Lake Simcoe boat question

I just made my first "boat" purchase its a sun dolphin pro 120 found here http://www.sundolphinboats.com/oz/3/...h/pro/pro.html , I know its not a heavy duty expensive fishing boat but its great for me right now. Anyways my question is as of right now i have a 50 lb thrust trolling motor, Gas motor will come next season. Would this motor be ok for a day on Simcoe doing some perch. I dont plan on going to far off shore just want to know if my little boat and motor would handle simcoe.

Any thoughts would be great.

Thanks

I would say that Cooks bay around Gilford would be ok. Good luck!!!

I would be very careful. Be absolutely sure of the wind speed and direction etc to be sure you dont find yourself battling waves you cant handle. It depends of course where you are planning to fish- but personally i wouldn't go out on Simcoe in your boat with only a trolling motor to get me home/to shore. I cottage there and have had some scary moments even in my 16 1/2 foot bowrider. Be safe!

I'll be honest. On small lakes I'd go with the trolling motor, but for Simcoe and any other bigger water, I'd prefer to have even a small outboard. The realm of the unpredictable is a bit higher.

Keep your eye on Kijiji, even a little 4-5 hp would be fine for a boat that size, like this one.

http://www.kijiji.ca/v-powerboat-mot...ationFlag=true

I had this exact motor on a 12' aluminum years ago, and it never let me down.

I used to spend time on Simcoe and use a 40lb trolling motor around HERE all the time but I would be very cautious with it on Simcoe, especially for a novice boater. An offshore wind and a weak/dying battery could mean a long slow wet boat ride.
A sunny afternoon around Atherly/Orillia or sheltered parts of Cooks Bay would be my limit.

Thanks for you help guys, gonna hold off till next year when i can get some more power. Not worth risking. But thanks for all the help.

Once i get a outboard, looking around 5hp would cooks bay be an "safe" place to go? Would really like to try and get into some jumbos.

Thanks
Again

sure watch the weather and wind

I been out in some big lakes with my little 12/ft springbok tin boat... Lake Ontario.. Simcoe.. Georgian bay.. Just don't go out if your don't feel safe.. If your new to boating work up to larger water... Cooks bay can get a MEAN chop on it... Simcoe can be worse...

I remember spending the day up at Fox island in my 14' outboard. The only way we could get back to Keswick was to tuck in behind a cabin cruiser and ride his wake back....

That's an awful small boat for big water. If you do venture out, don't go more than a minute or two from shore and wear a life jacket.

Play it safe and bring 2 deep cycle batteries if possible. Again your in a 12ft boat with a very flat bottom and will take on water. Maybe a small portable bilge pump or a hand pump will be able to remove any water quickly. Your biggest worry is other boat wakes. You will have to pay attention to those as it could bring big rollers if a cruiser flies by. Reading the wind is a must and don’t venture out to far in the morning as the day will usually bring bigger and bigger waves. Be safe and tight lines.

Cheers Henry

A boat like that has its purpose, however, lake simcoe is not the lake to be zipping around in a boat like that. That boat you have there is a great rig for these small little lakes that have no access. Pick a up a 2-5 hp motor so you can count on gas to get you around, then use the electric to fish. Grab a back roads map, in the spring or this fall take a drive to an area you would like to fish. Keep the driving distance with in reason. Pick 3-4 lakes that have access to pop a boat in of this size, you will be surprized with some of the fishing you can get into. Many times I leave my crestliner on the driveway and haul the tin with a 5hp around to these smaller lakes by the cottage, it's a little more work but man can it pay off.

Hi There,


That boat is a boat for ponds and streams. It is NOT designed for Lake Simcoe or other large bodies of water. It is basically a paddle boat. For the same price, you can get a 14ft aluminum with a 9.9hp. (the smallest safe boat I would recommend for Simcoe). A bigger boat's wake on even a calm day will tip this vessel and you will regret buying it.


Be safe and get a bigger boat. Not a dingy.


Kevin