Anyone have the Express? Likes vs dis likes? Im looking hard at both of these, thinking of maybe purchase a new rig in this summer. Never had a brand new boat before and with the new job thinking about doing it
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Anyone have the Express? Likes vs dis likes? Im looking hard at both of these, thinking of maybe purchase a new rig in this summer. Never had a brand new boat before and with the new job thinking about doing it
Those are both good boats. You just have to chose on which one you think is layed out the best to rig it like you want for your style of fishing. I have almost got my G3 like I want it now. I have been working on it changing things around for 4 years now. Of the two boats that you mention...I think I like the War Eagle the best.
I agree with G-3, between those two I like the War Eagle. The Express still seems like a bass boat that has been tweaked for crappie fishing, you can tell the War Eagle was designed from the start as a crappie boat.
You know, if it were my money I would have to look hard at the Xpress HD18PFC SS. It is a Silver Series which is their economy line so it lacks some features and storage but I actually like the layout for crappie fishing better than the H18PFC. I'd gt it rigged with a Yamaha f90tlr and with the money I saved over the other two I would upgrade to an 80# Terrova with universal sonar and I-Pilot and an H-bird big screen side image sonar.
I have owned a War Eagle, but not that particular model. I can say they pay close attention to every detail. It is a very good boat. If I sold my Ranger, I would own a War eagle (the same model you are looking at) again.
On the main crappie page there is a company posting for ideas for their newest crappie boat. I believe it was called Excel Boats. I went to thier site and they have some very cool and innovative looking stuff.
Still would buy a War Eagle.
Robert, I was seriously considering a Predator 861 last year. I spoke with John Ward the owner of War Eagle Boats and he is a very nice guy. They have a great reputation as far as customer service goes. The 861 is built for crappie fishing. You would look good at Talquin in a new red one.
War Eagle, hands down..
I can't speak for Xpress but the Customer Service at War Eagle is second to none. They really stand behind their boats.
I have owned an Xpress bay boat, and have a small Wareagle. I would say the Wareagle is better quality.
DK, If you are planning on putting 2 seats up front, War Eagle is the way to go. I went to the War Eagle Factory and they are right, John Ward is one heck of a nice guy, and they make a super boat. Now, for me, I usually fish by myself, no need for the 2 seats, so for my money, it's SeaArk. I wanted 2 small changes to the Forcast 170c and they are willing to make them for me at no extra cost. They too, are super people, in the same town too.
SeaArk Boats - Forecast 156
This pic shows the layout, and is the same for the 17 ft.
War-eagle I looked at both your talking about if it were not for my back. The War-Eagle would have been my boat. Almost bought the first one made. LOL Was even down to going to Memphis and testing it out.
I bought a Lund best boat I have ever owned. But I still feel the War-Eagle was or is still the best factory Crappie boat. Also I owned a 2072-LDSV and a 754-LDV War-Eagle I sold to buy the new boat. Still like the War-Eagle.
If I had a question they always was there to call or E-Mail to find out the answer. I can't say that about Lund. As I have had a few issues that were never covered or did Lund even try to take care of them.
Good luck in the boat search.
Pete
I own a Tracker Pro 175 and if anything ever happens to it I WILL be gettin a War Eagle to replace it. Kent Driscol is a rep for them and they do offer best factory service I have ever heard of..
My WarEagle is a 2003 model and came with a 2 year warranty. About 6 months ago I noticed a few broken welds and called the factory. Within an hour John Ward called me back and had me bring the boat back to the factory. He had the entire boat gone through and every weld that looked suspect was rewelded. They even put in some extra bracing in the front. All of this was at no cost and they never once batted an eye. I will never buy another brand of boat for that reason. It is something that you just don't hardly see these day's.
I have been looking at the Predator but I also want to check out the new Excel but I think 1 of those will be my next boat.
One thing the Excell has over the WE is the hull is rated for much more hp.
Thanks guys, Ive had a War Eagle before I bought my G3 and it was a JAM UP boat, thats why Im leaning towards the 861. As far as Excel, I didnt know they were going to build a crappie boat, they make some good boats to run mud motors on though
True but why would you want over 115 HP on a crappie boat? I run a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke on my G3 and its plenty fast, 65 mph by GPS......I really don't like to get over 50 or 55 in it.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigKyd
Here it is killer, it's a good looking boat.Quote:
Originally Posted by duckkiller
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/main-...ck-design.html
That is really fast. I am good to get mid 40's out of my 115 rude. What size is your G3?Quote:
Originally Posted by G-3 Fisherman
18 and a half ft. Its a G3 Eagle 185.
What are you doing to get this kind of speed out of a 115? CanePole on the main board is running the same motor with a jack plate on a WarEagle Predator and is only getting 47 mph tops. I am wondering what to do to increase my speed:confused:. ThanksQuote:
Originally Posted by G-3 Fisherman
prop has alot to do with speed as does the condition of the hull.
Almost 20 mph? I wanna know the secret. My hull is in great condition.. What's the secret???Quote:
Originally Posted by duckkiller
killer is right. There are many tin rigs that can flat out fly. The fastest alum hulls are the bass style such as the G3 he is talking about. There are several others also. Prop is the biggest fix. Some true tin rocket gurus will even blue print the hulls of their boats. This takes some work, but provides great results. Big factors include hull weight, payload distribution, motor height, and list goes on and on. I have ridden in a 20' hull with a 200 (one of those fancy black special motors) that would and did GPS 79mph with two guys. That boat was not a run of the mill jon boat.
one small little hook in a hull and performance goes WAY down
Canepoles boat is only a couple of months old. I am trying to figure out what I can do to get more speed out of mine. G-3 is getting 20 mph more top end. My buddy run's an Xpress 19' with a 200 yammy and can barely get 65. What is your secret G3?
My G3 Eagle 185 is narrower and a lot lighter and the hull has a different bottom design. I think thats the main difference. I do have my motor raised up on the transom some and I have a stainless steel Rapture prop, not sure what the dia and pitch is...I will have to go look. Properly trimmed and at wot its turning 5800 rpm.
A'ite, I been watchin this thread since the weekend and I can't hold it in no more.
My choice: Neither.
OK, now, keep in mind I don't know crap about your finances, killer and I'm only making assumptions based on the fact that you're about to graduate. For all I know, you're Bill Gates favorite cousin and could give me lessons on derrivative hedging in Mandurin. Having said that, if I'm preaching to the choir, the bare with me just in case the next guy to read this needs to hear it.
The worst thing you could do financially out of school is to jump up and finance a luxury item pushing the "muntlys" out far enough to make it "affordable". You're setting yourself up to being a debtor for many, many years. I know. Been there, got the T-shirt and credit card reward points to prove it. Do yourself a favor and buy a small, used whatever that will get you fishing and that you can pay cash for. Then start saving for the upgrade. Truth is, there have been and will continue to be more fish caught from a 14' and under boat then there ever will be from boats larger. Even on the big resevoirs. The only thing the big boat gets you is more comfort and the ability to move in wind. And the fish don't give a stink whether it was built in 64, 94 or 04.
That being said, the Predator is a different class of boat than the Xpress you mentioned. Plus, whoever rigged the boat for the Xpress photo on their website should be fired. Check out the wiring in the engine well. And keep in mind that's as good as it gets. However, it's not fair to compare the 861 to the H18PFC. It ain't apples to apples.
Wannabe....
Wannabe is giving you some very...very good advice. Alway remember the old saying...You have to learn to walk before you can run. Your just finishing school and first job and all...no offense but you are still learning to walk. Give it some time...one day you will be ready to run. :) In the meantime...set up a savings account and go ahead and make boat payments to that every month.
For once WB you make sense!
Ya'll ever notice how often folks around here say "For once, WB, you're right". Man, that's a bunch of onces. :)
I'm tellin' ya'll, I'm a genius....never mind my stunning good looks. That's just a bonus.
Never got around to saying it, Killer, but no offense whatsoever intended. Like I said, I've got no clue on your situation, but the sentiment to what I said needs to be said outloud and often.
Wannabe...