Boat size question on St. Clair

[FSU Basser]

Looking to start fishing some BFL's next year and I know most of them are on st. Clair or Erie. I'm looking for an honest option on if a 17.5 nitro with a 90hp tracker is too small of a boat to get out there and fish safely but still competitively. Thanks

[Schoolycustom]

Well, I'm not going to say it's too small because the fish don't care what size your boat is. If you can get to your fish, your boat is big enough.

Having said that, I will say this. You will have the smallest boat in the field. The VAST majority have minimum of 20' with a 225. St. Claire and Erie you really can't get it big enough.

[fiker]

I have an 18.5' Ranger.  That's getin pretty small to fish tourneys I think. 
But, I have a friend that fishes lots of tourneys with an 18.5' Triton and he does just fine.  You just have to know what you're doing and take your time if you need to.

[Hollada]

My 2 cents as a co-angler.  If the wind was blowing at all, I'd be a bit concerned.  I'm assuming the 17.5 as a fairly small back deck.  Would really have to be careful about making the wrong move and ending up swimming on a rough day.

The 90 HP is also going to limit your fishing time and the spots you can fish.  In the BFL this past weekend, my boater had a 19 ft Skeeter with a 225.  We launched out of Elizabeth park and ran to fish off of the metropark in St clair.  That was a 45 min ride where he topped out in the mid 60's.   I think you'd be limited to fishing the river.

If you've never fished the BFL's before, you may want to try the first year as a Co and get a feel for it that way.

[FSU Basser]

I am just looking at buying a 17.5 nitro with a 90hp. I am contemplating buying a newer boat but smaller or going with mid to late 1990's boat but it would be at least a 18.5 with a 150hp. Not sure of what really to do?

[Manxfishing]

You could do it
But yes your limiting yourself

I'd say fish the inland lake tournaments

[rudycard72]

I fished a few times on st Clair even a couple bfls out of a 17 foot ranger with a 115 on it, handled the big water just fine

[gmetime24]

If Erie and st clair are your spots to fish the bigger the better. If I was buying a bass boat for big water it would definitely be 20ft +

[dartag]

I also have a 18.5 Ranger with a 150.   It is ok on stclair as long a it is not to rough.  Another consideration for the BFL's is you have no idea the size of your co angler until the draw.  Get a big guy with a huge tackle bag and other stuff and you will run out of room fast.  There are other st clair trails if you want to get started.

[Rangerman]

Bigger is better, just sold my 18' with 175 and purchased a Z520C because of St. Clair I live in NC but fish LSC 3 or 4 times a year for week long trips. Best move I ever made. We got caught in a blow of 25 mph in the Middle river and had to come back across No problem in the 20 footer, we got wet but safe ride with back problems

[Got Fish??]

I fish St Clair and Erie in a 16ft deep-v tracker, you really have to pick your days with the weather. If it's your first time on,. or not  familiar with big water. Than 17.5 is cutting it close.  Tournament fishing  big water is  different. You can't control the weather or the wind direction on tournament day.  I don't fish big water tournaments out of my boat. I co-angel, 19ft or better and at least 115hp for big water tournaments.

[MIBasser]

I fish out of a 17' Triton with a 90.  I've been on all the big bodies of water but Erie (Lake MI, Saginaw Bay, GTB & LSC).  You just need to pick your days as many have said.  But I have read and agree with a post I read some place else.... "Buy your second boat first".  That being said, if you have any thought of going bigger, go big.  If you don't ever see yourself getting a bigger boat, go with the smaller one.  As for the co-angler part (hope not to make anybody mad) but buy the boat for YOU (not them).  You are the one paying for it. 

With that said, I wish I had an 18' boat with a min of 150 on it....

[motocross269]

I would not fish the Big Water BFLs out of a 17 foot boat...... If you sign up and the wind blows and you can't get out that will not only effect you but it will also effect the Co angler that paid his 100 bucks to fish and may now be sitting at the dock.....

I have fished as both a Co angler and Boater in the BFLs and larger tournaments....It's easy to say screw the Co angler it's your boat and your deal but he paid good money to get out on the water and compete also....Anywhere from 100 bucks for a BFL to over 400 for an open or even more than that for tour events.. That's part of the reason I don't sign up for more BFLs... I have a great tournament ready boat but some "Life events" over the last 2 years have kept me off the water... I don't want to hurt a Co angler's chances because I haven't taken the time to prepare...

Buy what you can afford now...Fish some local and club tournaments to get your feet wet...Fish the BFLs and larger tournaments as a Co angler then when you get a few years under your belt you will have the know how to know what direction is best for you...

One huge advantage of going as a Co angler it gives you a golden opportunity to scout out boats and make an informed decision on what would work best for you.... 

[Hollada]

Where is the like button :-)

[capt charlie's charters]

many years ago I started fishing the BFL's, but as a co-angler, I didn't know how to fish or where to fish on the bigger waters, so I sure as hell didn't want to be responsible for having someone draw me as a boater and I couldn't put myself on fish.  I fished as a co for 3 years, in the meantime upgraded my 17.6 stratos to a 19.6 triton with 175 which is okay, (but would love to have a Z520 under me) . good days my 17/6 stratos was okay...BUT limited on rough weather days.  No matter how hot a stick you think you are, st clair and erie will humble you in a heart beat.  
1. buy the bigger boat the first time.
2. learn the big waters before putting yourself and someone else in a bad way.
capt charlie

[Firefighter Jeff]

   As you can see, most of the guys saying a smaller boat is ok add you need to pick your days.  When you send in entry fees and can't pick your days is when a boat that size could get you in trouble.  Do you already have experience driving a boat on these waters ?  I suggest waiting until you get some thing a little larger.  Just my opinion.

[Waterfoul]

I run an 18' Triton with a Merc 150 and have been on St. Clair many times with it.  I can always make my way around but there have been a few instances where I really wished I had another foot or two.  I've never felt like I wasn't going to get back to the ramp, but had to measure my time carefully to make sure I would make it back in time for weigh in.  Other days I've run her wide open all over the place (save for the ocassional tuna boat wake of course).

Other things to consider:

Smaller boats are easier to tow and store. 
They use less fuel on the water and in the tow vehicle.

Larger boats ride better.
They have more storage.
Are usally faster.


My advice is to shop around.  There are some good deals to be had out there (MSU Ross got a great deal). Maybe get some people to take you out on their boats.  Fish as a co-angler as others have suggested

[Rangerman]

No body is going to own up there boat is too small Believe me  Bigger is better on big water any time not just is a blow which can happen anytime. Fished alot of big water in my 18' when I was young and dumb and body could take the pounding. Never More Bigger the Better.

[thedude]

i know of a 20'(ish) champ for sale in GR - engine was just rebuilt. i think he's asking 6800. older boat but doesnt get much better for big water.