upgrading boats

[thehook]

hello all

i am contemplating selling my 14ft springbok with a 25hp 2 stroke merc on it. i may be looking at upgrading to something in the 18ft range. the questions is.... have you had a tinner you wish you had kept? maybe i should wait until i can buy another boat without selling this one? tough call as i want a little more room and a windshield and more storage....

 

[cracked_ribs]

I'll answer your question with another question: are there places you go with the 14 that you wouldn't be able to reach with the 18? Or are there launches which you can comfortably single-hand the 14 but the 18 would be a challenge?

My realization has been that a smaller and more easily handled boat means that I'm more likely to go play with it. A big tank is more of a production to take out. But some 18s are still pretty handy, so depending on the boat you may find it nearly as easy as your current boat.

But if it's a little open Springbok vs a full cabin tinner with a pod and all the launches you go to are steep and unsheltered, say...well, now you have a boat with a giant sail on the front of it, that is probably about as big as most people would want to manage solo at a lot of ramps.

So it depends a bit on the circumstance and the particular 18. Personally I think everybody needs two boats, a smaller open boat and a tank with a cabin, so if you can keep the little guy I would. A small, handy boat is great to own.

 

[N2013]

Was in your shoes up until a few months ago. It's a give & take. Miss the ease of my 16' aluminum. It was always ready to go, could fit in my garage, and able to leave at the drop of a hat. Now with a DE 185, everything becomes more of a challenge and a task. But, it means we have a boat more suitable for our family, no longer have the option to wait for good weather to go fish, so a bigger boat is a big plus. It's great when the boat is moored, but when trailering, loading/unloading, cleaning, storing, definitely is a drawback. I'd figure out what you could get for your boat, then decide if it's worth it to sell it. Draw up a pros & cons list. The way our fishery is going, I'd caution anyone looking to upgrade. Having said that, I have no regrets. I fish mainly on the south island so all my spots are close by. Our new boat opens up other fisheries on the island and adds more comfort and safety.

 

[Damien]

I wound up finally getting rid of my 14' tinny that I held on to for 3 years after getting my 'big' glass boat. The tinny never left the yard in that time, so that made my mind up for me.

Friends and family have tinnies that I can grab if/when needed. And I have taken a bit of a liking to fishing from little Costco kayak that I fitted with Scotty rod holders.

Big thing is being able to keep a boat in a garage. I HATE having to take off my kicker, remove all my gear from the various lockers and storage hatches, take off the fishfinder, take off the riggers, remove the cannonballs etc.

The crack heads have made their way into my neighbourhood in a big way. 5 years ago, seemed like there were none. Now they lurk constantly and will steal ANTYHING. Including a 4o+ year old 20hp Merc that was through bolted to the transom of said 14' tinny. They didn't unbolt it, they broke it off the transom, FFS.

 

[ericl]

I had a 14ft livingston I wish I had kept. I now have a 33ft boat; non-trailerable.
To me a boat 24ft or under should offer most things a 14 offers except cost to own/operate in that you can launch it yourself & tow it.

 

[Macfuzza]

Next upgrade for me will be a 16-17' aluminum with a 40-60hp 4 stroke. Don't want a bigger truck, still spend a lot of time in fresh water.

 

[halimark]

I would KEEP the 14 tinny. Things keep going the way they are lake fishing will be all that's left. Can still fish ocean on nice days but perfect for all local lakes. Sold my tinny when I got the 18.6 DE, then got a new 12 lund when I realized I needed/wanted a lake boat and I was getting to old for the kayaks. My recommendation, keep and buy the bigger boat.

HM