Whats a good all around multi-species boat?

I'm in the market for a "newer" not new boat hehe. My current boat is a 16.5 Fish and Ski and it never seen a ski. We do pull a tube some in the summer when it gets to hot to fish during the afternoon but 99% of the time it's being used for fishing. I won't go into details but I have back issues and every time I come in off the water I feel like someone has beat me with a bat. I'm looking for something with a little more room to spread out and get comfortable. It just seems like I'm too cramped in my current boat.

I like to fish for everything. I like bass fishing but I'm not obsessed over it. I'd have to say the majority of my fishing is crappie. I like to run trot-lines and juglines with my buddies every now and then. I also love fishing for stripers/hybrids when I get the chance to get on a lake that has them stocked.

With that in mind what would be a good boat for me? I'm thinking of perhaps a center console. I've heard standing up when driving can give some relief to your back. However if I were to go with a bass boat or another fish and ski I would probably put some SAS seats in them to help in that department. I've also looked at some of the different multi-species boats and am contemplating another fish and ski. Crazy huh?

Anyway I don't have a lot of experience riding in multitudes of boats. I sure would like to hear some your input and thoughts though so I can narrow my search down.

Thanks Brian

I have a Bluewave and it can do anything. Most center console boats are made for multispecies

I dont know if you are stuck on fiberglass hulls or not but if i was gonna buy a multispecies boat, Lund and Alumacraft make some pretty sweet and solid multispecies boats. I watch some fishing shows that are multispecies fishing.(Lindlers Edge and In-Fisherman) They always have some nice looking Lund boats that have nice layouts. They are more of a northern style fishing boat but you might find some down here in TX. But if you want to get away from the Deep V style like your Fish and Ski is, then a center console would be nice for shallow waters cause they have more of a bass boat hull.

Crestliner makes a walleye boat that floats shallow and has a huge front platform and they can be pretty quick due to light weight

G3 gator tuff boats in aluminum, good boat can get a cc or sc will handle all kind of fishing

i duck hunt, bow fish
and just fish out of mine


my next one will be a bigger cc G3 also

This is a new Prototype comming out for 2010
should sell for $17500 with a 90hp Yamaha built from its Famous
deepV-Hull with a Center Console for a Smooth Dry ride with the ease of a Center Console available at Eagle Marine the largst
stocking Alumacraft dealer in TEXAS 817-246-4151

Thanks for the replies.

I'm leaning more and more toward a center console. Are there any center consoles that have a casting deck or something like it? Also whats the pros and cons of aluminum verses fiberglass, other than aluminum is tougher? I'm thinking of something in the 18-20 ft range, preferably 20. How do the deep-v bass-boats ride compared to a CC? How well does a CC do for blackbass, and vice versa how well does a bassboat function for all the other species? I'm looking for stability and a smooth ride. What do you think would be easier on the back a CC or a SC? I'm looking to spend about 12k. Sorry for so many questions but when I upgrade I want to actually enjoy the boat I get.

I just spent several months trying to decide what boat to buy because I wanted a crossover boat myself a couple months ago. I looked at Pathfinder, NauticStar, Triton, Skeeter, Bluewave and Ranger. For me it came down to a Pathfinder or a Ranger. I chose the Ranger 2200 BayRanger with 200 hp Yamaha HPDI. I have added a Saltwater 80 lb TM, Lowrance GPS/Fishfinders on the Bow and Center Console. I also added a Butt Seat in the front. I use it 80% Freshwater and 20% Saltwater. So far I am happy with the decision. I had a Bass Boat before. The only thing I miss so far is the foot pedal for the trolling motor.

That Bayranger looks pretty bad azz. LOL there is no way my wife would let me spend $46k on one though. Maybe after I bought her a Cadillac but definitely not before. I like those Gator boats too, but I want something with at least a 150+ HP on it. I just can't decide. I'm already losing sleep over it....What I really need is 3 different boats.

edit: What do you think I could get a used Pathfinder or Bayranger for? Like say newer than 2000.

Center Console all the way!

You asked about Alum. boats. The only thing that I can add on that on is that I have a buddy who has one. After some pretty rough water and constant flexing of that metal he got a crack in his boat. Welded - repaired. Then it broke again right next to the weld. Repaired. Then it broke right next to the weld. Repaird. Then it broke right next to the weld. etc.

So, I guess those alum boats are great. But once you have a bust it must be really hard to repair it. Now this is just one instance that I know of. Don't know if that was a normal thing when repairing alum?

I would look for a saltwater flats boat if I were you. It's pretty much the same thing as a bass boat except no carpet and it has a center console. They have large casting decks, can go in shallow water, decent ride and you can put a pretty good size engine on one. Also just so you know, the further you sit toward the rear of the boat, the better the ride will be. Center consoles, run-abouts and fish & ski's sit pretty near the center of the boat. With a center cosole it helps to be standing because your legs will absorbs most of the strain. If you get a bass boat, look for one with a smaller rear deck to save your back. Also, any boat can pull a tube. You can get a tow harness for about $15 that hooks to the two eyes on the back of the boat and extends out past the engine. It has another eye that the rope hooks on to directly behind the engine. Good luck on finding a new(er) boat!

Bay boat type of center console sounds like what you're seeking. Casting platforms & storage compartments galore.

My Pathfinder fishes bass pretty well, but it's not a high wind, precise positioning boat. I do stretch out on it now and then however.



The SeaDek™ helm pad helps to absorb much of the wave shock when you are standing while underway.

it might sound/look wierd but carry a tennis ball with you and when your back starts to tighten up lay down on the deck and roll around on the tennis ball to work the knot out...

Since i went to center console a few years ago, i would own anything else. Not just because i use it for work. Its just all around universal boat. In my opinion stick with fiberglass its a lot smoother ride. I just recently bought a SEA-PRO and it great.

I bought a Ranger Reata 1850 RS about a month ago and I have to tell you, it is by far the best boat I have had! It's 18 and a half foot and has the deep V bottom and rides like a dream. I have a bad back too and it really handles the rough waves good. Its a fish and ski but in my opinion is mostly set-up for fishing.
It may cost a little extra, but if you have a bad back, don't be cheap on a boat because you'll spend a lot more time out there if you are feeling good.

Be sure to look at Lunds or Crestliners. Contact me if any questions.

I think I'm pretty set on a CC now. So now to narrow the search down to which CC's I can afford. So what I'm getting from this thread is that bay-boats are CC with a deck up front? They have a shallower draft? Any more info on this type of boat would be greatly appreciated.

Also Katmando, is that pad built in to your boat or is that something that just lays on the deck?

Basscat's Baycat!!!

I think the shape and the construction matters when it comes to aluminum boats. Based on my personal experience I would go with a Lund (riveted) or Crestliner (tongue grove weld). I am looking at getting one of these two brands. I know alot of people like the CC's but I don't think they would be a good fit for me because I have a small child. These small deep V's don't draw much water so I don't think getting in a shallow water would be a problem. My concern is that the height of the sidewalls might interfere with casting. I would like to see one of the Lund Predators, they have lower sidewalls on the front casting deck.

I wouldn't worry about the ability of a CC to go into shallow water. These are bay boats.

I have a Kenner 19VX CC and really do think it is the best all around boat I have owned. If there is a downside to it and it would be the same for most multi-species boat is the high profile catches the wind much more so than the lower profile of a bass boat. I fish Amistad almost exclusively and unless it is on one of the extremely rare calm days, I am on the TM more than I would have been on my old bass boat.

Center Console!

I think Center Consoles are great and looked at them when I was looking for a boat. Great option for what you want to do. The other thing I looked at was Walleye boats. They are more deep-hulled but they have alot of options. They have minnow buckets made into them in the front and back, lots of storage, and you can have chairs in the back or put and insert in and have a back deck. Looks like you could pull skiers and tubes easily and keep them onboard when traveling across the lake. I am sure every manufacturer makes one, but this is what I looked at....

http://www.tritonboats.com/walleye.asp

Happy Hunting!!

When choosing a boat, don't just consider the age of the boat you are looking at. A 10 year old quality hull with a solid outboard that's been well maintained beats a 2 year old cookie cutter boat, especially when it comes to things like type of wire used, connectors, hatches and hinges, insulation, integrity of the stringer system and overall hull design. There's a lot more to consider than just how the boat looks on the trailer. Look at the service, how the manufacturer supports it's products and how long they have been in business. This is especially true if you are buying new, but even a used boat needs some manufacturer support now and then with hard to find replacement parts and build history knowledge.

I have a Godfrey Hurricane deck boat. To me it is one of the best all round lake boats on the water. You can pull a skier, but I mainly pull tubes, It has a canopy for when it gets hot, it has a built in live well, built in tackle box, It even has a change room that I have a porta potty I keep in it. It has 2 front seats for fishing, plenty of storage areas, Has a trolling motor, and have 6 rod holders for fishing. but going to put in the bee ready rod holders to maximize the rod area. North Texas marine is the dealer for this boat. Here is a link to what I have in case you would like to take a look at it.
http://www.boats.net/boats/hurricane/fd198re.html

Well I'm in the market for a boat if you think you might have one I'd be interested in. For the right price I'd consider a bass boat but if you know of a nice CC for sale send me their info please.

I'm a Center Console man, If you can find a good deal on one, I say go for the CC.