Friday the 13th

[CATCHNRELEASE]

Your boat sounds awsome but it sounds like you fish alone alot in that big 32footer so have you ever considered downsizing to something that would use less gas or have a smaller second 18-20 foot aluminum boat for those days when you don't need such a large boat. $200 a day in gas would do in most fisherman (or their ol lady would do them in first). Filling up on a regular basis must be brutal. But then with Erie there always is a trade off with too little (safety issues) vs too big a boat (cost of gas). Anyone else out there with this same situation who has 2 boats for this reason? So what is the perfect size boat all around for erie fishing ?21 ?22 ?23 ?24 footer. I am curious on someone's opinion as to the one size fits all boat for Erie that fits safety needs and economy needs. Thanks.

[Island Runner]

CATCHNRELEASE, at this time in my life I would not consider downsizing. I completely updated every system in my boat. 2 new engines, 2 new transmissions, new wheels, all new wiring thru entire boat, new electronics, pretty much a new boat mechanically. I need this size of boat because I live 150+ miles from the lake and use the boat as a lake cottage as well as a fishing boat. But yea, with twin 195 gallon fuel tanks, filling up is brutal. I average .73mpg and that $200 a day fishing is a bare minimum. And the wife loves the boat. Lucky for me! We even were married on my boat. I had it before we met and I told her before we got married that my boat takes every extra penny I have to use and maintain it. She works full time as do I, but we agreed my money is my money, your money is your money. I pay all bills and her only bill is her Cadillac. She has no room or reason to complain.

And yes, I fish alone alot. More so than with others. My wife fished alot with me last year but still doesn't like it when it gets rough. She is pregnant at the moment and probably won't make to many trips up to the lake with me this year.

And in my opinoin, a 24-27 footer with a single small block or twin outboards would be the most economical, if there is such a thing as an economical boat. I imagine thats why most of the charters you see are running 27' Sportcrafts. Being I use mine to stay in for days at a time, wish it was bigger. There is no way I could afford a bigger boat, but its always nice to dream!

[CATCHNRELEASE]

Makes sense as you stay in your boat too. I do the 180 mile commute one way to get there so I burn $150 in gas in the truck alone driving back and forth just towing a 17.5 ft aluminum boat and $30 a day in gas for the boat so I guess too I am spending $200 a day also and am fried after fishing all day AND driving 6 hours a day. So never mind you are actually way ahead of the game. Great to have that "boat talk" with the wife UP FRONT which saves a lot of grief down the road. Sounds like a great little lady. Thanks for the reply!