So I sold it, and looked for a 16', side console aluminum boat with around a 50hp motor for duck hunting and fishing. I was adamant about getting either an Xpress or a G3. Budget was set by the wife, so finding one for the price in good shape was a challenge. When one would pop up on Craigslist, it would sell before I could get it. So about a week ago, a G3 1860 popped up when I was searching craigslist. It was way up in Columbia Missouri, which is about a 7 hour drive from Memphis. But the price couldn't be beat. I figured for sure there was a catch since this same model boat I'd seen go for $10k. I called the guy and it was an old guy who used it once a year and figured he'd get rid of it. I left straight from work on a Friday and got to Columbia around 1am. Stayed at a Hampton Inn and met him at 8am the next day. I couldn't believe how awesome this boat was. It could have passed for 1 year old instead of 8. It's a 2006 with a 2006 Yamaha 50hp 2 stroke and it is cherry. The trailer is pristine, and it came with a few extra goodies like fish finder, trolling motor, water/fuel separator filter system, and some faded camo swivel seats. The owners were also quite possibly the nicest people in the world. We talked for while and the lady made me promise I send her pictures of me using it and especially of my kids in it.
It is slightly under powered for it's size, but it'll still go high 20's mph, and that's perfectly fine by me. It's also good because the WMA's in Arkansas that aren't limited to 25hp, are limited to 50hp. And I am planning on using it some for that when I don't go with my friend who has a more purpose built duck boat. It should still draft plenty skinny for when I take it to Louisiana sight fishing for Reds and being an 1860, it has a TON of room and storage over the 1650's I was looking at. It'll also "work" for the one or two days a year I MIGHT take it out with friends tubing or whatever, and being a bigger boat, it'll be very stable, which is a big plus since my wife is nervous on the water to begin with.
Here's a few pics. My 2 year old twins live getting in it and playing around.
