Hey everybody! I'm looking into buying my first boat right now, but unfortunately, I am strapped for cash as a college student and it seems like the majority of boats in my price range are 16'-17' boats. My main concern is getting into rough water during a tournament situation. Obviously if it gets way too rough, I'm going to park it, but I would like to know how guys with smaller boats handle rougher water and how much these shorter boats can actually handle both while running the outboard and while fishing. Thanks in advance!

Just a few years ago most bass boats were in the 15' to 18' range. Most of us all survived, although I cant remember the wind being this bad back in the 80's and 90's. I fished everywhere in my 18' fiberglass bass tracker, we never missed a tourney.

I'm a college student in a 17.5 ft boat... Ive gone through some big waves....Some that it would have been a lot smarter to just park the boat... like when it was rolling 5 footers on rayburn....

as for ur general <20mph winds, you should be fine on any lake around here for the most part

I did it for many years and you can also. Be smart, spend a little extra money on; good life jackets, extra bulge pump and a good rain suit for the rough ride in. Just take you time in rough water and learn to drive the waves.

A 16 foot boat is safe in all weather conditions that allow fishing. If it is too rough for the boat you will not be catching much anyway.

Another factor to consider is engine power. A 16 foot boat is matched with a 50HP outboard. Anything bigger is asking for problems.

The most important safety consideration is operator skill. Learn to drive the boat.

Adequate flotation, a good bilge pump system, and a good PFD are all musts.

My first bass boat was a 14 foot boat with a 25HP motor. I fished Ray Hubbard in weather I had no business being out in. But in 1970 at age 33 I thought I was immortal. Common sense will carry you a long way.

My 16' Skeeter is outfitted with a 70HP... and I'm thinking of looking for an 85HP to put on it instead. I couldn't imagine having ONLY a 50HP on it.

I got caught in the middle of Lake Palestine this past July 4th when a rogue storm blew threw. We tried to outrun it on our way to shore, but we weren't so lucky. It was WAY too rough for comfort and we were all being thrown around like ragdolls, but I was no worse off than my buddy that was with us in his 20', or anyone else that was also running to shore for that matter. I don't have too much more of a problem with rough conditions than any other 18-20' boat does. I'm not dumb enough to attempt to get out there in bad conditions, though, so I'm not fully qualified on my response.

Its really more a DESIGN of the hull on rough water handling - obviously you wouldn't want to take a 22" side, 16' flat bottom jon boat head on or cross chop in five foot breaking swells - running downwind no problems --

Also a boat handling rough water is a matter of EXPERIENCE -

Most boats I've seen swamped on lakes in my 35+ years of experience were due to OPERATOR error, and that included more than a few 20' bass rigs -- flipping in cross chops, or water over the transom in following seas would be the PRIMARY culprits

I've been caught out in Canadian Shield lakes in 40+ MPH winds in Lund 16 foot aluminum V. boats with 30 HP tiller steer and honest to God 10' freshwater swells - wasn't a fun ride but by using some common sense we made it in.

The boat SIZE is really immaterial, it good judgement, and knowing the capability of your equipment.

You can also fish some tournaments that allow trailering. I towed my 17.5 down that long bumpy dirt road that leads to the ramp at Rabbit on Tawak this past Spring in real windy conditions. Put in, caught some good fish, and trailered back to the weigh in. As I recall, there were several others in the same situation.

an xtra foot of boat can make a huge difference in rough waters

If you cant afford what you really want right now. Wait till you can. I fished with my 8 year old in a 17 foot bass tracker, when the water got rough it scared me with him in the boat. I sold that boat and bought a used 22 foot center console bay boat. Much safer in the rough water. JMO!

I started out in a 15'3" Javelin with a 50hp motor on it.. know your limits, and expect to get wet. I also recommend getting a much larger bilge pump than you would ever think you need. Its imperative that you learn to "tack" in a smaller boat.

I fish tournaments out of my 17.5 ft boat. If it's rough enough for me to be worried so are the 21 footers. Bigger is great but 99% of the time unnecessary. When you get a boat make sure you get some nasty weather seat-time before you get it in a tournament. A tournament is a bad time to learn. IMO it�s rarely the forecast winds/storms that catch you on the wrong side of the puddle.

I�ll be fishing a tournament on Texoma tomorrow in the forecasted 20mph winds. No worries other than finding fish and getting them in the boat.

Having the adequate horsepower on a boat is crucial in rough water , IMO. Also as others have said, learning to drive your boat in all conditions is equally as important, get out and get some seat time when its rough just for the experience...

the horsepower means nothing without the correct prop.