170cc delaware fishing

[jody916]

I am considering buying a 170cc for use in delaware(rehoboth) for both bay and limited inshore fishing. How stable is this craft for bay and inshore fishing? What HP outboard would you recommend and are trim tabs needed? Primary use woyuld be in pennsylvania rivers and lakes. Any comments greatly appreciated?

[bob_bra]

Hi Jody, I have a 170CC and find the boat suitable for inshore and Bay Fishing.

The 17 Ft hull is good for fishing two adults and one or two children. It is an easy boat to handle for one person.

The 19 ft hull has more beam and probably more lateral stability when weight goes to one side. This hull has more room to hold more people but has a deeper draft and is more of a handfull if you intend to launch from a trailer.

Both hulls are quite stabile and give a dry smooth ride.

I know of people who have engines ranging from 50 to 75 Hp for recently produced 170 CCs. The 17 CC hulls maxed out at 90 HP in past years.

I have a Yamaha 60 HP two stroke which I find as a good ballance of power to weight and ecomony. If you choose a four stroke engine be aware that there will be more weight on the transom which will reduce the free board at the stern while drifting or backing down on a fish. This may allow water to enter the boat.

You may want to look at the new E tech engines which are light and powerful and fuel efficient.

If max speed in not important to you a fifty HP outboard may be enough. If you carry heavy loads or wish to travel fast a larger engine be what you want.

I don't have trim tabs and with carefull loading of the hull I can get by without any!

[Fischer53]

I have the 170CC. It handles Long Island sound just fine. I have been out in 3 footers and, as I said before, the boat handles it better than I do. I would not expect the Bay to be significantly more capable in handling big water because of its inherent design.

If its just you or 1 other person the 170 is fine, but the Bay with its 8' beam is much nicer. Easier to get from bow to stern. Its a little tight passing the CC on the 170. If I can get myself to part with the extra dollars I will move up.

By the way, if you go with the 170 take a look at the Cabela tackle box I installed in the mods section. It has been a huge help and eliminated the deck clutter of tackle boxes all over the place. Holds 4 Plano 3700 series boxes. I am really glad I did it and I would highly recommend it for any 170CC that has the hatch over the livewell. Easily done if you are moderately capable and carefull.