I'm also considering a 14' boat. Probably a Lavro. I've read before that guys with 14' boats wish they had 16' boats.
Is it possible that people who recommend 16' boats are fishing techniques or rivers that work best with a 16' boat and that's why they recommend them? Other uses may find that the 14' boat works as well or better.
The reason I ask is because I currently have a 10' pram. I use the pram with 2 people. One guy rows and the other guy fishes. We use it for river smallmouth fishing similar to the way westerners fish trout from a drift boat. (casting poppers to the banks) I also use the boat for moving from spot to spot on steelhead rivers while wade fishing.
Even with the 10' boat, I have comfortably float/camped with 2 people. (2 including myself)
The 10'er works well around here because many of our rivers don't have boat launches. We can carry the 10'er quite a ways if necessary.
I'm considering getting a 14' boat because it could still be carried short distances and has plenty of room for 3 guys while fishing or 2 guys with camping gear. (We camp lightweight -- no tables, chairs, big stoves, big tents, etc.)
Most of the time I'd only have 2 people in the boat anyway. So wouldn't a 14' boat be better for me? If not, why would I like a 16' boat better?
Any comments on the 14' Lavros or comments on similar sized boats?
Thanks.