Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

So I'll be looking to pick up a boat here in the future on the cheap.  So I need to know what to keep an eye out for.  The ability to hold 2 people is a must, but I'd like to be able to put three in it.  There will also be a child in there more often then not, so stability is nice.

 

I'm thinking a 15 or 16' flat bottom boat will work out rather nice, but I'm not sure.  Because of where I'll be fishing, I have to use electric power only.

 

What type of engines work for this size boat?  I think I'd rather spend a little extra money on the motor so I'm not traveling for as long.  The reservoirs around here are all electric only and quite large.  So I'd really like to be able to get where I need to go in a timely manner.  Of course you can't expect it to be as fast as a gas engine, but I have zero experience with these things.


Thanks

Views: 6148

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

ty chris... very satisfied with the mat. provides sound deadening, ,height and a good non skid surface

So I have just stumbled onto an Alweld VVSS in both 1648 and 1652.  The price difference in the two boats is almost $400.  Is 4" really worth $400?

They are comparable in price to the G3 and Xpress boats.

Id say find out why THEY (the manufacturer) offers the 4" difference. There has to be a reason for them to go to all the trouble of jigging and building the 4" difference. I'm curious to know, myself, because like you I cant see the reasoning.

Chris I'll tell you if you like to stand and fish at times the 4" will be worth it but if you plan on setting the 48 will work just fine but not to confuse you personally I would go with the wider boat you'll never have a boat that will be to wide, width =stability. The wider the better I've had from 36" to 60" and I'll take the 60" all day everyday you can move around like your in your living room and much more room for comfort. Just my 2 cent worth I'm sure what ever you decide for whatever reason will work.

Dick I don't see myself going with a 48 at this point, I'm just curious of some opinions.  I actually don't think I'm even going to go with an Alweld. 

The leading choice for me is the Xpress 1652 in a flat bottom (not a semi v).  I think it's going to be the safest bet for me to fish with my son.

Chris, I have a 1648 and it serves me well, it has even been in the Mississippi River duck hunting, I can walk around in it and it will handle a 50 hp motor,  my cousin has a 52 and it's a super stable fishing platform, them main thing  since I have gotten older is make sure it has console steering and electric start, your shoulders will say Thank You.      LOFR

Actually (and unfortunately) I fish electric only ponds.  I don't mind them cause you don't get idiots flying through the water, but it's auto start for sure!

I actually sold a larger and much more powerful boat and built the one I have now so I could fish the total electric lakes. Much more peaceful than the large ones around where I am.

Spend as you can afford on the battery. The higher the thrust the faster you will drain the battery. I use a 65lb. Minn Kota with a good battery it will pull my aluminum 15ft Fisher bass boat all day. This is moving at fishing speed 1or 2 and calm wind. Good luck.

Keith hit the nail on the head about a battery. I'm sure he meant to say get the largest cranking amp battery you can find its the lifeline between your boat and trolling motor. I can usually get 4 or 5 days out of a full charge but keep them topped off every chance I get. Last year I did purchase a solar charger for the pontoon boat but haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

So a funny little string of events occurred.  Long story short, I ended up with an Alumacraft riveted 1648.  With the trailer it ended up being about half of what just the welded boat would have cost me.

It's a new boat, but it's 2011 stock.  So the dealer has had it for a long time.  Now I just need April to come around so I can test it out!

Big, wide boat. Great choice. Im certain you wont regret it.

Lots of room for mods and improvements, too. Are you familiar with www.tinboats.net? A wealth of ideas and information for aluminum boats.

What will you be pulling and launching with, and what sort of power plant will it have?

And lets see them PICTURES!

RSS

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

octcbp2

"You know it ,Dick!"
yesterday
dick tabbert commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

octcbp2

"Great eating fish for sure."
Friday
dick tabbert commented on Jeffrey D. Abney's photo
Thumbnail

Had to Pause on This Evening……11/22/2024

"What a beautiful site to behold."
Friday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Multi Panfish
"hit a spin Jig.9""
Nov 29
Jeffrey D. Abney posted photos
Nov 28
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Piscatorial Pursuit of Perch
"Fall Perch on big Crank Bait:"
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's group Piscatorial Pursuit of Perch
"It amazes me how big a bait a late Summer/ Fall Perch will take! "
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

octcbp2

"It amazes me how big a bait a late Summer/ Fall Perch will take! "
Nov 26
John Sheehan commented on Wade Jones's group Crappie Crew
"2024 Crappie Fall catches from shore. Live Grubs, Gulp 1" Minnow, 2" paddle Tail Minnow…"
Nov 26
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 19
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 16
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 14
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

11cupsawc

"Crappie have always impressed me with the way they look! A very fond memory is the first one I…"
Nov 13
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

11cupsawc

"More beautiful golden Fall colors on the Black Crappie…..nice fish!"
Nov 12
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

cupsawbg9bs

"Nice gill on the beetle spin!"
Nov 12
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

cupsawc

"Like the calico colors of the Fall…..nice crappie John!"
Nov 12
Bruce Tomaselli commented on John Sheehan's photo
Nov 11
John Sheehan posted photos
Nov 10
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
Thumbnail

STCrappie

"You bet Bruce! Fishing for an hour to an hour and a half each day I 've been getting three or…"
Nov 10

© 2024   Created by Bluegill.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service