WARRIOR vs YAR CRAFT

[HUMP]

I am considering going from a 2090BT Warrior to a 1895BT Yarcraft is this a good or bad idea. I would like some opinions of people that have been around both boats, like the ride storage anything. No bashing please. Thanks

[1895 Guy]

I've ridden in both. My neighbor has had several Warriors with two of tehm being the 2090 with 125 Mercs. I own the 1895 with a 125 Merc.

Warrior
Length - 20'5"
Width - 90" Difficult to find 90" with a tape measure
Weight - 1325 LBS
Rod Storage - 2 Small boxes with two shelves
Dry Storage - Small storage in front deck, fairly dry
Front Deck - Fairly small
Electronics Storage - Shelf in back, open to the public
Seats - Comfortable but not for all day
Fit & Finish - So so
Battery Storage - 3 In floor room in rear for 1 maybe 2
Ride - Nice ride, handles rough water ok
Speed with 125 - This is relative, potentially 40 weather permitting

Yar Craft
Length - 18'10"
Width - 95"
Weight - 1275 LBS
Rod Storage 2 huge rod boxes with two under gunnel shelves and buckles
Dry Storage - 3 Huge storage compartments, 2 fairly dry, 1 is bone dry
Front Deck - Huge front deck
Electronics Storage - In Lockable console
Seats - PLush, can sit in them all day and never fade
Fit & Finish - ALmost to a Ragnger quality 10+
Battery Storage - 4 in floor, 2 in rear + room for a charger
Ride - Superb, very dry & smooth, backtrolls really nice
Speed with 125 - This is relative, potentially 43-44 on good day

I obviously own the Yar Craft. The reasons that I own it is the the ride, the finish, the interior layout all worked for me. This is a personal opinion, but if you have the two boats side by side, the Warrior appears to almost fit inside the Yar Craft. I watched the issues that my neighbor had with his multiple Warriors before I purchased, I spoke with several people at the Yar Craft factory before I made my purchase. They will backup the first or second owner, they want you to be happy.

The bottom line is both boats are nice. Look at each one and decide which one will work best for you.

[dave]

Not sure where you are located, but I'm in MN and you'll be hard pressed to find many dealers for Yarcraft - most have dropped this line. On the flip side, Warriors are very strong on sales, go out on Mille Lacs and you'll see 10 Warriors for every Yarcraft. If your in Michigan perhaps it is the other way around, but I can see a trend developing in the midwest where I live and that is Warrior is doing very well and growing.

I've fished from both boats, and I believe some of the comments made by the other poster are valid but my thoughts differ which are as follows:

-warrior will ride better due to the increased length, get's you that much closer to the next wave.

-I prefer the electronics shelf in the warrior, would one really think that the compartment on the Yarcraft is going to keep anyone from stealing your electronics? It's just better visability when they're on the shelf opposed to in a compartment.

-Yarcraft is faster, this is because it's got a pad Warrior does not, this is for stability(not having one) - either way both boats are plenty stable.

-What do you like in a boats layout, Yarcraft might have a bigger deck and more storage, but guess what it doesn't have nearly the floorspace as the 2090. Furthermore you can put a larger engine on the 2090 and get electronic steering - can't get this on a yarcraft.

Both boats are nice, for me the layout is a more well thought out walleye boat and is better looking package (including trailer). Best of luck.

[eye's]

I hope you got that in writing from YarCraft!

[EYE'S]

You are right on the money. I've owned several Warrior's and 1 YarCraft. Warrior is simply a better built boat. No details are left out! Many thanks to Pete and Tom!

[George Feder]

I have owned 3 Warriors,the latest being 1890/125 merc XST and would not run anything else.The dry ride along with the best ride and best resale is what keeps me coming back. What do you feel that the 2090 is not doing for you. I just spent the weekend down at the Northwest show and am pretty sure that my next Warrior will be the 2090/135 opti max lots and lots of room.

[wetsalmon]

I also have fished out of both of these boats and they are both excellent fishing boats with an exceptional amount of room to move about. I just want to let you know 1 thing both Warrior & Yar Craft have plywood floors.I do not mean to bash I just know how much money that you are about to spend on a boat. I do not want you to be dissapointed.

[Nordicron]

Wetsalmon, whats your pick if not the Warrior or the Yarcraft?

[Tom (mich)]

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[Jim Gouge]

I own a Yar-Craft 1895 DC Walkthru. I love it!!!! The driest boat I have ever owned. There is ample dry storage, large livewells, and a large trolling area in the stern. The ride is very smooth. I have never been in a Warrior. I do know one thing, you wont be disapointed with the Yar-Craft. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. 989-725-2148

[Jamie Schmidt]

I did over a years worth of research before I bought my boat. It was my first fiberglass boat, and also the most I've ever spent on a new rig. It only took a day or two to eliminate Warrior as a possibility after reading the archives on this bbd and finding out how many Warrior owners had problems getting warrantee work honored on their boats. I started with all of the 'glass boat manufacturers, and slowly narrowed it down to one.

Do the archives search yourself, and you'll find more negative posts about Warrior than you will positive. Don't get me wrong here, I'm not bashing. I'm just telling you why I DIDN'T buy the Warrior.

Jamie Schmidt

[Gary Gray]

Hump:

I suggest you take a tour of both factory's, and see them built. Then go for a test ride. This way, you will have made your choice for yourself, not that of opinions of other people. This is the best way, and you can see them built as well as, take the ride. If you would like, email me, and I will set up your tour. garygray@execpc.com

Hope this helps,
Gary Gray

[steve(IL)]

Hey Jamie - I visit this board regularly. As a very satisfied Warrior owner, I can't recall a single post here from a dissatisfied owner. In fact, I've never read anything but praise for Warrior. I have read some references to some dealer troubles from years ago.

I'm challenging you to back up what you say. Where exactly are these negative comments from Warrior OWNERS? Friend's of brother's cousin's uncles don't count. My guess is that positive comments would outweigh
any negative ones - if they exist - 100 to 1.

For the record, I think Yarcraft and Warrior both make great boats. The typical owner would get outstanding service from either one. Pick whichever boat seems like the best fit.

[hookem]

I have a 1995 Warrior Eagle dual console with a 175 Mercury EFI with a high 5 prop, 3 batteries, front trolling motor and 15 hp honda kicker. With my GPS I get 44 mph and taching at 58. On my motor bracket, I'm in the 3 hole from the top. Can I gain anymore speed by raising the motor up one or two holes or live with it? I could trial and error this, but I'm hoping for some insight. LOL

[brad b.]

Try searching on both boats in the boats and motors archives. There have been posted on Warrior boats in the last week. Might want to include the archives in your search to get more than a couple of hits.

My advice on the two boat would be to ride in both of them, pick the one you like, and then find a good dealer for the boat you choose.

[Brian]

I would have to say that Yar-craft is the better boat. Yar-craft is hand crafted and is built for the serious fisherman. I am guessing that you are looking at the storm bt. This is without a doubt a great boat. and for the plywood floor that is crap. It is fiberglass with wood doors on compartments. Also Yar-craft has a 10 year warrenty with a water drain system on all livewells as well as dry storage.

[Tom (mich)]

Yarcrafts are great and Warriors are junk - hold up, just kidding. I've run a Yarcraft 1895 Storm DC for three seasons and could not be happier. fast, dry, good service from Yarcraft, etc. I live in SE Michigan, and Warrior dealers are nonexistent. In fact, I've never even seen one in this region - either on the water or in the showroom. Based upon what I've seen of them in print, they appear to be excellent boats. I don't think you could go wrong either way.

[wetsalmon]

Tuffy, Skeeter, or Fisher.

[eyes]

Great boats if you want a 16 or 17 ft. backtroller.

[Eyecrosser]

I run a Tuffy right now and I'm looking to get into one of these rigs. I also am having trouble choosing. I do remember a year or two ago that people were having trouble with the gel coats on the Warriors and that people were having trouble with the factory backing up their warranty's. I still am leaning twards Warrior since I live in Minnesota and would have a esier time with all the dealers in the area.

[Nautical Wheeler]

I bought a Warrior 2 years ago, and looked at the comparable yarcraft model very closely at the time. I am sure the designs have changed since then, but the rod lockers on the yarcraft, while quite roomy, were set up almost as benches along each side of the boat. to me, this would be a disadvantage because you can't stand as near the outside of the boat, and if you got on top of the bench to reach over the side, you might get knocked out of the boat in high winds. yarcraft also located it's baitwell directly underneath the motor tiller, making access to it impossible unless you swung the motor way over to the side.

Other than that, I saw the two boats as equals, and chose warrior - I have not been dissapointed, and have had absolutely no problems. I will more than likely buy warrior again in the future, but I will look closely at the comparable yar-craft models as well. I do know two individuals that used to run yar-craft, and now run warrior, for what it's worth.

Regarding past warranty issues - It's been my experience that a warranty is only as good as the dealer selling the boat. Warrior did have a fiberglass crazing problem some time ago, and have sinced fixed the problem. From what I understand, it was a problem in the finish, and not anything structural. I am sure many of you remember the paint cracking problems general motors had with some of their cars in the mid eighties. How many of us stopped buying GM vehicles because of that?

[Hump]

I would like to thank everyone for there comments. I dont live near either dealer so thats why all this advice is great Thank You.

[Joker]

Wow, it seems like Yar Craft dominates in every catagory! It should be an easy decision to make.

[captjoe]

I had the opportunity to stop at the Warrior plant last fall. Tom LaTour was checking on things in the production area and I asked him about the "crazing problem" I had been hearing about.

It seems that most fiberglass will "craze" to some extent. It is more noticible on white paint than on other colors. Crazing is not a construction defect.

One of the improvements Warrior made was to round the radius of the corners rather than make them square -- thereby minimizing the crazing problem on the corners.

I'm sure Troy LaTour will correct me if I misunderstood the info I received at the plant tour.

I recently became the owner of a Warrior 21-21 after visiting with numerous individuals that own or have owned a Warrior. I'm impatiently waiting for open water!

Capt Joe

[Dennis D]

All I can tell you is that, I owned or fished out of a lot of boats over the years and been fishing touraments for 20+ years, and I started with the 177 then the 19-19 and at present, I own the 193v Eagle with a 225 opti and love it and never had a problem with warrior warrenty and latter this year I plan on another new warrior. thanks warrior boats.

[Be Fair]

All 3 of those boat lines have decent boats and many bigger than a 16 or 17 foot backtroller.

[I have to say]

I have seen the Yar Craft Buildings, well 2 of them anyway. Lots of stuff heaped all around the outside, old hulls, damaged hulls, barrels and various odds n ends. This means nothing to the quality or construction of the boats. Yar Craft makes a fine boat, and Ive fished in more than a few. But I think some yard work is in order.

[Bert]

Umm...Ok

[No really]

My comment is merely, I have seen a few boat mfr's and The back side of the two buildings in Menominee look like dumping grounds. Not a slam against the product, but an observation that it can make a bad first impression.