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I am shopping for a new boat but can’t make up my mind on what to do. I am looking at a Ranger RB190 and a Carolina Skiff Aggressor 192 SC. I would love some feedback from everyone on which is best for crappie fishing.
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It's definitely one of those "what feels right to you" scenarios. I have a 18ft xpress that I love for pretty much all freshwater fishing, and fishing the shallows inland chasing specs and reds. It has a 90hp Yamaha that will get you there plenty fast, and it's pretty heavy for an aluminum boat. That being said there are a list of drawbacks, For one the storage isn't the best, but I think that's a thing with most fishing boats. It will float pretty shallow, and is fairly safe to bump into things. The livewell isn't particularly large, or the best design for keeping baitfish alive. Space is also pretty limited with a large center console. I bought rod racks to keep 11 rods and a net vertical while riding.
I don't go very fast in areas I don't know, but they make river boats aluminum for a reason, thick gauge and they can handle the rocks. You don't have to worry too much about it being too pretty to bump into things. The decks can get kinda hot on bright sunny days, but just wear shoes.
CS is an ok boat, Chatlee sells plenty of them, along with all the other CS dealers. I have heard tales that if you own a CS you own a boat that's probably logged with water. Not sure if this is still the case, but there are plenty of threads with people who drilled a hole and water comes running out. To some that is not a deal breaker, but for some it is. They are well known, and plenty of people love them, some wouldn't have anything else.
I'd go over to Chatlee and see if they have what you are looking for and test drive the CS. See if it feels right, if it doesn't just keep searching. Good luck with your search, sometimes you find the perfect setup, and sometimes you find the one you are just the happiest with.
Thanks for the well thought out response. I have a lot to think about and a lot to look at. I really want something that feels right.Quote:
Originally Posted by mattbowen61990
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I just bought a Vexus AV189. They make a crappie model too. It's my first aluminum boat and so far I am impressed and happy with it. Vexus is the old original Ranger group minus Forrest L Wood (RIP) and they are located in Flippin Arkansas too. I have a 115 4 stroke Mercury and a Minnekota 80# Fortex trolling motor which moves it around with ease. The live well is quite large with lots of storage and large open decks. The ride has been good even with the never-ending winds and extra boat traffic due to Covid-19. Give them a look. I think you'll be impressed. TriCounty Marine near Lake Rhodhiss sells them up here. Mike Carr is the guy you will want to speak to in you're interested. Good luck! P.S. The price is also more attractive than most fiberglass boats.
I have am RP 190, it was the original before they changed to RB, I have it set up for any kind of crappie fishing you could think of, long lining, spider rigging, crankbait trolling and single pole jigging, have the riptide terrova for the salt when I go for specs and reds and the ultrex for crappie. It is a great boat, plenty fast enough. The only thing I have against it is I wish it had a front livewell, I usually just throw them in a bucket and transfer them to the livewell when I go to move. It runs great and has plenty of room, with the cooler out of it. It gets tight up front with that in it butt otherwise it will do anything I ask of it. If I can help just pm me and we can discuss any concerns you have about this boat.
I have a CS that I bought at Chatlee in 2006 and love it. Have fished both fresh and salt. I have two friends that have bass boats and I don't like them. That is just me, If I had to get another fishing boat it would be a CS unless Chatlee was the only dealer. If they were I would have to find another brand boat
My 2 cents
Good luck and don't be in a hurry.. Take your time and get what you want. Crappie only see the bottom of the boat until it is too late.
I went from aluminum crest liner to a brand new Carolina skiff 20 footer with 140 hp on it. I did not like the skiff at all. Heavy, gas burner, kill your back with just a little wave action. I sold it after about a year and went back to an aluminum Lund. It has a 60 hp on it and goes almost as fast, half the gas, can’t tell you are pulling it with the truck and rides through the biggest waves. Some love cs and some do not. I do not.
Many thanks to all that wrote in and gave their opinions. I am going to take my time, do some test drives and look at a lot of different boats. You all are right in telling me to take my time and after thinking about everything I want in my boat I am going to take my time. It is pleasure boating season now anyway so I have a few months.
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I have an aluminum RangerRT178. Awesome ride in choppy water, very stable, 60 hp merc 4 stroke in my opinion is under powered. Ok now for the good stuff, live well works very well but I think it has too many features that I never use. nice storage compartments and rod box. My 14' 3 piece rods are hard to get in it, very low maintenance. Bad stuff, under powered, latches on all compartments come loose, rod box opening a little small, it bounces terribly when boats go by or small waves from wind, blows around like a Styrofoam cup on windy days. I park my boat in places a glass boat can't, rocks, gravel, concrete etc. It tows good because its lighter than glass, good fuel economy. I think with glass you can put transducers inside boat so no interference with motor on side scan. Personal preference
Thanks for all the responses. Please continue to send me pros and cons of your boats, all the feedback is appreciated
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CS are good boats for applications, some are good in different conditions , some not. Just be careful it's not under powered. Have 1 boat at shop rated for 200hp with a 115 yammy 4 stroke.
Sea dancer , I don't work at chatlee but have been told bad customer service, by alot of folks.
NC Crappie, don't u have a tracker if so, why are u changing ??
No, I had a 1985 boat with the same year motor. Motor blew the top end and the transom was rotten on the boat.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mbsbeek
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If you want to take a ride in mine just let me know and I'll try to make it happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by NC Crappie
Thank you. I will let you know.
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C3 or SeaArk for alum.... SeaPro for fiberglass.
I checked out the C3 and the SeaArk. I love the C3 and I also like the Triton Aluminum as well. I viewed tons of different boats the past few days and have decided on a C3 or the Triton. If anyone has any negatives on either please weigh in. ThanksQuote:
Originally Posted by sundance
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Still need input on G3 1810 versus Triton Crappie model.
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I looked at the triton when I bought mine but I went with the trackerQuote:
Originally Posted by NC Crappie
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Mac,
How are you enjoying your tracker? Especially the set-up as in live wells? ETC.....
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One short word answer,,,,,GLASS
If you haven't looked at xpress check them out. They were originally Alweld (I think) and they were the original all welded aluminum boat. They are built like a tank, but they are beginning to get up there in price. They have different levels like anything else, but mine is older, and It hasn't given me any troubles. It's an 03, got it in 05 and it's been fished ever since. It sets a little low in the water in the back because it's got a 90hp 4 stroke, 12 gallon tank, and 2 batteries in the rear. I have had it up to 50+ by 2 gps units. I usually cruise it around 30mph and it gets good fuel economy. I've fished 3 solid days at Santee without getting fuel. Don't be afraid to shop around, I see people buying trackers, but when we priced them you can get twice the boat and way more hp for the same money. I haven't looked at ranger very much, but I imagine they are built well, everything else Ranger builds is. Sea Ark is very no frills and built like a tank as well.
Thanks for the input Matt. I am taking my time and looking at a lot of boats. I fish for crappie mainly but also like hugging for catfish, bass fishing and bream fishing occasionally. I will check out xpress. How is the storage?Quote:
Originally Posted by mattbowen61990
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Not sure with the newer models, but mine has the open floor. There are 2 compartments in the front deck, and a rear deck that has 3 seats, and a door to access the tank, and 2 batteries. The front larger compartment has enough room for 2 Group 27's, life jackets, battery charger, and some fishing stuff you want to keep out of the way. Font smaller compartment holds the anchor, extra 100ft of anchor rope, and some tools. I also throw about 15 Catfish jugs in there if I'm planning on fishing with jugs. I usually rod fish, but if I want to do a little crappie fishing at the same time, I'll throw out a few jugs. I installed 12 vertical rod holders to keep the rods out of the floor. Only thing on the floor is my coolers and tackle bags.Quote:
Originally Posted by NC Crappie
Mie has a pretty large front deck, and the large center console, with livewell. So that CC takes up a decent amount of space as it will on any boat.
I'm in the same position as you are now that my boat has been totaled. I'm weighing out the Xpress H20b, the Excel 203 bay pro, Sea Fox 180 Viper and the Saltmarsh Heron 18. I'm leaning toward the Excel bc of the thicker aluminum and a little better in price than the Xpress.
I will look at those as well. The only places I know of to do searches are boats.com and boat trader.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fullthrottle
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When I was searching for our first boat, I YouTube searched Florida Sportsman Best Boat. They have a ton of videos on 7-10 minute walkthroughs on boats. It will introduce you to some brands you may not have heard of. Only thing is that it is saltwater fishing based.Quote:
Originally Posted by NC Crappie
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In my experience I think you should include a few more options that Carolina Skiff in your search. To me they are not a brand that focuses on quality. I have ridden in them from 17 to 24 feet and all pound in even the slightest chop. I have worked on several as well. The earlier ones also had issues with the bottoms coming apart. Everyone has they preferences but for my money and experience I would broaden your search a bit. To answer your initial question........I am a glass over metal guy.
I have a CS J16. I love mine, because i got it basically raw and set it up the way i wanted it. That's one thing the CS has over many boats, the customize-ability.
On the con side, because it is a skiff, if you fish any rough water (read, any lake with wake boats) a skiff is gonna be a roller coaster ride...it isn't smooth in rough water.
On the pro side, I launch and land alone (usually) and its easy, plus i can get in some super skinny water that a v or mod v wont even consider.
Thanks for all the posts about different boats. Please keep them coming as I still have a little time before I buy.
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