I used to be an avid bass fisherman. Back before my wife and I had kids I was at a tournament every weekend. When my son was born my fishing slowed down some and then my daughter came along and it slowed down even more. About 4 or 5 years ago I sold my boat becuase it just was not getting used much. Fast forward to today and the kids are to the age that they love going to the lake and fishing. I will be in the market for a boat soon and am leaning towards a center console. I figure it would be sufficient enough for me to do some bass fishing out of but also a good all around boat for the entire family. I have been looking at my options online and am kind of leaning towards a Lowe 20 Bay with a 150hp on it. I do not know alot about center console boats. Are there others out there that I should consider? Is there a center console out there that would really meet what I am looking for that you would recommend? Thanks.

I like my Skeeter CC SX200 bay edition w 150hp.

I recommend Nautic Star CC boats. Several bay boats in various lengths. I looked at all the CCs for 3 years before buying my 2200 Tournament pro. Had mine almost 10 years. Purchase from Texas Marine in Conroe. Saved over $10k if I had purchased in North Texas. Lifetime hull warranty. Do not try and save money by buying a small engine. I have a Yamaha 225.

"You can make big little, but you cannot make little big."

Bigger is better

Take a look at blazer bay. Great riding boat.

Depends, I have a 20' Blue Wave that I get into creek channels with fishing and sometimes wish it was smaller. I take my wife and 3 grandkids out for a fun day and sometimes wish it was bigger. 90% of the time I'm happy with that size. I fish by myself so launching and loading ease is directly related to the size of the boat. A bigger boat is just harder to handle alone. Tying up at docks, pushing off the beach, maneuvering around stumps, larger TM needed, wind pushing you around, etc.

Go sit in a few and move around and visualize where everyone would sit while underway.

I have a 22.5 Nauticstar and love it. I put a t-top on it and it has really saved the day on many occasions.
look for one with storage, since some are kinda sparse.
I like my wide 102" beam, but I can still get in skinny water and handle wake board boat waves without getting swamped.
Make sure you get enough HP. with kids dragging them around on tubes and stuff.
mine is an 2007 with 200 4stroke, but with no carpet still looks great.

We have a skeeter bay 20 foot and love it. Great all around boat. If buying new I would definitely make sure the ladder/swim platform is sturdy and big enough. Most of the bays come without a real ladder. I know you can get a ladder/patform if you order a new skeeter. We searched and finally found a ladder we like that handles all size guests.

Thanks for the comments guys. The boat would probably never be used for tubing or skiing. Mainy just fishing and running around the lake.

Xpress H22 or H24
SCB
Majek

That’s what I would look at for bass fishing.

I second the Skeeter SX200 .

I just sold my Ranger fish n ski and bought a used Skeeter SX220 with a Yamaha 250 SHO. This will be a big change for us but I’m hoping it’ll be good for the grandkids. We mostly fish for bass but also crappie and stripers too. Will pick up later in the week.

Big O Boats

Build it like you want. This is my bucket list boat with CC set up. I have talked to owners and they all say it is a lifetime hull.

Man that’s a dream boat of mine too. First saw them recently in a Florida sportsman article and the price in the article was listed at like 24k starting. I got all pumped up thinking this is my next boat (set a 36k budget for myself). Looked at website and they start at 39k. Article was like 8 years old lol

In January I sold my Phoenix 721 and bought a new Skeeter SX200 bay boat. Here are my comments on why I went with the Skeeter.

I went to the Houston boat show the first day with the wife and 7 year old grandson. We climbed in and out of every 19-20 foot CC there, glass and aluminum.

First of all I wanted a boat I could bass fish out of, therefore front and rear decks were required. Many of them sit very high in the front, so those were eliminated. I wanted a boat with a 150hp rating. The boat had to fit in my garage (more on that later!).

After looking at them and doing my homework I narrowed it down to the Skeeter and and an Express. Both boats fit my requirements. However the Express to me had to many sharp corners as opposed to a glass boat. I chose glass over aluminum for the ride.

I bought my boat rigged with the following: 150 SHO, 8' Power Pole Blade, Terrova MDI 80lb, Humminbird Helix 10DI (front) and 12SI (console), swim platform, keel guard and bimini top. It had a bluetooth system in it, I like having it when I fish by myself. The wife said get everything you want! She knows me.

Here are some pros and cons. I have had 3 back surgeries, the ride in the Skeeter is great, top speed is 50. Storage is okay, the rod boxes on both sides will hold 4 each, far less then a bass boat. Tackle storage is adequate, I down sized my boxes and still carry a small Bass Pro with me. The Skeeter console has a tray over the batteries, great design and storage on top of it. Both rear seats have storage under them. If using a butt seat, the front deck is small. I do not like the Terrova running it with the pedal, but an Ultrex pedal will sit on top, no room for a tray. The Terrova and I are learning to live with each other. On the rear deck I had the seat post installed in the center, down side is the splash well is right there, my buddy fell in stepping in it! In order to get in and out of the garage I have to drop the power pole and remove the windshield. I have not had the windshield on for several months, it is a target when casting! Front baitwell and rear livewell are auto fill, fortunately they have valves installed in the rear to shut that off. The bait well is dry storage for now.

Overall I am still adjusting to the boat. It is getting better as I adapt to the differences in a front deck the size of a small aircraft carrier to one the size of a dinghy. But coming home and my back not hurting has been huge for me. Docking this one vs the bass boat is different, I am finally getting the hang of it. Loading it on the trailer has been interesting, I won't say I am finally there, but 5 out of 6 times I am dead on. I added a Trick Step to the trailer, I kept the one off of my Phoenix and made a mount for it, love it for climbing in and out the front.

You said no swim platform, you have kids, get one, you will be sorry if you do not. I am going to add a Turboswing eventually to pull a tube and a skier, just has not happened yet.

I bought my boat at Fun N Sun in Cleburne. Great service and attention to what I wanted. If you have any questions, give me a holler.