is about getting the biggest motor you are rated for my boat is 19' has a 150 on it and goes 60 its rated for a 200 or 225 I have no interest in going 60 on a lake let alone 70. Maybe they are talking about deep V's??? If you do decide to buy an older fiberglass bass boat do some research on what to look for (i.e rotted transom, compression test, stress cracks, rotted floors), if it has a weak transom or a dead cylinder just walk away. One that has been well taken care of will last you a long time if you do the same. I bought mine when I was about the same age as you are and felt like I made the right decision at the time and still feel that way. Oh and when I bought it I thought going fast was important it's really not it doesn't help you catch anymore fish....maybe more girls