Help with boat decision.........

[usmcpaul]

O.K. guys, I really need some advice, here is my dilemma. I am recently retired from motocross and have decided to get back into fishing. I am going to fish for Walleye and Salmon on Erie, Michigan and Huron. My buddy has some repo boats that I can pick up very cheap. They all need work, but I am extremely handy so that is not a big deal.

One boat I am looking at is a 23 foot 1986 Doral Citation fiberglass boat in very nice shape, and the other is a 1990 21 Foot Starcraft with a hard top. The Doral is in good shape and the Starcraft needs some work, but it doesn’t look too bad. The main/99% use of this boat will be fishing.

I used to be an Aircraft mechanic, so working with aluminum is not a problem at all.

My Truck is a 06 Dodge 2500, 6 speed manual, with a Cummins, so towing is not an issue.

Here is the question. If you had a choice of either boat for free (or close to it), which one would you pick and why? The ‘why’ part is a big deal, my buddy knows a lot about boats in general, but is not a fisherman, and he suggests the Doral.

Both need a kicker motor, electronics….Blah…blah…Blah, they are of course repo boats

[Opti-Mist]

I had an Islander and 2 friends have them. They are a good all around boat, good for both big and small water, and fare well in big waves which you will run into. The hardtop isn't high enough for taller folks so that may be an issue with you or your companions. For your intended use it will serve you well. I know nothing about the Doral but I will say that the glass boat being heavier will ride better and the added length will make it more comfortable. Not sure which I'd take.

[beeman]

Aluminum is the way to go, islander is a deep water boat and can take 4 footers plus. Get some new seats,carpet or keep the vinyl if it has it,new tall top, repaint the sucker you would have a slick boat. Or find a cleaners newer starcraft. Fishmasters are also very nice come 170,180 good luck finding that,196,2100. See if he has Lund Barron there prety cool. Just towed 2000 miles with my fishmaster and diesel jeep passed chev full size gassers like there parked going up hills 80mph the look on there faces priceless. Wish i had a manual six speed darn. If you do go starcraft show us some pics, id copy there newer paint jobs black with silver on bottom with black trailer looks sic.