My uncle and I were looking to get a jon boat and add some decks and storage for some good fishing. Usually are wives arent in to this type of stuff was we took some side jobs to save to get a boat. Now they are all excited about going tubing and boarding. We told them this was a fishing boat and boarding wasnt possible. Now they are bent out of shape. Since they want a boat though we can buy more of a boat. Is there a bass boat such as stratos, stinger or similar that can be made to pull a boarder or tuber? We are looking for something fairly cheap. What size motor would be needed? Need help they are trying to ruin or good times and we need a compromise or divorce.

Thanks for your help and the pictures of the converted jon boats

I had a similar problem. I got a Suntracker Bass Buggy. It's an 18' pontoon boat with room for the family. It's also got fishing seats front and rear and a live well. You can get one with a 40hp for around $16,500. If you want something bigger, they have a 21' model for around $20k. You can set them up with a trolling motor in front. You get to fish and the family is happy too. Worked for me.

Most any bassboat with a 50hp motor or better can easily pull a tuber or boarder.

I can't wait to get flamed on this one but this is my honest opinion.

It is classic whining wife BS.  They can't stand it when we buy toys for ourselves.  They can buy all the furniture and carpeting, and curtains and dinettes, and bric a brac, and wall units, lamps, endtables etc. etc. etc.  and all this crap that we could care less about but because they bought it for the house, it's for both of us to enjoy.  Bulshirt.  They bought it because they love to shop and show off the crap they buy to their mothers, sisters, and girlfriends.  Women are nesters.  They build the nest for themselves and their brood.  Our needs are barely factored into the equation untill we finally put our foot down.

Tell her that this boat didn't just fall out of the sky.  You and your uncle have been talking about it, working extra hours for it, and dreaming about it for a long time.  This is your thing.  You will be delighted to take her out fishing anytime she wants but just like you had no say in how the house was decorated, she has no say in the kind of boat you get.

I have spoken  

I can't wait to get flamed on this one but this is my honest opinion.

It is classic whining wife BS. They can't stand it when we buy toys for ourselves. They can buy all the furniture and carpeting, and curtains and dinettes, and bric a brac, and wall units, lamps, endtables etc. etc. etc. and all this crap that we could care less about but because they bought it for the house, it's for both of us to enjoy. Bulshirt. They bought it because they love to shop and show off the crap they buy to their mothers, sisters, and girlfriends. Women are nesters. They build the nest for themselves and their brood. Our needs are barely factored into the equation untill we finally put our foot down.

Tell her that this boat didn't just fall out of the sky. You and your uncle have been talking about it, working extra hours for it, and dreaming about it for a long time. This is your thing. You will be delighted to take her out fishing anytime she wants but just like you had no say in how the house was decorated, she has no say in the kind of boat you get.

I have spoken

Spoken like a true diplomat ;D Seriously, I think that alot of guys make the sacrifice and buy a "fish and ski" type boat in order to keep the peace. The wife goes out in it a couple of times during the first month of ownership then it's kind of forgotten. The hubby spends the next ten years of his life in a boat that really wasn't the model he wanted in the first place. At the end of this period he begins shopping for a new bass boat. At this point the wife is once again extremely interested in fun on the water and feels he should buy a 21 foot party barge with a 15 horsepower outboard so they can "entertain" on it. Go get your fishing boat, have your argument, then go fishing and be happy.  

I personally don't think the girls have a leg to stand on.  Yes, Fish and Ski's are compromise boats.  Not to offend any fish and ski boaters but those things suck to fish out of.  They lack serious storage space because so much floor space is wasted with dual swivel bucket seats and the 3 across seating in the rear. There's no room to fish on the front deck and the back deck is basically an afterthought. Half the time the rod lockers in those things, if they even have one, can barely get a half a dozen rods in them easily.  Unfortunately, due to the cost of a boat these days a compromise usually has to be made when you're spending that much money.  You have to factor in complete family fun when so much of the budget is going towards a boat.

As for these guys that's not the case. They've been saving and working extra hours and will essentially be spending their cash. This is a john boat you guys are talking about not a new ZX Ranger for Gods sakes.  If the girls are that interested in the boating than explain to them it'll cost at least $40,000 for a decent boat you can fish and ski out of safely.  This will then mean no more shopping trips for foo-foo for the house, no flowers on the anniversary or dinners out plus any and all future vacations will have to be taken with the boat to the lake.   Then see how interested they are.  

I can't wait to get flamed on this one but this is my honest opinion.

It is classic whining wife BS. They can't stand it when we buy toys for ourselves. They can buy all the furniture and carpeting, and curtains and dinettes, and bric a brac, and wall units, lamps, endtables etc. etc. etc. and all this crap that we could care less about but because they bought it for the house, it's for both of us to enjoy. Bulshirt. They bought it because they love to shop and show off the crap they buy to their mothers, sisters, and girlfriends. Women are nesters. They build the nest for themselves and their brood. Our needs are barely factored into the equation untill we finally put our foot down.

Tell her that this boat didn't just fall out of the sky. You and your uncle have been talking about it, working extra hours for it, and dreaming about it for a long time. This is your thing. You will be delighted to take her out fishing anytime she wants but just like you had no say in how the house was decorated, she has no say in the kind of boat you get.

I have spoken

;D

This is soooooo true.  

I wanted to get a fishing boat and to keep the peace with my wife, I did have to get a fish and ski boat. Although I do enjoy fishing out of it, I can appreciate some of Cart7's negatives of them. Specifically the, rod storage. Don't get me wrong, though, fish and ski is better than none and I am happy with my boat.

The thing that gets me the most, is that my wife still complains that it is just a "fishing" boat cause you can only get 7 people in it by law. My advice is get what you want, because they will whine about it anyway. That way one of you will be happy.

From a jon boat to a fish and ski??  Tell them $10k for a used fish and ski, $500.00 for a decent jon boat.  My guess is they'll say "have fun fishing"

Thanks Guys. Maybe its a good thing they got us looking for bigger boat. Now were are looking at spend a few thousand more and getting a better boat and telling them we will wave at them on the shore.

I remember as a kid my dad saying he was going to buy a boat. I told him a cant wait to go try skiing. He laughed and told me never from his boat. Thats how a learned to fish because there was no skiing. Thanks guys

Sodaksker,

That sure is a nice looking boat!!!!!!

Sodaksker,

That sure is a nice looking boat!!!!!!

Thanks,

It's a shame she sits there most of the time.

shop around... I just got a used bass boat that needs the florring and carpet replaced.... has a perfect 60hp motor and trailer... $1500.   It's fishable now, so the re-outfitting will be done this winter.