THE PERFECT BOAT (OR AT LEAST CLOSE)
by Bob Jensen

Anglers are always trying to find the perfect boat, the one that fits their fishing needs perfectly. And, anglers are finding that there probably is no perfect boat out there, at least not yet. There are lots of boats that are adequate, a few that perform pretty good in a few situations, and even fewer that do a pretty darn good job most of the time. With the boat show season coming up, it's possible to look at a wide variety of boats under one roof. Let's try to find a boat and motor combination that will do a perfect (or at least close) job for your particular fishing needs.

The biggest decision to make when selecting a boat that will be used mostly for fishing is "Do we get tiller or console steering"? Once that question is answered, things fall together pretty nicely.

For pure fishing, once you get to the fishing spot, tiller steering is great. If you're going to be using the main outboard for trolling, tiller steering offers the ultimate in control, especially when backtrolling. 

Tiller-controlled boats also provide for a more open floor. The space taken up by a console or two is now available for additional storage or just "moving around" space for anglers.

Twenty years ago, it was thought that a "real" walleye angler wouldn't run anything other than a tiller-operated boat. Things have changed.

Tillers are great for control while fishing, but that tiller handle gets heavy when running long distances, and it's not uncommon to run twenty miles or more a day one way when you're running big water. And they are limited when it comes to horsepower. That's where console boats enter the picture.

In the last ten years or so, console boats (boats with a steering wheel) have become exceedingly popular. They drive just like a car, you can run long distances without arm fatigue, larger horsepower capacities make it possible to run long distances faster, and the newer models are great fishing machines, yet they are also family friendly. They perform well for casting and trolling, or pulling a skier or tube. It appears that the trend continues toward console boats.

I have been running Alumacraft boats for about a dozen years. The 2XB hull that Alumacraft incorporates into some of their boats makes it feel like you're sitting in your living room as you run across the lake. The ride is extremely solid, and attention to detail is meticulous. They are great fishing machines that also perform nicely if you want to spend some time pulling skiers or tubes.

Four-stroke outboards are the future for boat propulsion. From the smallest to largest horsepower, four-stroke motors are extremely quiet, reliable, and fuel-efficient. They're also very friendly to the environment. Emissions are drastically less with four-strokes, which benefits the water and the air. Honda Marine is the leader when it comes to four-stroke outboard technology.

When it comes to buying a new boat, many anglers think long and hard about the boat, motor, and all the accessories, then just put any old trailer under the rig. Don't accept just any trailer!! It's no fun struggling to load and unload your boat at the ramp, and it's no fun experiencing trailer problems when you're traveling to the fishing hole. ShoreLand'r trailers have provided me with tens of thousands of miles of safe travel.

Last of all, buy from a dealer you have confidence in. Boats and motors are very, very reliable, but you want to be sure that your dealer will take care of you if your rig needs service. Sometimes the cheapest boat/motor deals become the most expensive. Select a dealer that you have faith in. 

The boat buying experience should be fun. Take your time and explore your options. Take into consideration how and where you will be using your boat and select the rig that best fits your needs. Then, once you've made your choice and have purchased the boat, be sure to use it every chance you get.