Hey everybody! I'm looking into buying my first boat right now, but unfortunately, I am strapped for cash as a college student and it seems like the majority of boats in my price range are 16'-17' boats. My main concern is getting into rough water during a tournament situation. Obviously if it gets way too rough, I'm going to park it, but I would like to know how guys with smaller boats handle rougher water and how much these shorter boats can actually handle both while running the outboard and while fishing. Thanks in advance!

Just a few years ago most bass boats were in the 15' to 18' range. Most of us all survived, although I cant remember the wind being this bad back in the 80's and 90's. I fished everywhere in my 18' fiberglass bass tracker, we never missed a tourney.

I'm a college student in a 17.5 ft boat... Ive gone through some big waves....Some that it would have been a lot smarter to just park the boat... like when it was rolling 5 footers on rayburn....

as for ur general <20mph winds, you should be fine on any lake around here for the most part

I did it for many years and you can also. Be smart, spend a little extra money on; good life jackets, extra bulge pump and a good rain suit for the rough ride in. Just take you time in rough water and learn to drive the waves.

A 16 foot boat is safe in all weather conditions that allow fishing. If it is too rough for the boat you will not be catching much anyway.

Another factor to consider is engine power. A 16 foot boat is matched with a 50HP outboard. Anything bigger is asking for problems.

The most important safety consideration is operator skill. Learn to drive the boat.

Adequate flotation, a good bilge pump system, and a good PFD are all musts.

My first bass boat was a 14 foot boat with a 25HP motor. I fished Ray Hubbard in weather I had no business being out in. But in 1970 at age 33 I thought I was immortal. Common sense will carry you a long way.

My 16' Skeeter is outfitted with a 70HP... and I'm thinking of looking for an 85HP to put on it instead. I couldn't imagine having ONLY a 50HP on it.

I got caught in the middle of Lake Palestine this past July 4th when a rogue storm blew threw. We tried to outrun it on our way to shore, but we weren't so lucky. It was WAY too rough for comfort and we were all being thrown around like ragdolls, but I was no worse off than my buddy that was with us in his 20', or anyone else that was also running to shore for that matter. I don't have too much more of a problem with rough conditions than any other 18-20' boat does. I'm not dumb enough to attempt to get out there in bad conditions, though, so I'm not fully qualified on my response.

Its really more a DESIGN of the hull on rough water handling - obviously you wouldn't want to take a 22" side, 16' flat bottom jon boat head on or cross chop in five foot breaking swells - running downwind no problems --

Also a boat handling rough water is a matter of EXPERIENCE -

Most boats I've seen swamped on lakes in my 35+ years of experience were due to OPERATOR error, and that included more than a few 20' bass rigs -- flipping in cross chops, or water over the transom in following seas would be the PRIMARY culprits

I've been caught out in Canadian Shield lakes in 40+ MPH winds in Lund 16 foot aluminum V. boats with 30 HP tiller steer and honest to God 10' freshwater swells - wasn't a fun ride but by using some common sense we made it in.

The boat SIZE is really immaterial, it good judgement, and knowing the capability of your equipment.

You can also fish some tournaments that allow trailering. I towed my 17.5 down that long bumpy dirt road that leads to the ramp at Rabbit on Tawak this past Spring in real windy conditions. Put in, caught some good fish, and trailered back to the weigh in. As I recall, there were several others in the same situation.

an xtra foot of boat can make a huge difference in rough waters

If you cant afford what you really want right now. Wait till you can. I fished with my 8 year old in a 17 foot bass tracker, when the water got rough it scared me with him in the boat. I sold that boat and bought a used 22 foot center console bay boat. Much safer in the rough water. JMO!

I started out in a 15'3" Javelin with a 50hp motor on it.. know your limits, and expect to get wet. I also recommend getting a much larger bilge pump than you would ever think you need. Its imperative that you learn to "tack" in a smaller boat.

I fish tournaments out of my 17.5 ft boat. If it's rough enough for me to be worried so are the 21 footers. Bigger is great but 99% of the time unnecessary. When you get a boat make sure you get some nasty weather seat-time before you get it in a tournament. A tournament is a bad time to learn. IMO it’s rarely the forecast winds/storms that catch you on the wrong side of the puddle.

I’ll be fishing a tournament on Texoma tomorrow in the forecasted 20mph winds. No worries other than finding fish and getting them in the boat.

Having the adequate horsepower on a boat is crucial in rough water , IMO. Also as others have said, learning to drive your boat in all conditions is equally as important, get out and get some seat time when its rough just for the experience...

the horsepower means nothing without the correct prop.

You've gotten some great replies. My recommendation is to ask folk here how their particular boat and hull configuration works in rough water and buy a good quality design. There are lots of boats out there from the 80's that perform well. I do not agree with the smaller outboard theory though. I drive an '85 Ranger 340V 16' 9" with a Mercury 150hp and a 23 pitch prop. I lose top end speed with that low a pitch, but in rough water I want low end torque I would not want to be on Falcon with any less motor. Falcon can get bad in a hurry and the 150 is a real advantage as to either getting on top or riding the waves with the bow up. You're most likely going to get wet in rough water so plan accordingly. I would personally stay away from the tri hull design and find a good V hull design. They typically ride waves better.

You can look at boats like this "if a seven foot surfboard will ride a twenty foot wave" its what happens meeting the wave "trough" that counts !!!

Being a tri-hull owner, I would agree with this 100%! While my hull is VERY stable in calm condition (probably more stable than a V), as soon as the chop gets to 1' you start to feel it. If you ride on some 3 footers, you better buckle up because it will beat you to death! Granted, it doesn't feel unsafe to ride the chop, but the ride is definitely not as comfortable as a V.

I definitely am planning on a v-hull fiberglass boat, given that I can find the right deal. Sounds to me like I need to get it out in the water and learn on some rough days with an experienced driver. I'm kind of taking all of these very excellent and helpful replies into consideration and really appreciate the help!

Don't know what your budjet is but this boat looks like it would ride good in rough water. http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...ass_Boat#UNREAD BTW I don't know the person selling this boat, I just like the design.

Diddo. Been caught in some storms that popped up quick. This was in a 14' flat bottom with a 7.5 horse. Common sense let us make it back to the boat ramp.

my first boat was a home made 18 ft. wooden boat with a 20 hp johnson. use to take it out in chesapeake bay 2 or three miles out alone. got in some nasty situations occasionally, but always seemed to make it back alive. ride out the swells head on with very low speed, just enough power to propel you up the next one. no more, no less.

i got my ducks in a row , no worries.. lol

I recently downsized to a 16 foot express with the hyperlift hull and a 50hp yamaha (two year plan to save money so i can pay cash for a big boat) This litttle boat is awesome and i will never sell it I can get back in the shallow stuff and it handles rough water great. I was out on palestine a couple weeks ago and ran 5 miles in 2 to 3 foot rollers. Your just gonna have to learn how to run it. I also love the fact that I can pu ten bucks in it and fish all day. with the fuel consumption really showing me i dont have to burn ten gallons every time out I have changed from wanting a eyra with a 250 to wanting a sabre with a 175.

My 16ft skeeter with a 90 handled rough water just fine. If you don't feel comfortable then don't go out its really that simple. Good luck on a boat!