I've been looking at new boats, looking to get a four stroke this time and need some help. My current boat is a 94 Sylvan. I need help on the fish locators. I know I want color & GPS. I'm going to have 1 at the console and 1 at the trolling motor. I would like to know if everyone has GPS at both locators? Also what else should I be looking for? I don't want the top of the line models. I own Lowrance now and have been very happy with them. Any other info on what you would be looking for in a new boat. I know I need at least a 150 hp for water sking. I can't decide on a single console or get one with a double console that has the rear seats turn into a fishing platform. When I'm not fishing, my kids (in their 20's) will want to water ski. What info can you give me?

ive got 2 questions        what brands are you considering?

why would you want a four stroke  they are heavier  rrequire more maintanence  and have several  mechanical issues   go with the optimax   u wont be disapointed

Bass boats don't make great ski boats and good ski boats don't make good bass boats.  Fish&Ski's make a trade off between the two.  Dual console bass boats and F&S's have limited rod storage compartments, long rods get their tips all jammed together up in the bow, F&S's much more so that DC bass boats.  F&S's also have limited storage, especially if you're wanting four seats.

As for having a gps on bow and console, I've never seen the need.  The console mounted unit gets you to the area but you still have to use the sonar to pin point the spot and use the TM to hold that spot.  Not too sure what a bow mounted gps would do for you.  You've got to remember, gps's are not pin point accurate, 30 feet off from your spot is not uncommon.

I know diddley about F&S's so maybe someone can give you some info in that area, that's about the only thing that's going to come close to what your looking for.

A single console bass boat is going to offer you the best fishing platform with the most storage and room.

You will need to look at for something in the neighborhood of 18' to get a boat rated for 150 hp.

Waytoslow, I have been looking at Crestliner, Lund, Sylvan & Smokercraft. All have a four stroke 150hp and either a single console or a dual console with the rear seats changing into a fishing platform. I'm just trying to have a boat that will match both needs. As far as the fish locator, I really don't know what to look for other than a color gps.

We just bought a nitro 189 fish/ski. Awsome for the whole family. Its great for fishing...i can actually troll in shallow about 2.5ft of water and at the same time, the hull seemed to be designed to create alot of wake which is a good thing for skiing or tubing. Has alot of compartment ie., rod compartment, live well, cooler...etc. The motor that came with the boat is a 2stroke 115 hp optimax merc. With a full load, kind of sluggish. Definitely go with a bigger 4 stroke motor. Also comes with cd player w/ ipod jack, foot control trolling motor but no depth finder.

Whatever you pick, you have to decide if it will be:

1. mainly more for fishing or for the family. If it is more for fishing than what I just bought will be good.

OR

2. you have to remember that if it is more for the family, then you would try to look into something that has alot of seating and a hull that will create alot of wake for skiing. With that being said, you would need a bigger motor and gas dont come cheap. If you do alot of skiing you waste more gas. I fill a 30gal tank for about $100 and last me about 2 days worth of skiing/tubing not including the oil ie...$30/gal per full tank. So I would go with an I/O motor...easy maintenance or a 4 stroke for more fuel efficiency.

GOOD LUCK!

Also like to add. With the nitro 189, Its a 2 console and I was able to fit 8 baitcasting rod/reel setup and 2 spinning rod/reel setup in the rod compartment with ease. Its got 1 big cooler in the back under the middle seat and 2 small ones in the front, 2 live/baitwell in the back (3 3lb'r large mouth bass per well, its not like you going to a tourny or sumn), 2 dry storage in the back and a stow away in the front. As for your gps/fishfinder, you can get away with just one. How mine is setup, I place the gps/fishfinder at the bow and able to see the depth, structure and direction while Im in the steering console and also able to see the graph when I go up in front of the bow trolling. This boat is awsome! Only thing I wish for on this boat was a bigger motor(150-200hp). But dont get me wrong, I also have 2 teenage boys that I can still wipe out when theyre tubing. CHECK IT OUT!

prlim2000 thanks for the info, it helps. I was wondering if anyone out there has bought the Minn Kota that does the tracking for you once you put in a certain depth you want to stay at. It sounds good but it is new to the market and was wondering if it had any bugs in it's system which I would be better off not buying. I'm fairly certain I'm going with a Maxxum Pro, at least 65lb thrust. Any thoughts on the trolling motor?

Here is my 2 cents:

For units with sonar and gps I like the Lowrance 339c (I have a friend that has this) if you are looking to spend a little less take a look at the M68c. I personally Use  Lowrance up front x135 and an X47 in back. I also own a Garmin GPSMAP378 which I can transfer from my car to my boat. It has sonor as well as XM weather/radio capabilities but I dont use those features.

As far as a boat goes I think you really need to make a decision.

1. Do you want a fishing boat that you can ski behind.

2. Do you want a ski boat that you can fish out of.

If #1 is your way I would for sure take prlim2000s advice. I am even partial to the Nitro since I currently have an nx750. There are several companies that make F/S boats. Stratos and Triton to name a couple. Advantages with this option the boat you get will almost for sure be lighter and will be set at least partially for fishing. The plane/pad is usually but not always better on F/S boats so you will probably get a bit more speed.

If #2 I am not very knowledgable on this.

For the trolling motor I have the 54lb thrust Minn Kota Powerdrive not the Auto Pilot. I also have the remote control unit on it. I really like this trolling motor. It works great.

My idea on the motor would be a 2 stroke as suggested by Cajun1977. I have a Merc on my boat but I would for sure take a look at OMC Evinrude E-Tec engines. Dont get me wrong I like my engine but always keep an open mind.

This is just my opinion  :-?

RollOnTwo, does your trolling motor have a thin cord running to the foot pedal? My buddy had a Minn Kota with the thin cord and said when you stepped on it, the response was slower than the trolling motors with the thick cord. As far as boats, I've been looking at single console Lund, Crestliner & Alumacraft. Thanks for the locator info. I'll look into them.

I have not had any problem what so ever with the cord as this unit is digital it is just sending a signal not pass thru cable like the manual types. Also 95% of the time I use the remote control anyway.

RollOnTwo,  you said you have the Powerdrive and love it. Do you have the Powerdrive with auto pilot? If you do, how does it perform? I looked at the Minn Kota web page and it's a little conusing as to what actaully comes with the Powerdrive. Thanks, Irishrover.

Yes it is confusing.

You purchases the trolling motor either the Powerdrive or Auto Pilot. You then purchase the remote control unit seperate 60 bucks or so. The remote control unit bolts right on the side of the motor bracket. It come with a male and female connector. You just plug form the motor to the remore control unit then out to the foot control. The remote unit that fits on your wrist or rod is already programed for your unit so no extra steps are required. You can also have multiple remotes if you like. Kinda useful in the event you needed a partner to take control. Very easy installation. Hope this helps.

I have the Powerdrive unit not the Auto Pilot unit.

One other suggestion for an aluminium boat mount your motor with these.

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=45193&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

First, you said your kids are in their 20's, I wouldn't spend my money on a Fish n ski unless I absolutely had to do to due budget constraints of the family. Since yours are already grown I don't see where that's an issue.  I own a dual console. I think it provides a little more comfort for the passenger when running down the lake at higher speeds.  There are some issues with rod removal that a single console would take care of but my wifes comfort running down a chilly lake takes precedence.  You can ski out of a DC bassboat just as easy as a fish and ski and when you're done skiing, a true bass boat is a far superior fishing platform than a fish and ski.

As for trolling motors, this is being discussed in another thread.  I owned one of the power drives for 6 or 7 years.  The plusses, fairly flat foot control,  they make multiple styles of removable mounts for them and The long cord allows you to operate it anywhere in the boat.

Now the minus.   The turning time is way too slow.  If you're moving in close to shore to retrieve a hung bait, working rocky banks and need to make an emergency turn, coming in close to docks to fish or retrieve a hung bait the turning response time is just too slow.  I would never own one again.  Until they can get the turning speeds at least double what they are now, they're more hassle than they're worth.

I want to thank all who gave their advice, it did help decide what was best for me. I just purchased a new 2005 Lund 18 Mr. Pike with a  Yamaha 150 hp four stroke. I put a Lowrance X102C for the front and a LMS-334C-iGPS for the console with a Minn Kota Maxxum Pro 80 lb trolling motor. I can't wait to pick it up. Thanks again for your help.