18 or 20 foot boat?

[Guest]

OK heres the problem. My wife wanted to get a deck boat but I didnt because fishing is crappy from them. So we went and looked at Crestliner. Well she really liked them, so much so well will be getting one. Now heres the question. We decided on the 18 footer but plan on keeping the boat for it's lifetime. Soooo I was thinking about getting the 20 footer, the room would be nice. Our family is getting bigger and I think that perhaps a 20 footer would be better. My neighbor has a 19 footer and he says its too big to fish walleyes(thats what I fish for). He says it is too hard to control in the wind and that it is almost too big for MN lakes. (HE got his to fish resovores). So my question is this do I get the big boat or the smaller one. I would REALLY like the room in the 20 footer but ultimately I enjoy fishing enough to sacrafice the size for better fishing. So everyones imput would be valued. Thanks

[Borch]

Sorry but your friend's opinions aren't 100% correct.

Yes many folks fish walleye in 20+ boats on the lakes here in MN(large and small). In fact most of the pro walleye fishermen and many of the guides use boats 20 ft or longer. With todays deep V boats wind isn't nearly the issue in the big boats that it was 20 years ago. The space is very nice.

Some things he says are definitely true though. Response time to steering is definitely longer in a bigger boat. If you're use to a smaller boat it will take some time to adjust. They cost more than a smaller boat. You'll nead a bigger garage to store that bigger boat. Also a bigger vehicle to pull it efficeintly.

I'm currently fishing out of a 16' deep v lund and will likely upgrade in the next year or so. I have run several 20' plus boats over the years. I do like the response time on the slightly smaller boats. I'm trying to be a bit flexible on length and manufacturer as I plan on getting a used one. But it will likely be a 18-20 ft deep v tiller model(lund pro v or alumacraft tourn. pro).

Just my .02

Borch

[woodyjdh]

My dad has a 19.5 Crestliner. (It has the extended transom) We fished 4 out of it quite comfortably. I love the chance at driving it. He has a Minnkota bow moutn trolling motor, and it works fine. He is considering getting a bigger Minnkota in a year or so, as in strong winds it is a little tough to steer. (We fish Big Winnie) But, he rarely uses the trolling motor when it is windy, just backtroll with the main motor. For the most part he fishes walleye, and it hasn't posed a problem. The only complaint he had was winching it up on the shore station, which I took care of by getting him a 12v winch lift motor. Problem solved. If it were me, I'd go with the 18'. Now, to find someone to donate one to me! Should have married a rich woman!

[This message has been edited by woodyjdh (edited 07-19-2004).]

[jiggin' fool]

eye,

I own an 18-foot Lund, and told myself the next one would be bigger. Having said that, I can tell you that an 18 will tackle any water that you want to be out fishing on. If it won't handle it, you probably shouldn't be out there. I have fished 4 in the boat a number of times, and that isn't too much of a problem either. But as already been said, the bigger the boat, the more difficult the control is. The response time in turning is significantly more than a 16-footer. The advantage is the stability, and the ability to handle big water on the rough side.
It's your choice. If you are keeping 4 or less in the boat, and handling is important to you..., go with the smaller boat.

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"You should have been here yesterday"....,

[GoodToGo]

I have had a 19' Starcraft for 6 years. I fish all kinds of lakes, big and small. I can't remember ever wishing I had a smaller boat (bigger motor maybe). Especially with wife, 2 kids, and dog in the boat. In a big wind I'll use a drift sock, even when using the trolling motor, which eliminates the wind pushing the boat around. Don't skimp on the thrust, though. I too had to decide between 17' and 19', and the extra 2 feet really made a difference in space in the stern. Course, I like having lots of space...