[Jbuck]

I fish the Ohio rivers Smithland Pool almost exclusively, had a place on the river since 1996. I started with a 16' x 48" flat bottom john with a 1960's something Merc. 20 HP tiller. After about 4 years I upgraded the motor to a 1989 Mariner 25 HP also tiller steer but with electric start. I had a neighbor decide to sell his two year old GIII 1860 with a 60 HP four stroke console steer so I upgraded again, I was quite happy with that boat/motor but when my wife and fishing partner reached retirement age we decided to get something even nicer as fishing is our thing. We settled on a new GIII Sportsman 200 with 175 HP Yamaha. So as you can see about anything that is at least 16 x 48 will work but if you can find an 18' plus you will be much more comfortable and feel a little safer. The Ohio is a slow moving river when at pool, almost a series of lakes between the dams but when up and running it can be swift with strong currents and eddies as well as house sized brush piles coming down river at amazing speeds. Also on a windy day if the wind is coming straight up or down the river, even at pool you can experience huge swells with white caps so whatever you get know it's limitations. Good Luck and be safe on the Ohio.