Ed, I live just Outside Chicago, and fish local inland waters, Lake Michigan, Wisconson Lakes and Rivers(especially Wisconsin River) and Take an annual trip to Canada for Muskies. Along with these locations I plan to visit other areas including Kentucky Lake in March 2002 and Inland Michigan Lakes for the first time. My variety is the hardest thing to adapt a boat too. Lake Michigan is the roughest water, but I only go out if its dead calm. I know my limits, and feel if a Boat like a Targa 17 or Crestliner cannot handle it, I should not be out on the water. Its important to me to be able to fish Shallow Water too. Other issues important to me are Safety (Trailer Brakes) and Comfortable towing. A rig larger than this towed as much as I do would probably give me road rage... Where do you fish??
Also my estimate is as follows... 17 Foot Boat 1100 lbs. 115 HP Motor 400 lbs, Trailer 300 lbs, Gas 175 lbs, Batteries (2), 110 lbs, Trolling Motor 40 lbs, Misc + Fishing Gear 100 lbs, as you can see adding 3-4 Loaded Coolers for a Long trip to Canada easily climbs over 2000 lbs and possibly as High as 2500 lbs if you have everyting full, 3 Batteries, Water in Livewell etc. Now you see my reason for Trailer Brakes.