New from NC with a question
Hello, Darrell here from the foothills of NC. I have question for this group, I have been thinking about getting another Aluminum Boat. I recently passed my 1985 1860 Lowe River Jon on to my SIL, and have been kayak fishing since. Sometimes I think about getting another boat. The two main problems with the old Lowe bat where that I was having trouble raising the 40 hp Yamaha and getting it locked in order to put it on the trailer, and I was getting tired of stepping over the livewell to move from the drivers seat to the front deck to use the trolling motor. I have been trying to decide on what type of boat would suit me best. I like an open floor plan, I don't really feel the need of a high front deck, and I don't want to get in a position to have to swap seats between the gas motor and the troller.
I have put some thought into the 16 ft. sticksteer panfish boats, I would like any opinions that anyone would like to share. I mostly cast and retrieve when I am fishing, I will be on some big water (inshore and sort ICW runs) but only in decent weather with manageable winds. These would be better suited to a bigger boat, but I also want to be able to use it smaller lakes and in coastal rivers. I would like to be able to pull it easily behind a smaller truck or SUV. After fishing 6 yrs in a yak I have figure out how to pare down the stuff I take with me, and I am not really worried about speed so much. My main concern is how a stick steer boat would handle with one person sitting up front? I am a big guy 275lbs.
any thoughts?
Thanks
Darrell