"jasonvkop" said:
So if anyone wants to buy this boat for me I would like it very much hahah
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Absolutely no problem! But, you first have to buy me this one:
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"detroithardcore" said:
Tuffy's are nice boats and the 2060 was an option before I choose Ranger simply because I was reminded that there isn't any local Tuffy dealers. Service, maitenance and anything else could be a hassle or issue locally… Are there any Tuffy dealers on West Side of state??
No, not that I know of. If I was ever to get a new boat, it would probably be a Tuffy that was just out of warranty. There aren't too many issues that I don't think I could take care of myself as long as it's not the Mercury. They are a sweet boat. … 4 years until my mortgage is done, then my dream could become a reality!
"jasonvkop" said:
So if anyone wants to buy this boat for me I would like it very much hahah
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I personally don't care for the floor layout of this boat. I like the hull,the tiller and width but the front casting deck could be bigger and there is really no rear deck. Lots of storage but that takes up space for 2nd or third casters. It is a nice boat but I would keep looking for one that is little more versatile. Lots of slightly bigger (better for big water) boats out there for even less money. Also take a good look at Joe Bednars Crestliner. I have fished out of his boat and even though its a bit shorter it has way more room. Mike
i dont agree.. We fished 3 people comfortably out of jason's boat at the indiana tourney and that boat jason linked has a lot more deck space. If you are trying to fit 3 huge people on the boat then probably not.
I personally would only have 1 seat in that boat, and put a just encase custom box added to the casting deck for another 1 to 2 ft of casting space as well
"Jim tenHaaf" said:
[quote="detroithardcore"]Tuffy's are nice boats and the 2060 was an option before I choose Ranger simply because I was reminded that there isn't any local Tuffy dealers. Service, maitenance and anything else could be a hassle or issue locally… Are there any Tuffy dealers on West Side of state??
No, not that I know of. If I was ever to get a new boat, it would probably be a Tuffy that was just out of warranty. There aren't too many issues that I don't think I could take care of myself as long as it's not the Mercury. They are a sweet boat. … 4 years until my mortgage is done, then my dream could become a reality!
These are the two best muskie boats ever built IMO. Fortunately when they're for sale now the price isn't too high, unfortunately they don't last long.
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Realistically a boat like this is my perfect boat and would be amazing for all lakes around here. I would take out all the seats but the back one and have tons of room for everything. I just like tillers a lot for all the space and I like using the motor for positioning in heavy winds when just the trolling motor doesnt cut it. My height also helps me out as I don't really need a casting deck in the back. I've been in some boats which feel really uncomfortable because I am so far above the water and have to bend way over to do a figure 8.
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Yes, with your height a rear deck is not needed for sure. But::::: if its your boat you are going to be in the bow most of the time. I heard mentioned a just incase tackle box to extend the deck. Put one at both ends. You worked out great in our little boat. I was almost as tall as you ha ha ha . I am not fond of any of the floor plans that have a stair step floor all the way around the main deck. I would have to kneel to figure eight from that boat unless I was in the bow. I like the two boats Will posted the best for casting. Which brings me to the point of versatility. The reason we have a small 14 foot Tiller for inland lakes is because we did not want a big tiller for Lake St. Clair trolling, Lake Michigan Trolling and other big water long run type stuff. Sitting in the back running 40 mph in the dark scares the heck out of me. I know two guys who have had accidents due to not being able to see what is coming. One Had a big Tiller Lund and he Killed his father in law on White Lake hitting a Bouy. The old man was blocking his view of the bouy which was even lit. Tillers suck for planer board trolling on Lake St. Clair. However Tillers are awesome on smaller inland lakes for following tight break lines. You should take a good look at Joes Crestliner. I think his is the best design for inland lakes. I could not find one boat that did it all so we have two. Our 18 foot Starcraft is a Cadilac when it comes to big water. I fished St Clair in a Ranger, sorry not my cup of tea. I like dry and a top for big water. If soimeone gave me a brand new 20 foot Ranger I would trade it for a 19 foot Starcraft super fisherman Or a Lund Baron . 12 hours on st Clair in blazing sun will burn your resolve right up. We sit cool under our White Bimini top while open boats roast.
However we all have our own preferences. Ill say this , Roller trailers rule on undeveloped ramps and up in the U.P. Ill never own a bunk trailer. I can launch my starcraft in Osterhout and not get my Toyota in the water. Anyway , I hope the boat you choose does what you want it to do. Thats all that counts. Mike
When I am blocked or at night I am standing with the tiller. Kevin stands 100% when navigating the mighty Mo. Tethering is a must i would add, and at greatly reduced speeds…on plane at 35 is unblocked vis and seated.
Mike I finally discovered roller loading last fall at Osterhout and launching at bankson is a much easier task now!
"swanezy" said:
Mike i agree everyone has their preferences, like you have mentioned long days can be tough specially on big water like st clair and you want to fish in what is comfortable.For a person like me 12-15 hrs casting without being in shade doesn't bother me. So it is all about preference
Wait to your 50 . 😀 , I have two fishing boats and a canoe and pedal powered pontoon. They all have their positive sides and negatives. When I had 25 grand to spend on a boat I looked real hard at a lot of boats. I had a 16 foot Smokercraft I bought new in 1996. It was a side console with a 40 hp 2 stroke 4 cylinder merc. I had a lot of good experiences in that boat and even guided for two years with it. It was all room and no storage. Completely open except for side console. Then we almost drowned in it on St. Clair. Just was not enough boat. I was down to an 18 foot Smoker craft Millentia or the Starcraft Super Fisherman. The Starcraft was 96 inches at the beam compared to 92 for the Smoker.
I went with the 115 Optimax and got the first one sold in Michigan. It was a great engine when it ran ha ha ha . Mine fouled plugs real bad through two power heads. Merc gave me a brand new 115 4 stroke. Nice engine but now I get to change the freaking oil every 80 hours. But at least it does not foul plugs. But this boat has a 96 inch beam with reversed chines. You can stand three people on one side and it hardly tips. On St. Clair it has got us home in some nasty weather where we even took waves over the Bimini top. You don't do that in a Ranger or any other low sided flat boat. Those boats spear waves and you eat them. My dream boat for Big water (trailered) is a Lund Baron Tyee 19 foot with a 250 on it.
Michelle and I fish all the little lakes with a 14 foot Sea Ark Jon Boat pulled by a 2004 Chevy Aveo hatch back. The roller trailer lets me launch this little boat in nasty places like Osterhout. It gets almost 30 miles per gallon pulling this boat which will fish a full 13 hour day mixed casting and trolling on 1.5 gallons of 2 stroke gas and a battery charge. Since Jason fished with me I added a second battery so I have 12 hours of electric 50 pound thrust even on a rough day. My trip to Long Lake from Muskegon (three hours) cost us about 30 bucks. That is one real good point of this boat that Jason is looking at. It wont cost much to pull it or fish from it. On small lakes (to me) that is a huge positive in choosing a boat. I want to fish every week several times. I cant do that with the StarCraft or any other big boat. Its heavy and the Toyota only gets around 15 mpg pulling it. For any of you guys who have not looked at Joe Bednars boat you should. Its a very wide 15.5 foot with a Tiller and a Tiller positioning motor as well. Its light and its quick to plane and pretty fast. Very open floor plan and easy for two guys to fish out of.
But hey our little Jon has a 48 inch wide bottom and a 62 inch beam. We paid 2300.00 in 2003 for it with a Galvanized trailer. I added the Roller bunks. In 2005 we won the Thornapple Ice up challenge with two mid 40's fish. You just cant beat a small tiller boat for accurate edge trolling. Couple the tillers fast turning capabilities with a Gps and 365 Waypoints and I took 6 Muskies over 42 inches in three consecutive Saturdays at Thorn prior to the 2005 Ice up. I think big tiller boats are a joke. They dont really turn much better then a console boat and you dont really save that much casting space. What Will did with his Tracker is all you have to do to a console boat to make it really a good casting platform.
To me my big boat has to be versatile and it is. We can cast all day, troll all day, good weather, sleet, snow, blazing sun it doesnt matter. Top up? Top down. Options man that's the name of the game. We can go from o rod holders and everything stored out of sight casting to Downriggers, planerboards, 10 rods with 10 rod holders in just minutes. You see a boat like a Lund Baron or our Starcraft will do everything any casting boat will do and then Troll for Kings on Lake Michigan or Troll Georgian bay or the St. Lawrence. With comfort , power and options. The first time your nose gets frostbite from running in 10 degree weather at 40 mph that windshield starts looking real good. Yea, I like comfort.
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