boat for Texoma

wanting to get out of my 50hp 17' triton vt17 tin mod v "bass boat" to take on some fishing among the real fishermen!!
I wont take the triton on texoma or even the big waters by dams, etc on our lakes in these unholy everlasting winds and wakes.

was considering only 18 foot class deep v.

this model of used 2015 lowe FM1710 boat has shown up at maybe an affordable price - mid-low 20's
cant be making the wrong choice, it's my last ever boat. a 17 class scares me off.
yay or nay?

ive been on Texoma in 25 mph northern winds it aint fun . bigger is always better amigo

indeed this is a waiting game..waiting for right used boat to show up.
in the meantime, maybe get lucky and get a ride in 18 - 19 foot deep v fishing boat.

Fiberglass deep V 18' + centerconsole with a 115 would be minimum if you want to fish texoma consistently, but when that north wind hits above 15 mph your gonna want a 21' + footer to stay semi dry.

A 21' center console would be a good starting place.

I cant do FG (maintenance, boat cost, fear of a costly repair )or CC (layout).
Although I don't have experience with the Deep V angler layout, they seem to be a good lazy day relax under the Bimini top boat LOL.
I prefer Crappie, Cat, the occasional throw lures till your arms wore out, getting skunked, bass thing.

I'll be taking the GF and occasional 2 friends, for Cat and Striper.

There is a FG deep V for sale in OK. A Tuffy brand... should probably pass on brands rarely known here ? and to me.

side note -Funny/cool thing, I have seen Yak mounts on a Tracker Targa, mounted on gunwales. dang it was cool. now that's a way to get skinny/timber without paddling far! That Targa had very little room on front deck though.

only 2 rides I can recall in Deep V. One we had quite a few folks crappie fishng on fork, calm day. Was OK.
the other a cold windy ride in a Lund on Tawak, I got wet, and caught a Cold. fishing from it as I recall was OK.

Anyone know a marina that rents Deep V ?

I am buying a ranger 18’ walk through deep v. I primarily fish Lewisville and in this wind my flat bottom G3 becomes a kite. This was the biggest boat I could fit in my garage with 6 seats for the kids. I wanted fiberglass but it was too big... will be a few months before I get my rig since I just ordered it but you are more than welcome to try it if you get to Dallas.

thank you
I am searching the google for tuffy. Its an interesting boat..

its tough having Boat Fever!!!! LOL

Lund

I have been caught in northern lake Michigan, in October, when it's blowing in the high twenties and low thirties (for 'eyes), alone in a 16' Lund angler. It was a bit of work, but I got home and stayed dry too. I've gotten over being that angry at the fish.

At any rate; the Lund is a tough boat, laid out for rough water fishing (seat positions really matter when it's rough), and it ages gracefully too.

I have a 17.5 Tracker but would not feel safe on Texoma. If I wanted to fish that lake all the time I'd get one of those 24 footers like the guides have. I had a big cabin cruiser come out of Caney creek while I was fishing on the point with my Sea Eagle foldcat. As the wakes got to that shoal they looked to be 10 ft. The foldcat went over them fine but I expected to be swimming and lose all my gear. I would have been swamped in the tracker and likely not able to start if the water went over the batteries.

The guy never even slowed down, so forget about rescue of rendering aide. You will be on your own.

You should be able to find a solid used fiberglass cc later this year as in winter for $25 K. Fiberglass hull absorbs the large wake and wind enhanced mid lake waves. I fish out of a 21 foot Nautic star sport model , fished Texoma and other lakes that allow cabin cruisers etc . ad lib. Handles them with no problem, have to slow down and cut into them at times.
When sitting still, no problem.

I just don't care for CC layouts.. nor does the GF, sorry

Looked at the 2013 Lowe boat today. It has an 80lb IPilot, 2 HDS7 with SI and 150Hp merc, 12' Talon (which I would probably remove and sell)
had them take it off the market and scheduled a ride.

so this boat is approx 700 lbs weight more than my triton. 1000 vs 1700 big difference. The Ride should be tell-all.

Looked at new 18foot rangers. Bow area fishing room only marginally larger.

I fish for hybrids with my kids 3 and 6 so my goal is six seats in the cockpit and a rod holder for each seat. Bow is just storage for me. Maybe check out the next boat show?

I can tell you a 21 foot boat is the minimum and you will still have to pick your days when the wind is not blowing more than 15 to 20. Texoma gets rolling in 15 to 20 mph.

I have a boat very similar to the one you’re looking at. Mine is a 2003 Crestliner Sportfish 1850 with a 150hp Yamaha HPDI. It’s at Tawakoni, if you want a ride. I bought it two summers ago. For what I do (fish, pull kids on tubes and skis, etc.), it’s great. I can transform it from a full on fishing boat, with two huge decks to a “cruiser” with seating for over ten people. I’ve fished some pretty rough water and never feared for my safety but, it’s a pain in the [censored] at times. If I’m not positive I’ll catch fish, and the wind is blowing over 20 mph, I stay on Land. The biggest problem from a fishing standpoint is staying in one spot. Even light winds will blow you off a spot. I need to upgrade my TM and get the “spot lock” feature. But I’ve heard that even those struggle to keep these boats in one spot.

Thanks for the very informative replies. I swear this has been the windiest year! Skippy, one dealer has a 2009 crestliner, no passenger console. I should look at it. Walkthrough window setup do have their pros and cons. I can see myself getting bruised from the walkthrough window corner.

Wind is just a problem for everyone.

A 17 or 18 ft tin boat for Texoma will be safe on calm days. i had a 18ft lund and it was good only on texoma in
10 miles or less on Texoma. Heavier is better.
Johnny

Was out in Lewisville today. Winds 12-13 created waves 2-3 ft in the middle of the lake. Too dangerous to stand on a casting deck for sure. Can’t wait for the new boat...

+1

If I didn't have the 24ft cc that I have, Lund would have been my 2nd choice.
Go as big as you can.

Tuffy is a pretty popular walleye boat up north. They're made for big water and those guys that have them swear it's one of the driest rides in big waves.

thanks so much for the replies! looks like ill be going with regular ol aluminum bass boat style. little bigger than what I have now, so ill just have to wait for calm winds.