What do you want to fish for. I live in Erie and fish a lot. Your 17 footer will be fine for perch but just make sure the lake is flat. Perch fishing is great on Lake Erie! We also have probably the best smallmouth and walleye fishing in the country. We also have a lot of steelhead. Dont know if you boat will work for trolling for walleye and such but you can fish perch from it.