Retirement boat

[Ranger690]

Climb in many. Plan ahead for getting older. Step height to decks. Gunwale height for safety. Is driver seat down in a hole? What will it be like to get up/down in the coming years? Room for grandkids to move without going over-board if they misstep? Then all the layout and storage that you like. Is there room for a cooler and a kids backpack and fun stuff. Take your time and enjoy it. And have fun when you get it.

[Hammmerhead]

A lot of variables for you to consider.

Aluminum or Fiberglass? Some of the Crappie models from manus sacrifice storage for additional livewells up front or just change the arrangement up that limits rod and tackle storage. I wouldnt want a Crappie model for this reason, but you may need it. Consider how far you may be jumping from spots on larger lakes to consider the speed and horsepower you may need. How wide of a deck will you need will help with fishing two people up front side by side. Also consider troller arrangement space and your electronics on the bow and how easy it is to ladder in or climb up on the bow while you are launching by yourself. Also remember, what you want or need today, may not be the same a year or two from now. Your fishing style may change as well, like mine did. You want a larger deck and wider boat for spider rigging, pushing, pulling, etc On the other hand, if you fish alone mostly, Livescope, you wont need all of that even though you have it if you change gears to a different technique. Lot of scenarios out there. I would just start jotting down what you need and want. If its 100% crappie and a center console or if you might be doing some bass fishing as well and want to stick with a faster more efficient fiberglass Bass style hull, how far you may tow and how many lakes you may want to travel to use it, etc. etc.

Personally, I would never buy new. Pick out your brand and model and find one that a gentlemen purchased with exactly what you had in mind, only to find out he never uses it and it has low hours. The market is pretty littered with boats right now and many at good prices where people just need to get out from under them.

The Covid era was a boat sellers market, 2023 I think will be a buyers market for all kinds of toys

[ToddBurris]

I appreciate all the responses

[catchNgrease]

Congratulations on you new journey. I was at first thinking I don't have any advice. I will only say to make sure you take it slow. You've waited this long and sounds like your gonna have to wait atleast another 6 months.

Welcome back "to the sport like none other"

Sent from my SM-G975U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[Gone Fishin']

Be sure to get some real good electronics with big screens. Save on the boat if you have to, but a good side imaging fishfinder and Livescope with big screens is going to help you find and eventually catch more fish, whatever kind you choose to chase. It costs, but if you are going in a nice boat, it's worth the extra. Buy once, cry once.

[Micanopy]

You have to be able to trailer it to and fro and launch and land it by yourself. Depending on where you live and where you plan to fish this can become very important. A great boat might become the boat you don’t care to take out much any more. Also, consider being able to go different places in the boat. I chose a center console for this very reason. Lakes, rivers, salt water, anywhere she wants to go we can go.

Many dealers will under size the engine to get the price point down. This is not what you want to buy, it is what he wants to sell you. Over sized engines are not better necessarily either. Try to read about what others get speed wise in similar boats. 50 mph is plenty fast for a fishing boat.

Try to find one and just sit in the thing for a while. Imagine yourself fishing. Does the boat work for your style of fishing? Do you feel like you will tumble over the side as you move about? Is the boat too small for your fishing locales?

Pontoon boats are awesome……. if you can keep it in the water. Lugging the thing over land, launching and landing can be trying affairs. I have seen too many people struggling with theirs. Like driving around with a parachute out the back of the truck.

Winds are difficult to manage. If you live in a place that is windy, consider a glass boat. My 20’ aluminum draws like 10” of water, but that also means that it struggles in windy choppy conditions. So I stay home those days. You might have to deal with winds.

Finally, take your time. You do not want to buy a boat, discover issues with the boat’s limitations, and have to do a trade in of some kind. Consider used boats. Many were bought during the flu epidemic, and I suppose many of those will be for sale at good prices. We haven’t seen a turn down in prices yet, but that doesn’t mean that individuals wouldn’t accept less.

Good Luck and post pictures when you get around to bringing one home.

[jay the baptist]

If it were me, I would ask myself these questions.
What is my budget?
Do I have the right tow vehicle?
How big does my boat need to be to handle waves, weather and boat traffic on lakes I plan to fish?
Can I load and unload at the launch by myself with ease?
What capacity, 2,4,6 people?
Do I plan to keep it show room clean? (color of boat, carpet or not)
Do I have a place to store it?
When I answer these, I'm ready to think about trolling motors, fishing standing or seated, the styles I fish most, storage, live wells front or back or both, anchoring systems, and electronics.
This ought to keep you busy for awhile.

[Chuck Adams]

You are probably getting tired of reading but…..I keep thinking of more things when selecting a boat!!
Make sure whatever you buy is adequately wired for 24-36 volt trolling motor.
Make sure it has enough space to put a dedicated battery for your electronics especially if you intend to get Livescope.
Space for a couple onboard chargers.
As stated by others the outboard should be paired with boat size.
Personally I prefer a semi-V style hull.
Make sure trailer is heavy enough for the boat size. Not going to mention the known manufacturer that does under size trailers to sell as many units as possible keeping the price point down. Same thing with switches , pumps, gauges and interior carpet and seats.
Take your time. Almost as bad as picking out paint or wallpaper.
Chuck


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[skunked again]

Whatever boat you get, put it on a tandem axle trailer. The pros outweigh the cons. Oh, at least 14” tires.
I would love to have a second axle and upsize from these little 12” tires.
C-channel frame instead of tube for the trailer. Tube frames hold water, rust from the inside out.

[KRW]

A lot of people are really particular and a rigged out boat aint cheap. I would go with a 19-20’ aluminum (xpress). No carpet! 12” Garmin at bow w LS and 10” at console linked. Ultrex at bow. I would want a 150 motor. Then go fishn!! I have a 188 w 115CT and I like it but will upgrade to above when I retire