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Trying to decide on which dual console semi-v aluminum boat. All I have found are available only in a 18 ft (195) size and believe Lowe, Ranger and Crestliner make one. For those of you who have one of these, or another brand with a dual console, please share a couple pics and what you like and don't like about it. I figure if I can keep my wife from eating bugs she might go fishing with me a little more. Thanks
Aint got nuttin except that the new Tracker 195tx has dual console option too.
If your going to buy new they will build you about anything you want I think. I would get it customized just like I want it. Take some quotes from a couple of dealers on a custom rig delivered.
One thing you may want to consider....if you fish a lot of big water in rough weather....you may just want to get a used bass boat. The aluminum boats are better than ever,but the reverse chine design of bass boats generally results in a dryer ride.The fiberglass in general rides smoother,and a good used 18 or 19 ft Ranger,Skeeter or other good well cared for bass boat will usually be well equipped with a ton of accessories,have excellent trailers and livewells,etc. You can tie up 15 to 20 thousand in a custom aluminum, and if you shop may find a good used bass boat for about the same money. If your in a Ranger R83 and you get caught on the water in a big storm it is a comforting feeling to know whatever happens it will float upright and level. You can also stay until dark 5 miles from the ramp,and when you get ready to get home your wife can tuck in behind that console and you can put that thing up on the pad and glide on in minutes.
Just a thought
It's just a thought for consideration.
I like the fact tracker is making the dual console option but surprised they still don't have it with the side by side seat options up front. Maybe it wouldn't take much to add. I want to fish the big rivers is why I was looking for an aluminum boat.
I have the Lowe stinger ST 195 and love it. Had 2 Bass tracker 175 before and they where good boat but had the single console . The Lowe boats has no wood in them all aluminum. Would buy another Lowe if needed a new boat Love the side by side fishing up front. The Lowe 195 also have 2 live wells 1 being up front.
I understand...I would not rule out a v-bow with nice windshield if you can get enough room upfront and figure out the seat mounts. I have had my bassboat in the Mississippi,the Ohio,the Tennessee and the Cumberland. BUT I usually take an old beater jon boat. You have to study the river so well and be so careful with a nice boat. Getting out of the channel means anything can happen. You can rip the lower unit right off one. or run a ground so easy. Jets are nice but they do have their problems.Quote:
Originally Posted by Marine4life
I see a lot of the big gigging boats for sale on the side of the road here in the Ozarks.Would'nt take much to modify one of those to two seats up front and add a second console if a guy was so inclined.Have jets on a lot of them to. Lets you run right over a lot of stuff...but they can be trouble too if you run up on some sand and muck,sure is nice to have to worry about every obstruction in the river though. There are some custom build shops that will modify one with aluminum parts if you want.Or you can get a nice river jon and do the redneck plywood/plexiglas job on it...really nothing wrong with that either.
The rivers can be treacherous.... got to be careful
How about this bad boy LOL
https://semo.craigslist.org/boa/5320993212.html
Both the Tracker 195 and 190 are now avalible with dual console options.
Might want to check SeaArk. I have a 240 which is a lot of boat but it is nice not to be cramped. I fish the Miss. and lakes for catfish and also go to Sardis and fish crappie. I works great for both. It has a wrap around windshield and my wife really likes that as do my fishing partners when you hit a wave that comes in because you stay dry. It is also great when you are running because it really blocks the wind.
BIGBADDAD has an 18' Alumacraft dual console rig for sale. 15- E Tec, Terrova, 2 locators. PM him or PM me for his contact info. I don't think he listed it for sale here.
just a thought: let your wife drive! Warning, attach a Go Pro before take off and then upload it here!!! haha
Should have proof-read my previous post. Rich's boat has a 150 E Tec outboard.Quote:
Originally Posted by mrdux
Lund-Starcraft-Alumacraft-Prinecraft make them..sure that there are more..memory thing:biggrin also, get a full windshield..you will not be sorry..
I agree with the comfort of the dual console and wrap around windshield. Downside I find in most is a postage stamp front deck, I'm kinda big and sometimes clumsy, and the rod locker is either gone or too small to be of any use with these rods we use. Mine to do I would look into what Doggone suggested and look into a glass bass boat. After 2000 there's no wood in em to rot and the ride I took in mine last Sunday just reaffirmed my feelings. I got caught on the upwind side about 3 miles out and while running 28 mph downwind it was rough enough that I was getting airborne occasionally. Had I had that to go into that chop going the other way in a lighter aluminum boat I would never have been able to get on plane, a long slow ride. The aluminums will get you there but you'll feel every wave along the way in the bad stuff. I fished out of an 18' tracker Targa with a 115 Optimax that ran on the smell of gas and gave good service. The seats were uncomfortable and would have to have been changed had he not sold it. It was also very big regarding sail area and sat on top of the water much more so than a glass boat making it hard to control on a strong windy day. A 55lb TM didn't do the job. Rods had to be broken down to go into the rod box also, pretty short. This boat was built for BPS by Fisher and was very well built, just very different than any glass options I saw. He later had an 18' Stratos of the same configuration with a 150 Yamaha 4 stroke and while nice it still had it's drawbacks, much the same as the Targa did. Just input and opinions, hope this helps some.....Skeet.
I looked at the 200 today. Awesome boat but it won't fit in my Garage and a bit above my price range. What a beast.Quote:
Originally Posted by Boa3
Look at a Lund Impact before you make a decision. We ordered the boat the way we wanted it and are VERY happy with it. I ordered rod tubes on the starboard side and store our 11 foot crappie rods there. We use a rod holder that inserts into a seat socket when we spider rig for the 14 foot rods, similar to the one pictured here. We also ordered the Crappie Package which consists of side by side seating up front and a live, aerated bait well within easy reach. This boat handles the rough stuff very well on the windy days. We ordered the boat with a 150 Merc 4 stroke which has enough guts to get the bow up out of the rough stuff when the wind kicks up. We have a 112 lb thrust Terrova which pulls the boat along at 4.7 miles per hour at full power and handles the windiest of conditions with no sweat. We've long-lined trolled, vertical jigged and spider rigged out of this boat. Highly recommend Lund and also Hank's Sales and Service in Raymond, Il. I got 3 quotes on our boat and Hank's was $4500 under the other 2 dealers.Attachment 222937Attachment 222938Attachment 222939Attachment 222940Attachment 222941
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That's the best setup I've ever seen in that style of boat. I had a Lund 16' basic version and it was 25 years old when I bought it and it never leaked a drop. Excellent construction on those boats. A 112lb troller is definitely stout. I'm still stuck on glass though.