I am seriously contemplating getting rid of our saltwater boat and getting a cat boat. Our family has been quite blessed and we brought our 27' twin engine center console with us when we moved to DFW from Florida a few years ago. The only reason I dont want to get rid of it is because it takes water like a champion and has high sides as we are docked on Hubbard and it always seems windy.

I recently saw Salsa's Weldcraft and flipped out. What other manufacturers do people use out there for catting? It doesnt need to go fast. Ours right now is overkill.

The most important things for us are taking water well and not too deep of a draft so we can go skinny at times. Much Thanks!!

sea fox, fishmaster, mako, express are a few that you can look at.

Ol school boston whaler!
Keep ur 27 footer and spend some chump change on an older boat. My opinion.

Any pics of your boat??

Few of these guys use pontoon boats, they seem to work good for catfishing

I wouldnt get rid of yours. None of the smaller boats will ride like the big cc does. Especially if you get into an aluminum or bay boat. 27 is not too big at all unless you got to cooper or fork and get out of the boat lanes and start navigating the stumps then you might wish for a smaller boat. You hardly ever see anybody "upgrade" to a smaller boat, theres a reason for that.

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This isnt mine, but exact same model. I feel like the engines are unnecessary.

Also, I feel like the fiberglass decking is not very functional for this kind of fishing. I would much rather forego cosmetics for functionality.

Brent, you make a good point. This is what I am afraid of. I sure would like a double powerpole setup and something with duel transom mounted trolling motors however, as right now I dont have either. We also have a little one now with not much place for her and mom to go. I could easily get rid of an engine and go down in boat size in order to accomodate?

Still havent found anything affordable and newer though that fits all our needs that could swap straight out........

Maybe you should get a used Champion, if your looking for a smooth ride. You could customize it to meet your needs.

If your lookin for a boat that fits ALL your needs mite as well quit waistin your time there is no boat that fits. Sounds like your lookin for a paddle boat if engine is unnecessary.

Someone else recommended Champions. It's weird, their website www.championboats.com takes you to some foreign site. I either have the wrong site or they dont have one. I will check boattrader I suppose.

I know you will get a lot of opinions (mostly all good). I have fished in most all of boats out there--my opinion is do not waste time--find a Falcon---23' with outboard if you can. I finally have the boat that fits me---Good luck!

Courious cowboy why outboard whats wrong with inboard

Just my preference--had both and enjoy the extra space the outboard offers. The inboard is a pain to winterize sometimes. It is just easier to find service for an outboard in my part of the country. I love the 4-stroke Yamahas---I know there are a lot of inboard Falcons out there and they are still great boats, and probably easier to find, but I just like the room.

If you are going to look at metal boats, look at the Crestliner before you make a final decision, I love mine

Stratos bought Champion, you will have to go to Stratos website or the BBC forum has a Champion section. This forum has a few pre owned Champions for sale.

Theres your problem. Catters don't winterize. I like that falcon. If all I fished was freshwater I'd consider getting one.

If you are interested in a new Falcon, they are starting to build them again

http://www.manta.com/c/mmjp62l/falcon-boats

If you want a used boat there is a guy at Krum that has a 1988 20' CC Not a forward console but center, with big livewell in the front floor,

If you are interested send me a PM and I will give you his name and address!

Great Boat! I have been in this boat on the water...it's so nice and I agree, the outboard Yamaha 4 Stroke is the ticket on the Falcon...it gives so much more room in the boat.

Remember, I get first dibbs on this boat if you ever sell it.

All the Big Aluminum Deep V's are Walleye and Sturgeon boats up north.....here is a link for some: http://www.walleyehunter.com/boats.html

Theres several I Dream of including Lund Baron and Alumacraft Trophy 205:

http://www.lundboats.com/boats/2013-aluminum/2150-baron-boat




http://www.alumacraft.com/trophy-205.php

Now were talking!! I have some serious looking to do. I am thinking those walleye boats with the covers are really clever, Also looking into some walkarounds or pilothouse even. Will revert back in after I check everyone's opinions out.

Much Thanks.

Already been done with beereadys. I think it all boils down to having a place for my wife and little one.

+1 on this one. I also ran into:
http://www.duckworthboats.com/
http://www.kingfisherboats.com/us/
http://phantomjetboat.com/
http://www.thunderjet.com/
http://www.riverhawkboats.net/

All of these aluminum jet boats seem super expensive and are few and far between. By the time I get it here it would cost loads. I wish there was a manufacturer here because in my opinion there is a market.

Some of them have outboard models for quite a bit less but still pricey......

I see your leaning towards a cabin. Here you go. love fishing on the pontoons.

I Like this one maybe:

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/3464011785.html

or:


http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/3484108128.html

neither Good for Skinny Water tho.........

I just bought a used Tuffy boat for a cheap price, its a northern boat for walleye and pike fisherman. I'm doing some minor work on it right now before I take it out on the water, its very wide for comfort and channeled out on the hull design for smooths ride, I'm pretty excited.

pics?

Pics will come soon just a few more minor touches to be picture worthy, its a pretty good step up from a 14ft aluminum boat

Tuffy boats images.... bing Click here

Ive thought about it! The wind probably carries that thing all over the place!!

Any Texas Custom Boat Builders?

Talk to the guy about a new Flcon, I heard he is going to start making them again, and will make somebody a deal, just so he can get them out there again.

http://www.manta.com/c/mmjp62l/falcon-boats

I currently have a 2004 falcon and love it. The best rough water boat around!!

Are ya a female, high sides cabin and not catch wind and less than $50k

Opus, I sense a failed comedian? Your over-abundance of wisdom and tact or lack thereof is rather refreshing. Wish all people in the world were as insightful as you??

I was really tryin to help ya, then I tried to picture what you were describing you wanted doesn't exist, so figured had to be a female. Sorry if I hit a nerve

No worries. It very well may not exist. Problem is females dictate the decisions.

Some of the big aluminum deep-v's will probably meet your needs. They are kind of hard to find around here. They are almost nonexistent on the used market and when they can be found their owners are usually mighty proud of them. I really do not understand while people doing not check the NADA before listing a boat. Unless they are selling an old an cheap boat to a cash buyer they are never going to sell above NADA because no bank will finance it.

Does anyone have the right phone number for Falcon boats up in Sherman Texas? I am not sure if they are still making boats. Every number I have found on Google is disconnected. I am quite interested so if you could let me know that would be great. Thanks

I wouldn't hold my breath, Rumors of a "new" falcon have bee floating around for about a year now. So far nothing at all. and doesnt seem to be anything in the works.

If you want a falcon, you will have to just search, and find a used one. They are there, but are scarce.

I have been looking for a good falcon for awhile now, when i find one my SEA_PRO will be up for sale

Another Falcon $11,500

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbt...oat#Post8394430

Impressive find. Steep, but good to see nonetheless. Just went to the Houston Boat Show today. Will head to Dallas boat show next month.

It looks like they just cancelled the Dallas winter boat show per their site yesterday.

If your looking for a big deep v. Give Steve a call out at smith boat sales he has this sitting inside of the warehouse out there. Its a big wide boat, super sharp

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2010-Tracker-Targa-V18-101710154

Or a big bay boat
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2003-Ranger-2180-Bay-Ranger-101879006

http://www.fandfboats.com/


May want to check them out, custom builder there. There is a small market up in the ozarks for big comfy boats that will run shallow. Metal boats of just about any kind are not going to be comfortable on rough water. Also, consider will your Wife and Child be going on all outings or will they be "fair weathering"? If you know they will not be along for the ride for the rough days anyway then you may consider something they could be comfortable in during calm easy fishing days but would handle fishing better. Man do I have a tendency to ramble.

Did Smoky sell his Falcon? That would be a good boat to look into.

Not rambling. Good info!