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.
New Boat - Need Advice
Moderators: Talltails, LCallaghan, jsuber
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- Yaking Monster
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Re: New Boat - Need Advice
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
You should have been here yesterday
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Re: New Boat - Need Advice
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.
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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Re: New Boat - Need Advice
Cant go wrong with a Carolina Skiff J16 with a 25 tiller
Jeff Suber
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2022 Hobie Pro Angler 14
2019 Hobie Outback
Malone Trailer
Penn Battle III
Bone One-Knocker and Gold ADL spoon
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Re: New Boat - Need Advice
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!
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!
- capncrunch
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- rudderman
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Re: New Boat - Need Advice
Call my dad if you want a ghenoe. I think his is 15 feet