Need experience regarding length of boat ......

To all


I am looking at purchasing a War Eagle 754 or and 860. My requirements is:


1) boat that can handle 1-3 people
2) can handle big water - wind and white caps - Sardis and Arkabutla can blow up some stuff once your out on the lake
NOTE: Does an extra foot or so make it safer in rougher water; easier to ride in rough water with an extra foot or so. To get an extra foot or so seems to cost major more $$$ based on estimate given.
3) boat can get in to shallow water
4) room to move in the boat


Has anyone owned either/both? Any experience with these types of boats would be helpful.
I have seen and been in the 754 at the dealer, but I have no idea how either would handle in the water.


Thks in advance

The 860 is a foot longer plus 6 in wider bottom width....makes a lot of difference. Also the 860 will be better for three people. Got at lot more displacement in the water and more weight capacity...just makes it more stable.

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I have a 754VS stick steer and it handles rough water pretty good but definatley is rough to fish out of in rough water. Have fished quite a bit out of a couple of 754 SC boats. They are fine for 2 people but really cramped with 3 especially if you have a cooler and tackle boxes. For the most part the 754 is a good safe boat but if you fish 3 a good bit and want to go out on them rough days then get the bigger boat. If it was me, I would look at the Blackhawk series of boats and that 18 ft Sea Arc crappie boat. Expensive but one fine boat. I love my Wareagle but if I was going for a larger boat and dollars were a real issue I would look at the 18/19 ft Stinger series from Lowes. Big wide very stable boat with big front deck.

By the way.....Welcome to Crappie.com

I have been where you are at....16/52-17/54 then an 18/60 and was never happy, I finally settled with a 20/70 Xpress and love it. So much difference in ride and stability, yes costly but if your not happy it will cost you more in the end!
Wish you were closer I'd take you out in mine just so you could have a comparison. I have catfished 3 adults and 2 kids in mine no problem, its rated for 8 people but can't remember the weight limit.
My advice, take a look at Xpress or Predator series War Eagle.

If you get the 754, you will soon wish you had bought the 860. I have a drink cooler, minnow box, and fish box in mine
and you can walk from the front to the back unrestricted. It also has a 5 ft gun box down one side. It is rated for 5 people
but I've never fished over 3. The boat has worked well for me. I probably would have gotten the 961 but it wouldn't fit
in my garage. The negative there is the 21" side walls. The 860 has 26". I have been in 3' and better rollers and have
never taken on water. That's not saying that wouldn't with a dead motor or mishandling.

I had a 2072 and was well pleased with it. My neighbor wanted to buy it and harassed me for years about it. I finally sold it to him and, because of price, I replaced it with an 1860. I haven't been happy with the new boat. The 2072 was just a plain jon boat while the 1860 has all the creature comforts. I want my old boat back.

I'm not going to recommend any one boat over another, I think you have already looked around enough to know which one appeals to you. A friend and i had this conversation about which boat worked best for the average weekender in salt water. Having grown up in Daytona and around the water all his life, I respect his opinion. He said a 25' was about the best for a few reasons. The length spans from one swell to another and doing so helps it keep the speed up instead of going up and down swells which causes you to run slower and use more fuel. If you've run in nasty, windy conditions you already had that figured out. He also said that in that size, the floor width gave more room to just move around and not disturb everyone else by rocking the boat and bumping into them. That also made a lot of sense. While we don't need a 25', the comforts he was looking for in the bigger boat also applies to what we do. Spend a day in a small boat with nasty conditions and you'll wish you had bought the bigger one. Stay ahead of the curve and get the bigger boat you want first and you won't have to upgrade later.

Size of boat can be determined by how much outboard your budget allows.

Get as long and wide as possible. you want regret It.

It's hard to get a boat or trolling motor to big. I had a 2072 and loved it. The 195 Lowe with a 115hp motor is a nice boat

I bought 1860 last year it was huge at first now I wish I had got 2072 but the 1860 will do what you want just fine

I believe you can have too much boat.
As for space, there is never enough, all about compromise.
As for nasty waves, hull design is the major factor. Deep-V will ride like a limo in the nastiest stuff, especially compared to a flat bottom boat. Besides, you have to ask yourself, if its that nasty are you really going out fishing?
Skinny water is relative, how skinny is skinny? Especially in your area. Are you fishing or hunting from the boat?
Two can fish out of just about any size boat, 3 gets real crowded in a 14', but it can be done, especially if your slip bobber fishing or trolling, or pulling cranks. But if your all casting, you may need a bigger boat. Then again, if you work out casting lanes its not a problem either. Casting lanes are the travel of the rod, if everybody fishes off the port or starboard side, the rods won't swing into any one else's space. Under hand casting is even safer.

There are days I wish my 23' Ranger was bigger!

I have never heard anyone complain that their boat was too big. Too small - yes - but never too big.

Always go bigger, If you don't you will wish you had.