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We are seriously discussing the idea of designing a new boat made exclusively for Crappie and Bream fishing. Since most boat companies don't really have one we would like some thoughts from you as to what you think would be a must have for the ultimate Crappie boat.
What about the panfish series from tracker? Are you saying you want a boat to come with like spider rigging already set up? I'm not sure how you can make it crappie/bream specific?
Add a seat up front is a must, livewells in front and back is a must, baitwell is a must, this is a start
o.k. my tracker has livewells, a baitwell, trolling motor, fish finder, and more that came standard with it. As far as add-a seat goes no boat company is going to produce the original product because of insurance purposes and that is why the original add a seat was taken off the market. A big lawsuit essentially killed the product but there are alternatives like the one for $79.99 offered by Grizzly Jig. I doubt a boat manufacturer would ever include such a double seat up front because in truth it would only target crappie fishermen/ spider riggers and that is a small percentage of their client base.Quote:
Originally Posted by crappieseeker
Now if you had enough people petition Tracker I'm sure they might put a double seat on certain models as an option but only if they they think there is a large market for it. You would have to have thousands of interested people though.
I must be reading this wrong, because Exel, Express, G3, and Lowe make boats with two front seat pedestal bases. These are only the ones that I know about? Add a seat not available, but, other two front seat options are out there.Quote:
I doubt a boat manufacturer would ever include such a double seat up front because in truth it would only target crappie fishermen/ spider riggers and that is a small percentage of their client base.
Low front deck,large live well and bait well on front. Factory installed mulitpul set bases. Front deck wide enough for 2 anglers to maneuver. Wiring set up for front depth finder and other electronics.
Lots of interior LED lighting for night fishing would be nice. I could use bumpers on my rig for all the stumps I smack too:D
Just go look at a Lund Explorer Crappie Edition and you will have it.
Skip
A place to keep rods off the ground!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!
And room to keep extra rods off the ground!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yup and so does my Triton CT series, set two side by side up front or in the back.Quote:
Originally Posted by Redy2Fish
Three on a WE and one in the back-standard on 860. Egret, what company are you with?
That's the boat I'm looking at, the explorer crappie edition has it all extra seat bases,2 livewells w/baitwells,rod storage you name it has itQuote:
Originally Posted by skiptomylu
Quote:
Originally Posted by Egret
There are a ton of manufacturers that make some kind of crappie or panfish model. Not sure how much research has been done here. Good luck with your plans though. The more good options out there the better for us crappie fishermen.
Anyhoo... I think the ultimate crappie boat depends on the fisherman. There are so many different tactics used around the country it's hard to say what is perfect for everyone. Bream boats are what you make em IMO.
I'd like to see a boat manufacturer make a super duper insulated livewell that could double as a cooler. It gets hot enough in the summer here that a livewell either has to run constantly or fish die and maybe spoil quickly. Carrying a fish cooler just takes up space in a boat that already has a designated "fish" space. Built in coolers (Example-War Eagle Predator) seem to be more suited for drinks. Why not just insulate the crap out of a livewell for fish too? Plastic liners do not insulation make...
How about a bait well compartment in both live wells?Quote:
Originally Posted by crappieseeker
definitely a huge battery box. i've got 5 bats shoehorned into my pedator, along with a 2 bank 20, a 3 bank 30 and the control box for an 80lb cavitation plate mounted tm. its too tight. also lots of forward tackle storage with easy access while seated up front. an 18 degree bow.
Stable in the chop due to other boats screaming by. And wide enough in the back to catch the wind so it saves battery while trolling.
Attachment 63369Jim Bryant, Lancaster, KY (formerly BassMaster) now building under name SeaStar and is still building the 18foot Crappie King like the one I posted on May 21st. Will try and get pics here again. It has all the features mentioned in previous posts. Difficult to see, but on each side of the indicated front seat there are base mounts on either side. I'm having difficulty with getting all pics to attach, so anyone interested can pm me for more. I'll be posting this in the classifieds next week with more detail.
Boat is a modification of his classic bass boat with performance pad hull. 91 inches wide, stable, but will really move out!
In my opinion, the perfect Crappie boat has already been designed; however it is not in production at this time. Triton TA 196 comes as close to being "perfect" as anything I have ever seen. Due to poor sales at "Bass Boat" dealers, production was stopped.
Monk Monk's Crappie
The TA 196 was to light on the front end. Windy conditions made for tough fishing. The rear deck was to high just like Bass boats imho.
That crappie king boat is just a bass boat re-purposed. deck is too high, the dual consoles only eat up space, and no way to add holders on to side rail. The pics of the trition TA 196 are more like what i would like to see. Execpt for rear deck is high, rod storage does not look great, one pic the guy stores his rods verticle and on the back deck.
Ok, here are my thoughts, pedistal mounted electronics that will telescope up so they can be accessed without leaving the seat or bending over. Elevated and insulated bait well so they can be accessed without leaving the seat. Full opening rod lockers that will hold 16' poles. pre wired power jacks for night fishing. all boat and livewll controlls accessable from fishing seat.
I'm assuming we're talking about a glass boat here, right?
OK, well, for market share, you're going to need to design a boat specific to double spider rigging up front with some mods to attract long liners and crank pullers in my opinion.
In order to be what I think is the perfect boat, it will need to be a minimum of 20', and preferably be 21' + and require a motor of at least 150-250hp. I would bet that most are going to opt on the low side, but some will want 60 - 70 mph out of it. In addition, it needs to have a super wide 90"+ beam
Here's the features it needs for spider rigging.
1) 3 pedestals accross the front.
2) Beam should be carried forward as much as possible with as little wasted space forward as possible.
3) A front livewell that can be fully opened with a seat in any of the pedestals. I think the idea of fully insulating the livewell and the lids is a very good one and would think that floatation foam would do the trick on this. A metal divider would be nice and possibley a removeable bait bucket (and removable bucket housing) on one side would fill the bill for those that want a bait well without having to use the space and expense of designing one in.
4) Storage boxes on port and starboard need to stop behind the seat pedestals.
5) Front deck must be low.
6) Front and back outside storage boxes should be inset slightly to allow mounting surface for rod transport racks. Console windshield should also accomodate.
Cockpit:
1) Hydralic steering standard.
2) Removable 2nd console would save you a second cap mold and would allow folks to switch if they want.
3) Short rear deck to accomodate 4 back seating
Rear Deck:
1) Should be low and short. Just deep enough to allow for fishing from rear small platform.
2) Fuel cell should be on the smallish side to accomodate battery space and pump access. Crappie Fisherman do not make 100 mile runs....we do not need 50 gallons of fuel onboard. We need battery space and easy maintenance in bilge. 25 to 30 gallons would be fine.
Other:
1) Transome should easily accomodate a kicker (crank trolling).
2) Trailer needs to be built like a tank with LED lights, dual axle and disc brakes and reverse lights.
Wannabe...
PS, I'd like all that for $16,000 with a 200HP Yamaha 4 stroke and T8 Kicker. :)
PSS, take a look at the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1850 Crappie Edition for layout cues.
Wannabe...
Disagree with rod lockers that could accomodate 16' poles. That would require a 35' boat. Make the lockers capable to accommodating 8' for the casters and dock shooters (or a broken down 16') and that is it.
I think the livewell controls forward would be a neat option, but would probably require somebody of Cane Poles skilz to design the wiring harness to allow for dual controls at the console and bow. Would like pump out and recirc feature though. 02 option might be a consideration for the serious tournament guys.
Wannabe...
I like that boat WB.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wannabe...
I have an 03 Bass Tracker Panfish16, Its pretty close to perfect for me. It has the stick steer, duel rod lockers, large live well in the middle of the boat and a cooler in the front. The newer models have deleted the cooler in the front. I dont think they could improve the boat anymore. IMO that would be a model to design from.
Take a look at the Ranger ANGLER 1760 or 1860. I have really enjoyed my Angler 1760 with a Mercury Optimax 115.
The base platforms that they described are not something i would want even if i had the 25-30k to buy a ranger and no way i would i could use a creastliner style boat.
The boat I described would not appeal to everyone, but for open, big water spider rigging, long lining and crank pulling, it couldn't be any better.
Having said that, I think that design would appeal to the largest population of year round Crappie fishermen....which would be the largest market of people willing to spend that kind of $ for a crappie boat.
Wannabe...
Cumberland Crappie has an add a seat similar to the original add a seat designed for RANGER Boats for around $150.00. I bought my 2009 Angler used with only one hour on the motor in 2010 and saved a bunch of money. Not much more than some aluminum boats. GOOD LUCK.
It wouldn't have to be 35' to hold a 16' pole. Just widen the gunnel on the passenger side and put one long lid that sets level with the top of the boat.
My dream boat would be a Ranger Fisherman 620 Tiller or 620 single console. I have a Ranger Fisherman 692 that I probably want ever be able to afford to replace which is my favorite now.
25K -30K You must be talking about a used Ranger.Quote:
Originally Posted by das speck hunter
I agree that a 620 or a 690 is dang near close to what I'm laying out, but the one hitch is a the deep V. Bass style mod Vs are plenty deep enough to tame the waters we fish and the deep V is not necessary...it's nice, but somewhat overkill for the majority of the lakes, but with the deep V comes some issues, such as decreased speed or the need for additional hp to acheive the same speed, fuel costs, fuel efficiency and for me, fishing the COEs a deep V is an issue since we don't have boat docks and have to beach on the ramp or next to it to load and unload. A Ranger Deep V style is going to mean that I just about would have to get wet when entering or exiting. Dont' know that for sure, but I could see it easily being an issue. Now take a 620 cap and put it on a Z520 hull and you'd be 80% of the way there for me.
Wannabe...
Here is mine 2000 Carolina skiff 20 ft 90 hp Honda 4 stroke great on gas 14 rod holders 30 GL bait tank , Plenty of walking room just got a drift master t-top put on it and love it keeps the sun off ya on those hot days ,,, lets see your crappie boats Attachment 63472
yeah lets see the rest of your crappie boats..
Here what I would do use this platform http://xtremeindustries.ipower.com/page4.html
Make it larger maybe a 20-21ft with larger motor with available space for small kicker.
The floor make it alum. w/ rhinoliner but leave decks plywood and carpeted. Making them replaceable the floor can last forever.
Get rid of flip tops and wells on sides. Make them all side opening for tackle and dry storage. And battery space, lots of battery space.
Getting rid of fliptops would allow adding rod holders for spiddering, side pulling, and trolling. And give somewhere to lay and strap down rods. Which would be invaluable.
Add large well in middle with dividers for live well and bait. Make top sturdy enough to sit on for side pulling guest seat. Center is better than side for weight distribution.
3 seat post in front, left, middle, right. Same in back to be able to fish 2 people in front 2 in back.
Lower front deck so rod holders are a good height.
12v. power outlets on each side for adding night lights.
This would be a all go..... no show boat. Stick steering is perfectly fine. Dont waste space with a console cause then everybody has to move and its a big who done it.
Thats the base boat.
Now the Goodies that i would love to see. AFTERALL ITS MY DREAM BOAT
90 WHITE ETEC
24v. GREAT WHITE or RIPTIDE
ALUMINUM TRAILER
Humminbird 1197c SI Combo NVB
Automatic Anchor in front and back to pin me down. NO a TALON or POWERPOLE they would get in the way.
12v. LED Night Lights
THATS ABOUT IT FOR NOW
Sweet rig Crappieman1961. Carolina Skiff makes a dang solid boat from what I hear. Always wondered how a big one like yours would ride on big water with that flat non-v'd front though. A question though. Why did you decide to rig for spider riggin on the back instead of double seating the front? Just wondering.
Das Speck - The boat your building out there sounds sweet for some applications, but after a year on Grenada, Sardis, Enid, or Ross Barnett, you'd be looking for one like I'm pushing for. Delta Oxbows though, and that stick would be hard to beat.
Wannabe...
Attachment 63526Here is my crappie rig.
When do you get the training wheels off? Bwahahahaha....sorry, I couldn't resist.Quote:
Originally Posted by mb4850
Looks loke a sweet little uncomplicated rig.
Wannabe...