Bass Boats

[BASSproJOE]

Could i get some info on bass boats from posters who actually have them, and could you tell me how they perform on the Water... so far i like the ranger 520vx and 20 foot skeeter i class

[Deitz Dittrich]

BPJ- To be honest, all the boat manufacts make a pretty decent boat now days. Both Ranger and Skeeter you listed make a great boat. I have a Triton and would buy another in a heart beat.

With that said, my next bass boat will be a Basscat, in the research I have done, it seems they have the best value for the dollar.

[CASTnBLAST]

The Skeeter hull design is great for getting up on plane fast and without having to give it full throttle. Stays on plane at low speeds also and can really carve corners but may not be the easiest hull design to master if you plan on running hard and fast such as in tournaments. The brakes suck but it's nonetheless a good performance boat.

[BASSproJOE]

deitz what model triton do you have?

[SluggoMaster]

I have a Triton as well, and I would be very hard pressed to buy anything else. The deck space is key for me.

[Deitz Dittrich]

186PDC 2001 model

Slug- Surprised you said that.. I feel that the Tritons, IF.. and I say IF they have a fault, its a smallish front deck.. However, if you are a taller person(I am 6'3", its one of the few boats that you can drive no problem with a hot foot.).. Tritons have the most drivers area I have found.

[FishSchutz]

Hey Guys,

The Triton 21x is a dream. I have been fortunate and blessed to have ran the 2006 21x High Performance this year. Big deck, lots of space, and plenty of speed with the 225 optimax(JD Power Award). The Triton X boats are the ticket. Deck is bigger and so is the boat. The Triton 21x in my opinion is an extremly nice boat.

Mr. Deitz keep up the great job on the HSOforum here I really like reading the posts.

Good Fishing

Mark Schutz

Fishers of Men

www.MNFOM.com

[Deitz Dittrich]

Thanks for the compliment Mark, however, I cant take credit for this page... I just work here ...

[SluggoMaster]

Dietz,

I have a 2004 TR-186. I have noticed that in '04 they started making things wider on all the models. When I first looked at them, they didn't have the recessed trolling motor pedal and were narrow. I looked at many boats when I was shopping for them, and it came down to a Ranger or Triton. I got more for my money with the Triton, as well as the ride. The Skeeter's and Stratos boats are much more narrow than my Triton on the front deck, even on the larger boats from Stratos.

[Deitz Dittrich]

WEll, that may have a lot to do with it then.. those recessed foot pedals are pretty sweet for sure!... Like I said, I do like my triton, and would buy another in a heart beat...I just love the extra storage you get with the basscat...

[SluggoMaster]

FishSchutz, the 21X will be my next boat purchase.

[BASSproJOE]

have you been in one of the aluminum bass boats by triton yet?

and deitz, if you are looking at the basscat pantera, my uncle owns one and the thing rides like a dream

[SluggoMaster]

I can't say that I have had a ride in one. They sure look nice.

[campfan]

Post deleted by campfan

[Pherris]

I have a 2002 520 DVX and I have been very happy with it. I can not really adress the other boats mentioned because I have not fished out of them. I am getting a new Comanche Z20 and did not even consider another brand because I have been so satisfied with my current boat. I have not heard much about Skeeters but all of the talk I have heard on Tritons has been positive. Good luck with your new boat!!

[Jig Master]

I have a 2002 518vx comanche and think it's a great boat. In various draw tournaments I've ridden in about every brand of bass boat on the market except skeeter. Rangers are the easiest to drive, they don't chine walk like a triton or porpoise like some of the skeeters do. They handle rough water well and have a good overall layout. That being said, all variables being equal they are probably the slowest boat on the market. A Triton, Skeeter, Procraft, or Stratos of similar length, horsepower, prop, etc. will run faster. If you're looking to spend upwards of 50 grand you could always custom order a STORM high performance bass boat

[SluggoMaster]

I have found that chine walking is something that is "operator error" on Tritons I don't have that issue on mine.

[OptiMax]

If speed is what you're after, check out Blazer Boats and Gambler Boats. Allison also makes "bass boats" but I have never seen one in person.

[Jig Master]

I fished out of a Blazer in the last stren event I fished, we were boat 26 and we passed all 25 rangers that were in front of us. I think we hit 74mph, it was sweet. What I meant to say about tritons is this. If you put the hammer down and just trim it all the way up the hull will chine walk and quote "get squirrley." This simply means that you don't trim it all the way up. Tritons were designed as a high performance hull and take a little more skill to drive than a ranger. You have to find the sweet spot with the trim, throttle, etc. With a ranger you just put the hammer down, trim the motor up and go. The only way my boat will ever chine walk is if I'm by myself with a low tank of gas and I have the thing trimmed to the max, and even then I can steer out of it. I'm not saying that a ranger is a better boat because of this, I'm just stating some facts. As I said in my earlier post, a Triton is a much faster hull.

[SluggoMaster]

Well said!

[grab the net]

BPJ, they are all good boats, make your mind up on what best suits you. If you have always wanted one particular brand go for it. But brand loyalty runs deep when it comes to Bass Blasters, especially tournament guys. Ride in your favorites, FISH in your favorites, then make a decision, whatever you pick you'll be happy.

[Husky28]

Loved my 19' Stratos. Had a 200 hp Evin. (not my favorite motor). Boy she sure could handle the water! Plenty of room and speed.

[Wayne Ek]

BpJ: All the major brands have a pretty reliable product. I run a Ranger Comanche 520 VX 2004 model with a 225 Yamaha HPDI. I've just ordered an 2007 model Ranger. That will be my 4th Ranger. So yes I like Ranger Boats In my opinion fishability, reliability, safety and storage are far more important than speed. I fish alot of tournaments and cash some checks, not enough, but some I have yet to lose a tournament because someone passed me and beat me to the spot... It;s nice to have speed to make a long run shorter, or run infront of an incoming storm, other than that it's really overrated in our area.

[Jig Master]

One other thing to consider, as far as minnesota goes Ranger far and away is going to have the best resale value of any bass boat.

[Sportland_Bait]

Another hot new bass boat will hit the market this spring. Check out the new line from Warrior Boats. They are home grown and they are fast. They emailed me some pictures a couple of weeks ago, the prototype looks very sharp. I like the idea of buying a boat built right here in our home state.

Jason Erlandson