Thread: boat style not brand

I will be buying a new crappie boat in the next 18 months and I'm starting now doing my research. Deep V vs Mod V, tiller steer vs console steering vs stick steering, all will be aluminum and 16-18 feet in length.

A few years ago I made the move from mod-v to deep v and have never regretted it. Draft is not so deep that I can not get into fairly shallow water, but I mainly fish deeper water. Wind and waves that cause the mod-v crowd to pause are less of a worry. I like the fact that I sit in the boat, and not at gunwale level. It is much, much safer. Look at Angler's Edge with Al Linder. He fishes everywhere with his deep v's. I have used mine on the SC coast, the marshes on the Gulf south of Nawlins, the TN River, from one end to the other, and all points in between, including Sardis. You will be very happy in the safer deep v, and so will your wife, for they ride much more smoothly.

I too went from a mod-v to a deep-v. I too like the deep-v. I also feel safer with my grandkids.
I fish just about every water type, IL. river and tributaries and backwaters. Resavoir lakes, cooling lakes, Canadian Sheild lakes and have fished in 30mph winds with it. I don't worry about swells, or storms surprising me on the lake. While mine is a 16', I would take it on lake Michigan, however only on calmer days. The great lakes have sunk much bigger ships than my boat. So I show her some serious respect. But for most other inland waters I have no problem fishing for crappie.

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I have seen the bass style and flat bottoms get beat to death on rough waters, while my bow slices through and the gunals keep keep the waves out. Never once have I had a wave crest the bow of my deep-v. They did on my mod-v.

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I want to add one more thing. I have a 70 year old friend who just bought a new semi-v bass style boat. I'm 76. I went fishing with him one time, my last time too. I was perched on the rear deck with absolutely nothing to even press my feet against for stability. Waves made me think I was going over the edge. Getting pounded going to the brush pile will evidently be normal for him. My knees were above my hips and that made it difficult to stand up, then I had to climb over the bench seat to get my "perch" seat. My friend? Well, I noticed that the effort to mount the front deck from his driving seat was strenuous for him too. So he has a brand new boat for about $16,000.........but he bought a young man's bass boat !! As soon as the knees or hips start aching he too will wise up to the benefits of the deeper v- bow boats.

Originally Posted by USMA65

I want to add one more thing. I have a 70 year old friend who just bought a new semi-v bass style boat. I'm 76. I went fishing with him one time, my last time too. I was perched on the rear deck with absolutely nothing to even press my feet against for stability. Waves made me think I was going over the edge. Getting pounded going to the brush pile will evidently be normal for him. My knees were above my hips and that made it difficult to stand up, then I had to climb over the bench seat to get my "perch" seat. My friend? Well, I noticed that the effort to mount the front deck from his driving seat was strenuous for him too. So he has a brand new boat for about $16,000.........but he bought a young man's bass boat !! As soon as the knees or hips start aching he too will wise up to the benefits of the deeper v- bow boats.

My friend went fishing with me, in my boat a few days ago. I did not ask him anything, but he stated that he liked my boat better than he thought he would. He also said I had it rigged perfectly.....shouldn't change a thing. For months he has been having severe leg cramps. Well he had one in my boat, 30 minutes of leg cramps! He was able to lay down stretched out on the floor. Seriously, if that happens in his boat, he will be in a drastic state, as there is no safe area to stretch out.

Counsel verses tiller. I'm a tiller fan for several reasons, more useable space in the boat, better steering control, and a view of everybody in the boat. I can make adjustments to path to keep them dry, or not.
There are advantages to the cousel, generally better visibility while under way, easier to back troll or pull cranks. And the windshield is nice on cold runs.

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and Console you can stand to absorbe pounding if need be..

I made the switch to a deep v for all the reasons stated above. I have a console set up which is what I'm used to, easier for me when loading the boat up. Tiller steer was harder to load up for me. I fish solo 99% of the time, so console is not in my way or anyone else.

My boat is certainly not new, but new to me this Spring. I love it!


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