28 replies to this topic

[TI Redux]

I appreciate the advice, how do you have the mechanic check it for you without buying it?

Thanks!

Cash
Gotta pay to play.
He could be saving you a k or more on a bad buy.

[Zathorious]

So I should pay the mechanic to accompany me? This may be an obvious question

[TI Redux]

So I should pay the mechanic to accompany me? This may be an obvious question

Sorry
I Should be more clear.
ASK the seller if he could drop it off to your mechanic.Reasonable distance of course.
Or if you or your buddy , whomever has a trailer hitch , can bring it to that mechanic.
Water test I can't stress enough.
Brings back memories of my brother in law who bought a grew boat in the winter.
Walleye opener
We backed her in.
Put the trim down
And she sank at the dock!!!!

[Zathorious]

How will I know if the mechanic is good or not? Online reviews?

 

Really appreciate the help guys!

[Fisherman Dave]

I think I will be the minority here, but I enjoy my canoe over a boat any day. The difference lies in the type of fishing I do. I have a nice big river running straight through the middle of my city. I enjoy getting in at the drop off, getting completely "lost" in the wilderness, visiting my bald eagle friends that just recently had babies, and the crazy amount of different species I can pull out in a day, and then deciding what pickup spot to head to and call for a ride. My river can be shallow, so dodging rocks can be fun too, some situations are hairy for sure but then when you get out of them the relief that comes after is a great feeling. Plus the workout is great, it really is an adventure.

 

I do not like fishing big lakes, and that is likely because I am not great at it. It is different fishing than I am used to, likely need a good fish finder to help you with depth and structure, and it's too wide open for me. I like rivers where I can work the tail end, front end, or middle of a pool to find where the fish are at. I also like bringing my fly rod and stopping at my honey holes and having some fun with that. I barely have to maintain my canoe (my boat was a pain in the @$$ to maintain, too many toys), they are cheap if you just want a beater on the lighter side like me, and you can drift bait or throw lures from them, even stand on some once your confident or get a more stable one. I absolutely hate trolling with a rod holder, fish hooks itself without the rod even in your hand and then floats to the surface if you don't stop trolling and then you horse it in. Not my idea of fun, but I admit I didn't do it too often so probably don't get the full nuance of it. I'm also the guy that enjoys hiking a long way to my good spots and hopefully not seeing another soul, so in the end I think it just comes down to what draws you the most to fishing.

[fisherman2280]

Canoes were for when I was a young pup, I still occasionally use one especially in Algonquin park but even then I strap on my trolling motor sit back. 

 

"Water test I can't stress enough" I agree for sure,  I did a water barrel test on a motor long ago and it looked like it all worked fine until I tried reversing the boat in spring and it wouldn't move. 

[Zathorious]

I think I will be the minority here, but I enjoy my canoe over a boat any day. The difference lies in the type of fishing I do. I have a nice big river running straight through the middle of my city. I enjoy getting in at the drop off, getting completely "lost" in the wilderness, visiting my bald eagle friends that just recently had babies, and the crazy amount of different species I can pull out in a day, and then deciding what pickup spot to head to and call for a ride. My river can be shallow, so dodging rocks can be fun too, some situations are hairy for sure but then when you get out of them the relief that comes after is a great feeling. Plus the workout is great, it really is an adventure.

 

I do not like fishing big lakes, and that is likely because I am not great at it. It is different fishing than I am used to, likely need a good fish finder to help you with depth and structure, and it's too wide open for me. I like rivers where I can work the tail end, front end, or middle of a pool to find where the fish are at. I also like bringing my fly rod and stopping at my honey holes and having some fun with that. I barely have to maintain my canoe (my boat was a pain in the @$$ to maintain, too many toys), they are cheap if you just want a beater on the lighter side like me, and you can drift bait or throw lures from them, even stand on some once your confident or get a more stable one. I absolutely hate trolling with a rod holder, fish hooks itself without the rod even in your hand and then floats to the surface if you don't stop trolling and then you horse it in. Not my idea of fun, but I admit I didn't do it too often so probably don't get the full nuance of it. I'm also the guy that enjoys hiking a long way to my good spots and hopefully not seeing another soul, so in the end I think it just comes down to what draws you the most to fishing.

 

 

I'm with you there sir! I hike every weekend and I do love my canoe. I would like to do a combo of both to be honest. This summer will be a busy one with the boat and camping with the canoe on long weekends and a week in Algonquin. I agree the more secluded the better when camping/hiking. 

[Porkpie]

Always remember...boat is never an investment. Don't expect to get more in return for what you paid for.

Boats also lose there value at a much slower rate than other vehicles. I actually made 2k on the last boat I bought, but I bought it in winter, and then sold it a few years later at the height of the fishing season. It was also a pretty desirable manufacturer and motor combo. As for the original question, a 14 foot boat with a reliable 15hp motor will take you a lot of places and catch you a lot of fish. It's hands down better than being stuck on shore, and a much stabler platform than a canoe!

[Bryonfromtilly]

If you have somewhere to stick it a aluminum boat 12 14foot can get you on allot of lakes. And will last you a life time