Any ideas?

[Architeuthis]

So I want a sled really bad. I think I could easily afford one. The problem is, what brand am I going to get? It seems everytime I think I have thought of everything, and narrow it down to like two manufacturers, I think of something else!! And you get alot of "Ah, dude you need to get THAT boat, that's the best ever!" from different people. I wish it was like that commercial where the mortgage people are trying to give you a kick-butt deal, instead of me trying to figure it all out............. ;D

[Ramstrong]

I don't think it's necessary to get hung up on a particular brand of boat. Instead look for a boat that's the size you want with the features you want. Then look at what the price range is for those boats. Most welded boats out there are quality boats.

[Architeuthis]

Yeah, nobody builds exactly what I want, but they will build it.....It also seems that most manufacturers build generally the same quality of boat, for about the same amount of money. Koffler, Fish-Rite, Willie, Alumaweld, Boulton, Thor-bilt, Rogue Marine.......Ayy yyyiii Ayy!

[Dan Christopher]

There all pretty close, it comes down to the detail work, and the bells and whistles. It is hard to go wrong these days.

[Flatfish]

I just went thru what you describe.

A few notes.

1- The trailer carries your boat. If it gets sick at 60 mph, you will cuss and cry. In that order. For the price of a new ( or even used) sled. Get a good trailer.

2- Take a real hard look at how you fish. then build the platform around that. A windshield boat is very popular these days.

3- The economy is not real strong right now. make sure the maker will be there in 6 months for service. There are a couple I talked too that looked like it was a hand to mouth thing.

4- Look at a zillion boats before you buy. There is a lot of trick stuff in the world. You may not be aware of much of it. Sometimes trick is good.

5- You will probably miss out on "The Boat" in your search( I did....TWICE!. But I am a slow study.) That's ok. the right one is out there.

6- Get one at least 2 feet longer than you think you will ever need. They get pretty little on the water.

7-Jets NEVER have too much power. I would rather have an 18'er with solid power( for the boat design) than a 20'er that was short on juice. Propped boats can get by on a lot less, but don't do shallow water well

8-Is the manufacturer close by. I personally love Willie boats. They are 5 or 6 hours from my front door. a long ways for fixin their screw ups( or the motor makers' screw ups). I did not buy one of Willies sexy boats.

9- If you ask one maker " Why is yours better?" And they answer with smack talk( usually in the form of planting a seed about performance, "Chine Walking" is a great example. Ask yourself why this dude is bad mouthing his competition. If he answers" hey, drive theirs, then drive mine. then you decide" What does that tell you.

10- Some salesman are swell. Some are not. 'Nuff said?

I will be honest. I would LOVE to jump in the middle of this and announce that Brand "X" is the end all be all. And Brand"Y" sucks because of__________." But I will not.

You are on a journey. Educate yourself. Make a good decision. Because what works for me( suits my needs, not yours) may, or may not be right for you. Once you decide on price, and features that are required. You can go shopping. Until you know what you want. Do not buy.

Once you know what platform you want, post here and I will try to help you in any way I can.

Mark and the needs a diesel for the new boat dog.

[Architeuthis]

Thanks a lot Flatfish, That's what I'm talking about. I feel like Brad Pitt saying "life is really hard for me blah blah blah" but I didn't ever think there was so much to consider when buying a boat. I don't make the kind of cash that I can just upgrade after a year or two, so I want to make as few mistakes as possible the first time. I'm going to be down in Aluminum Alley in a couple of weeks, and I'm going to do some factory browsing. I am also 4-5 hours away from Willie, but I have to take vacation to get down there during the week when they're open. By the way, I don't really ever feel like Brad Pitt in real life, I just meant my complaint is very petty and sounds a little selfish, when some people aren't as fortunate as to be able to buy a boat, you know? I need to stop thinking about Mr. Pitt, I'm getting jealous of his situation now...........