Help With Boat

suckersticker · 06-18-2007, 10:50 PM

i am looking to set up a bowfishing boat. i wanted to know how big of a boat i should get. i usually shoot with one other person. i would have my elevated deck, lights, generator, and all other gear in it. so what size boat should i get. also what is the best kind of boat to get to set up for bowfishing.

Thanks

William

arkansasbowhunter · 06-19-2007, 06:08 AM

depends on the size of water you shoot. I have a 1754 war eagle with a 90 johnson on it and I can shoot 5 people out of my boat. I have 8 300 watt lights and a long handled motor guide TM on it. A great site to get a lot of bowfishing info from is bowfishusa.com. you can also find used boats there too. you could also do a search for your state and see if there is a site for bowfishing your state. I am not affiliated with this site but just passing on info that would help out another bowfisherman as it is only a bowfishing site. hope that helps.

carpsniper · 06-19-2007, 09:18 AM

'sticker, Probably the best all around boat to use for bowfishing is a flat bottom jon boat. It looks like you have a good handle on what you want to do.
My brother and I started out withhis 1648 and shot a lot of fish from it. A 1648 with a 25hp outboard and a 40# thrust or larger trolling motor will take you just about anywhere you want to go.

Bottom line, buy as much boat as you can afford.

Airsoft Dude · 06-19-2007, 01:24 PM

i agree with carpsniper a jon boat 16 or 14 ft long.

Bowfisher5 · 06-19-2007, 04:20 PM

William;

Try and get at least a 16/48 or 16/54 boat. Bigger is more stable and when you get a couple of fish barrels, genny, a couple of batteries or 3, boat gas tank and extra gas can for the genny, cooler for your sodas, life jackets, paddles, push pole and fire extinguiser things start to get real crowded. Ibowfished out of a 16/48 for 4 years. I bowfished in your back yard last weekend 6/17 up on the Kankakee River at DCA in my 11 foot jon boat with my 4 hp Yahmaha. It was really tight with 2 people but needed a small boat to get into some really tight places that my 20 ft boat would not go or even be able to push pole. Check out these pics of a 14 ft boat with a flat deck.http://www.bowfishusa.com/community/index.php?topic=23401.0
I really like a raised deck to but lights underneath. You can view my old 16/48 on the Illinois site in the gallery.

I have shot alot of fish out of my canoe with a hand held spot light.

Bowfisher

Mark S · 06-19-2007, 09:57 PM

Hey William I have an older fiberglass trihull for sale that I started out in. It's in a few posts down called bowfishing boat sort of. I'd make you a deal you couldn't refuse!

suckersticker · 06-19-2007, 10:21 PM

i saw that but i am debating if i want fiberglass or aluminum.

suckersticker · 06-21-2007, 09:53 PM

I just have one other question. how much did you guys pay for your decks. just a rough estimate on the lights and building materials. just wondering the ranges i would need to have to do it.

Thanks

deer_predator · 06-22-2007, 04:34 AM

Quote:

ORIGINAL: suckersticker

I just have one other question. how much did you guys pay for your decks. just a rough estimate on the lights and building materials. just wondering the ranges i would need to have to do it.

Thanks

I think the raised decks only help a little and they are not always needed. I have $604.48 wrapped up in my light system; from genny to lightbulbs and everything inbetween. But who's counting.