My Apologies. I thought this thread was dead as I stopped getting email notifications that someone had replied. Poopdeck and D-nymph, really appreciate the info. Yes, planning on fishing between Easton and Yardley. However, I'd like to make some trips further north to the Water Gap and back to the Susky/Juniata as well when time allows.
The Hog Island had been top of my list for several years for the hull material/ease of rowing. But, as I mentioned before, I'm not sure it will be the best platform to take the kids. And if I don't take at least 2 out of 3 kids, I'm flat out not going fishing! HI has a very small dealer network that outfits the boats, but essentially you are simply buying a rotomolded hull and then paying a la carte for everything else (Motor, trailer, grab bar, casting braces/seats, rod holders, trolling motor/casting platform, anchor system, rear deck covers, poling platform etc). Big Franks Outdoors has a handy cost calculator on their website that I've used to rig a fairly simply setup (Tohatsu 60/40 jet, grab bar, rod holders, trolling motor and batteries, as well as basic trailer) comes out to $25-27K. Used are going for $18-22K. So, it's still a fair amount of money for a 16' skiff. Plus, the boat is one size fits all, 16' and max 40 HP. Not sure about top speeds and question whether it's big enough for my family.
Poopdeck, you've got me a bit nervous about a Forward Center Console. This seemed to be the layout of choice from my time on the Susky/Juniata. I know the Maryland folks prefer the stick steers. Regardless of the layout, I like the engineered packaging of the aluminum boats better. Wiring is channeled/hidden, Latched storage compartments, in the 18/20 ft boats the G3's have flip up seats along the rear deck which look like a good place to put the boys. Aside from all the concerns you mentioned above, the prices on these boats are just insane right now, $35-45K new, $25-35K used. I certainly appreciate the upgrades with regards to trolling motors/GPS/Fish finders that people have made. But these boats sold new for under $20K pre-Covid. The Wooldridge boats are really neat, but way out of my price range. I did contact Stealthcraft Boats for a quote on their 18' aluminum jet sled (not a power drifter). I like this option because it's setup like a driftboat inside with trays and under gunwale storage specifically for fly rods as well as oar locks/oars/rowing station. Price was on par with the G3/SeaArk/Lowe, but wait times are 4-6 months. Perhaps worth the wait.
As with anything these days, it's just not a great time to buy. However, I'm going to take a closer look at some of the more Alaskan style boats with windshield and higher sides. If the kids could drive, I'd be buying a drift boat and running shuttles. But I've got quite some time before that happens!