Boat question

[duckboy007]

Hey guys...

I'm looking at this boat



19 foot Shoalwater. 2001 Model.

Like I told y'all, I grew up a bass guy, and I have fished out of every type of freshwater boat you can think of. I haven't had the chance to do that with inshore boats yet.

I have been on my buddy's 17 ft Nitro Bay Boat, and know that kind of boat isn't for me. I like the skinny skinny back water stuff. I've been fishing around drum bay, christmas bay, a little around mud island, and north deer islad, and then around the RR bridge and jones lake. I've done all of that in my 25 hp aluminum boat, and never felt unsafe, although I do feel a little out of place when I'm coming out of tiki island and get all the way out into the middle of west bay.

My main question about a boat like this, is what are it's limitations? I like the areas I've been fishing last summer, and I think I will probably be in similar haunts this summer. What sort of conditions would be unsafe?

[Ibtsoom]

My hull type is very similar -- The V in the front is very handy for cutting chop and cornering -- you wont slide around corners like other flats boats. You'll be able to run in very little water so you have to be careful where you come to a stop. Pushing SUCKS! Those hull types take quite a bit of chop but I tend to stay out of the open water when it gets too bad. I've been in some rough stuff though and I've never felt unsafe. I've even had mine out at the jetties on calm days. All in all a good choice in my opinion - I'd bolt a power pole on the back and a trolling motor on the front and get after it.

[B&P]

Run through Mud Cut on low tide. If it makes it, buy it.

Looks like a good rig. Unless you have tons of $$$ there's usually a compromise.

[duckboy007]

I've even had mine out at the jetties on calm days. All in all a good choice in my opinion - I'd bolt a power pole on the back and a trolling motor on the front and get after it.

That is exactly what I was thinking. Just making sure that I was in the right frame of mind.


Any other opinions?


I have to admit, the idea of a boat that doesn't really have an "in", just an "on", is kind of weird. I suppose that all the bass boats I've had don't really have sides, but you at least have like a lower deck area to get "in".

[duckboy007]

Run through Mud Cut on low tide. If it makes it, buy it.

Looks like a good rig. Unless you have tons of $$$ there's usually a compromise.

Don't have a ton of cash, that's for sure, I'm wanting to see what the compromises are before I buy, just so I know what I'm getting into.

[Gulfcoast13]

Nice rig. Stay in the shallows when running is what I do (Majek Illusion). I run across the big water just fine but put it in some 3 ft swells and cracked the edges of my raised deck. Boat handled fine though. You will have no issues with that hull where you fish. I would def get a trolling motor and now that I have a power pole I would have another boat without one.

I think you will be satisfied, now go get it.

[Robalo]

You'll like it-make sure you get the motor tested-compression, etc. and x 2 on power pole/Talon. But remember, fiberglass aint aluminum-so those shell reefs cuts and scratches aren't easy to fix with a can of paint!

[duckboy007]

Yeah, I'll admit, I do like just running the boat into anything, and really not caring about it.

[Ibtsoom]

Here's mine - very similar hull type. I have a bit more - "in the boat" than the one you're looking at but not much.

[FischerAngling]

I've got the Shoalwater flatbottom and it's tough in any chop. But I will have to say that I like my Shoalwater as I can get in some real skinny places. They are made well.

The main thing on a used boat is the engine. Don't fall in love with it if the engine isn't in good to great condition. Check the compression, pee hole, under the cowl for anything suspicious, etc... Ask to take it to Bryan at Evans Marine for an inspection and if they won't let you then run away fast.

Also, I have a 90hp Yamaha 2-stroke on my 18 foot and personally feel like it's under powered.

[Curmudgeon]

That's nice looking rig, Duckboy! That looks like something I'd like to have.
Of course, I don't know poop about boats other than that I want one..

[Baby Tran Cat]

I cant speak to the boat itself as I have a cat but it sounds like we enjoy the same kind of fishing..IBTSOME does as well...only thing I do not like about my boat is from a polling perspective...I couldn't tell or not if you had a platform off the back of your seat as I think you will enjoy being up high when fishing for reds...polling from the middle of the boat is difficult IMO. I also am thinking of adding a burner bar so that I can better stand on the console while running, helping me to see more.

I do think you will like the ability to get skinny...I cannot imagine having anything else in west bay

[duckboy007]

I'm comfortable on motors, I've had several all the way down to the heart of the matter, but I will def get anything I'm looking at checked out.

Main things I wanted to know was just what it this hull good for, and if it'll run where I want to run.

As long as I can run from one side of west bay to the other, with average wave conditions, and get skinny, that's all I'm worried about.

[svs]

don't forget to thoroughly check the trailer ( hubs,tires,leaf springs,hardware,and winch) doesn't sound like much but you don't want to be stranded! Boat is cool I run a 21' Majek Tx. slam and these hulls do well for all around conditions. Good luck and enjoy...

[Mini-x Fan]

I saw that and thought it was a great deal! Should do what you need it to do