I am considering getting a boat for fishing. But I need to keep the
cost down and I need something that is just right for the few persons
that I will take on the boat.

My basic requirements:

o Stable enough for me to mount some kind of shade
to protect me and my loved one from sun. We only
need the shade when we are fishing; we don't have
to have it when we are on the way to the fishing
spots. This is the MAJOR requirement.

o Light enough to be propelled by an electric
trolling motor alone for a couple hours (this
means no gas engine on board when I operate
the boat in electric-only lakes). This is the
second "MUST" requirement.

o Low cost, nothing luxury.

o For fishng and relaxing, not for cruising, nor
water skiiing. This means no running around
in high speed.

o Only to be used in lake, bay, and near-shore
where I can see the land, and in good weather.

With these said, I would like to know the size of boat that I need for
the following requirements:

o What is the minimum size I should look for
if I only need to have two adults (including
me) and one child? Here, I mean all of us can
sit comfortably and safely without worrying
about capsizing. I am assuming that a 12-ft
semi-V hull boat may be OK; but I am not sure
if it will be stable enough when I mount a
shade over it.

o What is the minimum size I should look for
if I need to carry four adults (including
me)? Again, I mean all of us can sit comfortably
and safely without worrying about capsizing.
I am assuming that a 15-ft semi-V hull boat
should fit the bill.

Any idea?

Thanks for any input in advance.

This is a followup question on my post not long ago about choosing
between using a canoe or a row boat with electric motor only.

Jay Chan