I would like some opinions on what type of boat I should get for my first boat. I have been considering a simple aluminum boat with about a 15HP motor on the back. Just something to get me to and from a fishing spot. What other items would be beneficial to me to have on a boat, like fish finders, live-wells trolling motors? What are the drawbacks to the aluminum boats? I really don't want to put too much money into a boat, but I do want something that will be enjoyable to use.

welcome to the TFF.

my advice is too purchase the largest boat you can afford. bigger is always better in the texas wind.
would help if you had a dollar amount in mind.

basic locators will be suffecient until you learn how to use the more advanced ones.

Go to a marine dealer that carries new and used boats and look them all over. get an idea of how much they are selling for and talk to the dealer and his customers.
that should get ya started.


steve.

Lets say I wanted to keep it under $2500.

What kind of fishing do you do?Bassfishing,catfishing,saltwater fishing.Do you plan to fish rivers or lakes?Does it matter if it is used or new?

lkttu, I was just like you about 6 weeks ago (shopping for a used boat) and i'm going thru a nightmare right now (http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/2611167/78_evinrude_flooding_problem and http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/2645587/more_engine_problems)

please please please do not make the mistake i did... insist upon a few basic things when purchasing a used boat:

---a written contract is an absolute must, spelling out all basic terms, description of boat/engine, quality of both, past history, warranty (simple stuff like "runs great"), and signatures of both parties---you and seller!

---a valid title and registration for both the boat and the outboard engine (seller cannot sell what is not in his name! trust me, i've just gone thru this!!!)

---test the boat out on the water; yes, that's exactly what i said. test the freakin boat on the water--not in the seller's driveway by starting it up for a few seconds and thinking "gee gollay, it does start!". INSIST that the owner take you out to the lake to DEMONSTRATE that the boat runs and runs the way he or she describes (excellent? hard to start? a little rough at top speed? etc). if they do not want to do this, do not buy the boat. here, i'll type it for you one more time: if they do not want to do this, do not buy their boat, please

---if the seller makes any kind of claim about the boat ("runs great" or "hard to start" or "excellent condition" or "runs like a champ"), put that in writing in the contract and have the seller sign it


IF YOU DO NOT DO THESE THINGS, YOU WILL END UP LIKE ME, SPENDING HUNDREDS ON A BOAT I WAS TOLD "RAN LIKE A CHAMP", SPENDING HUNDREDS ON REPAIRS WHICH DOESN'T FIX THE BOAT, BEING FORCED TO LOG ONTO TFF.COM AND FIND ADVICE FOR TEMPORARY FIXES, BEING FORCED TO HAUL MY SELLER INTO SMALL CLAIMS COURT, AND SO ON AND SO ON. IF YOU HAVE ANY MORE QUESTIONS OR DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN HERE, PLEASE SEND ME A PRIVATE MESSAGE. I WILL BE GLAD TO BE OF ANY ASSISTANCE. I DO NOT WANT TO SEE ANYONE ELSE GO THRU WHAT I'M GOING THRU RIGHT NOW. GOOD LUCK.

I have not narrowed down my fishing to one type yet. I think crappie and cats are going to be what I target. A small ammount of river running might be done, but mostly on lakes. No saltwater. I was thinking used would be the way to go.

Welcome to TFF.

First thing: Take your time.
Dont discount the occasional saltwater trip, back in the marsh. Once you do it, you're hooked for life. It's like crack.

If you come across a used rig that might be of interest, do yourself a favor and take it to Michael at North Texas Fiberglass ( or someone equally competent in your area) to check out the whole rig, including the engine BEFORE you commit to buying it. If the owner wont take it or wont let you take it to a mechanic of your choice, WALK AWAY.

Pay attention to the trailer, too. Try your best to find one with a galvanized trailer or at least a "C" channel trailer. Avoid ( square/retangular) tubular trailers like the plague. They rust out from the inside. My Skeeter was useless for two months because of this problem.

Test drive it...and run it hard when you do.

All a man really needs is a good solid 16 foot boat, a small reliable outboard and a decent trolling motor in order to fish.
Bigger is better, only to a point. Bigger means a more expensive engine and repairs. But I'd rather have more room to walk around in a boat, than less.

You should be able to find a nice used one for $2500 or so, if you take your time. If it's fiberglass, just make sure someone checks it out for transom rot.

2500 just isnt going to get much probably a 16-17 older aluminum might be got for that

I purchased a really nice 24 foot pontoon boat for $2750 with a 120 hp outboard...It has a livewell and the full tent enclosure...You just have to look for the deal...I'm not sure where you're located, but if it's in the D/FW area, search about 150 - 300 miles outside of the area...I purchased my boat in Belton.

good deals are out there, just do as these guys are telling you take your time have a good tech.check it out.and test drive it.
goodluck


Mavs

My first real bass boat was a 1984 Bass Tracker I, 15' aluminum hull with a 25hp Mariner, Mariner trolling motor, and a paper graph (!) It was easy to haul, easy to launch, didn't run scary fast, and got me to the fish. It was a good craft to learn the skills of boating onwater and boat maintenance offwater.

You can now find a similar boat like that, probably 16'-17' (which I'd recommend), for $2500 easy.

I think my better half would like the pontoon boat better. Is a pontoon boat going to be that much worse for fishing than a dedicated fishing boat?

I grew up fishing from a pontoon boat or a bank. I prefer them because of the wide space and ability to take out the family (with at least 4 and usually 12 going, a bass boat wouldn't do much good) and friends. Mine has a trolling motor, livewell, space for a front deck seat I don't have one at the moment, a changing room/porta-potty and a sink...

There's plenty of storage and room, but it's not the fastest thing on the water. However, I haven't fished any tournaments yet...If you're just looking for a good boat to pleasure fish out of, I'd go that route...They aren't hard to launch or load by yourself, but I don't go out by myself in either boat...

Would my tow vehical - 2008 F-150 2wd 4.6 V8 limit me much? Speed is not really my thing, so it looks like a pontoon may be the way to go. I don't mind fixing things, such as carpet, seats etc, but I do want something that starts and runs every time, so who knows maybe something will fall in my lap in the next few months. Can you run a trolling motor from a pontoon boat? I assume a fish finder will work on any craft.

Yes you can tow with that engine, no problem...I use a 1986 Chevy Silverado with the 305 V-8 (5.0) or my brother-in-law's F-150 with the 5.4 V-8 (I think that's the engine, it's the bigger of the two in 2001)...

Yes, you can use a trolling motor with a pontoon boat, you just have to have one with a long enough shaft and enough thrust...Mine had a fish finder, but the previous owner removed it before I bought the boat and I've yet to replace it...Sometimes that takes the fun out of fishing (in my eyes)...