Hey All,

30 years of shore fishing is wearing on me. I'm out on my friends' boats all the time, and really want to get my own now that I've saved a little cash. So, the wife tells me that she'll be ticked if I even consider a fishing-only boat, and that if we are going to spend money on a boat, that it must be for the kids for tubing and such also. So, I was looking at 14 and 16' used converted jon boats and aluminum V's before the news from the wife. But now, I don't even know what I should be looking for. I see a bnuch of "Fish and Ski" boats in my price range, but they're 20 years old and fiberglass, which I know nothing about, except that they develop "soft" spots over time, and are very heavy in comparison to what I was looking at before. I'll be towing it with a minivan that is rated to tow 3500 pounds, but I'd like to still try to keep the boat lightweight, if possible. So, what type of boat should I even bo looking at (type, brand)? Any advice would be truly appreciated. Chime in family guys and let me know what you did to keep the wife from exploding on you . Thanks in advance for your time to reply.

Tight Lines!

Honestly tracker boats has came out with some nice boats and even the bass boat style one you can still pull a tube in and everything else and then there is the run about ones they make like the muskie ones which are good for a family. Or believe it or not how about a bass buggy pontoon boat you cans still do things with the family and you can mount a trolling motor on them. Just some suggestions

Most bass boats will pull a tube or skier no problem, they just lack alot of seating. A fish and ski model would be better for seating, you just lose a back fishing deck.

i had a similar problem... i own a bassboat, but we also use it for skiing, pulling a tube, and hanging around in the lake... as a fishing-only boat, it wasnt so comfortable for that... so i am in the process of modifing the deck, building a rod locker/ bench seat, adding a stereo, and overall trying to adapt it as a multifunctional boat... all these without loosing storage space, casting deck space (in fact it will increase a lot after the mods), 2 functional livewells, trolling motor, etc...

do your wife even knows the difference?? why not get a bassboat, store a couple skis on a rod holder, and tell her it is a skiing boat but you will try to fish out of it?? the troller is an "emergency motor in case you run out of fuel" and the small screen at the console is to monitor for objects and prevent crashing into them.... i know this would work with my gf....

If money was no object a Charger 475. Problem with most fish n skis is they do neither well.

Time to play the good ole Brad Paisely song.

Try looking at the Stratos line of boats. They have some nice F&S. I have a dedicate bass boat from them and love it.

Thanks for the replies so far. Youngbassman, a pontoon is just too big to store and too much to deal with if i'm out by myself. The newer bass/fishing boats with enough seating seem to be too far out of my price range. (='_'=), my wife would definitely know the difference. She's been on many boats and knows what's going on, unfortunately.

It seems that most used fish/ski boats I'm finding in my price range (around $2000) are all fiberglass and 20 years old. Like I wrote in the initial post, I don't really know much about fiberglass boats. Should I have concerns about 20 year old fiberglass? What should I look for if considering a fiberglass boat during a potential purchase inspection. Or, should I just stay away from an older fish and ski fiberglass boat? Thanks again.

I had a 20.5' fish/ski with a 200hp on it and it was a fun boat. I think it held 7 people and the front seats would flip over to make a nice casting deck and the back seats folded down and the rear deck could be unfolded to make a huge rear deck.

The cons were it was EXTREMELY heavy and it was a bit deeper than most bass boats.

That said you will not be able to find a decent ski or fish/ski boat in your price range They will all be worn out junk.

i dont see your wants/needs and your budget matching up to well.

if your area is like mine 2k will get you a decent open alu. hull, tiller outboard and trailer.

saving up some more coin would make your hunt alot easier

Wifey Won't Allow Fishing Boat, But Will Let Me Buy "family" Boat. What Type To Look For?

One thast doesn't interfere with what I want to buy with my share of the money that I saved.

G3 Boats makes a line of fish & ski boats. Here's just one of many: http://g3boats.com/Angler_V185_FS_Deep_V_Aluminum_Fish_and_Ski_Boat

You won't get much of a family boat for $2,000.00

You won't get much of a family boat for $2,000.00

X2

i'd save up a bit more and get a decent Basstracker, buy a nice tube and take the kids out. they will have a blast leaving your wife to believe you made a good choice! (and it is a good choice, great fishing boat,tubing is no problem and they can be found for pretty cheap)

Well, I was going to tell you my story which was VERY Similar to yours. Wife said I could have a boat but it couldn't be a Bass Boat, So, We purchased a 2012 Nitro Z7 Sport and I had the Trolling motor switched out for an iPilot and I had two HDS Gen2 Lowrances installed with Structure Scan and I'm here to tell you, I'm GLAD I didn't buy a Bass Boat. This boat is all I could ever hope or imagine for. I could go on for DAAAAAYYYYYYS About why I love it so much.

Then I seen you had a $2k Budget which that doesn't purchase the Lowrances.

Anyway, if I had a $2k Budget, I'd look for a Fish and Ski out there.

http://www.nitro.com/boat/?boat=3450