What aluminum fish and ski boat models fit this description?
I'm looking for a welded aluminum hull fish and ski boat. 17+ feet long. Must either have nice seats up front for my wife to lay out on or can be an option to add on - though I'm looking for a boat at least 5-10 years old in my price range. It needs to be an aluminum fishing boat first and a pleasure boat second but must have that cushy feel.
So far I know of two boats that fit this description: Lowe tahiti 192 (or 194) which is actually an aluminum deck boat and Lowe FS 175 (and FS 185) which is their deep V.
I need more boat for my money, so brands like Ranger and probably Lund are too expensive. What other models should I look at?
2011-02-12T16:57:04Z
Details: I'm probably looking in the 10k range. Yes I know a fishing boat won't be a great ski boat and don't care. As long as it's a little more plush than a straight fishing boat so my wife can lay out, preferably enough seating for 4 adults with regulated capacity for 6. Fish and Skis have a walk through windshield which is better for family use than the consoles so that's why I'm interested in them. It should be a fish and ski made by a fishing brand not a runabout with a trolling motor.
Cliff2011-02-12T14:53:53Z
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you are aware that the best fishing boats and the best ski boats are about as far apart as they get?
the best multi use boat is a V hull sterndrive boat. the best fishing boat is a flat or near flat bottom outboard boat, and the best ski boat is a inboard powered, also with a V hull.
aluminum hull is a great choice. if taken care of and not wrecked, they can outlast their owners. as long as the hull is still intact, you can always get a new motor/drive/outboard.
layout seats for tanning, pretty common in many boats, but one made specifically for fishing wont have it.
reinelll, does or did make a good fish and ski model, FNS, i think it was the 184 and 204 FNS (18 and 20 foot). horrible boats to work on as a mechanic, but great boat for multi purpose use. factory installed trolling motor, high seats, just llke most fishing boats have. it is however a fiberglass boat. even it wasnt for the access to the motor being diffucult and i do my own maintence, i'd want the 184 FNS with a 4.3 fuel injected merc motor and drive in it for myself (reinell has been known to use both merc and volvo motor and drives, depending on what was cheaper for teh factory to buy that day. merc has the better warranty, and IMO the better drive too)
bayliner, the 175 model (17 foot), is a nice cheap entry level boat that did come with ski towers (at least one model year did). ski towers are a major help in getting up and going on skis and wakeboards since they pull UP and not just forward. bayliner is actually a very well made boat for the price. again, fiberglass. and the 175 comes with only the 3.0 motor, good solid reliable motor, but never ildes smooth unless it idles so fast it doesnt turn off properly (diesels). and carb onlylast i looked, fuel injection will reduce consumption while adding more power and makes going from sea level to 5,000' elevation easy since air/fuel mixture is controlled by a computer and not adjusting screws.
RE: What aluminum fish and ski boat models fit this description? I'm looking for a welded aluminum hull fish and ski boat. 17+ feet long. Must either have nice seats up front for my wife to lay out on or can be an option to add on - though I'm looking for a boat at least 5-10 years old in my price range. It needs to be an aluminum fishing boat first and...
You might try Tracker. They have a combo boat but you most likely will not find it used.
'The Targa V-18 Combo walk-thru is a family oriented Deep V aluminum fishing boat. You'll find extra passenger seating both in the bow and cockpit areas, plus accessories for water sports and entertainment that will be sure to keep your passengers happy all day long. '