boat size

[anmtcalf]

what is the best size boat to buy for all around fishing. we would like to be able to take it out on erie as well smaller lake.

[C]

Good question! I can't comment on Erie, but I do know my Lund 18' boat does well on Mille Lacs as well as other smaller ones.

[guest]

best size for all around fishing? That's easy...
a 16' tiller for small lakes
a 20-24' for Lake Erie
a family boat for non-fishing times

My smart-alec answer is buy 3 boats--do I win? :P

[LeeMn]

Mine was a 1000 lbs hull. I figured that was the biggest I could pull with my Jeep Wrangler.

You might also try and figure out home much $ you have to spend. Then go with the biggest you can afford.

Just like women with diamonds they always seem too small after awhile.

Lee

[rodbuster]

18 to 20 ft I had an 18 for years could take it anywhere and fished on Erie most of the time.Now I have a 24 better for Erie but hard to use on small lakes .
Good Luck

[Basin]

A Guy really needs two boats; but who in the heck can afford two. My 621 is being built this week, and I can't wait to get it. The main proublem I have is a buddy of mine bought my first love a 185 Alumacraft comp. with a 75hp tiller. Trully one of the sweatest boats i've been in. I wish i could afford both, cause some of the metro lakes are to big for the 621. The Alumacraft 185 is a Great boat; But as I expand my quest for bigger fish I'm forced to fish the biggest water around. If you can afford it, Buy two boats!!!!!
Good Luck!! CI Rules!!

[anmtcalf]

can you fish erie with a 16 or do you need a 17 or 18 or bigger?

[Juls_OH]

Yeah, you can fish Erie in a 16' boat on nice days, but I would suggest not venturing too far, because the weather can turn on you in an instant here. Also, because Erie is pretty shallow, even a 15 mph wind can build some pretty big waves, and the waves are closer together compared to other big waters.
Just play it safe, and you'll be ok in that size boat.

Just my opinion...

Juls
p.s. I would also keep that size boat out of the area between the islands and the mainland, because the big boat traffic alone causes some wacky wave action. They come at you from every direction. It's not pretty.

[ILSTECH]

20 years ago I was fishing on Lake Erie out of Monroe, MI (Sterling St. Park I believe) from a 12 shallow v mirro craft with a 6 horse Johnson about 5 or 6 miles out. Scared the cramp out of me when the storm came from nowhere and I can't believe I'm here telling you about it now. Anyway, Erie commands respect and you should constantly monitor the weather. Been there in my 1650 and felt very comfortable but winds were only 10-15 from the SW and weather overall was beautiful. A blow like 20 years ago would probably still scare me shiftless. Fish on. RW

[Brad]

Four years ago out of Erie PA. Off shore marine forecast stated waves 2 to 3 feet and predicted dimishing wind and waves to 2 feet or less. On the water, the conditions (wind and waves) were exactly as NOAA stated. In minutes and out of no where comes an unexpected storm. We're 16 miles out. Never saw anything like it. Storm came on so fast, we couldn't get out of it's path. Waves turned into 10 footers. Was in my 22 foot cuddy. Had to take the waves head on, had them breaking over the bow. An open bow boat would've swamped in no time. Heard a boat on the VHF calling the coast guard that they were taking on water. Couldn't get a visual on the boat. Lost radio contact with the boat. So did the Coast Guard. Got my passengers safely to port with no problems. Never did find out what happened to the boat I heard on the radio. Went by the name "Sea Foam".

Conditions on Erie can change faster than you could imagine. You even have to be prepared to run further out in order to out run a storm. Would you be willing to do that in a 16 footer? Be careful on Erie.

[rebelrn]

I have said since '98 that my boat (Lund Pro-V 1775) seems too big at times and too small at others (I fish smaller lakes w/crappy landings and the Bay of Green Bay also).....so it must be 'just right'. I often fish by myself and am able to launch/retrieve w/little problem alone. The boat does great in rough water too. It is a tiller model and I think those are great too. (I just put a new 75 Honda on it...I can't wait to get out!). The tow weight is about 2500-2700# I would guess. NEVER skimp on the trailer though...always upgrade...get brakes and I really like the Liqua-Lube hubs. You will never regret those hubs....WAY better than grease. Go to http://www.liqualube.com/. My testimonial is on there (no I don't get paid by them).