difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

sterudpa

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
15
I am looking at two boats to buy. one is a 1985 EbbTide dyna trak 176(just like a bass boat), with a johnson 150 on it, and the other one is a 1988 Regal Medialian with a 4.3. I like to fish and tube, do more fishing than tubing though. I drove the ebbtide today and it gets up and goes real quick. What I am worried about is rough water. How do they handle? I have had a run-a-bout before so i am ok with those on bigger lakes. Just not sure what to expect in a bass boat.

Any input would be appriciated.

thank you
 

truckermatt

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 29, 2009
Messages
384
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

some pictures might help us choose.
 

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

Bass boats do not handle rough water well. They are great on a smooth lake, but thats about it.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

Typical bassrockets are not suitable for big/rough water. They are suitable for going at obscene speeds and acting as a fishing platform.

"Runabouts" is too vague a term for a wide range of boat types.
 

aspeck

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
19,116
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

As already said, bass boats are rough riding, fast, and a lot of fun, but not very practical for tubing and skiing. Your line will be attached at the water line which will kick up a lot of spray when tubing and take the fun out of it.

I know ... I have owned a bass boat for 26 years. It is time to move to the family boat ... I hunted for two years for the right used boat ... picking it up tomorrow ... I was looking for a bowrider or center console with a trolling motor and live well and a fiberglass floor, something with more of a deep V for better stability on the rough water, better handling when pulling the family on the tube, and just a better all around boat for the family. There are a lot of possibilities out there, don't jump at the first one.

Good luck in your hunt.
 

Navy Jr.

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 14, 2007
Messages
738
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

My bro-in-law had bass boats for years. Finally got fed up with large displacement cruisers coming too close and giving him a good soak. After the 2nd cell phone was ruined, and after I gave him a ride in our Lund 1750 Fisherman, he sold the bass boat and bought a slightly used Alumacraft fishing boat with a 25" transom and respectable freeboard. Loves it.
 

sterudpa

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
15
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

Here is a picture of the regal that i am looking at.
 

Attachments

  • Regal.jpg
    Regal.jpg
    8.6 KB · Views: 0

sterudpa

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
15
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

here is the ebbtide i am looking at. I guess what worries me is flipping the ebbtide. being so high in the water. I would be more worried about saftey than anything. But i do like how the ebbtide moves.
 

Attachments

  • 2009_0526Boat0035.JPG
    2009_0526Boat0035.JPG
    63.8 KB · Views: 0

haulnazz15

Captain
Joined
Mar 9, 2009
Messages
3,720
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

here is the ebbtide i am looking at. I guess what worries me is flipping the ebbtide. being so high in the water. I would be more worried about saftey than anything. But i do like how the ebbtide moves.

Is that a ebbtide? It says dyna-trak on the side. In any case, what you have is a runabout versus a fish-n-ski. The fish-n-ski boats are a *bit* better than an all out bass boat in terms of taking waves and chop, but the runabout will still be much better. Most fish-n-ski platforms have windshields, a swim ladder, and a tripod ski pole that attaches to the rear seat post-hole to get the rope out of the water for skiers. Some have optional seating in the bow as well.
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

bass boats usually have a little pad on the bottom, at the back of the boat. right in front of the transom. when there at obscene speeds they ride on that pad... this is a link tail gunner found to convince us to wear pfd's.. this is a bass boat. looks like it's riding on the pad to me.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UEETjztLqI
 

bekosh

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 27, 2004
Messages
1,382
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

It comes down to the amount of freeboard.
The way I would describe it, that you sit ON a bass boat, you sit IN a run-about.
 

sterudpa

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
15
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

you are right it is a Ebtide. that just shows how much i know the difference. It looked more like a bass boat to me then a run-a-bout. I saw that video earlier, it scared the crap out of me.

It has the ski pole, swim ladder and has the seating in the front.
 

sterudpa

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
15
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

Just had a mechanic look at the ebbtide. he said the compression was in the 80's on the 150 horse johnson motor.
 

mphy98

Lieutenant
Joined
Oct 20, 2008
Messages
1,422
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

that boat will take higher waves much better than a bass boat, deep v vs shallow v. a bass boat is made for rivers, inland lakes that are realitively calm, try to stay dry in a bass boat with a 3 foot chop!!!!!! :eek:
 

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

I spend all my boating time on the bay. Never saw a bass boat there.
 

windsors03cobra

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 22, 2009
Messages
1,191
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

Just had a mechanic look at the ebbtide. he said the compression was in the 80's on the 150 horse johnson motor.

He told you that was no good and that the motor is dead tired right ?
 

sterudpa

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
15
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

no, he told me it was not great but "ok" He said he would have liked to have it in the 110's, but it wasn't bad because the commpression was even across the cylinders.

is the "80's" bad? I really appriciate your input!
 

sterudpa

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
15
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

the motor is a 85 johnson vro 150. i am trying to track down some specs on what the compression should be
 

bekosh

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 27, 2004
Messages
1,382
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

A big part of your decision comes down to where you are planning on boating. Your profile doesn't include a location so we don't know what waters are close to you. There is a big difference between a small/medium size lake and a large lake or the ocean.

For example, in my area of SE Wisconsin, the Ebbtide you are looking at would be a good boat for the smaller inland lakes in the area. On the other hand, for Lake Michigan or, my usual destination, Lake Winnebago, a bigger, deeper V-hull like the Regal or my Wellcraft would be the preferred hull. And even then there are many days that I won't go out on Michigan and some days that Winnebago is even to rough for me.
 

sterudpa

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2009
Messages
15
Re: difference between Bass boat and Run-A-Bout

I live in minnesota, and go on mostly smaller lakes, however i would love to get up on Mille Lacs Lake.
 
Top