Dry Ride Bass Boat

[Bob La Londe]

I know, I know. Dry ride and bass boat are mutually exclusive terms. I'm still trying though. <br /> <br />I am looking for a dry ride that can handle some chop without dropping to displacement speeds. My Baker Tunnel actually does pretty well, but it sits so deep in the water at displacement speeds that it makes me nervous if I have to drop off the pad in heavy waves or chop. <br /> <br />I want a boat that can handle light chop upto a couple feet and keep the riders fairly dry, but also cuts the waves well at displacement speeds if it gets rougher. <br /> <br />As I am sure a few of you know I have the Baker Tunnel up for sale, (now that I have everything working right LOL) and I am looking for a new 20+ to replace it. I have looked at a number of boats, and I am curious what boat will give the best rough water ride. I am looking at fishing more pro and pro/am tournaments on Mead, Havasu, Powell, and Mohave in the next year, and I want a boat that can handle the conditions that are frequent on those bodies of water. I know its not possible to stay dry in a bass boat when those 4-6 footers start rolling across Wahweap Bay on Lake Powell, but I'ld like to be able to handle lighter weather as safely as possible. <br /> <br />I know that the obvious answer is not to buy a bass boat. Go with an enclosed front cabin Searay, but I want a bass boat. I suppose I should also consider a walleye boat wth its slightly higher freeboard, but a lot of manufacturers seem to be building a bass boat making a few minor adjustments and calling it a walleye boat. <br /> <br />I have my choices narrowed down based on price, overall safety, and higher rough water handling speeds. I am curious what you guys think on the subject. <br /> <br /> <br />Bob La Londe <br />www.YumaBassMan.com

 

[JB]

Re: Dry Ride Bass Boat

Moving to Boats.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: Dry Ride Bass Boat

Rough water... Storm...<br /> http://www.stormboats.com/

 

[teamstromer]

Re: Dry Ride Bass Boat

bob,<br />my wife and i looked at bass boats and did not get one for the reasons you have stated. i did not feel a bass boat would do well in heavy water. we instead purchased an alumacraft navigator 175 cs with a 90 hp merc inline 3. it's great because of the witdth of the splash rails and provieds a safe a dry ride. it also has a forward fishin deck and aft one as well. it is deep and comfortable. you can see this boat at alumacraft.com.<br />good luck, my wife and i shopped for a new boat together this spring at a boat show in alexandria bay/thousands islands ny, this is what we came home with. my wife spoils me

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Dry Ride Bass Boat

Hi Bob.<br /><br />Now ya know you are going to buy a real Bass Boat, so put on your rain gear and goggles and go for it. If I was going to buy a new Bass Boat, I would buy a Bullet.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Dry Ride Bass Boat

Here is your new boat Bob.<br /><br />

<br /><br />

<br /><br />This is a quote by the owner.<br /><br />I've only had it in the water 2 times now...best speed with 30 gals of fuel is 108 MPH. The engine is a 300X which should run around 114-115 MPH on this boat, but it would have to have the skeg modified to run thoses speeds and a small fuel cell in front of the console. The engine isn't mine (it's a loaner) so I can't modify anything and I'll be taking the engine off in the next few weeks. We're building a modified 300 Drag engine (360-370 horsepower) this winter to put on it...we expect to run maybe 123-124 MPH with the Drag engine.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Dry Ride Bass Boat

Oh my God, you could put your eye out with that thing.....Make me wish I would have bought that Hydrostream Vector I found last year for $800. That would have been a nasty fast boat with the right motor on it....<br /><br />Triton has a new X series hull. It is basically a bass boat, but has more freeboard (higher sides) and is intended for rougher water. Otherwise, is has the same characteristics of a bass boat, lots of casting deck action and all that.

 

[Marc J.]

Re: Dry Ride Bass Boat

Wow Lube Dude. That's quite a boat! It looks to be on plane when it's sitting still. I imagine it would be kinda hard to lip a bass hanging off the front. I'm just glad to see that the passengers have handles and drink holders! I would love to borrow it and make asses of some of the local (much too loud) "speedboat" owners.

 

[KCook]

Re: Dry Ride Bass Boat

Phoenix has dealers for Bass Cat, Champion, Ranger (x2), and Triton.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[FlyBoyMark]

Re: Dry Ride Bass Boat

Try this one, bud in my bass club has one and it runs over 100 MPH with his stock Merc 300 on it and claims its very dry and handles 2-3' waves like ripples....<br /> http://www.fastcatmarine.com/