I'm thinking of investing in a preowned CC down the road for Hybrids, stripers sandies and the occasional cat. These would be of importance to me.

about '21
set up to accomodate a front trolling motor
the least draft possible but not a flats type hull
I really like that bay stealth hull design.
When I look on line a lot of these boats are deep draft which will not work for my cove.
Any recommendations for brands or models to consider are appreciated. I also like Karry's Skeeter.
Kevin

They make 2 different types. One is a rolled gunnel and the other is a liner boat. The liner boats are heavier and will take a little more water to float them but they ride better in the rough water. The rolled gunnel boats do not way as much and don't need as much water to float them but you will have a rougher ride when the water gets rough. I have a rolled gunnel Kenner 18 ft and it doesn't take much water to float it. I bought it so I could get in some really shallow water up the creeks. I also don't have a problem launching below the Livingston dam when the water is low. When I am on the lake or wide open water I sometimes wish I had bought a liner boat but I fish by myself a lot and it is really easy to launch and load. Kenner and Blue wave make a nice boat but so does Ranger, Sea Pro, etc...... There are a lot of nice boats out there and I would suggest you test ride a few before you decide. If you ever get down this way you are welcome to test my Kenner. It does give a dry ride. I don't want to knock any brands but I also have a 19 ft Carolina Skiff that I keep for a friend and he lets me use it anytime but I would rather use my Kenner. The Skiff will beat you up on open water when it gets rough. This is just my opinion.

Matt

The Skiff will definitely put a hurtin on ya back side. I am looking to upgrade from mine in a little bit. A Carolina Skiff is cool for the bayous and flats in saltwater, but not for the lakes. Take a look at the Blue Wave boats. I have also heard nothing but good things about the Xpress and Lowe boats too. Too many good boats to choose from.

My Skeeter ZX 20 Bay has a draft of 9" to 10". How shallow do you need to get?

Doesn't Billy Seaman have a nice one?
He might let you check it out.
I think his will run in about 10".
If you didn't like it, you could rule one make and model out.

+1 on the Kenner.
Very dry ride, cuts the waves nice and goes somewhat shallow.

If you want a boat with gloss fiberglass and carpet and are one of those guys who wipes every little stain up, look at the more exspensive Skeeters, Rangers, etc.

FI

If you need to go shallow, get a tunnel hull, no matter what brand. I have a 22' Nitro Bay2200 tunnel, that will go real shallow and I mean real shallow. I also have a hydraulic jackplate and trim tabs. The trim tabs, when dropped full down, will allow my boat to get on step in a little over a foot of water. If you do get a tunnel, make sure you have a 4 blade prop, because tunnels don't like three blade props very well. Lots of choices out there, but you are already on the right track by wanting a 21'. Motor shouldn't be smaller than 150 HP for that size boat and depending on how many people you will take out on average, you can step up to something bigger. Good luck to you and I hope you find something good!!

My 19' Bluewave is a liner boat and it takes 10" of water to float with a full tank of fuel two batteries and enough drinks to last a trip. Add a few friends and I'm sure it gets a little lower but not enough to get water back in through the skuppers.

You make a point about draft in your original post....need some clarification there.

"Deep Draft" is usually 20 inches or more...engine up.

Nearly all "bay" style boats draft 15 inches or less. Most that you would see on the lakes around here draft 12-15 inches...real world. Again, all with engine up.

In general just about every manufacturer has a model that would suit your needs.

Steer clear of tunnel hulls for lake use, they ride rougher, burn more fuel, and run slower. The don't float any shallower than a non-tunnel of the same make. The advantage of a tunnel is it will get on plane and run shallower than a non-tunnel...we are talking inches....a mute point on the lake.

I've been running a 22 ft bluewave for 10 years now, I
am still happy with the boat. Would not even dream of
trading.


MO

I can get anywhere on CC with my Bluewave! Well when the lake is at full pool I cant get under the north 198 bridge due to windsheild.

That's a beautiful boat Wannafish.

Have you considered aluminum? I have a 16' Tracker but there are many brands to choose from. Lighter and more durable w/Live well, Storage Rod Lockers like glass boats you can get them as large as you like with as many options. Lowe, Alumacraft, Tracker to name a few.

Thanks to you all. A ton of great information. My current fishing vessel is a 21 ft center console pontoon set up for fishing. I am spoiled with all the space and frustraited with the speed and difficulty holding on fish when there is any wind. I really love the look of the white fiberglass like Wannafish has and I think Billy. It will be a while till I pull the trigger. I can get out of my boathouse with motor up and then go motor down out to the open lake. So a 10" motor up draft is great. If the water really gets low I can put her on the trailer.

I spent a year looking at CC's before buying about 4 years ago. I had always had bass boats before and wanted a CC set up for fresh water. I needed 2 large aerated livewells (not easy to find in a CC), a good pad for mounting a trolling motor, and a lot of storage. I ended up buying a 22 ft. Bluewave Extreme with a Yamaha 4 stroke 225. It's been the best all around fishing boat I've ever owned.