My lifestyle may be changing and I had the idea of trading my bass boat for a fish n ski. What I really need is a bass boat that will hold more people on occasion�Anyone already gone through this and found an acceptable compromise boat?

side steer Allison xb2003...best of both worlds.

Never seen anyone who didn't regret later getting a fish and ski

I was faced with the same dilemma about 6 years ago... growing family and friends that like to fish. I bought a 21ft Ranger Reata fish/ski. Love it. Front deck has a removable "platform" to cover the open area up front for fishing from the front. Have used it to extensively fish for bass on Falcon, Choke, and Amistad. Deep V handles the big rollers without issue. Often run jugs/trotlines for cats. When it's rec time - take out the front platform cover, put on the bimini top, and drop in the ski pole. Drags towables and wake boarders wonderfully. Windshield is fantastic in poor weather. Only drawback that I have noted is when bass fishing - the windshield catches wind and the boat sits up out of the water - so, get a strong trolling motor and be ready to stand on it a lot if the wind is up. I have heard others say that there is not enough room on a fish and ski to effectively bass fish two people in front - I can't speak for other brands, but that is not the case with my Ranger. However, taking everything into account - I would not go with one under 21ft.

I agree with driedmeat. When we got our place on Cypress Springs I sold my bass boat and got a 20' Procraft Brunswick F&S with a 200 Merc. This boat had the bimini top, ski pole, radio, Two live wells, tons of storage, and would run about 65mph (plenty fast). It sat 5 comfortably but would seat up to 7. The front deck was small but I managed. I even fished several tournaments out of it (I just couldn't stay away from them). But it does sit a little higher and catch more wind. It would surprisingly do well in very shallow water. I fished The Pines some too and I really enjoyed the ability to run on rough water. The occasional Texoma visit wasn't a problem either. I always enjoyed the windshields.

My best advice is if you get one get a big one. The larger ones offer so much more storage and deck space than an 18 footer.

You will have times you wish you were in a bass boat but you can still get out there and do your bass fishing out of a F&S. You will just have to adapt a little.