Need boat choice buying advice

[TNDiver]

I am really torn between a Lowe Sportdeck boat, which is like a deck boat, but with the big front/back decks for casting and a Fish and Ski type boat.  I want to be able to fish and honestly, this will be the biggest use for now, but my kids are 5 & 7 and we live a block from Old Hickory Lake and 15 minutes from Piercy Priest lake.  I also want a boat so when friends or family visit we can take them out as well.  I won't be fishing tourneys, mostly pleasure fishing.

I know others have been in this same situation and wanted to your your thoughts on this and the decision you made as well and why.

thanks!

[Bud Kennedy]

I believe that the sport deck is a good choice for pleasure fishing and for younger children.  A must have is the trolling motor option.  I believe the craft is rated for a fairly large motor but I have never seen anyone ski behind them.  Not a bad boat given how you described its indented use.

[Mike Cork]

Sounds like you've done your research and you're on target. I'd get a test drive though. Sometimes a boat won't handle as you had hoped or expected, sometimes it's better.

Several anglers fish out of the Lowe's bass rigs here in my area and they love them. If anywhere can put a boat through a durability test it's here. I know this isn't the model you're looking at but it lends to the credibility of the Lowe brand of Aluminum rigs