Well I gave in and bought new instead of settling for a less expensive used boat that I wouldn't have been as happy with. I still don't know if I made the right decision, but what's done is done. I found this pic online, it's exactly like mine.
After toiling with that decision I thought I could finally put my mind at ease, but no such luck. Now I have a new set of dilemmas that keep my mind racing. I don't want to rush in and completely remodel the boat yet, and I certainly don't want to spend a big wad of cash on it right away, but I do need to do some minor things to be able to fish out of it.
First, is mounting a bow mount trolling motor. Second is mounting a pedestal base. I could mount the pedestal base at the as far back as possible on the existing front deck, but that would mean drilling a pretty sizable hole in my new aluminum. I don't think I can bear to do that just yet, mainly because I think it needs to be further back to be comfortable. Although if it didn't work out and I built a deck later the hole would be hidden, so it's not 100% out of the question.
For the trolling motor I thought about just buying some stainless toggle bolts and mounting it directly to the aluminum deck but I'm pretty sure it'll have to be elevated some for clearance before it would deploy properly. I would really like to fish out of it bare bones this season to get an idea of what I want to do with it, but I'm just having a hard time deciding how to accomplish the minimum necessities.
Have any of you found yourself in a similar state of analysis paralysis? I'd love to hear some words of wisdom or encouragement.
After toiling with that decision I thought I could finally put my mind at ease, but no such luck. Now I have a new set of dilemmas that keep my mind racing. I don't want to rush in and completely remodel the boat yet, and I certainly don't want to spend a big wad of cash on it right away, but I do need to do some minor things to be able to fish out of it.
First, is mounting a bow mount trolling motor. Second is mounting a pedestal base. I could mount the pedestal base at the as far back as possible on the existing front deck, but that would mean drilling a pretty sizable hole in my new aluminum. I don't think I can bear to do that just yet, mainly because I think it needs to be further back to be comfortable. Although if it didn't work out and I built a deck later the hole would be hidden, so it's not 100% out of the question.
For the trolling motor I thought about just buying some stainless toggle bolts and mounting it directly to the aluminum deck but I'm pretty sure it'll have to be elevated some for clearance before it would deploy properly. I would really like to fish out of it bare bones this season to get an idea of what I want to do with it, but I'm just having a hard time deciding how to accomplish the minimum necessities.
Have any of you found yourself in a similar state of analysis paralysis? I'd love to hear some words of wisdom or encouragement.