My wife is sick of me looking at boats online and told me just buy one. Erie is my love but, don't want to go all out sportcraft crazy. Two hrs away so towing/dry docking is my thought I've done before. I also work near Indiana gill lakes so a smaller boats are in play. I've been on Erie every year I know what it can do. Got 3 types in mind.
I'm thinking walk around but it throws smaller water out of the picture but would like opinions.....
Boat recommendations
- Thread starter Bowkills
- Start date
Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
G3 and Lund make decent boats that could do both types of water...if on a bigger lake, I’d go with 18-21 foot...any bigger and small lakes would be difficult. I’m looking at a G3 for fishing the back bays along the jersey shore and small lakes. The second pic looks like it would do both.
1 - small cuddy walk around with a 90-150 outboard if primarily fishing on Erie. Nothing smaller than 21' and nothing over 25' if towing or fishing inland lakes.
Last edited:
It's gotta be 18. id love a very deep Lund but the price tag not so much. They are about like Harley's with the name the price tag jumps another 10grand it seems.
- 6,078
- 118
I have a 22 ft. walk around cuddy with a 200 hp. Merc. on a bracket on the transom... This means the transom is solid across the back and I believe is safer in following seas... I've had my boat several miles out in the ocean and on a rough day that solid transom is reassuring... I trailer several hundred miles from Jersey to Lake Ontario and have no problems... If I got another boat it would probably be a center console... If your considering a Lund, I'd check out Smoker Crafts as they make a very good boat....
I have had several different boats Including a Thompson bow rider, a Stratos bass boat, a Stratos walleye boat, a 19 foot Mon Ark King Viper and now a Tidewater CC. I mainly fish Erie. If you go aluminum Lund style, get the 20 footer. My Tidewater is 21 1/2 and I really like it for Erie, my next one will be a 23 footer since we want to spend more time on the gulf. Not so much for the small Ohio inland We bought kayaks for small inland and local smaller rivers. Don’t discount the walleye style boats. Bass Pro has a nice all around model as do other manufacturers.
Option 2 is the most versatile. A 19-22 ft aluminum deep V will do everything you need it to do and still be towable long distances. Those big heavy fiberglass boats are comfy and bombproof, don’t get me wrong... but they suck to tow any long distance, and if it’s too rough for a 20ft aluminum then it’s not fun being out there anyway. Just find one that’s plenty deep and has a full windshield.
Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
Here are a few examples of what I’ve been looking at for back bay/lake fishing. You don’t have to spend a lot of cash to get a boat to fit your needs. I threw the jet ski in there just to give you something else to think about. People take these miles from shore in the ocean to fish. Before, you had to buy a jet ski and customize it for fishing but now they actually make them just for that purpose. I kept my searches for something around or under 17’ but they do make these same boats in the 19-21’ range.
Hell no would I consider a jet ski for a fishing vessel in Lake Erie, but its a style thing. For me, there just isn't enough side depth on the models shown above.
I wouldn't be fishing alone, I like to be able to stand and move when fishing, and personally would need more boat to feel safe. I grew up on a 14' MFG tri-hull with a 50hp outboard and launched from the Sandusky City docks in the bay and from the Cedar Point Chausse.
Only 17 cc Id take out past the break wall in anything beyond 1-3' would be whaler. Even then the ride is not fun, so a deep v lund would be my vote, 19'+. Even then, rolling 4-6''s would be out and keeping an eye on the sky would be important.
I wouldn't be fishing alone, I like to be able to stand and move when fishing, and personally would need more boat to feel safe. I grew up on a 14' MFG tri-hull with a 50hp outboard and launched from the Sandusky City docks in the bay and from the Cedar Point Chausse.
Only 17 cc Id take out past the break wall in anything beyond 1-3' would be whaler. Even then the ride is not fun, so a deep v lund would be my vote, 19'+. Even then, rolling 4-6''s would be out and keeping an eye on the sky would be important.
Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
I hear what you’re saying about rough weather but there are some crazy SOB’s that will take them miles from shore out in the ocean. I wouldn’t do it but if you’re fishing lakes, back bays or along the shoreline/inlets of the big lakes, it’s an option...especially if you fish alone.
And guys land Goliath Groupers from yaks.....if that is your thing have at it. The boats you have shared say thats not he direction you'll be headed lol.
Sgt Fury
Sgt. Spellchecker
- 6,078
- 118
Bowkill's, you married with kids?? That alone is a big consideration when a family is involved... How often they gonna be on the boat?? They get tired or not feeling well then some sort of cabin should be in the mix so they can curl up fairly comfortable and get out of the sun and weather... As for taking a ride??? Can't do any harm and you'll get ideas and may find a good deal, let someone else take the hit on a new boat...
yeah the whole family is involved 7, 9, 11yr old. I think a cruise up to Erie for boat shopping/pier fishing is going to happen.
This! I will also add that a deep V Lund is still going to be worth something if you decide to go another route. Buy once, cry once. My next boat will be a pontoon.
- 6,078
- 118
Damn.... He said he wanted to fish some small bodies of water... What the hell if we are helping him spend his money we might as well go big...
