Sportsman Series

The 35’ Turtle Houseboat

The The "Goldilocks" of the Northwoods

Sleeps 3-4 (3 adults) comfortably

If you liked the idea of the Minnow but your fishing group has a little more gear (or a few more distinct personalities), The Turtle is your answer. It takes the "Sportsman" philosophy—unrestricted access to the water—and adds five feet of critical interior space.

It’s the perfect compromise: small enough to tuck into a tight beaver dam bay, but big enough that you aren't tripping over each other's tackle boxes during a rainstorm.

The Details

The Exterior (The 360-Degree Advantage)
Just like the smaller Sportsman, The Turtle features the signature External Walkway along both sides.

  • The "Net Man" Highway
    These walkways aren’t just for looks. When your buddy hooks a monster pike off the bow and the fish runs deep toward the motors, you can grab the net and sprint down the side of the boat to secure the catch without ever entering the cabin. It effectively turns the entire boat into one continuous casting platform.

The Main Cabin (Room to Breathe)
Stepping inside from the front deck, the extra five feet of length is immediately noticeable. The layout is open, logical, and rugged.

  • Starboard Side (The Galley & Dinette)
    On your right, you’ll find the booth Dinette, serving as your breakfast table and chart-plotting station. Immediately aft of that is the Galley. It features the standard propane stove/oven and sink, but you have a bit more elbow room here to prep shore lunch compared to the 30-footer. The refrigerator is positioned right at the end of the counter for easy access to cold drinks.

  • Port Side (The Lounge)
    Across the aisle on the left is the Day Bed. It’s a long sofa for napping between bites during the day, and it converts to a bed at night.

The "Bunkhouse" & Head
Moving toward the stern, we see where that extra length really pays off in sleeping capacity.

  • The Bunks (Starboard)
    Just past the kitchen, tucked against the wall, is a dedicated set of Over/Under Bunk Beds. This is a permanent sleeping zone—no converting required. It’s perfect for the guys who want to crash immediately after a long day on the water.

  • The Head (Port)
    Directly across from the bunks is the bathroom, fully equipped with a toilet and hot shower. Having the bathroom positioned here near the rear door allows for quick access from the back deck.

The Aft Deck & "Penthouse"
Step out the back door, and you’re on the fishing platform. You’ll find a swim ladder for quick dips and the spiral staircase leading up.

  • The Upper Deck
    Climb the stairs to the roof. Whether you use it for sunbathing or as a high-vantage scouting tower to spot rock piles in the clear water, the view from up here is unbeatable. And yes, the water slide is ready and waiting for the afternoon heat. (And hey, if you’re that serious we’ll pop it off before you head out for a nominal fee so you can stay totally focused.)

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Common Questions

[ FAQ ]

  • Two words: Permanent Bunks. On the smaller 30-foot boat, every bed has to be "built" at night (converting the dinette or the sofa). The Sportsman 35 adds five feet of length, which allows for a dedicated "bunkhouse" area with permanent over/under bunks. If you have a buddy who wants to crash immediately after fishing without assembling a puzzle, or a child who needs a nap while you eat lunch at the table, this is the upgrade you want.

  • Barely. While it is five feet longer, it shares the same agile hull design as the 30-footer. It is significantly easier to captain than our 50-foot "Birch Lake" series. If you can drive a pontoon, you can captain "The Turtle." It handles beaver dam bays and tight campsites with ease.

  • This is the defining feature of the Sportsman Series (30’, 35’, and 40’). Unlike our "Getaway" boats—which use the full width of the boat for the cabin—the Sportsman 35 has open walkways on both sides (the "gunwales").

    • For Anglers: It means you can fight a Northern Pike from the front deck all the way to the back motors without ever entering the cabin. You have 360-degree fishability.

    • For Parents: It makes docking significantly easier because you can quickly move from bow to stern to grab a rope.

  • Honestly? No. This boat sleeps 3 to 4 adults comfortably. It is designed for a single family (Parents + 2 kids) or a focused fishing trio. If you try to squeeze two couples or two families onto the Sportsman 35, you will be tripping over tackle boxes. For two families, we recommend jumping up to the 44’ Northern or the 52’ Otter.

  • Yes. We don’t penalize you for going smaller. The Sportsman 35 features the full upper sun deck and the signature water slide, just like the flagship vessels. You get the fun of the big boat with the agility of a fishing boat.

  • The extra length gives you a "breathing room" upgrade in the galley. The refrigerator is more accessible (at the end of the counter), and you have slightly more prep space for shore lunch. It’s still a galley—not a commercial kitchen—but two people can make sandwiches at the same time without bumping elbows, which is a luxury the 30-footer doesn't quite offer

  • Choose the Sportsman 35 if you want immersion. In a cabin, you look at the lake. On the Sportsman 35, the lake is lapping against your bedroom wall. This boat allows you to park in a new bay every night—wake up to a sunrise in "Bear Island" narrows one day and a sunset in "River Point" the next. It is for those who want the adventure of camping with the safety of a hard roof and a hot shower.