Trophy or tournament

[bakerjon]

I am looking for feedback on an alumacraft trophy vs. tournament sport. I am looking at a 185 or 195. My two big questions are handling big water (devils lake,mille lacs, etc.) and general fishablity with the newer storage and rod lockers they have. Any pros out there with feedback (or anyone else lucky enough to be trading boats every year or two) I would appreciate any opinions you may have. Thank you in advance,
Jon

[PAS]

Wish there were some replies as I'm picking up a shiny new TS 185 on Monday and I'd like to hear what people like about them or think is challenging vs the Trophy. I am trading a 1999 Trophy Sport 165 so I can't compare a new 2008 Trophy but I've sat in them at the dealer and have some thoughts.
Ffor fishability, I like the feel of the TS. Closer to the water (lower freeboard) for grabbing fish by hand (when "worming" for bass, for instance), great rod storage and a larger, more open front end - there's more space up there. Less wind resistance (lower freeboard) too which can make a difference when drifting or trolling.
And, I'm looking forward to the top load side storage so you don't have to go around the seats to get access.
The Trophy is, no doubt, a great boat too. The 185 would handle huge water, I bet. They are big boats. I've been in a similar new boat (Lund Tyee) and was very impressed! I hadn't put much stock in the jump seats at first but they are awesome - very comfortable and it's nice to just sit down, relax, and enjoy the ride and they fold down as if they aren't even there when you don't need them. Very safe feel with higher freeboard too for when the little ones are with. And, you know, I bet you stay a little drier with the higher freeboard (25 inches on the Trophy vs 21 or 22 on the TS).
If you're tall, think about this too, the TS doesn't have a really high windshield so to get below it when you're driving you have to keep the seat pretty low. With the Trophy, you can sit higher in the seat and still be below the windshield if that matters to you. I'm only 5'10" and even I will have to sort of eat my knees to stay below the windshield and avoid the wind/rain on the ST.
I don't think you can go wrong either way. I think it comes down to little things you are looking for that will stear you one way or the other.

[Johnboy]

I purchased a Tournament Sport . I wanted the bigger back livewell in the TS. Also I didn't care for the jump seats in the Trophy. I have four removeable seats in my TS. I preferred the way the front deck is set up on the TS. Both models are family friendly for water sports other than fishing. I didn't think the Trophy was worth the increase in price over the TS. I have a Mercury OptiMax 150 and am quite satisfied with the performance and top speed it has. I recently installed a bimini top and would never have another boat without one. You will not be disappointed with whichever one you buy. I still get a big smile whenever I look at in my backyard.
Hope this helps.

[jerz21]

I also debated between the two and went with the 185 TS. The main reason for me was the center rod storage, which is simply a personal preference. Otherwise, I'm also not a big fan of the jump seats. I went with a Suzuki DF175 and the performance is excellent. This boat has exceeded my expectations for both fishing and water sports with the family.

[PAS]

Johnboy, you mention Trophy's being more expensive than the TS. I see you're from Illinois. Wonder if it's a geographic thing? I'm from the Minneapolis/St Paul area and haven't seen a single Trophy priced higher than a TS. The TS seems to be at least 10% to 15% more. Just find that interesting, I guess.

[AllenW]

I have a 2007 tournament sport, it has a F-150 yammie and T-8 kicker, plus bow mount terrova, I run with the live wells full and usually two people well equipped and get approx 48mph, not sure about Devils lake, but it'd take a pretty good windstorm to drive me off Milacs, we fished the Winnie get together and I'd say we had at least 3 or 4 foot waves and felt safe and comfortable there.
And I lean toward a fair weather fisherman.

Some of the things I like, stability, rod storage, dry storage, large live wells, comfort, Yammie easy on gas, bow platform nice to fish from, well made boat.

Don't care for, I'm a large guy and the drivers seat is to close to dash, when adjusted back the adjustment handle hits the side of the boat (and broke) I talked to Alumacraft and for under $150 they can move the chair over a few inches, gunwale's are a bit to wide for my taste, but leave plenty of room for rod holders or just walking on to get in, minor point, but they could be a couple inches narrower.

Rear platform is a bit lacking, I'd give up rear seat room for a larger platform, but nobodies complained yet, so I'll leave it as is.

Radio has only two speakers, 4 would have worked better for front and back, appears radio/CD unit has adjustments for both front and back and left and right, so I'll add a pair, been nice to have it done at the factory.

Would I buy it again, both the wife and I would say yes.

The ultimate tournament fishing machine...no maybe not, but close enough that the comfort it offers makes up for it.

pas, did you try Lacanne's down in Fairbault?
Good place to do business.


Al

[JWinMS]

Sorry to get off topic, but could Johnboy (or anybody else)
advise what length (6 or 8') and height bimini works best on these boats?

I'm in an '06 185 tiller. Never had a top on a boat, but looking and
trying to decide what size. Thanks, JW

[PAS]

AllenW, I ended up at Hallberg and had a good experience. Did talk to Lacanne's and they sounded great but were out of white 08's and I was chompin' at the bit go get a boat so didn't wait for the 09's. I'm thrilled with the rig and am eager to get to breaking in the motor and put some hours on it "up north" this weekend. Got a white TS 185, 150 Suzuki, PowerDrive AP/US 70# up front, shorelander trailer.

[Johnboy]

JWinMS,
I bought a 6 foot 3 bow top. I like it really well . I mounted it far enough forward so that it will lay down toward the back of the boat and clear the motor. Also by mounting it like that I can put the boat cover over it for trailering and storage.
When it is in the up position I have plenty of room in the back of the boat to manipulate my rods without interference with the supports. It is real easy to remove on days that it is not needed. Takes about two minutes.
The height is the 48" to 54" model from Overton's

[hiwayman]

I 've just gotten a TS 185 and have a few hrs. on it. Ordered the alumacraft bimini top installed and a 150 Opti and so far really like the boat. Haven't been in really rough water yet, but in some 4 footers in Canada last week and handled them very well. My feeling is this hull will take some pretty big swells and you'll smile and stay dry the whole time. big plus on this boat for me is the rod storage. Looked at the trophy and it too is a nice boat, but wanted the bow rod storage.
John boy, what are you running for a prop and what rpms are you getting? I've got the merc. 19 pitch and it will only hit 5200 rpms. Also have a Michigan wheel 17 pitch and then I hit 5800 rpms. One is too much and ones too little on my boat. Just wondering what other peeps are running on this combination?

[Miami Vice]

JwinMS
If the 8 foot bimini top doesn't get in your way of fishing get it.
When it comes to bimini tops the bigger the better.
I have a Princecraft Hudson DLX boat (19' 4" long).
At first I ordered a custom 6' top and the last minute I called the canvas shop and had them change it to an 8' top. I'm glad I did. And if I did it again I would go with a 10' top.
With all these crazy things you hear about on TV that too much sun is no good, you can never get enough shade.
Miami Vice

[Jclstrike]

PAS,
In your area is the lund pro-v more expensive than a tyee keeping everything else the same? i think it could be possible the great lakes region sees more demand for trophy's than TS's. When I priced the Tyee and Pro-v in Ohio the Tyee was alittle higher in cost.

[JWinMS]

Thanks for the info guys.

[AllenW]

PAS, I know what ya mean, we got a end of the year boat, but we were lucky enough to have a red or black one to chose from, we went black.

Might catch ya out sometime.:bigsmile:

The Suzuki would have been my other choice is I hadn't gone with the Yammie.

Al

[Johnboy]

I have a Mercury Tempest prop. The part number is 48-825862 / 21 pitch. It is on a Mercury OptiMax 150. I can get a top speed of 46.3 mph on nice smooth water with my 14 year old grandson and all our gear. The speed is shown on a brand new Lowrance LX27C with GPS.The tachometer shows 5200 rpms. I really don't trust the tach though because it does not rest on zero with the power off to it.
In regards to the bimini top if you can fish around an 8 foot one comfortably by all means get it.
I looked at other boats with the tops up and decided a 6 foot was best for me.

[AllenW]

Johnboy electric tachs will do that, if you turn the ignition on and it goes to zero you should be ok.
Al