This is a good thread, I have been wrestling with the same thing. I want a bass boat but my wife wants to go out into the water. I told her I could toss'er in with a floaty, and pick her up when I'm done fishing. I'm still waiting for an answer...

lol might as well get the bass boat with that plan because she probably wont go much after that lol

Just like a previous poster said the best compromise is the Ranger 375V. The problem here is that Ranger discontinued the moedel quite a while back. They are great boats and a good compromise. The problem is the 6' rod boxes but other than that the storage is great. The ski tow bar goes in the seat hole and anchors to the back deck. Just make sure the anchor poles are at 45 deg angles. I have seen the newer ones where they do not receommend pulling a tuber but I have never had a problem. I used to be serious about my tubing. I probably went through a couple truck tire tubes a summer at one time. Tubes with the hole even cause a lot more drag than the modern ones with a bottom.

Another option would be one of the new "breed" of pontoons, either the three pontoon or the dual "performance" pontoons that have the hydrofoils on the sides. You can acheive enough speed to ski or tube and they are made for cruising on the lake with friends and family. The downside is that they blow in the wind...and they are big for cozying up to docks and trees to fish...especially (you guessed it)in the wind.

But they have a nice top to get out of the sun and plenty of space.

I had the same problem. Wife and 3 kids. I went with the fish & ski. I have not regretted it yet. It was the only way to get the wife to agree to a boat. I use it 85% of the time for fishing and the rest for tubing and skiing.

For open water fishing the newer fish & skis are fine. I would be worried about the windshields back in the stickups. I broke a plexigalss one once on a bodarc tree.

Ranger 375 for sale in the classifieds.

yeah im really not looking for a boat that old....maybe be a good much but I want something newer with a newer motor