I'm looking to buy a new boat, I'm trying to decide between a xpress 18 pfc or war eagle cc 961 Blackhawk. I would appreciate anyone with personal experience to give the pros or cons of either, also center vs side console.
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I'm looking to buy a new boat, I'm trying to decide between a xpress 18 pfc or war eagle cc 961 Blackhawk. I would appreciate anyone with personal experience to give the pros or cons of either, also center vs side console.
I would give Bill at Big River Marina a shout out for that boat question as well as others you may have. He will give you the best deal on an xpress boat too.
Xpress--Pad Ride Hull
WE--Mod-V
There is a reason the Xpress rates for more Horsepower. [emoji4]
H20PFC
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Nice boat there Big River.
Friend of mine has the 2072 Blackhawk center console and he loves it. He came out of side console boats and said he will never go back. Really likes the wide open space. BRM sells the Express that is a nice layout and some other options for boats. He is going to give you the best deal out there on a new boat. I would give him a call and sit down with him to cover your options.
I take more gear than I can use in my 20' Xpress. I just can't sacrifice the ride in rough water when moving in a tourney for more gear especially on a long haul.
Both are great boats, and either will make you a good choice, but both have areas they could improve on. There is No perfect beast.
I'll be more than happy to take you out in my Xpress and let you drive it. At 70 MPH in a tin boat, I think you'll like what you see, and I know you'll like how it handles.
There really is a reason why the Xpress X21 bass boats can handle a 250 engine (100 HP More than the 21' competitions boat). My 20' rates for a 200, and the 18'er can handle a 150. Wether you use or need that much hp, or not, you'll at least know the hull can handle it.
I'll give you a great deal on an Xpress For Sure!!!! Call me for a quote. I also have Ranger.
Nice boat budro
What was the edit?
PM meQuote:
Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine
There is a War Eagle for sale in Mississippi in the classifieds here.
Nah--just funnin around. [emoji12]Quote:
Originally Posted by "G"
Love my Xpress H20 Bay! Camo, no carpet, 4 stroke, terrova, Bill will fix it up for ya. Both are good boats, but I will have my express till I die or go broke!
I just recently bought a new boat. I choose a 2170 War Eagle Blackhawk. I had things that I wanted on my boat, high front deck, big insulated live well, narrow back deck for pulling cranks that was easy to climb onto or even reach from the floor of the boat. War Eagle was the only company that would listen to what I wanted and was willing to try to arrange the boat that I wanted. I was able to go down and sit down with John Ward and Nick Cater and explain what I was looking for. I couldn't get everything that I wanted but they had some great options that got me close. No one else would even talk about changes. They were all cookie cutter approach boats take what they offered and that was it. I will be the first to admit that is isn't a speed demon. 54 mph with a Yamaha 150 SHO. The boat would handle a 200 plus hp engine with no problem but only tagged for 150hp. War Eagle boats are built like tanks, they are heavy boats, as far as ride and handling I will put my 2170 against any other tin boat. Do yourself a favor and google search whatever boat that you are looking at. Easy to find problems that others have had with whatever model that you are looking at.
Good Luck with your shopping!
That war eagle sure is sweet. Nicely rigged!
Thanks!Quote:
Originally Posted by JigMaster
I just got my Humminbird 360 mounted yesterday. Waiting on Onix 10 NT SI with remote from BBG Marine. This unit is also going on bow to give more flexibility on screen choices and mapping. I hope to have her completed before the weekend.
Slabmeister
Once you placed the order how long did it take for War Eagle to have your boat ready for pick up?
I ordered the boat on August 5th and was told last of October first of November delivery. I picked the boat up mid December. This was my only complaint with the process. The smaller boats are turned fast because they are kind of cookie cutter designs not near as many options on those units. They offer several options and changes on the bigger boats thus there is a longer wait time on them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tiger62
In War Eagles defense there were several things that caused the delay. The dealer that I ordered the boat from became very sick from leukemia and passed away. Very bad and sad situation that caused a delay. I had sat down with Nick and John and talked about different options before I ordered specifics. I then took some time to decided what I wanted and relayed them through the dealer back to War Eagle. The dealer became very ill so we had about a 2 to 3 week delay before I started working directly with John and Nick again on options that I wanted. Things were progressing well than my father became ill for about a 3 week period before he passed away so work was delayed again. There were things that they wanted my input on but I was unable to get back down to discuss them with John or Nick during this period. The building of this boat was a tough birth! It also didn't help that I placed the order at a peak time for duck boat production.
I have owned 5 War Eagle boats. I special ordered the boat that I had before this one. I also worked with John on building that boat. That boat was delivered ahead of schedule and the process was flawless. This one was difficult because of the circumstances that was out of their control and mine also.
I'm very happy with how the boat turned out and feel it was worth the wait. I owe John Harrison and Kent Driscoll a steak dinner for their help and input with the boat.
I am looking at same boat and went this past week and spoke with nick and John, great guys. How come you went with the SHO motor and not the F150 Yamaha?
This is the first Yamaha outboard that I have owned. I read several articles about the performance of the SHO's. I decided that I wanted to try one plus the with the prices that I was quoted there was not that much difference between the 2. I have since heard $1,200.00 plus difference in price. I'm not sure I would have opted for the SHO at that price difference.
I'm happy so far with the outboard. I really don't have anyway to compare performance between the 2 outboards. I have a friend that is running a 150 Yamaha on his 2170 but I have a lot more weight in my boat. I have 4 of the heaviest batteries that you can get in the back he is running 3 batteries at about half the weight. I may have a little better hole shot with maybe 2 to 3 mph higher top end speed. This is just an observation from riding in the 2 boats because we have never compared the 2 boats side X side.
Congrats on your new boat! You are welcome to jump in the boat and test the outboard if you would like. I don't live far from Monticello. I work the surrounding counties so it wouldn't be a problem for me to pull the boat to War Eagle. You can run out to Lake Monticello with Dwayne or Michael and run it if you would like. Just shoot me a pm or mention it to John or Nick they have my phone number.
Good Luck!
Thanks for the offer. If I am back down that way then I will. I live about 5 hours from Monticello. I have been quoted about 800-$1000 more for SHO
i also chose the War Eagle 2170 but in camo :) War Eagle was very accommodating in making the design changes I requested such such as full width live well behind seat and 3 seat positions front and back. with the yamaha 150 it goes plenty fast for me. extremely stable boat with room for entire family
I have found out that I can get a 2370 Blackhawk for about $1500 more so what would you do if you were me
For that little difference and if you can really use the bigger boat I would sure spend the extra money.
Thats what I was thinking too!!Quote:
Originally Posted by cray
I guess it is like a house or a shop. It could never be too big!
I moved up to the 2170 from a 861 Predator. There is a huge difference in room and stability between the 2 models. The 2170 is much more stable while fishing in high winds, I did have to go to bigger chains and drift socks. There is no comparison in ride comfort in rough water between the two models. We got caught in some 20 plus mph winds a few weeks ago on Grenada on the ride back to the landing at the dam. I felt secure in the 2170, not sure I would have felt the same in the 861.
I'm sure that the 2370 is very nice I have never looked at one of those. I think a lot of those get central consoles and are used for cat fishing or they head to the coast. I'm sure they are nice boats.
I will be guiding for crappie on KY lake in it. I will be pulling it with a half ton crew cab truck so stopping is my main concern.
Great boats and plenty of following! for both!!!!!!
Should be a great boat for guiding. Plenty of room for your gear and customers coolers and gear. Stable on windy days that you have to fish because you have clients depending on you to take them out. I send several of my customers on fishing trips with John Harrison (JH Guide Service). I really liked the room and stability that John had in his boat versus my 861. John was able to fish windy days in his 2170 that I really struggled with the wind in my Predator. This is what sold me on the bigger boat plus the fact that War Eagle was willing to make layout changes for me. Most other companies wouldn't give me the time of day when I asked about changes. My boat is pretty much laid out like John's with some suggestions and changes that John said he would make to his next boat.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoss mayse
I can't wait to see pictures of your boat!
Please send me your contact info in a pm. I have some customers that have voiced interest in fishing on KY lake. I might be able to send some business your way.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoss mayse
I am trying to get as much input from as many war eagle owners as possible to see what all changes they would make. I have a boat drawed up and have spent countless hours looking at pictures online. I will entertain any suggestions that someone has to offer and pictures would be even better. Thanks for all the input so far!
7312348357 I have several references if needed and a bunch of pics too!
All I do is long line and have been for the last 15 years. I am not one to boast or brag but feel free to check out the results from 2014 crappie masters tournament on ky lake.
Have em put surge brakes on the trailer. My friend has dealt with the people that build the trailers and he say's they are top notch people to deal with.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hoss mayse
Before you buy, let me give you a ride in my Xpress H20 PFC with the 200 SHO on it. We can go while the wind is blowing so you can see what you'll be getting!!!!!
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/2016...c6b8cfc842.jpg
We only sell the BEST....Xpress Hyper Lift, Ranger Aluminum, Excel Hunting and Fishing boats, and the New Havoc duck boats. Call Bill at 870-635-0202 for the Lowest Prices in the country to C.C members.
Might look at the H24B Xpress. Those bay boats have tons of room for guiding and can carry 5 comfortably. It rates for a 250 so she'll get you there and back in a hurry.
Excel also makes a pad ride hull in a 20 and 22' bay boat. I can hook you up with Mrdux. He guides out of a 20'er on KY Lake. You may know him.
We only sell the BEST....Xpress Hyper Lift, Ranger Aluminum, Excel Hunting and Fishing boats, and the New Havoc duck boats. Call Bill at 870-635-0202 for the Lowest Prices in the country to C.C members.
I would look at the Excel it has plenty of room and storage with the center console, Wilbur from IL CDC bought one from BRM and boy is it nice and check out Mrdux in the Kentucky thread. :twocents