Fish & Ski boats , whats your opinion?

[SHAFT]

I'm still thinking about a fish & ski boat for my first bass boat , the ski is for the family and the fish is for me , it seems like a great compromise . I really don't want two boats , the other option would be keep my ski boat and buy an alum. tracker like boat and leave it in the water . We have a place on Clear lake so I want to find the biggest boat possible for rough water . Please give me your opinion or feedback on this one ! I also noticed a few people on the board talking about possibly sell a fish & ski please pm me with what you have a new boat is not in the budget . Thanks Randy

[Murph]

Excellent choice for long runs and cold weather. The friends of mine that have them, really like them. They sacrifice a little speed, but when the waves are uncomfortable for most bass boats, these things just cut right through.

[DougH]

That was my first boat too. Problem with them is the same as the good thing, they do both things, but they don't do either one very well. The wake and table suck for skiing, and they aren't set up too well for serious fishing, it's a big compromise either way.

[Brian Linehan]

Call Angler's Marine and see if they have anything (714) 666-2628.

[Big Ed]

I own a 2003 Larson 210 fish and ski. I am very happy i chose this option. I have a 24v trolling motor and 2 livewells for tournament style fishing in my bass club(it came with one, i added the other). It has a front open bow that converts quicly to a deck with a leaning post and a back deck above the engine compartment with a chair. When not in fishing mode only the back deck has matching pads that snap on and convert to a sun deck. I run a Lowrance x125 in front & a X135 on the console. My family loves it. We ski & tube & fish all in the same outing. For the times i just fish it is awesome, it has a med to deep V hull & handles the chop very well. Tops out at 55mph with a V8 5.7 merc inboard wich is fast enough. Ive done DVL to Havasu and have no regrets. I recomend a fish and ski to all guys with a family, you wont be sorry as long as its fast enough for skiing and fast enough to get you out on a shot gun start. Have fun. Big Ed!

[Ray L.]

Champion makes or made a great fish and ski. I just saw Tony Tomasi at Clear Lake and his looked great for rough water.

[firebass]

I found a 2002 Skeeter SL190 with a Yamaha HPDI 150 for a price that didn't break the bank. Having enough seats for the four of us has made all the difference. Sure, I sacrificed some deck space from the bow as well as rod storage compartments but I had Anglers Marine install Lowrance electronics on the bow and console and it already had two livewells. One bonus that I hadn't planned for, but did end up with, was a new fishing partner. Turns out that the Mrs. didn't know what she was missing out on every timed I slipped off to the lake in my old aluminum boat and now makes it a point to join me every chance she can, funny thing is I've never blanked with her on the boat. Good luck charms come in all forms!

[CORAL 96]

As always "Get What You Want"! You'll be the one paying the payment!! I can think of three different brands new I'd give a hard look and test drive. Champion, Triton, & Procraft. The Procraft 215 is about the biggest F/S you can get at 21'5"!! Nice looking boat!! Make sure you max the HP out on the boat as your resale will be better & the added extra weight of a F/S your boat will function better. If your looking used, can't go wrong with Viper. They make a GREAT hull, good looks, & speed similar to a bassboat for tourney purposes. I would have reccomended them new, but due to POOR management, their company looks to be no longer. Can suggest used due to quality built hull & boat!!!!

[Big Ed]

Remember, The fish have no idea what kind of boat you are in. They dont care. Make sure your F/S boat wont blow to much in the wind and dont settle for less horsepower, youll be sorry if you do. You need to go fast. Have fun.

[cLanderman]

I tournament fish from a Nitro Fish and Ski and would advise against it.

I didn't have enough money to jump into a more competition based bass boat originally and thought the same way you did when purchasing a boat. (ski for family and fish for myself)

I will list the pros and cons that I face day to day when fishing.

Pros -

Family can enjoy a day on the lake when I am prefishing, or just having a nice day at the lake without fishing, etc.

Windshield (we all know how that rain feels when cruising across the water) though this can be avoided with head gear.

Seats - seating for more people when relatives come to town.

Cons -

Deck Space - there is not enough space on the front deck of the boat to lay down fishing poles like in a bass boat. When you want to switch back and forth between baits/rods, you will have to step down from the deck, between the windows, grab the next rod and step back up.

Storage - there is no rod storage, due to the lack of deck to place it under, and little amounts of tackle storage.

Speed - i drew a very good flight for the WON TOC at Havasu this weekend and had to settle for my 3rd starting spot due to being passed multiple times on the way down (speed is not going to win a tournament, we all know this, but for the start of the day it is nice to have)

Wind - high winds (like those common to the Colorado River Lakes) throw the ski boats around (especially when fishing open water points) due to more surface area above the water line.

Skiing - the wake created by the F/S is not much better then that created by a normal bass boat, so the skiing behind the boat is not any different then if you were to just by one of the ski accessories that are available to most competition based bass boats.

Good luck in making your choice, I got a good couple years out of mine, but am now in the market for a nice bass boat instead.

[SHAFT]

Wanted to thank everyone for all your input ! Randy