What Is The Catfish Boat Of All Catfish Boats?

[okie catfishen]

My wife has said that I can buy a new boat this next spring for catfishing. What do you guys think is the best boat for catfishing?

Keith
Newcastle, Oklahoma

[btmfdr]

there isnt one!!! every boat you find no matter how close will always have some issue with it hinder something you may want to do. if they would set up a jon like a deep v, with the steering column all the way up to the deck and seating behind it, it would come pretty close. they do make a few like that but i havent seen one in anything over 18ft.

[okie catfishen]

I want something plane. That has high walls. I like flat bottom the best. Does not have to have the biggest motor, But the widder the better.

[LarryW]

There are so Minny variables in picking out a boat that it is hard to say. How Minny people are going to be fishing with you, what kind of water are you going to be on, how far are you going to have to travel on the water to get to your fishing hole. Aluminum or fiberglass. Each person is going to have a different answer. Right now I have a 18 foot fiberglass, center console that has high sides. It is a very stable boat which is what I need I am disabled and have a bad knee so need something to give me more stab ability. The boat is old (1974) and the floor is getting week and will cost more to repair than the boat is worth. I am thinking of getting a pontoon this coming year. I think it will give me everything that I need and will be good for the water that I will be on.

The choice for your boat will have to be up to you but hope I gave you something to think about. Is your wife going fishing with you, if so let her help pick out what you should get.

[ersel]

I have n 1860 center console grizzly that do everthing I need. High sides, very stable and is easy to pull.

[catmanofohio]

8' jon boat with trollin motor :) and a squeeky horn

[laidbck111]

close enough to perfect for me would be an 20-22 foot SEA ARK center console rigged with 10-12 rod holders a removable bait tank and the console more towards the front of the boat. I have an 18 footer now that is being picked up wednesday by the guy that bought it because the wife wants a pontoon so I guess thats the perfect boat for me. Keep momma happy and everybodies happy but katie bar the door if that's not the case. lol

[kccats]

Sea Ark is on my wish list for sure.

[Dragger]

Well , the best catfish boat, I don't think they make one, I will turn 58 this month, I have owned boats since I was 15 years old. At least 1 , and sometimes as many as 7, at a time, every thing from john-boats to deep v's ,and a few high speed bass boats,but the one I use now is a 24 ft. pontoon, it has an 8x10 ft. top with a toilet/bathroom,for the wife and friends,only one mounted seat(drivers), full rails from front to back ,with rod holder mounts every 22 inches all around. very easy to fish from,and easy to pull,Trailer has 14 inch wheels (4) and runs the interstate at 70 mph.........Also the boat runs the lakes at 32mph with a 90HP merc.......

[Ellis]

I dont have a boat yet, but I asked that same question. And it all depends on what you like and what you need brother.

[gadzooks]

I love my kayaks, four rodholders and everything I need. Can paddle up to four miles in an hour to get to spots, drift, still fish, almost anything that can be done in a bigger boat, just not as fast. And, all this, in my case, for $300.

[catseeman]

Any boat Iam catching fish from.lmao

As posted before decide what you want the boat to do. Where and how you plan on using it. Just be assured it will be 2ft to short as soon as you buy it. One thing that I have Never undertood is why people buy a deep boat and then have the transome cut down to fit a short shaft motor. Another cosideration, towing, how far? and with what? I had a friend that bought a way to big boat for his truck.He ended up renting a bouy and didn't like the lake.

[WylieCat]

Here is what I look for in a boat:

1) Width / at least 72"
2) Decent size motor / enough to run 25-30mph
3) Storage / closed compartments for life jackets, tackle, etc.
4) Shallow draft / 12'-14"

I like the Sea Ark for the money. They are built sturdy and have a lot of nice features. The Carolina Skiff is a nice boat, but I am not sure about the ride with the flatter bottom.

A lot depends on the waters you fish, and your list of needs may vary greatly. Make that list, and try to decide what you need and take the time to shop around for a boat that meets those needs.

[suddawg]

I love my kayaks, four rodholders and everything I need. Can paddle up to four miles in an hour to get to spots, drift, still fish, almost anything that can be done in a bigger boat, just not as fast. And, all this, in my case, for $300.

Can't forget the work-out you also get. Myself and TA2D use a canoe for Crappie/Bass/Bluegill fishing. It's a blast, but we're on the hunt for a simple aluminum boat to get out on the Missouri River, and larger reservoirs in the state.

SudDawg

[Kutter]

If you look in my photo section on this site, I have several pic's of my 18' center console G3. It was designed and set up for fishing the Mississippi River. A lot of choosing a boat style depends on where and how you will be using it.
http://www.catfish1.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=6&userid=210

[gater460]

suddawg, a old friend of mine and myself used to fish branched oak in a small canoe with a trolling motor if you can imagine that we had a couple pretty scary moments in that thing.

[blackhorse83]

I love my 16' lowe river john, but would I like to have a 20'er? YES, I don't think that anyone is ever completely happy with what they have, not me anyway, but for 2 people mine is set up for cat and I love it!

[Mark J]

Leonard, I never figured out why folks like a highsided boat so much for fishing. Those big fish come over a low gunnel a whole lot easier.
I guess its a false sense of security for some people as some of the most seaworthy boats ever built in the size range we commonly use catfishing are lowsided ( low freeboard ) boats.
The Simmons Sea skiff is just one fine example I would run through a treacherous NC inlet. And the many Pangas that venture way offshore around the world everyday cant be forgotten.

I would say the best catting boat would be no more then 20 feet long.
Center console or tiller steering, room for 2 people, a low freeboard, and thats it.

Anything over 20 feet marks too many places off the list that I want or like to fish.

[PeZ]

The cafish boat of all catfish boats is the one that starts at 4 am when its 20 degrees outside :smile2:

[sgt_rob]

I haven't fished out of it yet but I have a 20' SeaArk River Cat Classic on order. I was at Bass Pro Shops yesterday and did a little comparison shopping. I would have ended up with way less boat for the money if I had bought a boat from BPS. SeaArk is a great deal and the RiverCat is made for cattin!

[H2O Mellon]

Just be assured it will be 2ft to short as soon as you buy it.

you speak the truth!

[AwShucks]

I think I'd head out to t-bird, Ft Cobb, Lake Murray, Keystone, Eufala for a day or two and find some people putting boats in and taking them out. See how they have rigged their boats. The make I hear most mentioned was SeaArk, and believe me, you do need to check this model out. Oklahoma does not have much challanges in its lakes - maybe Texhoma or Eufala are the biggest and would offer the most challanges. But, your not going to take a cat-boat out chasing strippers, i hope. You need two different type boats for this type of fishing. All waters can get rough at time, but seamanship helps you out in bad situations, and this is something you do need to learn. It is not just get in, cast off and go. It is a responsiblity to own/operate a boat and everyone needs to do it the right way. Boats are not wave runners.

[breadboy]

close enough to perfect for me would be an 20-22 foot SEA ARK center console rigged with 10-12 rod holders a removable bait tank and the console more towards the front of the boat. I have an 18 footer now that is being picked up wednesday by the guy that bought it because the wife wants a pontoon so I guess thats the perfect boat for me. Keep momma happy and everybodies happy but katie bar the door if that's not the case. lol

^^^agree^^^ that is my boat of choice. I like the Striper model 21'10" (or however big) model Sea ARk makes. It has a 30 gallon shad tank and a 40 gallon livewell :smile2: .

[Dragger]

I think I'd head out to t-bird, Ft Cobb, Lake Murray, Keystone, Eufala for a day or two and find some people putting boats in and taking them out. See how they have rigged their boats. The make I hear most mentioned was SeaArk, and believe me, you do need to check this model out. Oklahoma does not have much challanges in its lakes - maybe Texhoma or Eufala are the biggest and would offer the most challanges. But, your not going to take a cat-boat out chasing strippers, i hope. You need two different type boats for this type of fishing. All waters can get rough at time, but seamanship helps you out in bad situations, and this is something you do need to learn. It is not just get in, cast off and go. It is a responsiblity to own/operate a boat and everyone needs to do it the right way. Boats are not wave runners. Lawrence, You got that wright, Seamanship and Responsiblity is the right way.........steve

[blackhorse83]

The cafish boat of all catfish boats is the one that starts at 4 am when its 20 degrees outside :smile2:

In my case that sounds like a duck boat :cool2: I seen the time when I had to start it and let it warm up because the steering was frozen.

[Cathooker]

A Carolina Skiff is hard to beat for the money. Mine is an 18' long, flat bottom, plain jane model that is 84" wide. It does not draw much draft, and will run 35 mph quite easliy with my 55 evinrude pushing it. It has not carpet and is easy to clean. They are truly unsinkable. The company offers many optional ways to rig them out.

[ryang]

I dont know how the lakes are in OK, I would try to rent a couple of different varieties see how they are. When I get the money thats what I will do first.

[catfishtonyd]

I also have an 18' G3 center console and I've been fishing out of it for 2 years and I have been very pleased with it. I have a 70 hp yamaha and it run out at about 35 mph.:smile2:

[mandingo]

you need to check out the 24ft sea ark big daddy.a guy i know has one and it has a 60 gallon aerorated livewell,center console,plenty of storage,and plenty of room to walk.it is the catfish boat king of all catfish boats!!!!!!!

[duxsrus]

In my case that sounds like a duck boat :cool2: I seen the time when I had to start it and let it warm up because the steering was frozen.

Ahh, the boating stories a duck hunter could tell that most people can't even relate with. Like when it's 0 degrees outside with a -20 or -30 degree wind chill and your spot is 5 miles from the ramp. That'll hurt. :lol:

[Mark J]

I officially duck hunted one time in my life. I admit defeat. I cant take it.
A woman back home I left in a warm bed I just couldnt shake out of my head.:smile2:

[Matt Smith]

You have recieved some great advice so far, but the absolute best boat you can fish out of is someone else's.

[Mr.T]

Here's something to chew on:

You fish *on* a bass boat. You fish *in* a catfish boat.

Think about it. It'll make your decision a lot easier.

[FishMan]

you need to check out the 24ft sea ark big daddy.a guy i know has one and it has a 60 gallon aerorated livewell,center console,plenty of storage,and plenty of room to walk.it is the catfish boat king of all catfish boats!!!!!!!


I saw a picture of this boat ,it looks great, I wonder how much ?

[flathdjunkie]

You have recieved some great advice so far, but the absolute best boat you can fish out of is someone else's.

You got that right Matt!:lol:

I agree there are too many variables to consider when buying a boat that's best for you. I'd say the MOST important factor is to be sure that it FLOATS. Aside from that, I'd say size is one of the most important decisions you need to make.

I have an old 15 foot bass boat (1976 model fiberglass w/35HP motor). The size works for me since I like fishing on smaller bodies of water (reservoirs, large ponds, certain rivers, etc.). It's also narrow enough to get thru narrow or low areas. It's good on gas, easy to haul, manuever, etc.

On the down side, I don't get to my favorite fishing holes in blazing speed and I can't take more than 2 fishin buddies along. Three is the max it will hold. On the other hand, I don't mind taking only one friend with me. We usually catch more fish because we aren't tripping over each other.

If I want to fish on the great lakes or the ocean, I take Matt's advice: "Fish out of someone else's."

Hope this helps. Good luck!!!

[777]

Im also planning on buying a new boat. From what I've seen the seaArk may be what I go with.

[TNVOLCAT]

^^^agree^^^ that is my boat of choice. I like the Striper model 21'10" (or however big) model Sea ARk makes. It has a 30 gallon shad tank and a 40 gallon livewell :smile2: .

My cousin just bought this particular boat a few months ago and put a 115 Mercury on it. He has it set up to catfish out of. I like the big bait tank it has on it. I believe I like it better than the Sea Ark Rivercat model other than the difference in the live wells. The Striper has a 40 gal. where the Rivercat has a 60 gal. Both are great boats though. Both of them are 20 ft.

[TNVOLCAT]

I saw a picture of this boat ,it looks great, I wonder how much ?

Danny, from what I've seen, that boat with the larger motor it would take to push it would probably cost around $20,000! Sea Arks are the most expensive jon boat you can buy, but are also built better and stronger in my opinion. Like they say, you get what you pay for!

[FishMan]

from what I see out there 20 may not be a bad price.

[screamnclickersc]

If $$$ is no problem,the 20-24 ft.SeaArk is the way to go.I sold my Carolina Skiff this year.It rode like a horse & buggy & soaked me when the water was rough.I bought the Xpress 17 ft. duckboat .Its' built like a tank and has a Rhinoliner sprayed in from the factory.For the $$$ it was the best value.

[bobact]

If you look in my photo section on this site, I have several pic's of my 18' center console G3. It was designed and set up for fishing the Mississippi River. A lot of choosing a boat style depends on where and how you will be using it.
http://www.catfish1.com/gallery/browseimages.php?c=6&userid=210

No doubt about it, that's a catfish boat!

[BullDaddy]

The RiverCat Classic has the 60 gallon livewell will the standad RiverCat has a 40, both have a 12 gallon livewell. Both are 20'1" with a 72" botton and 95" across the top. 28" sides and rated for a 140. At 1190 lbs dry it is easy to pull for a 20' boat. Its a flat bottom with 3 degrees in the bow. I don't know about other peoples opinions, but it is my perfect catfish boat.

[okie catfishen]

The RiverCat Classic has the 60 gallon livewell will the standad RiverCat has a 40, both have a 12 gallon livewell. Both are 20'1" with a 72" botton and 95" across the top. 28" sides and rated for a 140. At 1190 lbs dry it is easy to pull for a 20' boat. Its a flat bottom with 3 degrees in the bow. I don't know about other peoples opinions, but it is my perfect catfish boat.

Hey BullDaddy, I tried to search the RiverCat Classic on the enternet and could not find a pic is there anything else I could search to see a pic?

Keith,
Newcastle, Oklahoma

[TNVOLCAT]

Hey BullDaddy, I tried to search the RiverCat Classic on the enternet and could not find a pic is there anything else I could search to see a pic?

Keith,
Newcastle, Oklahoma

Keith, just go to Sea Arks website. They have most of their boats on it. You can also get them to mail you a catalog. It will have all of their boats in it. I picked one up at a boat show this past spring.

[Arkie55]

Guys,
I like all this boat talk because I'm thinking of buying a different boat too. Here are my thought so far and what I think I want after several years of river fishing for cats. I normally (make that usually) fish mid-sized to semi-large rivers and have a desire to do some (little) fishing on the Big River (Mississippi). My thoughts:

Minimum length of 16' (perfer 17' or longer)
Minimum bottom width of 52" (perfer 54" or wider)
Drop deck in front (capreted with a sand or tan carpet to keep your feet cool) with dry storage
Trolling motor mount or flush deck on nose of boat
At least a 40 gallon live well with plumbing for filling and circulation
Open floor (no carpet)
Back deck just big enough to cover an 18 gallon built in gas tank and battery compartments. Deck would be used to mount rod holders.
At least five pedistal mount recepticals in the floor (one on drop deck, one in center, on behind console, and one if front of back deck, and one on back deck)
Side console steering.
Plenty of floor and drop deck space for coolers, bait tank, anchor, anchor rope, dip net, ect.
Wide flat gunnel caps for mounting additional rod holders.
At least a 40hp outboard.

Closest thing I have found without having a custom built is the Tracker Pro 175 Crappie.

[SubnetZero]

Oh man, picking out a boat is alot like picking out a wife...
Picking out your boat is all about what you want
Some like a wide bottom, some like a shallow
Some like a nice big pair of decks, some dont mine small ones
Some like brand new, some like one a little experienced
You'll find some to be a dream to handle and some will be a nitemare.
They are both going to be waaaaay more expensive than you think
both will give you headaches...
You want neither to give you fits

hehehehe :0a26:

[Skunk Master]

Arkie... I agree with you on the crappie 175.. It fits just about eveything you would need.. And a person can load and unload it by theirself.. BUT.. The wife was looking at the 18 ft Bass Buggy Pontoon and it would work out real nice too. Plus on it you can get up and walk around.. It;s about the same price as the Crappie Pro..

[BullDaddy]

Hey BullDaddy, I tried to search the RiverCat Classic on the enternet and could not find a pic is there anything else I could search to see a pic?

Keith,
Newcastle, Oklahoma

Keith, for some reason, SeaArk only has the Big Daddy and the Classics in their catalog.

[DTro]

Just my opinion and you know what they say about opinions.......
anyways, the catfish boat of ALL catfish boats would be the RiverPro. A fellow catter has one and I've fished out of it many times. Any boat that will (by accident:ooooh: ) go up the bank into the trees and sustain minimal damage and still fire up and ask for more has gotta get my vote.

Here's a pretty cool pic the boat I mentioned, not the boat, but the terrain it can handle.

[sgt_rob]

Yep, a picture of the RiverCat Classic is only available in the catalog. Shop around! The prices WILL vary. In the case of a Rivercat Classic, the price spread was $4000. The cheapest was with a 140 HP 4-stroke; the most expensive was with a 115 E-Tec or Optimax.

Yall are right on about the price. You cn expect to pay around $20K for a Rivercat Classic, galvanized tandem trailer, spray-in liner, custom color.

If you just need the boat, the Rivercat is about $7500 and the Classic is around $8500.

[Umba]

[quote=SubnetZero]Oh man, picking out a boat is alot like picking out a wife...
Picking out your boat is all about what you want
Some like a wide bottom, some like a shallow
Some like a nice big pair of decks, some dont mine small ones
Some like brand new, some like one a little experienced
You'll find some to be a dream to handle and some will be a nitemare.
They are both going to be waaaaay more expensive than you think
both will give you headaches...
You want neither to give you fits

hehehehe :0a26:

How true.

[crane]

For the money you just can't beat the SeaArk boats. We've got a 2072 duckhawk with a center console set as far front as possible and the diamond plated floor. A 115 johnson that pushes it 42mph. The boat was new and the motor is a 96 model, completely decked out (trolling motor, rod holders, big gas tank, etc.) for less than $12,000.

We fish the Mississippi reguarly and it's stable enough to fish any water that is safe to fish. Take a look at them, best quality made boat for the price.:smile2:

[blackhorse83]

Oh man, picking out a boat is alot like picking out a wife...
Picking out your boat is all about what you want
Some like a wide bottom, some like a shallow
Some like a nice big pair of decks, some dont mine small ones
Some like brand new, some like one a little experienced
You'll find some to be a dream to handle and some will be a nitemare.
They are both going to be waaaaay more expensive than you think
both will give you headaches...
You want neither to give you fits

hehehehe :0a26:

I believe those to be some of the most truthful words ever spoken!

[Randy]

I have an old Monark 16' with a wide 52" bottom Jon Boat that’s perfecto" on the river, with its low sides and it’s wide enough to walk around in. And with its 25hp motor it runs all weekend on 6 Gal of gas. Running a trotline its light weight is not to bad to pull and it tracks perfect in a current. With its wide flat front end it pulls up to the bank or sand bar with ease and getting in and out is easy, yep on the river it’s perfect.

I also have an 1860 Grizzly with its higher sides and semi v front end is a much better lake, rod and reel fishing machine. Any wider and I couldn’t get up in the creeks but on the open water a wider boat would be nice. Its perfect for jug fishing, that’s where it really shines, my friends are amazed the first time I take em jugging, 4 people max, I prefer 3 though. If you want to take more than 4 you need the largest boat you can afford.
I really like my 1860 Grizzly and use it mostly BUTT the 16 foot extra wide Jon boat I would have to say is the best Cat fishing machine hands down. I mostly fish the river though.

[CATCANDO]

Pic's of my Rivercat classic

http://www.catfish1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16495&page=3

[tmuenster]

Pic's of my Rivercat classic

http://www.catfish1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16495&page=3

Catcando,

That is one sweet boat! I think SeaArk makes one of the finest boats around. The RiverCat Classic is a great design and has so much room. Keep us posted on how well you like it.

Tom

[Fishnhuntforever]

[quote=Umba][quote=SubnetZero]Oh man, picking out a boat is alot like picking out a wife...
Picking out your boat is all about what you want
Some like a wide bottom, some like a shallow
Some like a nice big pair of decks, some dont mine small ones
Some like brand new, some like one a little experienced
You'll find some to be a dream to handle and some will be a nitemare.
They are both going to be waaaaay more expensive than you think
both will give you headaches...
You want neither to give you fits

hehehehe :0a26:

That what I would have said if I had thought of it first! That is funny!

[bootshowl]

:roll_eyes: I couldn't help but wonder what's up with the plain flat bottoms that have been the gold standard. If you check it's rating it's between 325 to 430 lbs. boat, motor, people and all...time you put your battery and trolling motor and a cane pole and a six pack you're fishing by yourself and still over it's rating...I wanted a 12 or 14 footer & finally gave up. Didn't have 2 grand for a Sea Ark...But when you are out, you see the older boats with cushion seats, flooring, two batterys, two trolling motors, an outboard, gas can, linebacker with his wife and kids, maybe the dog too !
Bass Pro's 14 ft. "heavy duty" is rated at 400 and some pounds. Something wrong here. What was the older boats construction secret?
I finally gave up and got a Pelican 10ft made out of plastic that will carry 560 lbs. It's ok , but I really wanted a flat bottom Jon. But on the bright side I'm fishing. Who out there knows? The salesmen were no help.

[peewee williams]

:roll_eyes: I couldn't help but wonder what's up with the plain flat bottoms that have been the gold standard. If you check it's rating it's between 325 to 430 lbs. boat, motor, people and all...time you put your battery and trolling motor and a cane pole and a six pack you're fishing by yourself and still over it's rating...I wanted a 12 or 14 footer & finally gave up. Didn't have 2 grand for a Sea Ark...But when you are out, you see the older boats with cushion seats, flooring, two batterys, two trolling motors, an outboard, gas can, linebacker with his wife and kids, maybe the dog too !
Bass Pro's 14 ft. "heavy duty" is rated at 400 and some pounds. Something wrong here. What was the older boats construction secret?
I finally gave up and got a Pelican 10ft made out of plastic that will carry 560 lbs. It's ok , but I really wanted a flat bottom Jon. But on the bright side I'm fishing. Who out there knows? The salesmen were no help. I can tell you what I think from 55 years of boating.Mainly HORSEPOWER.People keep going to bigger and bigger motors.People are constantly subjected to the "Brainwashing"of large outboards.The larger the HP rating (with all else the same)the lower the weight rating.Now level flotation use to be the main criteria.Surprise! Someone figured the higher horse power motors had faster speeds.Faster speeds threw people out,overturned and destroyed boats that had withstood this with the lower horsepower motors.Lawyers and insurance companies have become involved.In the mid 50's a 7 1/2 HP Outboard Motor was considered a "Big" motor for a fishing boat on Santee Cooper.all motors were traditionally run at 1/2 to 3/4 throttle as it had a better fuel consumption ratio plus the common belief was that the motor would last forever if you always warmed it up properly.Many of these motors with a unbelievable number of hours on them are still around today because of this.Some started to put less flotation in the same boats as their HP ratings went up and their weight ratings went down because of it.Their thinking was that you did not need more flotation than the weight that the boat was rated for.Many of those old "Over rated"boats are still around.Many people were also drowned in them.I still believe that a 4 to 9.9 HP motor is a excellent size motor to start out with.With all of the "Under 10 HP"limits being steadily added to our waters,you are limited with larger motors.They are portable.You can carry one around in the trunk of your car and rent a boat in many places at a far cheaper rate than boat and motor.When you can afford and do buy a boat and motor of your choice,your old small motor will usually mount on the stern or be carried along(like my 2 hp.)as a trolling or "Get ME Back" motor.High HP,speed and insurance have made a major impact on boat capacities.peewee-wiliams

[bootshowl]

:confused2: I almost begged the salesmen to tell me it was a liability issue on the low ratings of the Jon's I look at...none would answer. I never thought I needed to go 40 miles an hour for fishing. I'm 54 so I remember that a good 5 horse was a great motor for fishing: even on big water like Patoka here in southern Indiana. The Pelican Predator I bought is 5 ft wide, 10 ft long and filled with floatation. It's rated for a 7 horse max. But the built in floatation takes up a lot of the interior space. Two big guys and you're a little cramped. Would the thought be that if you kept your speed down, used a small outboard, the boat would handle more actual weight than it's sticker rating ? The two salesmen who did answer me said the sticker rating of the boat was the max weight the boat would carry. The sticker says "430 lbs.", you put 470 lbs in it , you are sunk....hence the Pelican with a rating of 560 lbs. But I'd still rather have a Jon. And I could afford the Bass Pro 14ft. heavy duty, and have a trailer that will haul it already...

[riddleofsteel]

If a boat is rated to let's say 500 lb. You can put 500lb in the boat and fill it with water. It will float with the gunnels level with the water surface. I overpacked my 12' V-hull back when I used to cross a mountain lake to cut firewood. I would go over with the chainsaw and maul and come back loaded to the gunnels with split cord wood. I bet I have had double the rated weight in that old boat. Powered by an old Sears 7.5 HP engine that boat would putt along and bring me and the wood home safe.
Now I do not suggest overloading a boat as a normal practice. I almost swamped twice with these heavy loads. Once in a sudden storm and once from the wake of a ski boat.
Today we fish and hunt from a 16x48 Alumacraft Jon boat with a 13 HP Honda muds motor. The boat is rated for over 1000 lbs and 35 hp. I figure our average load, motor and all, at around 850 lbs. At that load we have plenty of freeboard and the boat handles well in heavy rollers and wind. At 13 HP the boat is under powered by any estimate. Fact is though we get where we are going even though we do it at 15 mph or so.

[peewee williams]

If a boat is rated to let's say 500 lb. You can put 500lb in the boat and fill it with water. It will float with the gunnels level with the water surface. I overpacked my 12' V-hull back when I used to cross a mountain lake to cut firewood. I would go over with the chainsaw and maul and come back loaded to the gunnels with split cord wood. I bet I have had double the rated weight in that old boat. Powered by an old Sears 7.5 HP engine that boat would putt along and bring me and the wood home safe.
Now I do not suggest overloading a boat as a normal practice. I almost swamped twice with these heavy loads. Once in a sudden storm and once from the wake of a ski boat.
Today we fish and hunt from a 16x48 Alumacraft Jon boat with a 13 HP Honda muds motor. The boat is rated for over 1000 lbs and 35 hp. I figure our average load, motor and all, at around 850 lbs. At that load we have plenty of freeboard and the boat handles well in heavy rollers and wind. At 13 HP the boat is under powered by any estimate. Fact is though we get where we are going even though we do it at 15 mph or so. I do disagree with the "under powered by any estimate"statement.If it "handles well in heavy rollers and wind",it is only underpowered in relationship to the maximum rated power.I am going by your statement as meaning your boat is handling safety with the 13 hp.There is a tremendous difference in the profit margins and commissions paid for huge outboards,equipment and the boats to handle them,than are paid for a simple fishing rig.After all,don;t you watch TV?If your rig won;t "Blow your drawers off",how can you fish for a Bass?It is all about your money,and your acceptance or resistance to "Brainwashing" as we call it when the Communist do it.Madison Avenue calls it advertising.peewee-williams

[riddleofsteel]

I do disagree with the "under powered by any estimate"statement.If it "handles well in heavy rollers and wind",it is only underpowered in relationship to the maximum rated power.I am going by your statement as meaning your boat is handling safety with the 13 hp.

True.

We were on a open lake this weekend with a southeast wind blowing about 25 MPH. On the way out we were heading into the wind and waves from 1 to 2.5 feet high. We got a little wet due to the square Jon boat design but we never had to turn on the bilge pump. We actually took on more water throwing the cast net for shad later on than from the waves.
At 13 hp the boat had plenty of power to overcome the head wind and the oncoming waves and still move forward at a good clip. We mostly fished drop offs on the leeward side of wooded points for shelter. On the way back to the landing we still had following waves of 6" to 1.5 foot but the boat performed well.

Even I have entertained thoughts of a bigger regular outboard to RACE up the lake or get out of the way of an oncoming storm. But like my son pointed out yesterday. We can go all day on a couple of pints of gas and that Scavenger mud motor is paid for.

LOL

Fact is with my mud motor I can go anywhere. Rivers, mud, marsh nad mud flats are no barrier to the Cat Daddy.
Kinda fun

[Bobwheelr]

I have a 22ft crest pontoon on 24 ft floats and a 30 gal livewell, i can put out 14 rods, cook on the gas grill and move around like i was at home. Top end is about 22 knots and will handle large lakes. This is a great big cat boat as there are times i fish for 10-plus hours at a time and enjoy the boat with family and friends when im not fishing.

[Katmaster Jr.]

We have a 14ft Deep-V lund with a 35hp motor. The thing I like best about it is, we don't really have to worry about getting the carpet dirty or anything...LOL

I like Lund a lot, very sturdy boats.

[peewee williams]

True.

We were on a open lake this weekend with a southeast wind blowing about 25 MPH. On the way out we were heading into the wind and waves from 1 to 2.5 feet high. We got a little wet due to the square Jon boat design but we never had to turn on the bilge pump. We actually took on more water throwing the cast net for shad later on than from the waves.
At 13 hp the boat had plenty of power to overcome the head wind and the oncoming waves and still move forward at a good clip. We mostly fished drop offs on the leeward side of wooded points for shelter. On the way back to the landing we still had following waves of 6" to 1.5 foot but the boat performed well.

Even I have entertained thoughts of a bigger regular outboard to RACE up the lake or get out of the way of an oncoming storm. But like my son pointed out yesterday. We can go all day on a couple of pints of gas and that Scavenger mud motor is paid for.

LOL

Fact is with my mud motor I can go anywhere. Rivers, mud, marsh nad mud flats are no barrier to the Cat Daddy.
Kinda fun I have a 9 hp.Go-Devil.Great go anywhere motor.peewee-willams

[MoMudCat]

I have a Sea Ark 1860 VPLD. It has a monster front and back deck which I like for fishing and bowfishing. Also I fish mainly on the Mississippi and the 15 degree hull is awsome for the chop on the river. I was looking at the Sea Ark web page and if I had the money ($11,000 + for boat only) I would get the new River Cat V-Cat . It has lots of storage (something my boat really lacks) and still keeps the 15 degree hull.
This topic is about like what truck is best, or what is the best rifle, but in my experience you can't go wrong with Sea Ark. By the way, we all know the previous two answers are Ford and Browning!!:big_smile:

link to V-Cat
http://www.seaarkboats.com/boat.php?measure=Standard&boat=V-Cat+%28SC%29

[1 fishingfool]

i`m looking at a old mullet boat with the motor in the front and open in the rear for all the action with captions chairs console all the electronics and radio and still have room for the largest livewell you have seen