14 foot or 16 foot

Looking at a new to me boat lots of 14 some 16 foots ,will be fishing smaller lakes around Guelph maybe try my luck on Erie or Lake Simco what are your thought trying to find a deep and wide make the wife feel more secure. What are your thoughts and recommendations. Thanks

A boat that is rated for at least a 40hp. Because that tells you it’s a heavy enough boat. Not many 14’ are heavy enough. 14’6” and bigger.
Those boats don’t come up for sale very often. I’d definitely get a boat with a floor and then it will probably have nice seating too. If you can get seats with arms all the better.
I’d take an old boat with a never motor and no 2strokes.

I have a 16 ft aluminum with a 20 Hp, and u really gotta pick ur days to try L Erie!!
I always have to look at wind speed and direction first, and many days dont go becauseits too windy

Ditto size that Glen states.

Good advice , I'm basically looking at utility style

If you have the room at home for parking, I'd definitely go with a 16. There's those days when you start out on calm waters and then the wind picks up which makes you head back in.

Glen u say no 2 strokes why?

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Originally Posted by overtheir

Glen u say no 2 strokes why?

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4 strokes are awesome but nothing wrong with 2 strokes. They been putting us on the water for decades.
they are louder, but much lighter and cheaper.

lots of pros and cons just decide what’s right for you and your budget

as for the boat I’ve had lots of 14’ but my 16’ is nice to have on a lot of days even if it’s not rough. Space goes quickly with fishing gear

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Originally Posted by overtheir

Looking at a new to me boat lots of 14 some 16 foots ,will be fishing smaller lakes around Guelph maybe try my luck on Erie or Lake Simco what are your thought trying to find a deep and wide make the wife feel more secure. What are your thoughts and recommendations. Thanks

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U-m-m-m,size matters with big water. I have a 16' with a 30 4-stroke that's awesome for most inland lakes and rivers,but,out on lakes the size of Quinty,Rice or Scugog when the weather and wind gets tolling,it's a bare minimum IMO. The Great Lakes is a non-starter unless it's dead calm. I've put in at Whitby and Port Hope early in the morning the with an eye to the sky continually. As soon as the rollers start,I'm off. If you want first hand info and experience,take a ride down to talk to outfitters. They'll never steer you wrong.

I went from a 20hp evinrude to a 20hp Honda.
The smell when trolling.
The 4stroke burns 1/3 of the fuel.
I’ve saved enough in gas to pay for the engine.