I currently have a pontoon boat and am tired of fighting the wind when trying to stay on the fish. I am trying to decide what to get next, originally I was thinking about a fiberglass bass boat but I really don't need to go 60 mph and use a ton of gas. I'm leaning towords a modified v or deep v aluminum. What kind of boat do you have and how does it handle the wind? I'm really interested in hearing from the deep v owners.
I have a '89 Tracker Pro-V 16, and fish Milford with it all the time. It handles the waves fine but it catches quite a bit of wind if you're trying to stay in one spot and its windy. But it handles great in the waves. My buddy has a Tracker Grizzly mod-v 1753, its better about not catching the wind but if the winds blowing good I would much rather be going across the main lake in my deep V then his mod-v.
I too have a pontoon and actually catch more crappie from it than I did any of the V-boats I had previously. I use the wind in my favor when sitting on a pile. I have a 75lb I-pilot and set the spot lock upwind about 10-15 feet depending on the wind speed. Setting the spot lock and letting the I-pilot take over I can cover the entire pile in a short amount of time just by letting it do its thing. If the winds gets over 25 mph I normally start drifting for walleye as that is always a good time to catch walleye.Quote:
Originally Posted by criddy
Given the smooth ride in any weather conditions no matter the wind, the freedom to move around and the ability to take up to 12 people on my pontoon, I would never go back to a V bottom boat.
It is all in what you need or want. If I had to go with a v bottom boat I would not hesitate going with an Alumacraft, I have had a Champion, Ranger, Tracker and an Alumacraft and would buy another Alumacraft in a heartbeat! The Ranger and Tracker were very cheaply made boats and it seems they were designed on a drawing board by a clueless engineer as opposed to in the field. The Alumacraft was the best boat I have ever owned. It was obviously designed by a fisherman with ease of use and functionality in mind.
I now own a Lowe Pontoon and I love it but the quality of Lowe is not what I experienced with the Alumacraft.
Take a ride in a Champion with an optimax(sips fuel).Criddy if you want to take a ride pm me I live in O.P.
Crestliner Superhawk handles big water well. Acorns getting bounched off the seat isn't as much fun when you get older. But flying is fun if your landing well.
2007 Lowe Roughneck 1652 VPT with a 60hp Mercury 4 stroke. Does surprisingly well in the wind. I take it on Melvern, Milford, Perry, Hillsdale, Lake of the Ozarks, Table Rock, and Grand and have never felt like it couldn't handle it. Of course I'm not out there in 30mph winds but I've been in some pretty big waves and done just fine. Unfortunately probably going to have to sell it with our first baby on the way later this year :(
As Clint Eastwood says "a Missouri boat ride"? Given a few of those myself. One observation about the wind from my perspective, I've fished a few walleye tournaments and those multispecies boats can make a man without one very envious. I've watched them cruise 40mph in a 35mph wind in upwind, downwind, and crosswind. How much do you want to spend is the real question.Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleCrappie
For those of you that have a Deep-V, do you find that the wind pushes it around more than a lower profile boat when you're using the trolling motor? My dad and I have been thinking about getting a different boat but can't decide between a deep-v or a 17' bass boat.
I have a 06 champion 187cx with a 150 opti. and 82lb. thrust motor guide for the ks. winds.However, I do not walleye fish but mainly fish crappie,bass and whites-wypers.Furthermore,it is a great all around boat for kansas res.due to the ride and fishabilty.I looked hard at several alum. deep vees before purchasing this boat(g3,alumacraft,lowe) just don't like how rotfldown you sit while driving and decks are not flush like a bass boat for casting.Oh, I have fished for walleye in canada several times but does that count
I have a deep V 18ft Lund with 115 4 stroke. I use to have a Champion 20ft bassboat w/200hp. The Lund does not stay on station well in the wind but then again there are no wind and wave action that will defeat it either. When its windy and I am fishing areas exposed to the wind i troll, I drag anchor and chain but it just doesn't stay put in winds well. But I bought it for its ability to handle rough water and my belief in their overall toughness. Tons of storage and in winter when there is ice I use it as a ice breaker :). Deep V's are very stable no matter the conditions. With that being said......there are very few bad boats anymore. Some do one thing or another better but none do anything bad. I am not a fan of a pontoon but many have them and love them, pure personal preference.Quote:
Originally Posted by cbass12
The worst thing about a Lund is the cost $$ (ouch) I wish i would have got a bigger motor but only because after having the 200hp Champion I feel like I am crawling at times. Also I haul it around down muddy rocky roads a lot and like that its metal. No matter what you get play to its strengths and do your best to accept its weaknesses.
All in all I am glad I went with a metal deep V but I would have went used instead of new as a good used one would have already been rigged out.
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yea find what you like, most will give you a ride in something similiar. congrats on new baby coming. I had a basstracker 17ft mod-v loved fishing out of it but didnt like the waves from wind and other boats. worked reall well in shallow water and creeks. I have a 17.5 ft deep v fiberglass now. I really love it for the stable and dont really care what the wind does i will get back with out getting wet. Now i dont go fast 30mph top speed for me. very smooth ride at that speed and not much bouncing either. If your dad is getting older make sure what type of ride he can handle. Yes i know if you trim out the bass boats right the say the right reall smooth. Just not smooth enogh for my liking. But then agian i dont get in a big hurry either. I like the deeper sides of the v for fishing out off. gives me a safety if i fall or slip. (0r my 74 year old dad does on little kids with me either way). The weight does make a difference in what it takes to pull it from the truck, and gas usagin on the water. (not a four stroke). find what you like and can afford. you ususally dont by one often so make it count.
don
I've owned glass and currently own a 17 1/2' Crestliner Sportfish. Bought it new in 95 and must like as I still own it. Walleye fishing is my pleasure most of the time. Having the full wind shield is a pain at times but in the cold of late fall and early winter it's worth it. It's not as deep as the Lunds and others but takes the ruff stuff well. The only thing I'd wished I'd done is up the horsepower on mine. The 90 Merc is enough to push it around 35mph top end. Like that the boat is a totally welded hull, no rivets to loosen over time. A compartment lids are re-enforced aluminum and all of the upholstery has worn very well through the years with no splits or cracking. Is a fairly easy pull with the lighter suvs and pulls like a dream behind my HD 2500. Would I go back to glass, probably not. I'll stick with a metal boat.
I ended up getting an 01 tracker pro team 185 with a 90 horse merc. Had it out one time and sofar I love it! Ended up selling my pontoon boat way faster than I thought for this time of year, sold it within two days of putting it on craigs!
Congrats and enjoy.
Should of charged more!! Just kidding and congrats on the new ride!Quote:
Originally Posted by criddy
Congrats on the new rig!!!
We need pictures! :fishQuote:
Originally Posted by criddy
Congrats!! Let's see some pics as soon as you can!! Cool!
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Here are a couple pictures. Removed the butt seats and added two new fishing seats, I'm no bass fisherman!
Nice looking boat! It looks like it will be perfect for crappie fishing!
Fished a lot of tournaments in this boat this year and have guided many. Can go shallow or deep. Wind or not. Triton 216 fishunter.
http://hookemguide.com/images/Triton...hunter%201.jpg
Awesome looking boat! What is the price tag on a rig like that Shane? :yikesQuote:
Originally Posted by shane
Attachment 137686This works for me!:biggrin:ThumbsUp <*)}}}><
I feel for yous guys that have to fish out of boats like those
Actually Chatt, I like your new rig too. Those CC's and multi-species (aka walleye) boats just have excellent use of floor space. A big ole fat guy like me really appreciates the ease of movement and functionality of those boats :twocentsQuote:
Originally Posted by Crappie Chatt
Attachment 137881
2008 Lund GL 186 Fisherman. I love this boat. Nice dry ride. Saving my pennies for a kicker motor.
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Walleyecrazy, I noticed your steps on the front of the trailer. How do you like them and where did you get them? My Lund sets up off my trailer pretty good and it can be a chore loading and unloading by myself. I think they would make it easier.
A LOT if you don't have a Triton Sponsor......Quote:
Originally Posted by crappieslinger
Sah back in 2002 when I was fishing The RCL Walleye tourneys there was a vender selling the steps. I.ve used them on 3 Different boats , they do work great for loading and getting in the front of a deep sided boat. you just have to watch turning real sharp.
G3 V172C. Might get a little wet, but I've yet to be out that I felt unsafe in it.
http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f2...pse402cd2c.jpg
That Triton that Shane has is remarkable! Lots of room, smooth ride, sweeeeeeetttttttt!!!!!!!!!!