Boat for Crabbing

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  • John from MD

    American Patriot
    MDS Supporter
    May 12, 2005
    22,733
    Socialist State of Maryland
    I will speak for the boats I have mentioned. A 16 foot Bayliner bow rider has a capacity of 5 or 6 depending on the YOM. An 18 foot has a capacity of 7 or 8. I have owned jon boats that could hold 5 people without crowding.
     

    mark71211

    Ultimate Member
    Sep 10, 2012
    2,234
    Edgewater
    Just picked this one up a few months ago cause the cost was right. Needs some work but it’s going to be my crabbing boat.
     

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    Mack C-85

    R.I.P.
    Jan 22, 2014
    6,522
    Littlestown, PA
    Just curious, some of these boat sizes seem kind of small. Are these smaller boats just for one or two people? Does anyone go crabbing with large groups (like four people) in these smaller boats?



    Thanks in advance,
    The Lowe I mentioned above handled 4 big guys fishing and crabbing.

    It also handled four with waterfowl hunting gear very well going back and forth to remote shore blind.

    Sent from my LG-G710 using Tapatalk
     

    Mr. Ed

    This IS my Happy Face
    MDS Supporter
    Jun 8, 2009
    7,899
    Edgewater
    I think most folks are spot on about a V hull and a bigger boat. Also higher freeboard is a plus. There's been mention of weather getting rough in a hurry, but a much bigger and more constant threat is assholes in big boats that throw huge wakes without any consideration for folks in little boats. :mad54:
     

    hi3cho

    Ultimate Member
    Nov 16, 2012
    1,306
    Edgemere
    Wider Carolina Skiff 17' DLX or DLV, they are very stable boats compared to most aluminum jon boats. If you are crabbing with a jon boat, you most likely are not taking long rides in rough waters. I crab regularly on a 17' Carolina skiff with a steering wheel, you can fit 4-5 people and pots. I think most find it is easier to drive with the steer with a steering wheel rather then a tiller. At least that is my experience when taking turns letting guests drive while I pull pots.
     

    danimalw

    Ultimate Member
    If you're new to aluminum boats, I'll add this if you don't know already. The model number is the length and bottom width (my 1750 was 17' long and the bottom is 50" wide).

    It was comfortable to fish or hunt 3 out of, I imagine it would have been comfortable to crab out of.

    Decide what/where/when you are freshwater fishing. Out on open water when weather turns bad, on can not have a boat that's too big, but one can have a boat that's too small.
     

    hobiecat590

    Ultimate Member
    MDS Supporter
    Feb 2, 2016
    2,434
    13' Classic Boston Whaler is excellent for chicken neckin', trout linin', fishin' and water skiing. Unsinkable, stable and perfect for creeks and rivers. It will rattle your back teeth in a chop so stay off the Bay unless calm. A 40 HP 4 stroke is optimal, but a lower HP is also OK but you might not be able to ski behind it.
     

    Virgil Co.C

    Active Member
    Aug 10, 2018
    615
    I have a 14 ft with 6 beam/ width. Run a 9.9 Suzuki on it . It’s a Lowe’s , not to confuse with the store. It has a lot more room then those they sell at Bass pro. I run it on the Severn river for crabbing , run trot line and pull traps . Do some fishing but mainly use it for duck hunting at fishing bay. Have 2 tolling motors 1 large one in front small one on back .not sure thrust off top of my head. River I do fine but you do have to be safe , big wakes can be well uncomfortable shall I say. Don’t go in the bay. Always clean it real well and pull engine for running on water where gas is not aloud. I love the trolling motor for trot line and picking up decoys I can get where larger john boats can’t . Plenty room for 2 adults. 3 is crowded but duable. 2 adults and a kid is ok also. Cooler and equipment plenty room . If you hunt I would get a flat bottom, that’s what I bought mine for. Get as wide as you can in my opinion ,skinny boats might as well be a kayak. Mine is set up for me . I like being able to stand and move around without stumbling around boat from it rocking.think you may have to spend more than 2k, engine run ya at least that. Do not skimp on engine .being stuck on water sucks, especially in the marsh. Can’t say I have but have helped people. Ran out of gas with my brother wasn’t to happy with him . Anyway good luck finding something.Like I said though , Reliable Engine ! Good gas container, filter , water seperator(filter).
     

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