Just wondering how many of you guys that have 17ft aluminum boats fish on erie and how often are you limited by the weather? I am just trying to get an idea wether or not what i have will work . heres what i have a 17ft 82inch beam sea nymph
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17ft boaters
chris rab
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If that boat is the same boat as in the op looks like you may have a merc hanging on that boat.
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Boatnut took the words right out of my mouth. I have a 17 foot fiberglass boat, and I take that out on the Lake all the time. I have grown up on the water and have been out many many times growing up. I assume since you asked if your boat is big enough you have little time on Lake Erie, stay close to shore and see how you and your boat handles different types of conditions before you head too far out.
I also fish around the Islands, which is a different scenario than the Central Basin. I always figure I have a place to run if something pops up. The Central Basin...not so much. Also a marine radio is a must, and make sure your boat is in good running condition. It can happen to anyone, but being broke down out on the big Lake is not fun, been there done that. Take what the Lake gives you and you'll be fine! Good luck, and be safe.
I also fish around the Islands, which is a different scenario than the Central Basin. I always figure I have a place to run if something pops up. The Central Basin...not so much. Also a marine radio is a must, and make sure your boat is in good running condition. It can happen to anyone, but being broke down out on the big Lake is not fun, been there done that. Take what the Lake gives you and you'll be fine! Good luck, and be safe.
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Just pick the weather man......I own a 17' smokercraft and have been up there all year. I got comfortable enough to fish in 2-4's, but I have been on erie a long time. It makes getting into port a little rough though.
2 foot or less, and a south wind you are good to go. Just have a good radio and watch the weather like a hawk, especially in the summer. Those storms don't always show up on the radar.
2 foot or less, and a south wind you are good to go. Just have a good radio and watch the weather like a hawk, especially in the summer. Those storms don't always show up on the radar.
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The only boat I will go out on the Great Lakes with is one with 2 motors, 2 separate fuel systems, 2 steering systems and full floatation -unsinkable.
I don't think the length of the boat is important. The type is important.
Bigger is more comfortable and will go faster in rough water but only up to a point. I always like to fish when it is calm out anyway. But it is nice to not have any worries about getting back
Add: The boat is only a small part of going out. Everything else is important as well. Experience, weather forecasts, tools, spare parts, knowing how to deal with situations, safety.
I don't think the length of the boat is important. The type is important.
Bigger is more comfortable and will go faster in rough water but only up to a point. I always like to fish when it is calm out anyway. But it is nice to not have any worries about getting back
Add: The boat is only a small part of going out. Everything else is important as well. Experience, weather forecasts, tools, spare parts, knowing how to deal with situations, safety.
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10,375 Posts
just make sure you have all the safety gear, a good marine radio a good sump pump, some people even like to have two pumps, and thats not a bad idea. a good signal kit with a distress flag flare gun and hand flares. and a 5 gal bucket. dont scrimp on safety items. and a good little first aid kit dont hurt anything. and make sure to have good life jackets for everybody on board.
lake erie fishing can be the most fun you will ever have. but you have to respect her. and if the time comes you do get caught in rough water, just dont panic. a 17 ft boat can take some pretty big waves if you just take your time. try to keep your bow into the waves or behind you. and just try to go with the waves. kinda like surfing with your boat if the waves are behind you,LOL.
another safety item that you must have is a good anchor and plenty of rope. for the western basin i recommend 150 ft of rope. if you brake down in rough water or even in calm seas the first thing you want to do is drop anchor off the bow. that way your bow will be going into the waves. but hopefully you will never need to do this. but its better to be prepaired just in case.
i think someone already said this. but start out slow dont get out to far. if your fishing the western basin you are always close to some land. learn what your boat can handle safely. i have been in 4 fters plus a few times with a 16 ft boat. not on purpose, we would be fishing and it would start getting rough. and by the time we made it in the waves had gotten alot worse than when we started in. but the boat took the waves just fine. i just had to take my time and keep the nose of the boat up and we did ok. a 17 ft boat can take some pretty good waves as long as the capt knows what he,s doing. learn your limitations as well as your boats.
if it gets to rough and its better to go to one of the islands then go behind the island and wait out the storm. it would always be better to be late getting in than not getting in at all.
we started fishing lake erie in the early 80,s and have been broke down a couple of times. but we have never had to beach the boat. we have always been able to make it back in. even the first trip in the 16 ft tri hull open bow we made it back in. but it took some doing. if we had kept going straught into the waves we would have sunk. but hitting the waves with the corners was like hitting them with a v hull instead of a big dipper.
im sorry for such long posts. but im trying to help the op out alittle.
dont go up there scared of lake erie but do respect what she can do. now go up there and have fun and catch some fish, and enjoy being with whoever you take with you. the stuff i have told you was not to scare you but prepare you for the worst.
there was 2 times in 30 yrs that i thought we might need our life jackets. and both times was really our own fault. the first time we was in a 16 ft boat. it had an old 80 or 85 hp evenrude and then a 15 hp kicker. we was trolling with the 15 and we was getting some water over the transom in the transom tray and some of it was going down in the hole the cables went through to the big motor. the guys in the back would tell me when i needed to turn the sump pump on and i would pump the water out. anyway they told me i needed to pump some water out. the pump wouldnt work. i looked in the back of the boat and it was full of water and some big waves coming over the back of the boat. the battery was under water,i tried to start the big motor and it wouldnt do anything. so we started dipping water with a 5 gallon bucket i kept on the boat. and cut the top out of a couple of 2 liter bottles we had. i thought we was going down. the waves was pouring in the back. even after we turned into the waves it was still coming in. but we finelly got the water below the battery and the sump pump started working. the big motor still wouldnt start but the battery had enough juice to run the pump. we got the water all pumped out and started trolling towards shore. the guys in the back was sopposed to tell me when i needed to pump the water out. i guess they thought it was funny to let the boat fill up with water before saying anything. but what i really needed was an automatic sump pump and 2 batteries. which i started having after that trip.
the next time my friend was pulling his aluminum boat and had a wreak. the bow was bent on the boat but no cracks. we took it to erie. we headed out and we were going to drift. he shut the boat down and i jumped up on the bow. i threw out one line and he said you need to get back in the boat. the water was already half way up the side of the mercruiser motor. i jumped in and he started the motor, but the pullies and belt was throwing water all over the motor and the distributor got wet and it died and wouldnt start. we started dipping water and running the sump pump. we wasnt making much progress. i took the cap off the distributor and dried everything out and covered it up. the motor started and we took off but there was so much water it wouldnt plane off. but we headed for shore and kept dipping water with his 5 gal bucket. we started to catch up with the water. then the boat finelly planed off. but we had to keep the sump pump running all the way in. when we got in and slowed down the boat started to fill with water again. we got it on the trailer and pulled it out. there was a big crack on both sides of the boat about 1 ft long just below the water line. thats why the pump kept up when we was on plane. the wreck hadnt cracked the boat but had stressed the metal. then the rough ride out to the island had caused it to crack.
we put on our life jackets both times, because i just knew we were going down. but we never gave up and saved both boats and maby a life or two. and both times i feel like it was our own fault. we wasnt really as prepaired as we could have been. and the first time the 2 guys in the back of the boat shouldnt have let us take on so much water before saying something. and the second time he should have taken the boat out on a local lake and tested it out. it was just alot of stupid mistakes on our part.
sherman
lake erie fishing can be the most fun you will ever have. but you have to respect her. and if the time comes you do get caught in rough water, just dont panic. a 17 ft boat can take some pretty big waves if you just take your time. try to keep your bow into the waves or behind you. and just try to go with the waves. kinda like surfing with your boat if the waves are behind you,LOL.
another safety item that you must have is a good anchor and plenty of rope. for the western basin i recommend 150 ft of rope. if you brake down in rough water or even in calm seas the first thing you want to do is drop anchor off the bow. that way your bow will be going into the waves. but hopefully you will never need to do this. but its better to be prepaired just in case.
i think someone already said this. but start out slow dont get out to far. if your fishing the western basin you are always close to some land. learn what your boat can handle safely. i have been in 4 fters plus a few times with a 16 ft boat. not on purpose, we would be fishing and it would start getting rough. and by the time we made it in the waves had gotten alot worse than when we started in. but the boat took the waves just fine. i just had to take my time and keep the nose of the boat up and we did ok. a 17 ft boat can take some pretty good waves as long as the capt knows what he,s doing. learn your limitations as well as your boats.
if it gets to rough and its better to go to one of the islands then go behind the island and wait out the storm. it would always be better to be late getting in than not getting in at all.
we started fishing lake erie in the early 80,s and have been broke down a couple of times. but we have never had to beach the boat. we have always been able to make it back in. even the first trip in the 16 ft tri hull open bow we made it back in. but it took some doing. if we had kept going straught into the waves we would have sunk. but hitting the waves with the corners was like hitting them with a v hull instead of a big dipper.
im sorry for such long posts. but im trying to help the op out alittle.
dont go up there scared of lake erie but do respect what she can do. now go up there and have fun and catch some fish, and enjoy being with whoever you take with you. the stuff i have told you was not to scare you but prepare you for the worst.
there was 2 times in 30 yrs that i thought we might need our life jackets. and both times was really our own fault. the first time we was in a 16 ft boat. it had an old 80 or 85 hp evenrude and then a 15 hp kicker. we was trolling with the 15 and we was getting some water over the transom in the transom tray and some of it was going down in the hole the cables went through to the big motor. the guys in the back would tell me when i needed to turn the sump pump on and i would pump the water out. anyway they told me i needed to pump some water out. the pump wouldnt work. i looked in the back of the boat and it was full of water and some big waves coming over the back of the boat. the battery was under water,i tried to start the big motor and it wouldnt do anything. so we started dipping water with a 5 gallon bucket i kept on the boat. and cut the top out of a couple of 2 liter bottles we had. i thought we was going down. the waves was pouring in the back. even after we turned into the waves it was still coming in. but we finelly got the water below the battery and the sump pump started working. the big motor still wouldnt start but the battery had enough juice to run the pump. we got the water all pumped out and started trolling towards shore. the guys in the back was sopposed to tell me when i needed to pump the water out. i guess they thought it was funny to let the boat fill up with water before saying anything. but what i really needed was an automatic sump pump and 2 batteries. which i started having after that trip.
the next time my friend was pulling his aluminum boat and had a wreak. the bow was bent on the boat but no cracks. we took it to erie. we headed out and we were going to drift. he shut the boat down and i jumped up on the bow. i threw out one line and he said you need to get back in the boat. the water was already half way up the side of the mercruiser motor. i jumped in and he started the motor, but the pullies and belt was throwing water all over the motor and the distributor got wet and it died and wouldnt start. we started dipping water and running the sump pump. we wasnt making much progress. i took the cap off the distributor and dried everything out and covered it up. the motor started and we took off but there was so much water it wouldnt plane off. but we headed for shore and kept dipping water with his 5 gal bucket. we started to catch up with the water. then the boat finelly planed off. but we had to keep the sump pump running all the way in. when we got in and slowed down the boat started to fill with water again. we got it on the trailer and pulled it out. there was a big crack on both sides of the boat about 1 ft long just below the water line. thats why the pump kept up when we was on plane. the wreck hadnt cracked the boat but had stressed the metal. then the rough ride out to the island had caused it to crack.
we put on our life jackets both times, because i just knew we were going down. but we never gave up and saved both boats and maby a life or two. and both times i feel like it was our own fault. we wasnt really as prepaired as we could have been. and the first time the 2 guys in the back of the boat shouldnt have let us take on so much water before saying something. and the second time he should have taken the boat out on a local lake and tested it out. it was just alot of stupid mistakes on our part.
sherman
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11,072 Posts
I am in a similar position as Chris Rab. I have a 17' Monark but I think it may be just a touch wider and deeper than yours. I have a 125HP on the back so with my boat power is not really an issue. I was up a little while back when the wave forecast was 1-3 building to 2-4 later in the day. Winds were out of the southwest so I knew that we had some shield to fish nearshore if necessary. The waves did end up building to maybe 3-4' and while I didn't spend much time out during that I did feel pretty safe. I have been up very little so far with it but I agree with what most are saying that the boat is big enough, just be smart and keep track of the weather. Make sure to have all safety equipment up to speed, including a good marine radio. Also, don't forget to test your bilge pump! You mentioned staying within 3 miles. That opens you up to a LOT of opportunities. I like the recommendation for the kicker motor. I have one that I need to get the carb cleaned up on. It will be a great insurance item for the event that the big motor decides to take a crap.
I noticed that your boat appears to have the cutaway transom. One thing you can think about doing is something that was done on my boat before I got it. It has a mounted plexiglass splashguard across the top and then rubber flaps in the splashwell area. It would help minimize the water taken on from trailing seas while on plane or just trolling.
If it were me personally and I lived that close to Erie I would probably look to upgrade a bit to something in the 19-21' range to allow for a bit more access of the lake on marginal weather days. For now I am good with the one I have because I am towing 2+ hours to Erie and would rather not have the bigger boat to do so. Plus I use mine locally on inland lakes which it is more than sufficient. I think I will even upgrade somewhere down the line as finances allow it but I can just live with what I have knowing that some days Erie will not cooperate and I will have to choose to not go out.
By the way, I was just out yesterday and saw several boats like yours and mine on the water.
I noticed that your boat appears to have the cutaway transom. One thing you can think about doing is something that was done on my boat before I got it. It has a mounted plexiglass splashguard across the top and then rubber flaps in the splashwell area. It would help minimize the water taken on from trailing seas while on plane or just trolling.
If it were me personally and I lived that close to Erie I would probably look to upgrade a bit to something in the 19-21' range to allow for a bit more access of the lake on marginal weather days. For now I am good with the one I have because I am towing 2+ hours to Erie and would rather not have the bigger boat to do so. Plus I use mine locally on inland lakes which it is more than sufficient. I think I will even upgrade somewhere down the line as finances allow it but I can just live with what I have knowing that some days Erie will not cooperate and I will have to choose to not go out.
By the way, I was just out yesterday and saw several boats like yours and mine on the water.
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My first Walleye Boat used on Lake Erie was a 17ft. Crestliner Viking LE Tiller Handle and had many great trips and tournaments in that boat.
Operator is key. Only go as far as your respect and confidence tell you and you will grow your comfort level while avoiding any scares. Couple tips:
* The 2:00-3:00 position on the starboard bow and the 10:00-11:00p.m. position on the port bow will be your best angle if you get caught in rough seas.
* 1-3 foot would be a workable ceiling
* Stay around the Island area or near shore. South winds give you a couple miles from shore before the seas become hazardous. YOu are a towable package and you can move east to stay close to shore as the fish migrate east.
* Keep a 3-5 gallon bucket for bailing water (Just in Case)
* A tow package for $75/ season is not optional
* Take a minimum 9 or more flares & good ship shore radio
* If you go beyond the islands go with the commitment to NOT BE impatient to hide by the isalnds if the seas get rough.
You will be in range of a lot of fishing. Stay well within your comfort zone and move east as it gets later the season to reduce the length of your run.
Dont 2nd guess yourself - react within your comfort level and have fun fishing.
Operator is key. Only go as far as your respect and confidence tell you and you will grow your comfort level while avoiding any scares. Couple tips:
* The 2:00-3:00 position on the starboard bow and the 10:00-11:00p.m. position on the port bow will be your best angle if you get caught in rough seas.
* 1-3 foot would be a workable ceiling
* Stay around the Island area or near shore. South winds give you a couple miles from shore before the seas become hazardous. YOu are a towable package and you can move east to stay close to shore as the fish migrate east.
* Keep a 3-5 gallon bucket for bailing water (Just in Case)
* A tow package for $75/ season is not optional
* Take a minimum 9 or more flares & good ship shore radio
* If you go beyond the islands go with the commitment to NOT BE impatient to hide by the isalnds if the seas get rough.
You will be in range of a lot of fishing. Stay well within your comfort zone and move east as it gets later the season to reduce the length of your run.
Dont 2nd guess yourself - react within your comfort level and have fun fishing.
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200 Posts
True story:
A long time ago these guys went out fishing. It was a strong offshore wind so it was nice and calm close to the shore for fishing. Great! Except their anchor wouldn't hold and they couldn't get the motor to start. So the boat started drifting out to the middle of the lake, the waves got too big for the boat and they died.
Always be cautious and you will have a great time.
That's great that you are asking before you get started. There are all kinds of good guys on here that can help you out with just about anything.
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2,765 Posts
We put nearly 200 walleye and some nice perch in my 17'6" Triton aluminum boat this year. It's all about picking and choosing your days, paying attention to the weather and knowing when to call it a day. We had a couple of bumpy rides in but nothing that couldn't be handled with a little patience and throttle control.
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i dont think you ever really said where you plan to fish. i would have no problen fishing this boat in 2 to 3,s in the western basin. but i would think twice about trying anythig ove 2 or less in the central basin. now i would fish 2 to 3,s in the central basin. but i would try the boat in calmer seas to see how she would handle 2 to 3,s. but i wouldnt recommend it to you untill you get some water time under your belt. if your going to fish the central basin i would stick to perch fishing for awhile until i learned alittle more about being out in rough water. its not that far out to the perch but your talking sometimes 15 miles + to get to the eyes in the central basin. and you have no islands for safety out there. im sure your boat could handle 4 fters but can the capt?? so perch fishing the central basin would be some good schooling for you. i wouldnt take her out knowing there was going to be 4 ft waves. but if you get out there in 2,s and the lake decides it wants 4,s then you have to make it back in in 4,s.
there are hundreds of 16 to 18 ft boats that fish erie every year. and the smart ones are the ones that goes out another day. dont take chances with your life. erie will sink you even in bigger boats than yours. but the guys that goes out in these smaller boats watch the weather. and if the lake gets worse than the forcasts they go in early. there is nothing to be ashamed about. like i said before i have set in the parking lot because of thunderstorm forcasts, and then it be beautiful all day. but i got out the next day.
just start out in calm water forcasts, say 2 ft or less then as you get to know your boats limitations you will also learn your limitations. a good capt can handle alot rougher water than someone who hasnt been in rough water. i,ve been on erie since the early 80,s and i have been in some rough water. but even now in my 21 fter if its going to be 4 ft or if it gets that rough my boat handles them with no problem. but i just dont like fishing in water that rough.
i just bought a 25 ft boat. and if it gets in 4 ft waves we may just head in. i just dont like being bounced around. maby its just because im to old to fish rough water. but i feel safe in my 21 ft boat in much rougher water than i like to fish.
im sure as you fish erie you will start to feel more at home out there. and as you fish rougher water you will lean when its time to stay home and when its time to head in.
sherman
there are hundreds of 16 to 18 ft boats that fish erie every year. and the smart ones are the ones that goes out another day. dont take chances with your life. erie will sink you even in bigger boats than yours. but the guys that goes out in these smaller boats watch the weather. and if the lake gets worse than the forcasts they go in early. there is nothing to be ashamed about. like i said before i have set in the parking lot because of thunderstorm forcasts, and then it be beautiful all day. but i got out the next day.
just start out in calm water forcasts, say 2 ft or less then as you get to know your boats limitations you will also learn your limitations. a good capt can handle alot rougher water than someone who hasnt been in rough water. i,ve been on erie since the early 80,s and i have been in some rough water. but even now in my 21 fter if its going to be 4 ft or if it gets that rough my boat handles them with no problem. but i just dont like fishing in water that rough.
i just bought a 25 ft boat. and if it gets in 4 ft waves we may just head in. i just dont like being bounced around. maby its just because im to old to fish rough water. but i feel safe in my 21 ft boat in much rougher water than i like to fish.
im sure as you fish erie you will start to feel more at home out there. and as you fish rougher water you will lean when its time to stay home and when its time to head in.
sherman
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92 Posts
Thanks for all the replies.. I will mainly be fishing western basin from maumee bay to the islands. I live only 45 minutes or so from the islands. Got a new vhf radio and antenna that i just need to install now. I will be looking for a kicker for my boat thinking 4-6hp range, going to have to install a bracket to mount it on.
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10,375 Posts
you are close enough you can pick the days you want to fish. so you should be in good shape. be safe and have a great time fishing erie. and be sure and read all the postings on here about where and how the guys are fishing thats getting the fish. last spring was a bonanza for the spring fisherman.
sherman
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1,209 Posts
Your 17' Lowe has a 93" beam. I wouldn't put your Lowe in the same class of 17' boat that the OP has. Not knocking his boat but the 17 Lowe is a much bigger boat. I owned the FM186 Lowe for 5 years so I'm very familiar with your boat. I'm pretty sure I've seen you around the islands in the past.
To answer the OP you need to pick your days but I have to agree with the others that lake can go from flat to 7' in a hurry. If you do fish from say the islands area I would launch from one of the island launches instead of say Mazurick. Be careful and have all safety gear and a radio. Cell phones work in most areas around the islands. Be safe and have fun.
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92 Posts
I think the FM165 is a 77 inch beam (according to Iboats boat specs). I was looking at purchasing one of those boats before.
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1,205 Posts
i run a 20' lund and it does quite well. I recommend a 9.9, or even a 15hp kicker. Our 9.9 pushes us 8mph at wot. we still have tow insurance, but we could easily get in on the kicker in a bind. It requires a drift bag for low speeds. Get a smartphone with live radar and live weather reports. It has kept me drier and safer than noaa has for the past 20+ years!
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908 Posts
I'm a little on the wild side of most mariners. I grew up as a child fishing in a 16' Lyman with my father and my grandfather. When I was around 12 my dad bought a 19' Sea Raider. We went out in both those boats in anything less than 5' waves and would perch fish all day long in some protected area but have to make our way out and back in during some rough water. I now have a 25' Seaswirl aft cabin and a 17 1/2' aluminum Triton. I have had my Triton out in 4-5' waves 15 miles off shore trolling for walleye on tournament days. I usually don't make those runs otherwise. I would prefer to get my Seaswirl set up to troll for the long term when the weather is rough but the Triton has done far better than I would have ever imagined before owning it.
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1,209 Posts
The FM165 is but not their 17' FM175
http://www.loweboats.com/fishing-machine/fm175-pro-sc/
I was mistaken it is a 92" beam on their 17'. The FM1165 is the 16'.
When I first looked at the FM175 I was surprised how big of a boat it is. Seems Lowe took out a foot in the center of the cockpit area and narrowed the FM185 just a tad. This is one 17' boat I would be comfortable in due to its dimensions of depth and width. It's a big 17' boat.
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