Preferred boat for the rough waters of the act on Sardis?

So what type boat faired better on the rough water this weekend? I'm still researching boats to make a decision on boat. I've fished with feelay on the Cadillac of smooth rides but that's just to big a boat. Are the 20' glass boats enough? Or would a deep v ranger or skeeter fisher be better. Martin has 2-3' ft rollers from wakeboard boats this time of year. I really like feeshrman s zx 200 skeeter but a lil worried bout the rougher days. My local dealer has one in stock. I needs to sucker him into taking me out on a rough day. I've rode in a 21' bass cat. But not on a rough day.

I run 3-4 foot rollers regularly on KY Lake in my Excel Bay Pro 203 with 140 Suzuki. MY boat is rated for 150 but the 140 does everything I want except win races. The 203 dry empty hull weighs 1550 pounds, about the same as some of the 20 foot glitter boats. We may get some spray but my clients are comfortable and safe. I don't like to run the 4-6 footers we get here but have several times and I've gone from point A to point B safely when a lot of the bass guys are tucked away in bays waiting for it it calm down.

Bill at Big River Marine can fix you up.

Excel Boats

The deep Vs definately handled it better whether it was the bays or the 620 or 621 rangers. the multi species boats are just flat out built for it. Watched several try to travel the rough seas getting beat to death and taking on water with every roller, along cames the McCords in a 620 Fisherman heading into the wind, turned their backs to the wind and shut down, dropped the troller and set up to fish, fished these conditions all afternoon.

So John. The multi species are noticeably better in the rougher waters . I figured somebody had one over there this weekend. I won't even get out in a tin boat on Martin this time of years. I have a buddy try it last weekend in an xpress bay 20. He was off water in 30 minutes he said.

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Originally Posted by BAMA S

So John. The multi species are noticeably better in the rougher waters . I figured somebody had one over there this weekend. I won't even get out in a tin boat on Martin this time of years. I have a buddy try it last weekend in an xpress bay 20. He was off water in 30 minutes he said.

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You and your buddy haven't been in the right "tin" boat. I'll put mine up against anybody's multi-species.

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Originally Posted by mrdux

You and your buddy haven't been in the right "tin" boat. I'll put mine up against anybody's multi-species.

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And you would have lost Friday at 10, start fishing time, against the bigger glass boats like the 620s and 621s. Not saying you couldn't do it but they shined better than anything else, stood there and watched it for 30 minutes, then got back in the truck and drove around to a different ramp, the 521 we were in was not enough and we looked for calmer seas.
Doug, please don't take offense to my statement, I value your opinion and really appreciate your honesty on things.

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Originally Posted by BAMA S

So John. The multi species are noticeably better in the rougher waters . I figured somebody had one over there this weekend. I won't even get out in a tin boat on Martin this time of years. I have a buddy try it last weekend in an xpress bay 20. He was off water in 30 minutes he said.

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There were 10 or so there, they are a great rough water rig but a major pain in the butt otherwise. They are so high on the trailer, getting in and out at the ramp without a dock is a pain too. There is NO perfect boat, some are close but its hard to find one that fits every situation to perfection.

Good info for me to chew on guys. The multi series offers a ski pylon also. I can multitask with this boat. I have a riverboat for skinny waters. So my next will be targeted toward the rougher days I can run the river boat at night being ita jet. Not having to worry as much about submerged hazards. I know I want a glass and probably will save toward the multi series. As I get older a comfy ride matters for sure.

I love my 20 ft xpress and have not been out in weather Ive felt uncomfortable in. That being said, I'm really glad I wasn't on the water Friday. The deep side glass boats are just hard to beat. My tin boat has impressed a few of the guys with glass boats. Had 5 people in it Saturday, even having a 115 instead of rated 150 I only lost 3 mph top end when livewell was loaded.

All that being said, I still drool over a big ole honking ranger!


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I too agree with Doug on the 203 Bay Pro, Bill can hook you up.