Joys of boats

tri-toon with twin 250s baller....
 
rockcity said:
IMO, unless you are on the Great Lakes, most deep vee boats aren’t the greatest on the lake. They are made to take waves and plow through the surf, both of which are relatively minimal in most any lake around here.

Also, if the boat is anchored up or just floating, deep vee boats tend to bob much more than most flatter bottom boats; it’s just what they do. It can get people sea sick more than other boats.

If you want a good general purpose boat for lakes and to cruise the ditch I’d look at a good bay boat. They have a modified vee hull that takes some chop and waves and is fast and safe in the ditch and lakes and on a nice day can cruise out to a few reefs for some easy fishing.

Keep in mind I’ve always had a deep vee boat and used it 99% of the time in salt water and made it work in a lake when the time called for it, so my thoughts are focused on what salt water boat would work ok for a family in the lake as well as the salt water. Someone knowledgeable on lake boats may have ideas and thoughts that are much better than mine. I’m just not versed enough with fresh water boats to even know what is out there that could work.


However, your wife’s idea of a pontoon shouldn’t be dismissed so quickly. I see pontoons running up and down the ditch and across Beaufort Inlet every weekend. And, it’s not like they are struggling. These pontoons are legit, cruising at 35mph with a 150hp outboard taking waves like a champ all while staying dry, drinking beer, and blasting some kick ass party music from the top of the deck flanked by a diving board and water slide. And they are set up to troll for blues, Spanish, and Kings and slay som flounder and reds in the marsh. So, if you want a nice family lake boat that you can make work in the ICW every so often, I’d seriously consider a pontoon. I realize you think it may feel like you are turning in your man card, much like driving a mini van does, but you’ll be surprised at how well the modern pontoons do with a decent engine.
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Older Vs do bob a lot compared to others but a lot of the newer ones are a lot better and are wider and they have changed the v shape some to help with the bob dont get me wrong they still bob but not as much as the mid 90s boats


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Ron said:
tri-toon with twin 250s baller....
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Why go with low HP?

premier-encounter-310.jpg


 
rockcity said:
IMO, unless you are on the Great Lakes, most deep vee boats aren’t the greatest on the lake. They are made to take waves and plow through the surf, both of which are relatively minimal in most any lake around here.

Also, if the boat is anchored up or just floating, deep vee boats tend to bob much more than most flatter bottom boats; it’s just what they do. It can get people sea sick more than other boats.

If you want a good general purpose boat for lakes and to cruise the ditch I’d look at a good bay boat. They have a modified vee hull that takes some chop and waves and is fast and safe in the ditch and lakes and on a nice day can cruise out to a few reefs for some easy fishing.

Keep in mind I’ve always had a deep vee boat and used it 99% of the time in salt water and made it work in a lake when the time called for it, so my thoughts are focused on what salt water boat would work ok for a family in the lake as well as the salt water. Someone knowledgeable on lake boats may have ideas and thoughts that are much better than mine. I’m just not versed enough with fresh water boats to even know what is out there that could work.


However, your wife’s idea of a pontoon shouldn’t be dismissed so quickly. I see pontoons running up and down the ditch and across Beaufort Inlet every weekend. And, it’s not like they are struggling. These pontoons are legit, cruising at 35mph with a 150hp outboard taking waves like a champ all while staying dry, drinking beer, and blasting some kick ass party music from the top of the deck flanked by a diving board and water slide. And they are set up to troll for blues, Spanish, and Kings and slay som flounder and reds in the marsh. So, if you want a nice family lake boat that you can make work in the ICW every so often, I’d seriously consider a pontoon. I realize you think it may feel like you are turning in your man card, much like driving a mini van does, but you’ll be surprised at how well the modern pontoons do with a decent engine.
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I wouldn’t dismiss a hooked up pontoon. There’s a guy next door to our lake house who has a pontoon with twin 300’s. It’s silly how fast it planes out and gets out of the cove. I just can’t see paying that much for a pontoon.
 
New toys

My boat may not pull it fast but I am sure the kids will love it.
0cf53eabb67bf2e56d6c4fbe36f7224b.jpg
 
BRUISER said:
New toys

My boat may not pull it fast but I am sure the kids will love it.
0cf53eabb67bf2e56d6c4fbe36f7224b.jpg
Click to expand...
I had one similar. It was a tad bit bigger. You can make it as mild or wild as you want. My wife would ride it without even messing up her hair while having a drink, then I’d throw the kids on it and launch em across the wake. It was a fun tube, just a pain in the ass to lug around when nobody’s riding it unless you deflate it. You’ll enjoy it though.
 
rockcity said:
IMO, unless you are on the Great Lakes, most deep vee boats aren’t the greatest on the lake. They are made to take waves and plow through the surf, both of which are relatively minimal in most any lake around here.

Also, if the boat is anchored up or just floating, deep vee boats tend to bob much more than most flatter bottom boats; it’s just what they do. It can get people sea sick more than other boats.

If you want a good general purpose boat for lakes and to cruise the ditch I’d look at a good bay boat. They have a modified vee hull that takes some chop and waves and is fast and safe in the ditch and lakes and on a nice day can cruise out to a few reefs for some easy fishing.

Keep in mind I’ve always had a deep vee boat and used it 99% of the time in salt water and made it work in a lake when the time called for it, so my thoughts are focused on what salt water boat would work ok for a family in the lake as well as the salt water. Someone knowledgeable on lake boats may have ideas and thoughts that are much better than mine. I’m just not versed enough with fresh water boats to even know what is out there that could work.


However, your wife’s idea of a pontoon shouldn’t be dismissed so quickly. I see pontoons running up and down the ditch and across Beaufort Inlet every weekend. And, it’s not like they are struggling. These pontoons are legit, cruising at 35mph with a 150hp outboard taking waves like a champ all while staying dry, drinking beer, and blasting some kick ass party music from the top of the deck flanked by a diving board and water slide. And they are set up to troll for blues, Spanish, and Kings and slay som flounder and reds in the marsh. So, if you want a nice family lake boat that you can make work in the ICW every so often, I’d seriously consider a pontoon. I realize you think it may feel like you are turning in your man card, much like driving a mini van does, but you’ll be surprised at how well the modern pontoons do with a decent engine.
Click to expand...

Pretty much nailed it on the bay boat thing for a good balance of fresh and salt water use. There is a reason bay boats are so popular these days and we’re back in the late 2000’s just before the crash. They are versatile. The only issue in the category is the drastic difference in price in the 22-24ft range. See 35-100k range. So it can get a bit confusing. It really boils down to finding what you need out of a boat. Some are very basic fishing machines. Others have pretty boujee amentities and almost as much horsepower as larger center consoles.

I’ve mainly grown up fishing fresh water in NC, VA and NH but spent some time getting my feet wet offshore thanks to some friends in south Florida who are serious about their fishing, so here is my take:

Want a basic fishing machine for a good price and can deal with the wiring not being as neat or hatches not having bling latches and seals - Mako 21LTS. Buying the boat from a Bass Pro/Cabelas isn’t an awful idea, but they gouge the shit out of you on Electronics and accessories.

Want a good balance of fit/finish, family comfort and good fishability - Robalo Cayman 226 or 246.

Hardcore flats guy that runs off shore on occasion - Blackjack or Yellowfin.

The Robalo currently leads the way on my list for when we pull the trigger. Nice fit and finish, prices aren’t awful. Runs at a pretty good clip with a 250. Comfortable enough for the wife with flip up stern seating but still has decent sized casting decks to accommodate 3 guys fishing at a time.
 
Remember too. A salt water designed boat will ride differently in salt water versus fresh water and vice versa. Salt water is more buoyant and the fresh water waves have a higher frequency yadda yadda

Bottom line, a boat designed for fresh water may not ride the same in salt water and the salt water boat will ride differently in fresh water. If you choose a salt water boat and like the ride and use it mainly in fresh water, you are likely going to be disappointed in the ride when you take it to the lake.
 
BRUISER said:
New toys

My boat may not pull it fast but I am sure the kids will love it.
0cf53eabb67bf2e56d6c4fbe36f7224b.jpg
Click to expand...

I am buying some sort of towable this week, I like that one. Did you find it local? I kinda hate the online stuff because its hard for my kid to see the sizes and whatnot.
 
super mable.jpg


We have the super mable. It is like a couch. But it is very stable and the kids like it. They are still young. They still have an adult ride with them and aren't too keen on out side the wake...yet.
 
Infamous1 said:
I am buying some sort of towable this week, I like that one. Did you find it local? I kinda hate the online stuff because its hard for my kid to see the sizes and whatnot.
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I tried to buy local and could not find one I liked so I ended up going to amazon

for reference my daughter is 48" tall and my son is 60" tall and wife is 5'8"

The one I bought is a two person model. the 3 person one seemed HUGE
 
Grew up on the water in multiple states over the years. I find myself enjoying the rivers more than anything. I’m kind of partial to the Wateree River.

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Just did fuel pumps, filters, and thermostats on my OX66. I’ll probably tackle the water pump tomorrow. Getting it ready to head to the coast later this month. I can’t wait!
 
She liked the mania lll towable at academy (because it looks like Jaws) so I got that one for her last night. Last day of school is friday and is a half day so I am scooping her up and heading to the lake!! We shall see how she likes it.
 
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