i have a 17' bass boat right now. thinking a center console would do better for my needs but not sure what brand/model to look at.

I like to Bass, Crappie and occasionally catfish. Would also like it to be family friendly so I can take the wife out to tan and the daughter could ski/tube. she is only 2 right now so I'm thinking I need about a 21' with tall sides so I dont have to worry about her falling out easily. Would like it to have a fishing deck on front with trolling motor. Also a deck in back and plenty of storage for life jackets, tackle and other junk. Is there such a thing?

Any suggestions?

Can't go wrong with a Kenner. Equipped with a T-top for shade and then you can mount a T-bag on the T-top to keep PFD's and the like.

I think a center console boat is the best fishing boat there is, if you can afford it. (the Mako boats are very nice looking, I have never seen a Kenner)

http://www.jacksmarine-amarillo.com/Kenn...-MG38BMT-W1.jpg

Here is a Kenner...oh my very nice...I likey...hehehe.

Kenner, Mako and Nitro are all the same. Built by Tracker Marine on the hull mold of a Kenner.

how many people will fit in a 22'er? and where do they sit?

They have several interior configurations available. You can put 9 people in Kenner 23 VX, according to the sticker. But if it's for family you dont want the VX, you'll want the Vision series in a Kenner or a 2103 (I think) in a Mako. Same boat.

The Nautic Star is a decent one too.

You can get a fully loaded center console for less than bass boat, btw.

Dont overlook the 19 foot Mako/Kenners. They are really wide and have a lot of floor space compared to a bass rig. I love my Skeeter bass boat, but I'll never buy anything other than a center console from now on. The are just more confortable and I can take them to the saltwater bays.

Exactly all the reasons I got the center console. I can fish almost anything I want to and take the kids tubing. I have a 21' Promaster that can carry up to 9 people. Center cons, imo, are one of the most versatile boats made.

As far as what brand/model, you've just got to get out there and look around. They're all fairly similiar in design, but some will have some features others won't. I really like the Champion CCs as well as the Skeeters. Have fun shopping!

Stretch,
Like Gmann I also have a Promaster center console. I absolutely love the fishability of the center consoles but that is what I do, fish. Not much of a laying out type of boat, although some have larger rear decks that are good for the wife to layout on while we fish up front. I also, have a 2 year old but haven't got him out in it yet so I can't speak much to that. I think the boy would be more comfortable & safer in a Bayliner or a fish/ski type boat but I wouldn't. All the brands mentioned in this thread are nice. You will just have to go online or visit some dealerships to see what fits your needs. There is a nice big Fishmaster CC in the classified section that may be a nice boat for your family. Check it out & good luck!

I agree with Oldfrog except with the Kenner 19VX versus the Kenner Vision, I have more deck room in the 19VX than the Vision has due to the Visions liner. On the other hand, there may be more storage with the liner than without. I went with a bimini top rather than the t-top but only because of garage height issues.

With gas prices rising again, I'll probably stay with a 19 or 20 footer, myself. No sense in buying gas for a 225 HP outboard if I dont have to. ( unless I find a bargain on the rig) If I dont feel safe in a good 19 at the close rigs...then a 21 is not going to help much more. A 23...yes...but not a 21. I shouldnt be out there anyway if the 19 wont cut it on a given day.

If it's too rough for a 19VX I can stay around and behind the jetties or in the bay. Besides with the smaller motor capacity I have less weight and can drift the flats much easier.

I agree with OF. The Kenner 23 is a much larger boat than the 21. I've fished both extensively and can tell you from personal experience that the 23 is night and day difference over the 21.

It's 1+ feet wider, nearly 3 feet longer and the hull/bow is nearly 2 feet deeper. It's one heck of a boat.

I just bought a Kenner 1902 with a 140 Suzuki. It has plenty of room and will do any fishing that I want to do. Even go off shore during the right conditions.

Yes-- more and more people are switching to a center console-- hey NO CARPET! -------- wash the boat out with a hose on the lake-- most have built-in washdown pumps.

Don't forget the Wellcraft line of center consoles--

http://www.wellcraft.com/#/2/

http://www.wellcraft.com/#/75/