Bass Boat For the "Family"

[TODDY]

Hey all,

I fish bass about 90% of the time, muskies and walleyes the other 10% plus or minus a few percent for panfish.

As I "test the waters" for possibly a new/used boat, a bass boat doesn't scream family boat. There's four of us (My wife and I, plus a 3 and a 5 year old)

Any opinions as to a boat for family outings, but also good for the diehard angler that I am?

Boats I've considered thus far: 1) Tuffy X-190 2) Tracker Tundra (Don't make anymore so not sure if Tracker even makes parts if something were to go wrong) 3) Ranger 618 or 619.

Hope you can help!

TODDY

[Ray Esboldt]

Before I even finished reading your post, I too thought X-190. It's a nice multi-purpose boat (from the looks of it), and it is supposed to be fairly quick. The 618 is another boat that would fit the bill, and for the life of me I cannot understand why they quit making that one. I know, the 18 foot Angler is supposed to be the same, but it is not.

Those are the only two recent model boats that I feel are proper hybrids between v-hulls and bass hulls. There was a number of them in the '90s (Stratos, Javelin, Champion all made one). And, apparently, Skeeter is going to make an attempt at one this year. I suppose for the most part guys (or gals) are either bass guys, walleye guys, or have no idea what they are and just own a boat. The hybrids just don't sell.

[archerystud]

I have a Nitro 175 Sport. If you are looking new I think the Z7 is pretty close.

I wouldn't say it's a "hard" core fisherman's boat and it is fiberglass but I fish more than I ski. It has two pedestal seats and a live well for fishing and it works great for tubing and skiing. The pedestal seats come from the "bench" across the back so it works well as a runabout. I definitely fish more than I ski.

Dog not included!!!

[TR21HP]

Toddy,

In addition to the above mentioned boats the Triton 190SE or the Skeeter SL series are good choices as well. Basically what you're looking for is a fish and ski and several boat makers make a model in this category.

[TODDY]

Thanks for the input guys!

TODDY

[RK]

Hiya -

Toddy, couple thoughts...

- I have an 18' Tracker Tundra, and I love the thing. Most versatile boat I've ever owned, best riding rough water boat in its class (IMHO), aluminum so it's durable, and tons (TONS) of storage. As a family boat it's great because it has a really deep cockpit

- I've fished out of an 1850 Ranger Angler a lot and has a lot of features to like. Good storage, deep cockpit, big casting deck and lower to the water than a lot of 'walleye boats.' Very nice boat frankly. I don't get why they quick making the 618 either, but the Angler's nice, although a different type of boat all together.

- If you're looking used, older hulls like the Stratos 219, Ranger 690, etc., are exactly what you're looking for. The Stratos 219 might have been one of the best multi-species boats ever made, and the 690's in the same class.

- Lund Predators are solid multi-species boats too, but a little more fish than family.

Have fun boat shopping...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[jerkin'm]

I had two Skeeter bass boats before I got my current boat. Its an 06' single console Skeeter WX1880. After years of fishing out of bass boats I couldn't imagine fishing out of anything else. After owning the 1880 I could NEVER go back. I have 3 kids and a wife that go with me as well. Mine has an extension for the back platform that makes it huge and it fishes just the same with tons of benefits over the shallow bass style hull. I like the single console in this size boat for space reasons. My wife actually prefers the single console as well so she can put her feet up...A lot of people buy the windshield for wife/passenger protection. My wife isn't getting in the boat if the weather is cruddy anyway..

[grab the net]

Do you own a boat now? or will this be your 1st boat.

[Smallie Hunter]

I looked hard at the ranger 618. I liked the concept of the boat but the seating and storage turned me off. I ended up with a triton tr186.

[shiltsy]

I owned a Skeeter SL190 for years and moved to a Skeeter TZX190 last year. I had the exact family/fishing/skiing ratio issue and here's what I found:

1. The SL190 (fish & ski) had virtually no rod storage and a very small deck on the front. The windshield was nice for the family as was the second row of seating.

2. The TZX 190 is a pure bass boat. We're a little crammed on three seats with the dual console, but it's much roomier overall. There is a ton of rod storage and the decks are much larger. The hull is also more advanced and the boat rides like a dream.

Just my thoughts... If I refocus on a family boat someday, I'll probably ADD a pontoon rather than replacing the bass boat.

[TODDY]

Great stuff guys I appreciate all of it! Anyone have personal experience with TUFFY boats? I currently have kind of a hangup with the X-190....

TODDY

[Superduty]

Good boats. My brother has one and it is solid. I'm amazed that more walleye and multispecies guys don't buy tuffys. They are a lot of boat for the money and compare well to the big money rangers and skeeters. Look to wisconsin for used ones, they must have more dealers because I used to see a lot of tuffys over there on my early spring bass trips.

[Larson15]

+1

If I had to give up my bass boat and get into something more for the family this would be the boat.

[grab the net]

The X-190 looks great, similar in design to a 620. Looks like they hold there value well. Saw a 2008 with a 200 e-tec listed for $31,500. A friend who previously had a bass boat, swithced out to a tuffy esox, 17 foot tiller with a 60 four stroke. Thought it would be more family friendly. He now has it for sale and just purchased another bass boat. Good luck with your search. It is tough to find a boat that will fill both functions to the anglers satisfaction.

[bASS_BLASTER]

Ever consider an Allison xb21 2+2?

XB21 Bassport Pros came out in 2003 w/o flush pedal stall. 2008 + models have them or they kits.

These pictures don't justify the boat. The front deck is large enough for me to lay down 8' rods and fish two anglers.

The newer ones have flushed recessed TM pedal tray and much bigger fish finder units. This is a hardcore bass boat and a family boat.

For more information, check their websites and forums or check one out for yourself. This specific model is one of the best bass boat money can buy.

Here are some videos you might enjoy. btw, I'm not a dealer or marketer. Just a real big loyal customer of Allison Ultra Performance Boats. They are hand made, no wood and will last a lifetime.

[ikeslayer]

I own a 86 champion fish and ski and i think it is the best dual purpose boat ever made but if i had to upgrade it would be to a center console Nitro (CDX i think) they sit 4 accross - i use my boat more for fishing than playing but nice to have the option and in my champ all i sacrificed is some deck space but i don't have the windsheilds bumping my but either - i notice there are several of them on e_b_a_y for sale

[bassNspear]

check out the Nitro Z7 or the Nitro 189