Boat Suggestions?

[jhouseman]

Well, there's just no way around it! If I'm ever going to increase my game on the lakes I have to get a watercraft of some kind. Waiting for invitations and mooching off my friends just isn't going to cut it

I was wondering if anyone had any sage advice on the matter?

My situation: I own a house in the city with a modest backyard, shared driveway (extremely thin entry between the houses), and a 1 car garage (literally big enough for 1 car). My ride is a Subaru Impreza Sport 4 door hatchback with roofrack (no hitch). I was thinking a personal pontoon, but I just don't know if that will do the trick - it's so much different then comp boats.

I'm now leaning toward a larger row boat that might still fit on the roof of my car and a small electric trolling motor.

Any suggestions or insight would be most appreciated.

[alanb_ct]

Perhaps you could ask a landowner close to the fishing grounds if you could keep your rowboat there for a fee. It's seems difficult for you to store or transport your own. I'm not sure what a reasonable fee might be, but maybe $100/year for a spot chained to a tree.

[jhouseman]

Not a bad idea. Unfortunately, I head in completely different directions half the time.

I found a few threads which suggest i could get a 10ft aluminum jon boat atop my car with minor hassle. They run about 80-100 pounds. Then I was thinking of creating a simple pully system to lift it right off my car and store it suspended in my garage. Couple that with a cheap electric trolling motor - should do the trick for under 7bills new.

I guess another simpler option would be to find a good fishing buddy in my area who has a boat and likes to fly fish loch style for trout.

[alanb_ct]

I know it's not traditionally done, but is a canoe with a bow and stern anchor an option? They are really easy to transport.

[jhouseman]

I was thinking of a canoe for a long time since they are so easy to transport. However, I don't think there's anyway you can use a drogue with a canoe to achieve a downwind casting drift situation. And thus negating my intent which is to practice Loch style fishing. If anyone is unfamiliar in competition you have a drogue (small water parachute) which must be in the water when there is a discernable wind. And you must only fish downwind in your 1/4 of the boat.

So, a canoe doesn't seem like an option. thanx for being all the feedback though alan.

[Adam]

Kayak

[1fly]

Unless you have a buddy that is into comp fishing, you will have a hard time convincing someone to fish downwind. I have a wooden boat i made. It weighs just over 100#. I thought I was going to put it on top of my jeep by myself...no. I had to get a trailer for it. If you can get down to 80#s you might have a chance. Some of the guys use pontoons with drogues hooked to the back. I always try to "practice how you want to perform" if at all possible

[jhouseman]

Thanx for the input 1fly. Yeah, I'm leaning back towards a pontoon for portability and cost point. I know it's really not the same as fishing a boat with a partner, but I'm on the water for under 5bills with a electric motor and it all fits in the back of my car! I'll have to sit on the idea now that winter is near and make a decision before Spring arrives.

[frogge]

Hey
There is no reason you can't use a drogue on a canoe. A good pack canoe(12ft. 20-30#) or a "sportspal" (40#) would be easily transported, open up Pond fishing(hike a boat), and probably be overall cheaper than an aluminum rowboat. to make a drogue work you have to rig a fairlead on the stern so that it is deployed to the stern and the boat will drift stern into the wind. If you have the bucks you can get a hobie kayak that has a fin drive system and you can peddle it without using a paddle. They are both expensive and heavy and thus not perfect for your situation. The sports pals are favored by people who don't like canoes as they can be fitted with oars and used as a row boat. Also can fit with an electric trolling motor which could take the place of a drogue. I'm into canoes and thus like light fast boats that I adapt to fishing. Good luck,Frogge.

[Davyfly]

Dejohn,

If it is a lightweight portable canoe you are looking for that can be fitted out with a motor up to a 25 hp,oars, drag chain or drogue then go for a Gheenee.
This craft is very stable, will carry a pay load of around 800 lb and two anglers can fish from it no problem, standing or seated.
You can trailer it or load it to a roof rack or back of a pick up, l think mine is around 90 lb weight.

I have used mine both for lakes and rivers, some of which were pretty rougth water systems.

They are built in Titusville FL, but there is also a company here in AR that make a similar boat.

Go to the Gheenee web site and check them out.

Davy