buying a boat

Question
Hi Dan
Im 46 years old and love to bass fish, but love fishing other fish at times.
Im thinking of buying my first boat,and price is an issue and dont wont to buy any thing i dont need but cant decide what that is.
Im from springfield mass. and went to the local action marine crestliner dealer and looked at the fish halk 1750 or the c.m.v .
1, im wondering is this type of hull o,k for bass fishing
2, is there to much boat sticking out of the water that might catch to much wind and mak it hard for the troling moter to hold the boat in position.
3,Im thinking a yamaha 4 stoke is this good and how much h.p .
4,i would like a fish finder g.p.s, collor screan . i herd the color screans can detect more thing like hard rocky bottoms.but what  brand and model.
5, should i get 12 or 24 volt troling motor  and what brand. 6,where can i get the best deal.  

Answer
Steve,
I went to the Crestliner web site to do a little research before answering your questions.
Before doing so I'll let you know I've used several types of boats, but my last 3 have been
a Stratos, and 2 Rangers.  At present my rig is a 362 Ranger, which is 18 feet long, with a
88 inch beam.

After looking at the 1750 SC I would say it should work for your situation, but my
personal choice from this line would be a CX1860, which I feel would be better for bass
fishing.

As for other species, I've used my bass boats for all species.  A bass boat is really a fishing
boat, and as such is designed to go fill most anglers' needs.

The 1750 would have a lot of free board, which would cause some problems with the
wind.  You get this with any boat, but those that set higher in the water will have the
problem magnified.  On the plus side, they will most likely have a drier ride in rough
water, and with an aluminum line can be easier in the rough water.

If the money was there, a Ranger Fisherman is a good all around fishing rig.  Be sure to
look at the console model.  A good used one could be an answer, and if you can find one
that is coming in from a pro staff member it has most likely only been used for one season.

On the motor question, Yamaha makes a great outboard.  I use a Mariner, but the Yamaha
is a top motor, and has less problems than many.

Fish finders with a GPS are right up my line.  I've worked with the R&D field tester staff
of Humminbird for several years.  You mentioned the color variety.  Get ready  to put a
lot of money into those.  I've been testing the Matrix 15 and 17, which are not color, but
do have GPS.  I'm not sure why you want the GPS, as this is not a feature I use all that
much.  However, the Matrix has been a great depth finder.  The nice thing about the
Humminbird line these days is that the company has a web site where you can update the
units software by connecting it through your computer, using a program call Humminbird
PC.  There is a Matrix unit that is in color.  So go to their web site and look through the
line.  Details will be available.

As for trolling motors, I always say not to go to low.  I definitely recommend a 24 volt
system, with a variable speed control.  The motor on my boat is a Motor Guide Tour
Edition 780.  MinnKota also has some good models, but I have not used them for many
years.  My last 6 trolling motors have been Motor Guide.  As for the best deal, most boats
come as package deals these years, which means there should be a trolling motor already
on the boat.

Speaking of package rigs, perhaps you would concider looking at the Bass Tracker line.

Since you are in Springfield, Mass you may want to place this same question to the pro
staff on Bassin USA's web site.  It is free to join, and we get a lot of questions.  Some of
our pro staff is from the eastern part of the USA.  I may a member of the staff, as is my
partner Johnnie Crain.  Their web address is www.bassinusa.com.

I hope I've helped in answering some of your questions.  If you need further details, or
have other questions, please get in touch again.

Best of fishing,
Dan