Small 12' Sea Nymph fishing boat? Need advice.

sixdogs · Mar 26, 2011

Does anyone here know anything about small aluminum fishing boats?
I'm thinking of buying one for fihing the edges of the flat and calm waters around here.
I figured a 14' would be OK since I stay close to shore but a friend has a 12 ft 1979 Sea Nymph "V" with new traler, etc in excellent condition for a few hundred.

My concern is the stability of a 12 ft boat and if anyone has any thoughts about it. This has a fairly flat bottom.
Fot the record, I lived in Maine and was out in big water and winds a lot plus the ocean. Now I stay close to shore in Ohio ponds.
Is 12 ft too short?

Skyco · Mar 26, 2011

What is the width? Years ago I had a 14 ft jon boat that I wished was a little wider...it also didn't have enough freeboard when my weight was in the back by the motor, a 10 horse Honda. Admittedly the Honda was alot heavier than an equivalent 2 stroke would have been.
The width adds more to stability than length in calm water at least, rough water I'd want more of both...and extra freeboard.
For a pond boat it should be ok if the price is right.

sixdogs · Mar 26, 2011

It's 52 inches wide

schoolsout · Mar 26, 2011

if it's just you fishing, you should be OK. That said, 2 foot-itis will probably kick in at some point.

adjusterr · Mar 26, 2011

Having spent a lot of time in smaller boats, fishing on rivers, ponds and big lakes, I would strongly recommend you go for a bigger boat than you think you need. A 12 foot boat, even with a wide beam, is still a 12 foot boat and will not be very steady. By the time you load yourself, some fishing gear, maybe a small cooler and a small motor, you are going to have an overloaded boat. Another problem with a real small boat, you have to sit rather still and that gets old on a long day of fishing. Even though the 12' might be good pricewise, you soon will be looking for a larger model. If you go with the 12 footer, wear your life vest.

Pete Judd · Mar 27, 2011

I have a 46 foot sail boat, and use a 11.5 foot RIB as a dink, I grew up with a 12 ft sears alu boat here in Pudjet sound, and with a 1.5 horse British seagul motor It served for years, but putting your butt and a heaver motor in the stearn will decrease freeboard to a danger level. In calm waters, you might do OK, but if a strong wind kicks up you could get into trouble real quick. I also hold a 100 ton USGS Masters ticket with towing and sailing, and have been on the water for over 50 years.

Good Luck.

studor · Mar 28, 2011

Bigger boats are nice but I have spent a lot of time in a 12 foot Thornes aluminum boat with a 7.5 Honda. A couple of years ago I was "gifted" a 7.5 Mercury and the two stroke is much lighter and faster on the boat. For a few hundred if the boat is tight I would go for it -- certainly more stable than a fishing kayak:thumbsup:

bp fick · Mar 28, 2011

I'm 14' guy myself, but if the price is right and you don't do anything crazy, it would be worth picking it up. You simply cannot lose money on aluminum fishing boats. Buy it right, use it, enjoy it and make a buck when you sell it.

sixdogs · Mar 29, 2011

As fate would have it, my friend decided not to sell and that turned out to be good news,
Based on the conversation here, I believe that a 14' boat would work better because of the space limitations of the 12'.
I would still be interested in a 12', however, if the boat specs and price were right.
In searching, I did find some real quality 12' and 13' "Alaskan" models but would cost $$.
My use is limited to shallow water fishing on riskless days and close to shore.
Thanks for the input and education.

MossRoad · Mar 29, 2011

If it is just you, on small lakes and ponds, a 12' V is just fine. If it is you and a kid, it is still fine. However, if it is you and your buddy Bubba, well, you have to be careful about who moves while the other sits still. :thumbsup: Better to get a 14' in that case.

If you fish by yourself, wear a flotation device at all times. You can get a self inflating vest that is for all intents and purposes about the size of a pair of suspenders. If bad things happen, you pull the trigger and it inflates with a CO2 cartridge. Very comfortable and unobtrusive.

Next, I would get a good electric trolling motor w/battery and skip the gas motor. You just don't need them on a small fishing boat on small lakes and ponds (moving water is a different story). You can get a long handled tiller or you can get a foot operated remote control if you don't want to sit in the back seat to drive.

Also get a good set of oars. Sometimes it is nice to troll with the oars and get some exercise. At the least, get a canoe paddle in case of engine or motor failure.

Then I would get two Anchormates.
Anchormate Anchor Control System by The Worth Company

Mount one on the left side of your seat for the front anchor and one on the right side of your seat for the rear anchor. These things are GREAT! :thumbsup: You just turn a little knob in the center of the reel and the anchor drops. Then use the trolling motor to put some tension on the line and drop the other anchor. Then fish without having the boat spin around on one anchor. When you are ready to leave, just crank up the anchors. I have this setup on my fishing boat and would not be without it.

Get a few rod holders that clamp to the sides. That way you can move them around for different positions. They are also good for trolling.

Get a good fish basket and put a length of chain on it. On the other end of the chain, put a pin and arm that slips into an oar lock and get a locking clip for the bottom of the pin so it can't fall out of the oar lock. The arm holds the basket away from the side of the boat and the chain is stronger than a rope or cord and won't rot.

Finally, get a seat with a back on it that clamps to the bench seat. And a cushion for your butt. Take a cooler with some ice, lunch and beverages and off you go!