New Boat - Need Advice

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Kellerqx
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New Boat - Need Advice

Post by Kellerqx »

Looking to add another boat to my fishing arsenal, but something with a motor. Sometimes I just don't want to paddle my kayak and/or would like to hit multiple locations within a fishing trip without being worn out when I drive back home. I'm not sure which would be best in the skinny water / creeks / bays of st. marks / panacea area.

This is where I need help, whats your opinion on what would be most functional or what is commonly used around there. Trying to target the 14-15 ft. with a 5 -15 hp motor.

- Gheenoe
- Aluminum Jon boat
- Carolina skiff
- Solo skiff
- Boston Whaler
- Old narrow Tri hull

Thanks for any input.
salty gator
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Re: New Boat - Need Advice

Post by salty gator »

I've fished all but the solo skiff and tri hull. No question in my mind. Small job boat ( deck the bottom w plywood). Ghenoes are very wet and have less fishsble space imho ( I had a 15x5 river hawk that was the wettest boat I've ever been in, soak you in 1'chop). We use my buddies 14' Jon w a 9.9 more than our kayaks, flats boat and offshore boat put together. It doesn't pole as well as a soloskiff probably does, but it gets really shallow and doesn't make us cry when we bump a rock. Good luck
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Kellerqx
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Re: New Boat - Need Advice

Post by Kellerqx »

Thanks for the feedback, I had heard the Gheenoes were kinda wet too.

I guess that's why the jon boat design has never really changed, it was nearly perfect since the beginning of time. Oh and I'm all about the bump and no worries about the exterior. It all about getting out there and having a good time.
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jsuber
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Re: New Boat - Need Advice

Post by jsuber »

Cant go wrong with a Carolina Skiff J16 with a 25 tiller
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Re: New Boat - Need Advice

Post by SpiderHitch »

I'll take a jon boat or an old trihull over a Gheenoe any day of the week.

I fish out of a Lowsider with my buddy sometimes and that thing will take water over the sides and transom when anchored in mild chop- it's terrifying. It's not all that stable, and doesn't really draft all that low.

Plenty of secondhand aluminum jon boats and fiberglass trihulls online. The only real question with a hull is, "does it float?". Motor and trailer will probably be a good 70 to 80% of the cost.

For me, I like a small aluminum Panga. There's a Panga dealer/boatmaker in Perry I believe, those are super cool.

Good luck and have fun with the search!
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capncrunch
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Re: New Boat - Need Advice

Post by capncrunch »

Image

I absolutely love my gheenoe. Dryer than any yak I've owned and hauls arse.
Image
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WannaDoDat
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Re: New Boat - Need Advice

Post by WannaDoDat »

capncrunch wrote:Image

I absolutely love my gheenoe. Dryer than any yak I've owned and hauls arse.
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rudderman
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Re: New Boat - Need Advice

Post by rudderman »

Call my dad if you want a ghenoe. I think his is 15 feet
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