I want to get a boat under 20' that can fit in my garage (standard size). my uses would be for fishing and family fun, weekend stuff. I will probably be looking for a bow rider but I want an open area for fishing. some bow riders I have seen are very crampy and offer little room. any suggestions?

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06 White KJ Sport 4x4
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2432458/1

If you get a bowrider, you'll most likely have to deal with the couches they put up there when you're fishing. One option to create an "open flat space" is to get the lounger cushion insert that creates a big flat space at the height of the couches. Your footing area will be squishy couch material, and you may need to build a box or something to support the area under the insert to hold up your weight, but it would give you an elevated "flat" platform to fish from.

If you're going to be on relatively flat lakes, I'd get a pontoon deck boat. Stable, tons of family space, lower price, and LOTs of flat areas for fishing from. Not sure you could find one that'll fit in your garage though.

If you need/want a single-hulled boat, google search these manufacturers and start figuring out your price-point and power-plant requirements...


Advantage Boats

Allmand

Arima Boats

Azure

Baha Cruiser Boats

Baja Marine

Bayliner Boats

Boston Whaler Boats

Bryant Boats

Caliber Boats

Campion Boats

Caravelle Boats

Centurion Boats

Challenger Boats

Chaparral Boats

Checkmate Boats

Chris Craft

Cobalt Boats

Crownline Boats

Donzi Marine

Doral Boats

Ebbtide Boats

Edgewater Boats

Formula Boats

Four Winns Boats

Glastron Boats

Grew Boats

Hurricane

Kayot Boats

Larson Boats

Mariah Boats

Mastercraft Boats

Maxum Boats

McKee Craft Boats

Mirage Boats

Monterey Boats

Nordic Power Boats

Pioneer Boats

Powerquest Boats

Regal Boats

Reinell Boats

Rinker Boats

Sea Cat Boats

Sea Fox

Sea Ray Boats

SeaDoo Boats

Seaswirl Boats

Skeeter Boats

Ski Centurion

Starcraft Boats

Stingray Boats

Sugar Sand Marine

Tahoe Boats

Thunderbird Formula Boats

Tidewater Boats

VIP Boats

Vectra Boats

Wellcraft Boats

Yamaha Marine


Good luck with your search. Share with us what you select. We're shopping for a boat for almost the exact same reasons you listed.

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_______________________DogDomain_______________________

getcha a zodiac!

well i guess that isn't along the lines of what you had in mind

I will be interested to see what ya get though!

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03 Renegade (Black)
177k miles 3.7L gas - 45RFE
Command Trac / 4.10s
Lift: ft. 790+ rr. JBA4+
The last of the TrailReady Front&Rear Bumpers and TR Rock Rails
Jarhead Offroad light covers
31x10.5R15 RedLetter Grabbers on Blackrock Dunes
L.O.S.T #KD098632

I was checking out Wellcarft boats, the 180 and 210 and I am pretty impressed. It has a nice open layout, plenty of room in the stern with it being an outboard motor. I may look into them more, there is a boat show this weekend in my area I am going to head to. Well shall see.

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06 White KJ Sport 4x4
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2432458/1

You know what the 2 best days of being a boat owner are?

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- Burchie

The day he buys it...


...and the day a hurricane sinks it and his insurance company pays him the "estimated value" of it, which happens to be $4000 more than he possibly could have sold it for.

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_______________________DogDomain_______________________

Sport, there is a lot more to consider depending on where you will be boating? I gather you're in Delaware. Will you be on fresh water (lakes & rivers) or salt water?? If this is your first boat, buy used.

I need to quickly remark the last thing you want to be standing on while fishing is a padded surface, regardless of what's underneath it.

If you're going to be on salt water, you'll have to go with a bay boat or inshore boat at the size range your mentioned. Or risk life. With one exception - Boston Whaler. Now as for the size range (you mentioned) and rough sea's... Don't let anyone tell you "their boat" is fine on rough open water - if their not talking about a Boston Whaler, they're full of S**t! Or I promise you, I'll be saying "I told him so" upon word of your death. Boston Whaler's are awesome boats in the bay and at sea (especially rough seas). Now keep in mind, since you mentioned family outings, these are not "family fun". If you're strictly going to be in the bay on coastal waters, a center console is the best fishing boat made. I don't know how deep your pockets are, but Yellowfin boats have no equal in that category. Not to say there aren't other good center console boats - there are. But again, a center console is about fishing and not family outings.

If you're going to be on fresh water lakes and rivers, then by all means check out the Wellcraft line. Also be sure to check out Bayliner and Mastercraft. These lines offer good economy and middle class boats. If you actually decide to go with a open bow or bow rider, and you want to step up, take a look a SeaRay and Chris Craft.

Anf if your pockets run deep $$$$$$.00 -- get back to me.

Don't forget to take the USCG safe boating course and get boat insurance!!

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2004 TJ Rubicon.

I'm going to second the suggestion to pick up a used boat.
Partly because the economy has generated an awful lot of low-cost boats due to owners being in financial distress.
I recently bought a kayak (used) and was appalled to discover as I was looking that I could get a 25' sailboat (like I have a place to keep that!) for about the same price I paid for the kayak! Some areas are experiencing a lot of abandoned boats. Dig a little, it'll pay off.

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07 Liberty Sport, 245x70r16 Goodyear Silent Armor
02 Wrangler Sahara, 31x10.5r15 Goodyear Silent Armor, ARB Bumper, Patriot Rear Bumper w/tire swing