View Full Version : best boat
AFTER FISHING THE MWC AT BAY DE NOC LAST WEEKEND I REALIZED A NEW QUALITY FISHING BOAT WAS NEEDED TO COMPETE. WHAT'S THE BEST BOAT OT THERE? LOOKING FOR GOOD RIDE, STORAGE AND ROOM TO MOVE AROUND. IS IT RANGER, CHAMPION, TUFFY TRITON.
IF YOU HAD TO DO IT OVER AGAIN WHAT WOULD YOU BUY. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE.
Ask 20 owners of 20 different boats and you'll get 20 different answers. I like my Triton, Ranger guys better tell you to buy a Ranger. Get the ones you like out in some nasty stuff and make up your own mind. If there was one that was the perfecr machine, everybody would have it. Good luck, and enjoy tour misery.
Nofish
06-21-2000, 06:50 PM
LAST EDITED ON Jun-21-00 AT 09:00PM (CST)[p]Hey Waz,
I have to second ETT's comments. You have to drive the boats you are interested in in similar conditions. Most boat owners should rave about the boats they own. Others may be in your shoes and want to upgrade for many reasons. I have run 5 different boat brands and not had the same twice, until I got my first Ranger 692.
I wonder if you are going to be at the Oconto MWC tournament. If you know some guys with boats you may be considering, maybe a ride along for a few minutes could be aranged.
I was at Little Bay too, and I can personally tell you I cannot think of being in another boat than my Ranger. I got the 620 solely because I do fish Big water Tourneys. And when the time comes to replace this boat, a Ranger will be the one I pick.
Also, don't get suckered in to a package that tells you you'll save big money over buying another brand.
Many times, you are not comparing apples to apples. Several packages that were much cheaper than my rig, had smaller or lesser motors.
If you price one out with an Opti, price them all with an Opti. Ranger and Triton both will allow a 225 on their big boys, others are only rated at 200, there is a price difference right there.
Also, pay very carefull attention to options and equipment. This is another way to save some money. Also pay attention to bells and whisltes, get only what you need.
But make sure you think through how long you plan to own the boat, and how and where you plan to use it. And remember, most big water boats will go very shallow as well, so don't worry if you also fish shallow water.
Don't get lured into the speed wars either. You were at Little Bay, could you run wide open? No one could for most of the competition. So what good is good does a 10 mph faster boat going to do you?
I picked the Ranger due to it's length, width and ability to absolutely crush the waves. I have never been in a more solid and stable boat. The boat responds very well to the trolling motor and is a great trolling boat as well.
I can regularly reach speeds in the mid 50's with two anglers and half a tank of gas. The 50 gallon tank hurt the wallet this weekend, but I never had to worry about having enough fuel to get back. I ran about a 60 mile round trip each day.
Choose wisely and whatever you choose should give you years of service.
Good luck...........R
Grampa_Joe
06-22-2000, 08:15 AM
I agree with the above posts. You have to drive all of em to figure out which boat is the one for you.
I don't know where you're from, but I'm doing test drives this weekend on Mille Lacs for Ranger at the Hunters Point tourney. My 620 will be in the water for sure, I'm not sure what other models will be available.
I think there is a discount to MWC anglers on Ranger boats as they are a major sponsor of MWC. George Liddle, the rep for my area will also be at the tourney this weekend. He would be able to answer any questions in that area.
Joe
Mongo
06-22-2000, 10:03 AM
Waz,
Like everyone else said, you have to get what YOU are comfortable with. If you like glass, then go that way...if you like aluminum, then go that direction. All boats have their pluses and minuses and what it boils down to is personal preference. I myself run a 1900 Lund Pro-V, and I am very satisfied. But just because I have run aluminum boats all my life, I'm not going to tell you that glass boats are junk....I have fished out of glass boats and I think Rangers and Tritons are the cream of the crop in that style of boat....I just prefer my Lunds and I would buy another one. Just my 2 cents....Mongo.
walliman
06-22-2000, 07:55 PM
I agree with all of the above post's you have to try the boat out in the best and all so try them out in the worst conditions. I will tell you that I would not buy another sylvan I've had nothing but problems with mine, at first I thought it was the perfect boat but as time went on it's nothing but junk.The hull has cracked four times and the factory won't stand behind it at all, they deny any structial problems.The new boat I'm looking at is the warrior 21-21 it's a big roomy boat,I'm also looking at the storm w/walk thru ( wife likes the porta-potty idea)If any one has any reports about either one fo these please let me know.
GOOD LUCK in the search.....
Convinced
06-23-2000, 02:58 PM
Walliman I just sold my yarcraft that i had 1 year what convinced me was when I had the D/R Came buy me on Leech the differance is Warriors 21 degree dead rise hull not to mention Warriors interior for the fisherman your wife will realy enjoy the smooth ride Go gettem
jeff reed
06-24-2000, 06:04 PM
I'll run this one by you that's probably NOT an option with most walleye guys but its still something to talk about.
I fish the great lakes and all inland waters. I have found that there is NOT a perfect boat of any make, type or model that can suit me to cover all situations. If you have a 18 to 19 footer, it is somewhat small by big lake standards and too big for river standards. My next Big Water boat will be a 21 to 22 foot center console with a single 225 or twin 150 outboards similar to the Proline, Aquasport, Grady-White types. I just recently looked at a Triton 20 foot center console I wouldn't rule out either. I will keep my 16 MonArk with a Merc 40 to cover the inland lakes and rivers. Opting for a two boat set-up I know is expensive, but i've seen too many 25-35k "show" boats that have been ate up by the Tibbawassee and other inland bodies of water when smaller boats would have done much better. Likewise, I've seen the same 25-35k "show" boats ate up by the Great lakes too. When you try to get one boat to do everything well it usually ends up being mediocre in ALL requirements. My next door neighbor has an excellent 1-2 punch combo for ALL Michigan walleye waters. He runs a Lund 1700 PROV with a 60 hp Johnson Tiller and a 23ft glass Chapperall WalkAround cuddy with a 175hp Johnson. If anybody thinks a 18-19ft Ranger, Warrior, Lund, Alumicraft, or similar tourney walleye boat can punch through and angry Saginaw Bay or Lake Erie compared to a big glass 22 or 23, then they haven't fished enough BIG ROUGH water in enough makes and models of boats. Its not for everybody but it's right for some and for me. Anybody got any input for a 22 center console outboard glass boat I should take a look at??????? I got a year to make a decision.
I had the good fortune to fish as an amateur in the PWT 2 years ago. I fished 4 tourneys and in 8 differnt boats. I found that they all have thier plus and minus features, even the pro's when asked had a few things they would change in thier boats. I was looking to buy a boat myself that summer so I asked a lot of questions.
I ended up buying a tracker targa 2000 from PWT pro Johhnie Candle. Wouldn't trade it for another, except a newer one.
It's hard to look at new boats and not fall for the little gadgets here and there. I found there are a few basic things I wanted and the rest was nothing more than bells and whistles that I could add if I wanted.
1. a nice looking boat
2. a great riding boat (wind and no wind)
3. storage and easy of access to storage
4. good fishing platform front and back ( I like to stand up in the back above the rails sometimes)
5.ability to add on additional equip.
For me the Traker met all of these!! Like I said I wouldn't get any other.
e-mail me if you want more info on the tracker
Happy Hook Sets
There's a new boat coming on the scene very soon. It's going to be a 21' deep hull. It's made by OMC and it's a beauty. Just like anything else though, first time around, might have a few bugs in it, but I saw a video on it yesterday, and it sure looks like Omc has hit a homerun with the design. See if you're local Javelin dealer knows anything about it.
jeff reed
06-25-2000, 08:58 AM
Does it come in a center console?
cisco
06-25-2000, 03:57 PM
If you want to see just about every type of center console made, spend a few days on Cheasapeake Bay. They are great big water craft. However, for the Great Lakes, I want cabin and canvas you can't get with the center console.
I fish out of a 17.5' Hydra-sport. If you want a center console, I don't think there is a better boat for the money. I fish in Lake Erie and never feel uncomfortable going out. Everyone who rides it is impressed by it's ride and quality for its size.
jeff reed
06-25-2000, 05:03 PM
LOL....Cisco, How long you planning to stay on it? LOL. I want to fish on it not sleep. I want to fish 8 to 10 hours and go home. As far as the canvas is concerned what would you say to a guy that had a Ranger or Targa. They aint got canvas and those boats winshields are the size of a visor on a motorcycle helmet. That's why Cabelas makes a good rainsuits. Additionally, I have seen nice canvas jobs done around center consoles with the T-TOPS. Plus some center consoles have stand-up "leaning posts" instead of a helmsmans's chair. Isn't it much more pleasant standing upright in the center of the boat hitting 5 footers at 25 mph than sitting in a chair on the right hand side getting your spinal cord re-aligned wondering if you will be "on time" for a weigh-in?? Your really think spending 45,000 on a Ranger and getting your butt pounded when you could spend 55,000 and have two boats????? Let's talk about this!!!!! There must be something I'm missing????
jeff reed
06-25-2000, 05:06 PM
I've seen that boat and it's a dandy,and its priced right too, but i want to see its BIG brother.
SeaCat
06-25-2000, 06:55 PM
Jeff, you're not missing anything. I just love my 21' center console catamaran with twin 4 stroke 90's.
I put two Todd drop seat helm chairs in to replace the original leaning post though. Sitting makes watching a trolling spread much more comfortable after a couple of dead hours. You're right though, going through a 5' chop is much easier standing. With the part of the seat your butt goes on colapsed out, the two chairs act just like a individual leaning posts!
The SeaCat 21 is now being made by SportCat/SportCraft, but is exactly the same hull. Got it last fall so I only have 9 trips on the hull, but so far it is great -- 38 mph top end, 28 mph cruise at 80% throttle, and it'll do the 28 in 3-4' seas with no crashing and no H2O over the top. Trolls down to 1.2 mph without bags in calm seas. My average trip is usually about 2 hours running at cruise and 7-8 hours trolling -- average of 12 gallons of total fuel. The dual hull also makes for a real stable side to side drift.
Ryan
Trackers with the motor set back the way it is have a bad habit of submerging motors, when you are in really nasty stuff. I'm not talking the 4 - 5'ers, I'm talkin 8,9, 10 or 11' waves like the NAWA guys were in out of Toledo a few years ago ,or like the Lake Sharp deal. When they slide down a wave backwards they stuff the bloomin engine right into the wave behind them. I think it was 8 for 8 that ruined their big engines, most of which were only weeks old. Now noone in their right mind goes out in that stuff, but if you get caught out there, I would not like having to worry about this problem. Other makes have had this same problem, but not with the regularity of Trackers. Just something to think about. I'm not trying to bad mouth Tracker, just want to pass on what I've seen.
I researched for 2 years before I got my dream boat. Starcraft ProElite 2000. Lots of storage, lots of rod space, big livewells, all the bells and whistles and a smooth, stable ride from it`s 20 foot length and it`s 8 1/2 foot beam. The widest 20 footer made. No regrets with this baby. Can`t find one thing I don`t like about it. Good luck with your choice.
jeff reed
06-25-2000, 10:37 PM
Oh baby..... that sounds nice. I never seen a catamaran center console. send me a pix if you can to fishreed@aol.com
Hey Jeff, I believe they do plan on coming out with a center console in the near future. The first one out is a side console, then a dual console, and lastly the center, but I believe you can see a picture of it on the OMC web site. If not, e-mail me and I'll see if I can't send you a video.