but geez are new boats getting rediculously expensive ! For quite some time I have tripped on the price of those 200 plus hp glitter-rockets (totally worthless for me anyway) but after looking at much smaller, lighter, less hp, aluminums, I guess those high-per bass boats are not such a bad value after all, at least in comparison !

Anyway, I have searched the Internet high and low, and I really can't find a production boat which would suit me better than this one: http://www.g3boats.com/OutfitterSeries/OutfitterV143T/default.php
I just love this thing. The layout (no rear benches !!!), the Realtree camo finish, welded, high transom, 25 hp Yamaha ! Geez, what a fish catchin' machine ! (and BTW, a small deck could be added very easily, from the front bench forward, giving me a raised fishing platform, storage underneath, and effectively eliminating the one and only bench this boat has :-)
But the price..... $9200 out the door ! (from Diablo Marine anyway.... haven't checked around further yet). Sure, I could get a 14 ft Klamath, Gregor, Valco, etc, for way less.... maybe $6500 brand new, or, since they are so darn common (dime a dozen) I could probably find a very good condition used one, for like $3K.
But I swear I will never again climb over a bench, if I live to be 100 !!!

Anyway, as much as I want a new boat, if I can't get the G3 I posted the link to..... or something 'very' similar that I haven't seen yet, I'll just have to keep fishing out of my little 12ft Seaking.

Any ideas or suggestions ?

Thank you for listening to my rant.
Peace,
Fish

PS, I have even considered getting a Klamath, or Gregor, hacking out the benches, and rebuilding it with a double floor (flotation within) additional side support, etc. If I had a shop, and the right tools, I'd already be there !

I just want a small V-hull aluminum that I can run laps in..... but don't want the hurdles.....

Triton has some sick little alum. boats for not to bad of a price. One of my friends has one and he loves it. I almost got one but then I decied to step up and get a 20ft. carolina skiff. :7

Have you seen this (Guide V14 Laker boat from Tracker?

http://media.trackermarinegroup.com/tracker/images/TUGV14LAKEOH0205_PB_06_700.jpg

Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what have-yous

I am also looking to buy a boat. I've looked at Tracker, G3, and Crestliner. I wan't a Jon boat. I think I've decided on the Tracker Grizzly 1548, just don't know if I wan't the camo paint or not. Thought of putting a 25hp motor on, but it wighs a lot. I think I'll go with the Honda 20hp. Do you guys think this will be a good set-up for small, medium lakes, and rivers?

Take a look at what I did to a little 14' v-hull jon boat:

http://www.calfishing.com/gallery/Boat-project

I need to update with new pictures since I've gotten a 20HP Honda 4-stroke, tiller drive, electric start. I also got a new trailer setup for it.

Ken

I have found Crestliners to be worth the money,and the boats in thr bass pro shops catalog seem to have a good price.
brian

Kind of.... but your talking Mod-V's, right ?

For me, since I sometimes get into some pretty big water, the Delta, even some saltwater, I really want a straight up V-hull (plus that's what I'm used to)

Anyway, one thing is for sure, if I was willing to settle for a mod-V, my choices would be nearly endless.

Sighhhhh....
Peace,
Fish

Yes I have, and it's not too bad. Of course I could give it a decent camo paint job, but probably not as cool as the Realtree on the G3.

I like the rod locker and storage of the G3 better too, but then hey, if this boat were a LOT less than the G3, I might have to consider it.
BTW, Lund, and Fisher both make a 14 ft V-hull too (without benches), but they are heavier gauge aluminum (requiring a larger motor to go the same speed) plus are carpeted (requiring me to cover the thing, and to try to keep it halfway clean and dry) I love the fact that the G3 is straight diamond grip aluminum. And as I have sworn, it would never, ever see soap or a scrub brush :-)
I'm talking about a straight up fishing boat ! The more fish slime and bait drippings, the more real it would be ! :-)

Peace,
Fish

I wish I had as many choices as you do. I'm envious. Yes, actually those Honda 20's have the highest HP per weight, of any small four strokers on the market ! I'd almost go with one, except I want to go with the max HP, for my V-hull, plus it would be kind of strange to have a Honda motor on a Yamaha (G3) boat. Either way, I'm almost sure your mod-V with a 20 hp Honda, would blow away my deep-V with a 25hp Yamaha.

Peace,
Fish

it must have been fun ripping those benches out :-) I just can't have any wood in mine, as it will never be covered, and it will spend 365 days a year in direct sun, rain, heat, and cold. The only thing I plan to cover is the motor..... and that's not for the exterior of it, but rather, to maybe help preserve / protect hoses, wires, belts, etc, from direct weather.....

Peace,
Fish

Man... Fish who would have thought you of all people the man who throws swimbaits on spinning rods would worry about the make of the motor matching the make of the boat... lol

Check out the crestliner angler 1400 or 1600 the 1600 will run close to 10G's but it looked nice at the ISE show. I'd like to talk by dad into getting one but I don't think it's going to happen