Looking for a small boat for my son and I to fish in a local community pond. Was going to get a 14ft aluminum but when I went with the guy and put it in the water to test it it was extremely unstable for my 6ft 230lb self. If I shifted slightly the gunnels were almost on the waterline.

Figured I just needed to get a 14 or 15 foot skeeter, but haven't been able to find one for the right price. I am looking at an 8ft bass buster though because I've heard they were extremely stable and the price is right.

Anyone have any experience or suggestions on these boats?

Would like to use it to catfish, not sure if I could mount rod holders on it or not. Also bass fish so standing up would be a huge advantage, but thinking it probably won't be stable enough for that for sure.

My father in law has a 9.4 and is pretty stable with me and him in it. We're both around 210 and it does the job ok. As for standing up, I wouldn't recommend it, but it can be done. They're fun to fish out of and he does have 4 rod holders, 2 in the front and 2 in the back for catfishing or crappie fishing.

Well it'd be me, 6ft 230 like I said, and just my son who is 9 and slender like a pole, plus gear for catfishing. 8ft just sounds awful short once you start adding poles, tackle box, battery, trolling motor, net, etc.

So just talked to the seller. Going to buy it and pick it up Tuesday. Doesn't have a trolling motor or battery. Recommendations on a size trolling motor for a small lake, about 5-8 acres? And battery?

Get the biggest marine battery you can get and the 50 lb thrust min kota at wal mart has worked well on my father in laws.

You might look into buying a rudder for the transom if you put the motor on the front. Bassbusters are bad about spinning a circle on you when you let off the trolling motor. I have owned several and probably caught more fish out of the bassbuster than my Skeeter.