What is better in the long run - a small boat or a larger one?

Question

Mainly for fishing. My bf is between a 16-17" small boat, or a 23-25".

Answer 1

Ask yourself a few questions:

Where will you use it?  Big lake, small lake, ocean?  

What are the typical conditions where you'll use it?  Calm water?  Large waves?  Lots of tide?

How will you tow it?  Big boat --> big tow vehicle --> big gas bills.

How much will you use it?

How far will you go with it?  Will you need to tow it from port to port, or will you fish the same area most of the time?  Will you motor 20-30 miles in open water to go fishing, or just a mile or two from port/launch ramp?

How much fuel will each one use?  

How many people do you want to carry?

Will you leave it in a marina in the water all fishing season, or store it on the trailer, or bring it home?

When you launch/recover the boat, what kind of launch ramp will you use?  Can it support a boat with a deeper draft?  Do you need a bigger truck to pull it out?  IE, 3/4 or 1 ton truck with 4WD, or will a light car be able to pull it?

Answer 2

It depends on the car towing it and how far you need to tow it.

16-17" will weigh about 1.2-1.5tons

23-25" will weigh btween 2-2.5tons requiring a 4wd to tow

Forget about Commodores and Fords as it will be unstable on the freeways.

On paper they can tow it but the boat will actuallly push it around and cause the car to become unstable over 90kms/hr

Smaller boat is easier to sell if you don't like it.

In regards to offshore stability a 2-5mtr wave will still make you seasick in either of them as the beam will be no wider than the laneways on the road.

If you are going offshore make sure the boat has a really high nose on it so waves don't crash over the top of hte boat particularly with crossing bars.

Answer 3

First, make sure you have (or are willing to acquire) a tow vehicle that'll pull the 25 footer.  And space to store it.

All else being equal, I'd opt for the bigger boat every time.  rather have too much space than not enough.

If it ends up being too big you can always sell & go smaller.

Answer 4

Fishing where? River? Lake? Ocean?

The smaller vessel would be a good choice for virtually all lakes and some rivers. The larger vessel a good choice for all rivers, some bays and even the ocean (on a calm day that is).

Had one at 19' and used her on the Potomac & several large lakes w/ no problems. Our 25' went on the river and the Chesapeake Bay and handled both beautifully. Our current vessel is at 33' and I wouldn't hesitate to take her out into the Atlantic (on a calm day!).

ADDED NOTE: as you can tell there are many opinions on this one and you can take a little from each answer to decide.

Answer 5

its not the size of the boat but the motion of the ocean

Answer 6

All depends how much he wants to spend as the 16 to 23 range there is 3 time the price difference> And where he plans on fishing in shore or off shore>People & weight makes the difference>

Answer 7

get the large boat.

Answer 8

WHAT BOAT!!!!!!    Well if you are basicly going to just go fishing, in  a lake, river or bay any size will work that is small,   But if you are any thing like me you have friends you would want to take out as well so the small boat really is not the way to go.    

         I would suggest one that is at least 18 foot,    The best all around boat i have found for the money is a Jon boat,   i know when you hear jon boat you hear un steardy and pos,   But when you get one 18 foot or bigger they are actually very stable, and about six foot wide,  I would suggest 70 horse or bigger, you can fit plenty of people in them if you set them up right, they run and plane fast, they are light boats and can cary plenty of friends.

     My friend has one that is 18 foot with a 50 yamaha it has a center console.  it has seating for 7     Great boat for the money.