Ask around Lake Minnetonka, and you’ll quickly learn no two boaters are alike. You’ll find the early-morning angler, the weekender docking at Maynards for dinner, the speed-seeker towing a wakeboarder, and the one packing up the whole family for an afternoon cruise. Each sees the water a little differently, and that’s why when you’re ready to get out on the lake yourself, it’s a good idea to chat with the experts. So, we sat down with Luke Erickson at Erickson Marine to help break down which boat is best for you.
For the Angler
“I would recommend a Lund boat,” advises Luke. “Not only are they the most well-known fishing boats in the state, but they are also manufactured in Minnesota. So whether you’re a walleye or bass angler, fish in shallow water, or are a tournament fisherman who needs to race across the lake quickly to get to your spot, you have so many model options with Lund boats.”
“It all depends on what you’re looking for in a fishing boat — do you want more room in the bow or more space in the stern because you’re trolling for walleye? The one thing you can’t change about a fisherman is how they like to fish,” laughs Luke. “So what we do is help them figure out which boat is best for how they love to fish.”
For the Family Man
“I always steer them towards a pontoon,” Luke says. “It’s a great, family-friendly boat and the most turnkey operation you can have on the water. Super easy to drive and super easy to maintain, pontoons have tons of storage with space for water tubes and paddleboards.”
“Pontoons have so much flexibility. It’s the perfect boat whether you’re going to the beach, Big Island, heading to Fletcher’s, or pulling into a slip in Wayzata to enjoy an afternoon out around town.”
For the Entertainer
For the guy who loves a little luxury, Luke recommends brands like the Tiara, Formula, and Nimbus. “These bigger boats offer spacious cabins down below with heating and air conditioning, along with bathroom options, a kitchen, or lounging space with a television. Upper luxury pontoons can also offer a similar experience for those who love to cruise and entertain.”
For the Guy with a Need for Speed
“While there is a 40-mile-an-hour speed limit on the lake, for those who want to drive a high-performance boat, Formula models are a great choice,” says Luke. “It’s like you’re driving a Porsche or Lamborghini, with streamlined design, high-end performance, luxury interiors, upgraded sound systems, and large tablet-like screens on the dash.”
For the Man Who Wants it All
“A pontoon makes the most sense if you want an all-around boat. We have fishing-pontoon crossovers with two captain seats and large couches for the family to come along and cruise, plus these pontoons can get up to speeds in the mid-40s, making it perfect for tubing, wakeboarding, and water skiing,” says Luke. “You can do pretty much everything with a pontoon.”
No matter which kind of boat you gravitate towards, according to Luke, the biggest thing is the memories you create when out on the water. “For so many people, the itch to get out on the water comes from a fond experience they had with friends on a cocktail cruise, pulling into a restaurant, or their grandparents had a boat and took them out on the lake.” Luke emphasizes, “It’s the time on the water spent with loved ones that makes what we do so meaningful.”
Erickson Marine's show dock in Tonka Bay houses a wide variety of brands and boat models for you to not only peruse but also actually test-drive. “One of the best parts is that we can get you out on the water right away,” says Luke. “Even if there’s a boat on our showroom floor that you’d like to demo, just give us a half hour, and we’ll have you out on the water for a test drive.”
“We absolutely love talking boats. We have a lot of fun with the process, and our goal is simple — to help you find the boat that fits your lifestyle best and how you want to enjoy your time out on the water.”