Thread: Help me decide on new boat for Pomme, Stockton, Truman lake fishing; deep v or semi v

I had a G3 1860sc with a 90 hp Yamaha for about 10 years. It is a very stabile boat!!!

Such a big investment, I say try before you buy and get what you like. Good luck!

I have fished all 3 lakes and I do not recommend a deep V. It is seldom that there is not some wind and a deep V will work you to death holding it with the trolling motor in any wind. I had one and got rid of it for that reason. Stockton does get rough and it is difficult to get out of the wind where Pom and Truman seem to have better places to hide. Since you can fish all three you can pick your lake based on weather. I will admit the deep V rides better in rough water, but I spend 90% of my fishing time on the trolling motor.

Any of the above are stable but being a metal boat the wind is gonna blow it around. I switched to a glass boat and wouldn't go back for all the money in the world. they are stable and wind don't effect them near as much.

What ever you choose, be sure to get enough trolling motor. I bought the Xpress 18 foot with a 90 Merk. Told the rep I wanted to be able to fish windy points. They set me up with a minnkora 70 with a 5 speed. With the 24 volt system it had plenty of power but never at the right speed. Changed over to the same motor with the variable speed and love it. It also is better on battery life and has a softer e celebration. The old one would almost knock me over if turning when you would start. As far as the boat I like the wider Jon boat type. A little rougher ride but very stable when fishing.

I love my Lund. Explorer 1600. Very stable.

Thanks for the replies!
Anyone's opinions are welcome - this is a BIG decision as I have never ever spent this kind of money on a boat. Really looking forward to the 3 lakes!
Already knew I wanted 24V system and trolling motor. More important choice than the outboard IMO.

Originally Posted by Hocky

I love my Lund. Explorer 1600. Very stable.

When you move from side to side or when the waves come in does it rock to the point of aggravation? Are you having a problem in the wind like most say about the deep-v's or does a good trolling motor handle it OK?
I watched a video of the V164 and it really rides so high in the water almost floating - extremely impressive. I had a V-front 16 jon boat with a 25 motor that did OK but this is a totally different animal.

Stability can be a big deal, glad to see you are prioritizing and evaluating closely. Too many folks as they get older look for something lighter, easier to unload, less expensive to tow, and can be powered with smaller horsepower. All well and good but I see many then choose a less stable boat and are not confident when on the water ultimately winding up with less quality time on the water. And that's a real bummer in so many ways for a person that finally has time and money to go fishing for the first time in their life. One model you mention (which is a quality manufacturer in my opinion nonetheless) as "rides so high in the water almost floating". What that means to me is a boat with a lot of freeboard above the water line and a boat that might be what i call "corky" when at rest. It doesn't displace much water below the water line and will be more tippy and more of a crisp roll when it does move. Choose wisely, you will get sincere advice from people here but what works for one may not be the best choice for another. Go to a ramp on a busy day and talk to people about boats that you see that look interesting to you, people are usually always glad to tell you about their boat and about things that they wish they might have done differently. Lund builds a great boat as does G3 and there are several others, enjoy your search and take a bit of time to decide.