I am starting to look for a large flat bottom boat that will be able to fish rivers and lakes. I need something that will fish at least 3 people, and it needs to be able to run shallow. Can anyone offer me some suggestions? I plan to use this boat on rivers mostly in the summer but I want to be able to use it on lakes also.

Carolina Skiff J16 might be your best bet. I can easily fish 3 people out my J16. The front deck is large enough that I can fish two people off of it or 1 on the front deck one in the middle and one on the back deck. You will also save money on fuel becuase the max HP on a J16 is 40hp and that will get you about 30mph WOT. They are also indestructable boats. I love my boat.

i have had 2 flat bottom boats

first 1 was a 1970 polar craft 18 foot riveted came with a 20 horse

my 2nd boat is a 2003 g3 all welded 1763 came with a 40 horse fully loaded with 2 of us she runs 31-36mph

either boat would work for you

2 guys would get a deck to fish off 3rd guy would fish between u2 from the floor

i fish the mighty Mississippi river and on the weekends every baja and jet ski has to run up and down the river so there is quite a few big waves

and they handled ok can be a little scarier i haven't taken my boats to any big lakes so cant help u there but cant be much worse then the river with every body and there brother running up and down the channel

as for how shallow can u go with the big motor completely out of the water mine floats in 8 inches of water

1 more thing to add when your looking for your boat get 1 with a triangle front not the square front will help allot with waves

i would also try not to go below 18foot and get 1 as wide as possible

i hope this helps