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Author Topic:   17-footer On Lake Erie

southshore fisherman posted 02-28-2010 09:21 AM ET (US)
Good morning. Once again I'm dreaming about owning a Boston Whaler. I've been reading the posts here and feel there are some very knowedgable boat owners here. I'm wondering: do you think a 17-foot Whaler would be suitable for fishing Lake Erie? I mainly perch fish off Cleveland and stay within four miles of the shore. I sometimes like to head to the Islands to chase walleye, but not too often. When I do go out there I usually fish near the islands but sometimes venture to West Sister Island. I'm thinking of a 17 so I could also easily trailer it to some inland lakes around my area.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks
John
jimh posted 02-28-2010 09:54 AM ET (US)
A Boston Whaler 17-footer like a MONTAUK would be suitable for fishing in Lake Erie.
whaler007 posted 02-28-2010 10:20 AM ET (US)
You would be fine in the 17' Montauk in Erie.
However, you would need to keep a close watch of the weather. Anything over 3' waves on Erie is going to start getting uncomfortable.
I had the same thought as you last year. I ended up with a 190 Montauk. It does great on Erie, and a nice all around boat.
southshore fisherman posted 02-28-2010 11:51 AM ET (US)
Thank you both. I do watch the weather very carefully, befoe I launch and while I'm out.
John
jimh posted 02-28-2010 02:02 PM ET (US)
Because of the shallow water in the western basin of Lake Erie, when the wave height is three feet the wavelength (the distance between wave crests) is also about three-feet. In seas of that sort I am afraid there really is no trailerable Boston Whaler boat that gives a comfortable ride.
RandyV posted 02-28-2010 02:56 PM ET (US)
I often fish Lake Erie with my 17' Montauk. I put in at Sterling State Park in Monore, MI and have been to W. Sister (about 16 miles) and Middle Sister several times. We often troll in 3-4' waves within 4 miles of shore and it is really not a problem. You just can't go 25 mph back to shore in those conditions. You have to pick your days if you plan to go out very far and I don't consider 4 miles very far. Expect a longer slow ride on rough days.
themclos posted 02-28-2010 05:41 PM ET (US)
Given the nature of the fishing and boating you described, a 17 Montauk would be a great boat for you.
Don't forget about the walleye, as well.
Dan
southshore fisherman posted 02-28-2010 06:27 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the additional replies. I try to limit my fishing to days when the lake is under 3 foot waves but as we know it kicks up fast on the shallow lake. It's good to hear that others aren't fearful of going out in a 17. I still like to fish the smaller lakes also and anything over a 17 will mean a new tow vehicle. I'll be taking my time to see what's out there and your help is appreciated.
Thanks
John
eriedeary posted 03-01-2010 10:53 AM ET (US)
Casual fisherman from Cleveland w/ 99 Outrage 17. I have never ridden a Montauk so can't compare, but will say that conditions certainly dictate fishing practice. 3 footers to go out into 65-70 ft of water not really crazy about, ride can be a little rough-3 footers to hit the perch pack in 45-50ft,no sweat! That said, never felt unsafe caught out in deeper water when it has kicked a bit. I can only imagine the handling in a trolling Montauck may be more difficult in chop than in mine. For serious offshore consider heavier boat, deeper V-like 20 Outrage. For all purpose you will be satisfied w/ 17, but expect a good thumping when underway in chop. I have never upgraded because of the satisfaction I've had with mine-easy trailering, fits in garage, economical gas consumption. That said, trolling motor a definite must with my old Opti. Hope this helps as this board has helped me in past-thanx rh
dino54904 posted 03-01-2010 12:37 PM ET (US)
Hi,
I used my Montauk on Lake Michigan for salmon fishing for 10 years. 3' waves were uncomfortable to fish in but never a reason to be concerned for safety. We often fish 5 miles from shore so the ride home in a Montauk in a 3' chop was pretty uncomfortable. I would have no problem recommending the same boat for Lake Erie.
heatxcape posted 03-01-2010 07:41 PM ET (US)
i have had my 17 montauk on lake erie numerous times and always felt safe, but yes the waves can kick up and bang you a little. With that said, my 17 will go places others can't.
southshore fisherman posted 03-02-2010 08:42 AM ET (US)
Thanks for the additional thoughts. No negatives as I expected.
Newborn posted 03-04-2010 04:03 PM ET (US)
Had a '89 Montauk for 14 years and went from the end of the Detroit River to Breast Bay many times every year. Like the last responder said. It can pound ya pretty good but is as safe as can be. Always know what the winds are going to be to be safe.
Never once felt unsafe even when we had to go through some good waves to get back. Newer 17' are bigger than mine was too.
meridian posted 03-04-2010 04:19 PM ET (US)
If you are up in the Sandusky area, you always have the option of ducking around one of the islands if you get caught in something.

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Author	Topic: 17-footer On Lake Erie
southshore fisherman	posted 02-28-2010 09:21 AM ET (US) Good morning. Once again I'm dreaming about owning a Boston Whaler. I've been reading the posts here and feel there are some very knowedgable boat owners here. I'm wondering: do you think a 17-foot Whaler would be suitable for fishing Lake Erie? I mainly perch fish off Cleveland and stay within four miles of the shore. I sometimes like to head to the Islands to chase walleye, but not too often. When I do go out there I usually fish near the islands but sometimes venture to West Sister Island. I'm thinking of a 17 so I could also easily trailer it to some inland lakes around my area. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks John
jimh	posted 02-28-2010 09:54 AM ET (US) A Boston Whaler 17-footer like a MONTAUK would be suitable for fishing in Lake Erie.
whaler007	posted 02-28-2010 10:20 AM ET (US) You would be fine in the 17' Montauk in Erie. However, you would need to keep a close watch of the weather. Anything over 3' waves on Erie is going to start getting uncomfortable. I had the same thought as you last year. I ended up with a 190 Montauk. It does great on Erie, and a nice all around boat.
southshore fisherman	posted 02-28-2010 11:51 AM ET (US) Thank you both. I do watch the weather very carefully, befoe I launch and while I'm out. John
jimh	posted 02-28-2010 02:02 PM ET (US) Because of the shallow water in the western basin of Lake Erie, when the wave height is three feet the wavelength (the distance between wave crests) is also about three-feet. In seas of that sort I am afraid there really is no trailerable Boston Whaler boat that gives a comfortable ride.
RandyV	posted 02-28-2010 02:56 PM ET (US) I often fish Lake Erie with my 17' Montauk. I put in at Sterling State Park in Monore, MI and have been to W. Sister (about 16 miles) and Middle Sister several times. We often troll in 3-4' waves within 4 miles of shore and it is really not a problem. You just can't go 25 mph back to shore in those conditions. You have to pick your days if you plan to go out very far and I don't consider 4 miles very far. Expect a longer slow ride on rough days.
themclos	posted 02-28-2010 05:41 PM ET (US) Given the nature of the fishing and boating you described, a 17 Montauk would be a great boat for you. Don't forget about the walleye, as well. Dan
southshore fisherman	posted 02-28-2010 06:27 PM ET (US) Thanks for the additional replies. I try to limit my fishing to days when the lake is under 3 foot waves but as we know it kicks up fast on the shallow lake. It's good to hear that others aren't fearful of going out in a 17. I still like to fish the smaller lakes also and anything over a 17 will mean a new tow vehicle. I'll be taking my time to see what's out there and your help is appreciated. Thanks John
eriedeary	posted 03-01-2010 10:53 AM ET (US) Casual fisherman from Cleveland w/ 99 Outrage 17. I have never ridden a Montauk so can't compare, but will say that conditions certainly dictate fishing practice. 3 footers to go out into 65-70 ft of water not really crazy about, ride can be a little rough-3 footers to hit the perch pack in 45-50ft,no sweat! That said, never felt unsafe caught out in deeper water when it has kicked a bit. I can only imagine the handling in a trolling Montauck may be more difficult in chop than in mine. For serious offshore consider heavier boat, deeper V-like 20 Outrage. For all purpose you will be satisfied w/ 17, but expect a good thumping when underway in chop. I have never upgraded because of the satisfaction I've had with mine-easy trailering, fits in garage, economical gas consumption. That said, trolling motor a definite must with my old Opti. Hope this helps as this board has helped me in past-thanx rh
dino54904	posted 03-01-2010 12:37 PM ET (US) Hi, I used my Montauk on Lake Michigan for salmon fishing for 10 years. 3' waves were uncomfortable to fish in but never a reason to be concerned for safety. We often fish 5 miles from shore so the ride home in a Montauk in a 3' chop was pretty uncomfortable. I would have no problem recommending the same boat for Lake Erie.
heatxcape	posted 03-01-2010 07:41 PM ET (US) i have had my 17 montauk on lake erie numerous times and always felt safe, but yes the waves can kick up and bang you a little. With that said, my 17 will go places others can't.
southshore fisherman	posted 03-02-2010 08:42 AM ET (US) Thanks for the additional thoughts. No negatives as I expected.
Newborn	posted 03-04-2010 04:03 PM ET (US) Had a '89 Montauk for 14 years and went from the end of the Detroit River to Breast Bay many times every year. Like the last responder said. It can pound ya pretty good but is as safe as can be. Always know what the winds are going to be to be safe. Never once felt unsafe even when we had to go through some good waves to get back. Newer 17' are bigger than mine was too.
meridian	posted 03-04-2010 04:19 PM ET (US) If you are up in the Sandusky area, you always have the option of ducking around one of the islands if you get caught in something.