Heres the deal, we are in the market for a boat, but, the wife and I both agree that we want a versatile boat, hence the fish and ski setup. Looking for some opinions as far as what brands, pros and cons, etc. I am an avid Bass fisherman, but we both like the water sports as well. We are currently looking at the Tahoe Q5i. Thanks.

I would just buy a bass boat and add the equipt it took to ski from it too.  

I've been in the same situation for years now.  the problem is that the bass boat "fish and ski" models are still too much fishing...you can't really just invite a bunch of friends out and go skiing like you can with a deck boat or runabout.  On the other hand, the deckboats that are "ski and fish" models...they have a more recreational fisherman set up.

I like to tournament fish and have not found a deckboat that is serious enough for a tournament.

Let me know if you find something.  You might want to look at the Hurricane boats.

I would seriously rethink those Tahoe Q series boats, especially if you're thinking of fishing.  Those are basically an open bow ski boat with a pedestal base socket installed and a removable TM mount.  They'd be better called a ski and uncomfortably fish boat.  From what I can see, the poor person in the front is jammed up into the front with little if any room.  The person in back is stuck sitting on the I/O doghouse.  There's virtually no storage at all in those things.

Look into the standard Fish and Ski's they make.  Not that those are a whole lot better on the fishing side of the equation but they beat the heck out of those Q boats.

X-press makes a pretty sweet what they call fish and ski boat. Iv ridden on a couple X-press bass boats and they are a comfy ride. One day when my twins get old enough Ill have to start thinking fish and ski or walleye boat and will have to get rid of the ol'Triton. *sniffel*

http://www.xpressboats.com/view/49

Most bass boat mfg make a fish and ski model. This is one of them:

http://www.tritonboats.com/fish_and_ski.asp

I got a used Javelin 18.5 ft Fishn'Ski the other year for the same reasons you described.    Drawbacks: Very limited front deck fishing space, very limited storage especially for rods, and limited room to move around.  Pluses: You can take more than 3 out, and the kids love it, especially the Ski aspect.  I won't make any recommendations on models, but make sure when you look at them that you get up on the front deck and really consider whether or not it will satisfy your fishing needs.  It may sound odd, but take along a rod and tackle box and go through the motions of how you fish (rod hook setting clearance, kneeling and changing lures with limited movement in the front deck, where your tackle box goes for easy access, etc.)  Good luck.

I got a used Javelin 18.5 ft Fish‘n'Ski the other year for the same reasons you described. Drawbacks: Very limited front deck fishing space, very limited storage especially for rods, and limited room to move around. Pluses: You can take more than 3 out, and the kids love it, especially the Ski aspect. I won't make any recommendations on models, but make sure when you look at them that you get up on the front deck and really consider whether or not it will satisfy your fishing needs. It may sound odd, but take along a rod and tackle box and go through the motions of how you fish (rod hook setting clearance, kneeling and changing lures with limited movement in the front deck, where your tackle box goes for easy access, etc.) Good luck.

Great advice!

I had a Bayliner Fish & Ski. I was mostly "Ski".

:

That was good advice about the rod and tackle box.  I'd go one step farther and say take as many rods as you like to use on an outing and see if they will fit and still let you fish.

Save yourself a lot of head aches and just buy what mama wants!!!!!!!!!

Save yourself a lot of head aches and just buy what mama wants!!!!!!!!!

Now, that's some good advice!

8-)

Ya, I would buy what she wants, but its my money.....had to get the tough guy image out there before she turns around and sees what I'm typing. Thanks for all the advice, I will def. be taking some time on this purchase, and make sure that it is what I, I mean she wants, caught me.