Small Lake Boats

I would go for something like this. If you look at what the BC folks use you won't see many canoes or bass boats. They fish how you are wanting to. I have fished 2 people out of a 10' Columbian and 9' flyfisher both are doable with no sudden movements while standing. I also have a 12 Hi-Laker and Lund which are more stable options. I don't think you are casting perpendicular in either one unless you guys really trust each other one person throws their backcast. I'm right handed and my dad was left handed so it wasn't an issue.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/d/tacoma-tracker-10ft-jon-boat-mercury/7788963637.html
 
Wayne Kohan said:
I have fly fished with two people out of a 10ft Walker Bay, a 10ft Spring Creek and now a 12 ft Koffler whitewater pram. They are all very doable as long as you pay attention to the other person and don't cast at the same time.
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have fished out of a 14' Koffler Rocky Mountain trout boat, and admired an acquaintances 14' Spring Creek Trout stalker, both outstanding skiffs...
This morning I was fishing in the channel, crystal clear and windless with a lotta trout about, pointing out cruisers to a coupla guys in their kickboats when they headed their way...being able to stand up in a pram when fishing offers a huge advantage under such conditions

BTW, the 10', 12' and 14' Columbia skiffs can be had for way reasonable, just need to make sure their transom is solid with no screw hole leaks...make for fine prams
seattle.craigslist.org

10' Columbia Olympian - boats - by owner - marine sale - craigslist

10' Columbia Olympian No leaks
seattle.craigslist.org seattle.craigslist.org
 
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This video really surprised me. Fast forward to the end. The 10ft plastic boat held up OK in weather that I would never go out in. I’ll just be fishing around urban lakes, like Pine Lake and Beaver Lake. Are these boats really not doable? I feel like they’re almost perfect for my needs, although I am obviously very clueless.

 
jaredoconnor said:
This video really surprised me. Fast forward to the end. The 10ft plastic boat held up OK in weather that I would never go out in. I’ll just be fishing around urban lakes, like Pine Lake and Beaver Lake. Are these boats really not doable? I feel like they’re almost perfect for my needs, although I am obviously very clueless.

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You need to buy the Pond Prowler, all else falls short of what you want. (Then when you realize it doesn't fit your needs, you can sell it. RCF is right, there's no one boat that will do everything you want.) ;-)
 
In my opinion it takes more effort to go fish from the canoe than the tube. Haven't used the 16' canoe since I got the fishcat. The canoe can be fun with others but not a great fishing platform.
My son and granddaughters mom rolled my canoe when dating, a lot of my stuff went to the bottom. No PDF's but they did swim out of it.
Can't speak to a boat. Every spring I think I want one, then the last Saturday in May comes around.
 
I lean towards one that will handle more than you currently anticipate. You will expand your horizons to fish other places as you become more comfortable. Additional capability; aka safety, is a good thing.

Wind is a monster. It can come up out of nowhere. More than once, I ended up at the wrong end of the lake; for safety reasons... The difference between a 6mph wind and 10mph wind is enormous especially how it affects a small boat. A 10mph wind is a no-go for me.
 
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This 10' Sportcat sold in Renton a few weeks ago for $300...not going to find a roomier or more stable boat at that size. For as light as they are, the hand laid construction makes for a very strong hull, and their gel coats are solid.
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While I get that you're fishing those lakes the most right now, I'd suggest not buying a watercraft for two lakes specifically. If you're going to spend a few G's on a boat, get one that allows some flexibility. You may end up having some free time and want to go drive over to the east side to try some of the lakes on the dry side, where wind is a factor. Consider the possibilities, not just the utility you need for the lakes you've fished 7 times. Keep an eye on craigslist, good deals pop up pretty regularly. Especially this time of year when people realize summer has passed (again) and they haven't used their boat for 4 years and they could use the cash around the holidays.
 
Thinking Out Loud: Many of us visit fishing destinations, fishing camps, fly-in resorts, etc. where boats are provided. In all of my visits, I have never seen Livingstons or other fiberglass boats. Always aluminum...

What are your experiences? Is there something to be learned from this?
 
RCF said:
Thinking Out Loud: Many of us visit fishing destinations, fishing camps, fly-in resorts, etc. where boats are provided. In all of my visits, I have never seen Livingstons or other fiberglass boats. Always aluminum...

What are your experiences? Is there something to be learned from this?
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fleet boats in such operations are tin because they feature a relatively inexpensive initial cost and little to zero maintenance..same conditions on glass = maintenance labor costs.

I abuse my glass Sportcat pretty good, however, run it up onto concrete ramps, up on sand/rock banks, do so without worry because when first purchased I epoxied on sacrificial 12 0z 'rub' strips on the forward half of the cat Vs, which remain fully intact.
 
I brought home a used boat I purchased last night and I’ve decided to sell my coveted Harbercraft Flyfisher. These lightweight, stable Jon boats are coveted by many discerning Stillwater anglers. I have a bow and stern anchors, seats set on aluminum saddles that fit over the bench seats.

It weighs about 90 pounds.
11.5’ long
40” floor (I think).
3 bench seats

Let me know if it’s one you’d be interested in. I don’t have a trailer for it.


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Jeff Dodd said:
I brought home a used boat I purchased last night and I’ve decided to sell my coveted Harbercraft Flyfisher. These lightweight, stable Jon boats are coveted by many discerning Stillwater anglers. I have a bow and stern anchors, seats set on aluminum saddles that fit over the bench seats.

It weighs about 90 pounds.
11.5’ long
40” floor (I think).
3 bench seats

Let me know if it’s one you’d be interested in. I don’t have a trailer for it.


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Cadillac of prams
 
Jeff Dodd said:
I brought home a used boat I purchased last night and I’ve decided to sell my coveted Harbercraft Flyfisher. These lightweight, stable Jon boats are coveted by many discerning Stillwater anglers. I have a bow and stern anchors, seats set on aluminum saddles that fit over the bench seats.

It weighs about 90 pounds.
11.5’ long
40” floor (I think).
3 bench seats

Let me know if it’s one you’d be interested in. I don’t have a trailer for it.


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So what did you bring home that gets you to sell this popular flyfishing platform?
 
Jeff Dodd said:
I brought home a used boat I purchased last night and I’ve decided to sell my coveted Harbercraft Flyfisher. These lightweight, stable Jon boats are coveted by many discerning Stillwater anglers. I have a bow and stern anchors, seats set on aluminum saddles that fit over the bench seats.

It weighs about 90 pounds.
11.5’ long
40” floor (I think).
3 bench seats

Let me know if it’s one you’d be interested in. I don’t have a trailer for it.


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I think you should jump on this, @jaredoconnor !
 
Thanks for the replies, folks. The boss has said no to larger boats. My dad is going to test out my float tube and see if it works for him. If it does, I’ll get an Outcast Scout frameless pontoon thing. If it doesn’t, I’m gonna roll the dice on a plastic boat.
 
jaredoconnor said:
Thanks for the replies, folks. The boss has said no to larger boats. My dad is going to test out my float tube and see if it works for him. If it does, I’ll get an Outcast Scout frameless pontoon thing. If it doesn’t, I’m gonna roll the dice on a plastic boat.
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Too bad as this looks like a great boat.
The good news is that someone else now gets the opportunity to be in the doghouse with "the boss". :ROFLMAO:
 
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