1900 or 2025 ProV

[Slim]

I am thinking about upgrading my ProV to a new 1900 or 2025 with a 225 Mercury Optimax.

Can current owners of these boats and motor shed light on if they feel the 1900 or 2025 if a better purchase. I am trying to figure out if I gain much by going to a 2025 or not. I am thinking about going with a dual console SE or possible and IFS. ANy opinions about either would be greatly appreciated. Also, which props do you suggest, what hole do you mount the motor in and what speed are you getting.

Thanks for everyone's help!

Slim

[Road King]

I have an 02 1900 ProV IFS. I went thru the same decision process. I went with the 1900 because I was already pushing the budget, the 1900 was a good fit in my garage, and I tow my boat a lot and was concerned about towability. I love the IFS and would highly recommend it but I am getting old enough to value comfort more than anything else. I sometimes wish I had the extra room of the 2025 behind the back seats for all the tackle boxes we load in the boat. My 1900 also seems to me to be a little back heavy with the F200, kicker, a full livewell , and three guys. I think a lot depends on your finances and which is the best fit for the waters you fish.

Good luck on your decision. Either would be a good choice. Go with the IFS and Vinyl.

[Slim]

Road King,

Thanks for your input. Do you think you give up much room to have an IFS vs an SE w/ dual consoles?

Also, If yours is a little back heavy, I wonder how a 225 Opti and kicker will be on the back? I suppose probably about the same.

What kind of speed to you get?

Thanks for your input, I really appreciate it.

Slim

[Sunshine]

I have a 225 Opti on my 04 1900 and get 57mph gps loaded with 2 guys tournmaent ready. That's w/ a 4 blade prop.


Any boat will be rear heavy w/ three guys, full livewell and all gear IMHO

[wallidiver]

Dennis,
Which four blade and size are you running? Engine mounting information would be helpful as well. Have a friend trying to dial is new rig in and just looking for suggestions.

[Tom (mich)]

I've never ridden in a 1900, so I can't offer a comparison. I'm in a 2025 IFS now and it exceeds my expectations. You're going to gain a few hundred pounds and some length with the 2025 so theoretically the ride is superior. Mine is equipped with a Yamaha 250 HPDI and I get 54 mph max with a tournament load. The 2025 is no speed demon, I get passed by 1900's pretty consistently.

[ankorklankor]

I recommend the 2025 IFS. I have an 03 with a pair of Yamaha's, F200 and T8 kicker. I wasn't too sure about the vinyl floor but it is a lot easier to keep clean than carpet. It may be a little stern heavy but I don't think it's not a problem.

I run a Merc Lazer II 19 pitch prop and with 2 people, both live wells full I can get an even 50 mph out of it.

I had a 18 foot Smokercraft before and I love the added space, length and width.

The only thing I did wrong was put a AP 65 on it and I should have went with at least a 74.

[walleyes4me]

I just ordered a 1900SE single console, 225 Mercury EFI, Mercury 9.9 4 stroke kicker and Minnkota Maxxum 74. 98% of the time there are only two of fishing. The Dealer said I really wouldn't need the 2025. He said they don't sell as quickly on resale as the 1900. I guess I'll find out?

[eyeman_1]

I have a 2025 IFS and store it in a 24' deep garage. I have the removable tongue so it fits nicely with about a foot of room on each end. I'm also able to fit the wife's mini pickup next to it in a 2 car garage.

As far as wether to get a 1900 or 2025 the choice for me came down to: how often do I fish big bodies of water and will I continue to fish the occasional tournament. That made my choice easy. I fish Lakes - Michigan, Huron, and Erie regularly and this boat does it quite well. Wife loves the IFS to get out of the wind, put the top up and curtins on and she and I stay dry and in the late fall early spring I stay dry and warm out of the weather.

The boat tows well behind my 1/2 ton truck but a 3/4 ton truck would do the job easier and will be my next purchase. Not that it's a necessity but we plan to put a slide in camper on the truck and tow the boat as well.

I'm running a 225 and a T-8 kicker on the boat and they are a nice combo. Boat with only me, small load of fuel and less jigs and bouncers will run around 46-49 mph GPS. I'm running a Yamaha Pro Series 21 on the 225.

Hope this helps... you'll love the IFS, it's also easy to fish out of for Musky, bass etc.... the windshield doesn't make a difference if you ask me.

[Slim]

Thanks for everyone's input - it really helps. PLease keep your opinions coming!

Slim

[depends]

Which waters will you be fishing? Big, small? On lake like Erie, you can't get a big, safe enough boat.

I fished out of a 2025 last weekend. It seemed like a ship compared to my 18 ft boat! In all honesty, I felt it would be too big for me to control it.

[Sunshine]

A mercury revolution 4, 21 pitch, 14 5/8 dia., 3rd hole.

[chaayy]

I have a 2025 IFS and two friends with 1900 IFS's. The 2025 does have a better ride and I like the additional room in it. Tons of storage space and floor space - everything can be stowed in a compartment and out of the way.

The 2025 is big but easy to handle from the bow, backtrolling or trolling. I've fished quite a bit out of the 1900's and I can't tell any difference in boat control while fishing in them verses the 2025. Other than the money and garage restraints, bOth of my friends say they prefer the 2025 over their 1900's.

I would definitely recommend the IFS model. Even with dual consoles there is still more than enough room to operate in. I can fish comfortably with 4 people if I need to. The full windshield is GREAT and doesn't take up any more space or get in the way any more than the SE consoles. Another friend with a 1900 SE is kicking himself for not getting the IFS.

My 2025 has a 200 Opti on it with a 6" jackplate. Runs about 49 mph GPS with a 19 Laser II prop.