Boat brands

[angler_boy_13]

In all of your guys experience what boat brand is best for a walk around deck boat.

 

 

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[Decoy Hound]

I’m just curious what is the advantage of a walk around deck? I see they are very popular.

[angler_boy_13]

They just seem like there better for fishing. More room I guess my friends dad has a 2016 walk around and I want one of my own I think.

[orangediablo]

Why specifically a walk around?  You tend to get less cabin space than an open or "typical" hardtop design.  Both of which you can still get the the from fairly easy.

[John E Powell]

IMO, express style makes for roomier trolling boats than walk arounds. With a hard top, they're even better.


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[angler_boy_13]

It's just that they are also on the cheaper side I guess don't want to bust the bank been looking for a good boat 

[Bozeman Bob]

If there "cheaper " there is a reason for that. If your fishing O as noted by Mr, Powell a express boat is a much better option. More room under the top to get out of the elements , cold, rain , heat ,sun and wind in the spring when the lake is cold ,especially if you have a crew of more than 2. No reason to be fishing from anywhere but the cockpit on O . If your bass /.pike  fishing and casting into the weeds I could see a walk around . What is your budget ? Boating along with fishing is a expensive hobby and the boat itself is probably the " cheapest " part of the process if you do it for any length of time . Are you going to dock it or trailer it ? What drive system are you looking for ?  Any particular length that you have targeted ?  

Edited July 8, 2019 by Bozeman Bob

[angler_boy_13]

Length wise 22'-32

Total budget for boat and trailer  is around 18 grand for rn but I get a loan and pay it off in two years 

I'm gonna pull it I'd like to keep it under 3500lbs. I do bass fishing and lake fishing some Creek and river too. 

 

[ontherise]

Walkarounds make great trolling boats. Trophy are nice, as are wellcrafts


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[Bozeman Bob]

Unless it's a aluminum hull you are not going to find a boat in that weight class with your targeted length of 22 -32. Probably would try looking for a outboard to give you more deck space and less working parts than a I/O. Straight inboard will not cut it for any sort of creek fishing. With you weight concerns I think you can safely rule out just about anything over 23'.

[angler_boy_13]

Thanks for the help and input

 

 

[whaler1]

If there "cheaper " there is a reason for that. If your fishing O as noted by Mr, Powell a express boat is a much better option. More room under the top to get out of the elements , cold, rain , heat ,sun and wind in the spring when the lake is cold ,especially if you have a crew of more than 2. No reason to be fishing from anywhere but the cockpit on O . If your bass /.pike  fishing and casting into the weeds I could see a walk around . What is your budget ? Boating along with fishing is a expensive hobby and the boat itself is probably the " cheapest " part of the process if you do it for any length of time . Are you going to dock it or trailer it ? What drive system are you looking for ?  Any particular length that you have targeted ?  

I beg to differ lol.



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[Bozeman Bob]

You beg to differ what ?

[ontherise]

Walkarounds make great trolling boats. Trophy are nice, as are wellcrafts.


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[ontherise]

Love my CC too.

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[Tyee II]

Look at Grady White. 

[garrymny]

I bought a Grady White Bimini 220 with a 175 outboard Evinrude on it. 1983 boat. Motor is 1993 with low time. $6500. I thought it was a good deal, and I still do. I replaced the transom this spring which I did myself. It cost roughly $2000. But at least now I know what I have. With any fiberglass used boat you run the risk of rotted plywood in the transom and it is difficult to know until you start ripping it out. But the equivalent boat new would probably be almost $70 or $80k. I put in a good FF, autopilot, and fishhawk. So I guess I have about 11k into it. It is a terrific fishing boat with plenty of room on the deck. It is a closed bow and has a nice soft top.

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[John E Powell]

With the new additional info about your desire for multi species fishing boat, not just a trolling boat, I'm modifying my previous recommendation to an aluminum, dual console, open bow boat with a layout similar to a Starcraft Fishmaster or Lund Tyee. With high sides and deeper V hulls, they are big water capable trolling boats that will be within your size and weight restrictions and their layout is flexible and open enough to be a decent multi species boat. Outboard power will serve your needs well for where you will be boating.

 

 

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[mr 580]

Angler Boy, I would suggest that you change your search approach from brands to looking at boat styles that are within your 3500lb tow limit and under $20,000.  Once you determine what might fall into that group, then you can look at specific brands.  This approach likely will point you in the direction of what Mr. Powell is suggesting.  I don’t believe you will see many walk around glass boats under 3500 lbs tow weight in a 22 ft plus size.  I’ve owned several and they were all in the 5,000 to 6,000 lb towing class size.

[hawkeye625]

A crestliner eagle is an aluminum walkaround.  about the only one that might be in your weight range that I can think of.

[jimski2]

A welded Crestliner sans rivets will last longer. A 21 foot Crestliner o/b brought us home in 12 foot seas.


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