Need advice on fishing boat

What kind of boat do u think would be best?

I currently have 2 boats, neither work great for my needs:

1. 19' fours winns w/175hp inb.outboard. Has downriggers and works great for tubing and towing. Perfect for the great lakes but 98% of the lakes I fish it is too big and not quite enough

2. 14' sea nyph deep hull aluminum boat. 9.9hp outboard. This is a nice boat for many/most lakes. It is very basic though. The floor is not flat and the aluminum bench seats are hard on the tush!

Here is what I need my new boat to do (I have $5000 to spend)

- great lakes capable a few times per year
- downriggers can be mounted
- capable of fishing all the smaller lakes in my area (75 acres +)
- 50 hp range prefered, max 75 hp
- can pull tubers/skiiers when needed
- livewell or room to install one
- dual battery capable

I was thinking of a 17' Lund. I would love your input. thanx:confused:

Check out what Carolina Skiff has to offer. They have a center console, plenty of room to walk around, don't draft hardly anything, so they can go real shallow. My father-in-law's is probably a bit bigger than what you're looking for, but they may have some smaller ones that would fit the bill.

Tracker makes some nice boats too that aren't "bass boats". You might want to check them out too. They come with boat, trailer, and motor packaged and are pretty reasonably priced, especially if you happen to find a last-year model.

Just a couple ideas on places to look.

Your going to want a deep v for the great lakes at least Lund is Ok but I would go with a little bigger one.

let me know if your selling the 14 footer and how much..

Try boattrader.com good luck finding all that in good cond. for 5g. If I were in your situation, I would try to find the best used Lund or Tracker deep V or All fish.

Ozark used to make a well built glass boat that would be perfect...not sure if they're around anymore. I had one years ago while I was stationed in MO. I used it mainly for crappie fishing at Truman. Good luck on your boat hunt...Tight Lines!