Best esox boat for Lake St. Clair

[settingnet]

Hi all...I am looking for a boat that can be rack stored at a loca marina and used exclusively for muskie and pike fishing on Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair/Detroit rivers. The boat must allow anglers to either troll or cast and have the ability for a bathroom break if needed. That said, it can be a big aluminum with a porta pottie or a glass boat with a toilet down below. My wife wants some form of shade (bimini top or hard top) and room for our 2 kids if we are just boating/cruising around. I'm thinking about something in the 20 to 24 ft range and there are numerous choices in that range in both aluminum and glass. The St. Clair chop can be tough so glass may be best....having had to large aluminums previously I do know that bouncing around all day can get old. I would prefer a closed bow over a walkaround if going that route, provided that there was enough room to cast from the stern area and would also consider center console's or large dual consoles. My price range is between 10 and 25K, thanks

[Esoxchaser]

I was born on St. Clair with tin. Always had tin till the newest boat. All of the tinnies, to a boat couldn't take St Clair and it's normal 3' standing confused waves without developing a wet bilge after a few years. Glass is the only way to go. From your description I would think a used Grady White Tournament would be the ideal boat for your uses. And it has a head under the passenger console.:)

[settingnet]

I agree, this is one of the boats that impressed me while fishing in SW Florida. The Wellcraft 210 sportsman is another nice one. THanks

[Rock]

Esoxchaser, what brand aluminum boats were you using? I have not found that to be true at all with a high quality boat brand I have used in the past. I would guess either they weren't top of the line boats or you pounded the **** out of them?

Many glass boats have stringers and transoms that can rot as well, something that you should take into consideration as well if buying used. The two boat lines that you mentioned settingnet do have a history of this. Have a used boat checked out thoroughly.

[Esoxchaser]

Esoxchaser, what brand aluminum boats were you using? I have not found that to be true at all with a high quality boat brand I have used in the past. I would guess either they weren't top of the line boats or you pounded the **** out of them?
Lund Baron, Starcraft Superfisherman, other supposedly "top of the line" boats. I didn't beat the crap out of them, the lake did. Say what they will, they can't take the tough conditions year in and year out. If you have never been on St. Clair, you wouldn't understand. Imagine 400+ square miles of lake with a 16' or so average depth. Waves, usually 2-4' with no pattern to them whatsoever, just standing piles of water everywhere. I did misspeak however, I did have one tinnie that didn't develop a wet bilge, it was a Crestliner. I guess welded is better than aluminum on the roughest waters.

Many glass boats have stringers and transoms that can rot as well, something that you should take into consideration as well if buying used. The two boat lines that you mentioned settingnet do have a history of this. Have a used boat checked out thoroughly.

Which two boat lines I was referring to? Grady White is one company, Tournament is a boat made by Grady White. Grady White has a stellar reputation for quality. What two boat compines did you think I was referring to? :confused:

[Rock]

I've been fishing on Lake St.Clair for over 40 years now and keep my boat in my canal there all summer. I'm well aware of the mess it usually is, especially on weekends. In my experience it's really no place to have anything less than a 20 footer if you don't want to get beat up or have to pick the days you go out.

I was referring to the two boats settingnet was talking about. Yes Grady White and Well craft. They both may build nice boats but they definitely both have a history of problems in less than new boats. Grady has had rotten transoms and Wellcraft has had many stringer problems that are well known. Aluminum or glass boats have pros and cons is all I'm saying. Myself, I prefer a quality glass boat minus the wood.