Looking at maybe purchasing a Polar Kraft 1910. Was wondering how this boat is affected with wind. Am I going to get blown around while up on Lake Erie fishing for smallies? Just wondering how much effort it'll take controlling the boat with a trolling motor while trying to keep on a spot. If so ,how much more than if in a bassboat?

Thanks!:smirk:

The higher the sides and the lighter the weight of the boat, the tougher to keep really good boat control in any kind of wind.
You are concerned... correctly....;)

No doubt you will get blown around. Specially true with a full wind shield! On the upside you won't burn much gas going with the wind. Down side is you will burn batteries trying to hold a spot. I had a Spectrum with full wind shield. I sold it after fighting the wind for 2 years. Bought a multi species Ranger. Little heavier, alot lower profile. If it's a windy day I fill the livewells and make sure I'm full of gas when I go out.

Works for me. Good luck whichever way you go.

No doubt you will get blown around. Specially true with a full wind shield! On the upside you won't burn much gas going with the wind. Down side is you will burn batteries trying to hold a spot. I had a Spectrum with full wind shield. I sold it after fighting the wind for 2 years. Bought a multi species Ranger. Little heavier, alot lower profile. If it's a windy day I fill the livewells and make sure I'm full of gas when I go out.

Works for me. Good luck whichever way you go.


And to ensure heaviness...carry lotsa jigs...and sandwiches...and beer, maybe :)

LOL

No doubt about it, us aluminum guys bob around like a cork when compared to the heavier glass boats. The Aluminum tournament boats are better, but they are heavier also. I combat the wind with drift socks. on the windiest day, i can keep it around 1mph with two socks. Using the trolling motor to control direction only, it still lasts all day. Polar Craft makes a nice boat, I especially like the fish-head decal on the new ones. Lake erie is an awful big body of water compared to where i fish; is 19 feet big enough?

I go in when it's that windy.

The higher the sides of the boat, the more you get pushed around by the wind. That's even the case with glass boats, though it effects lighter aluminum boats a little more (I've owned both).

On the other hand, if your going out on Lake Erie, high sides (freeboard) are good for safety.

Opt for a boat with high sides and use other means (anchor or drift sock) to control the effect wind has on the boat.

You will wish you had high sides when the winds blows and the waves build.
You just have the ask the Bassmasters Elites out of Buffalo.
Read the story here: http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/elite/news/story?id=3513963

I was fortunate to get a free lesson as an observor in a championship boat on a crappy windy, rainy day 4 0r five years ago. The boat was a 1900 or 2025 single console. 17 boats lined up on a dropoff fishing 15-17 feet of water, boat into the wind, bow mount trollling motor used for direction or boost, Gas trolling motor from the rear of the boat left in gear and at idle +to counter the wind. Some had drift socks out but we did not. Great lesson from a high sided heavy aluminum boat.

The pro actually asked me to crawl up in the bow and stand right behind him to help keep the bow down/trolling motor in the water. With the newer 70" shafts of today that may not be needed in these times of wind and rain and all kinds of weather.

So yeah, use that trolling motor and kicker in tandem to counter anything mother nature can toss at ya.

I fill the front livewell and the back one. The boat does almost as good as the last bass boat did. I fish Pickwick Lake Tn/AL for small mouths.
Now this is not the big waters your talking about. But even in 25 MPH winds I can fish with the Power drive. And we fish open water humps.
It will be different then the lower sides on the the bass boat. But think of how much safer it is.
Pete

I have an 1850 Tyee and yes the wind differently has a impact on a higher sides boat. Boat control can be very difficult at times staying on a spot or even getting it on the trailer when the wind gusts. I like to get alot of weight up front when its blowing to help and a 24 or 36 volt system is a must. The windshields will catch more air than you think as well, I even have shut or opened to help with speed when trolling at times LOL Keep in mind these boats are not bass boats I wont compare to them for boat control in my opinion.