Group: Members
Posts: 582
Member No.: 1774
Joined: May 14, 2012
OK I'll be the first. My '96 Starcraft supersport 170 with a '98 Merc 75HP. I have had many boats and your boat type depends on what you want to do with it, what type of fishing and where you are going to fish and obviously budget. I prefer an aluminum boat as I have had several fiberglass boats rot on me. IMO you want something with a good v hull and a fairly high gunnal for windy days. If you are gonna fish Simcoe you need to be able to face waves otherwise you will never get out! As for HP obviuosly depends on size of boat but I would not go lower than 50HP. you need a bit of speed to get where you are going, if on a big lake and to get back in a hurry should the weather turn bad. Just my 2 cents. Good luck, I love boat shopping- I will go with ya
Group: Newbies
Posts: 1037
Member No.: 635
Joined: April 02, 2011
Yep, my opinion is deep and wide is best. 16 feet at least and 50hp minimum. Lot's of folks go out in smaller boats with less power, but you really have to pick your days. I fished my first two years here out of a 14 foot tin can with a 20 Merc on it, but got forced off the lake more often than not, and couldn't always get off as quick as I would have liked either. It really depends too on what and how you want to fish. If you're gonna stay close to shore and be satisfied with perch and the odd bass, you can probably do that in a smaller craft, but if you want to cruise to different areas and maybe hit the big water to troll for trout or whities, then bigger is better, again, all my personal opinion.
Because of all of that, I bit the bullet two years ago and picked up a new 17 1/2 foot Sylvan with a 7 1/2 foot beam and deep sides with a 90 HP Merc. It has never let me down and I have never been "chased" off the lake. That being said, there are still days I don't go. If it's rough, it's no fun bouncing around. But at least I know that if things change while I am out, I can get off when I want to.
Group: Moderators
Posts: 7427
Member No.: 148
Joined: February 11, 2011
Here is the boat I use on Simcoe. I use it mostly for the season opener as I seem to be able to find good fishing areas without the crowds bothering me. Bayliner will be happy to know it also helps keep those pesky C birds away.
Group: Members
Posts: 948
Member No.: 2199
Joined: November 18, 2012
I was looking at a 16 foot legend with a 20hp . Might buy brand new or used if i can. I am guessing the 16 footer with the 20hp is a bit small. I love bass fishing. I wonder if i can get away with this choice and pick my days like a few of you said.
I just don't want to spend more then 6-7 grand on a boat/motor/trailer.
BTW, all your boats are reaaall nice. Cool to see!
Group: Members
Posts: 4895
Member No.: 67
Joined: February 10, 2011
We posted boat pictures about a year ago. Maybe it's in the "archives".
I have a 2000 Legend 16.6 Allsport with a 40Hp Mercury 4 Stroke.
I bought it used in 2006 and it has been great. I paid about 50% of the new price for a boat, motor and trailer that were like new.
I fish Simcoe, Lake Ontario at Toronto, and Georgian Bay out of Wasaga Beach/Collingwood/Meaford.
I'm retired, so I pick my days that I go. I spend a lot of time checking wind and weather forecasts on the Internet, and if it is going to be windy, I just pick another day. Works for me. SDC
Group: Newbies
Posts: 465
Member No.: 2334
Joined: December 27, 2012
boating on simcoe a deep v hull is a must,i ran a 17 ft thundercraft cuddy for the past 3 yrs with a 110 hp johnson vro.. i had the speed covered but being me by the time i would decide to call it quits,speed was not the answer it was a deep v hull to handle the metre plus high white caps..if you know anything about the 17 ft thundercraft they are not that deep,needless to say i found myself in a few ..you are a idiot moments,quite a few simcoe white caps rolled over her bow thank god she was not a bow rider lol..
Group: Members
Posts: 1185
Member No.: 398
Joined: February 25, 2011
I HAVE THE SAME BOAT AS MIKE D BUT PUSHED WITH A 90HP 4STROKE HONDA PERFECT COND. 3COVERS ELECTRIC BOW MOUNT EVERYTHING YOU NEED $ 17000.00 FIRMALWAYS STORE INSIDE 2LIVEWELLS THE WHOLE 9 YDS. THANKS HAPPYHOOKER SHOULD BE ON BUY AND SELL BUT THIS IS ABOUT BOATS.
Post a Picture of your Boat, Let see your boats!
