Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

[bonz_d]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

AC I know exactly where you are. My mom before she passed was right at Rt14 and Rt31 for 20+ years. Even used to play darts in a few of those local pubs back in the day.

Well it just finished pouring here and the temps dropped about 10 deg. Maybe it will clear up for ya this afternoon! It it was me I'd be itchin like a dog with fleas!

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

I see the Cl posting has expired - did you get the boat, or did someone buy it out from under you?

I got it in my driveway

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Congrats man. I always like to know the story. Was that a replacement motor that previous owner put on her? Was she garage kept? Etc etc. The boat really looks clean and I like that it isn't the glitter look, I like the white gel. There are nice boats out there for reasonable prices if people just take there time to look and don't get in a hurry. I've always said, the right boat will find you if given the chance. Enjoy!!

The guy I bought it from kept it outside but only owned it a short time. His son got into drugs and since the boat was meant for him and his buddies to fishing while Dad cruised his Crown Line he decided not to reward his son and sold his car and the boat. Hope his son gets the help he needs heroin is a hell of a thing on not only the user but the entire family as well. The previous owner garage kept it.

I believe the motor is original to the boat. Ive seen a bunch with the same engine while searching for the last few months. Just seems to be the least powerful option which is ok with me for now. The lakes I live by people have no business going faster than 50 on them, and even thats pretty sketchy with all the traffic and how shallow they are. Some of them have a 6ft max depth.

The graphics are glittery but I also glad its not the entire boat like some are.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

AC I know exactly where you are. My mom before she passed was right at Rt14 and Rt31 for 20+ years. Even used to play darts in a few of those local pubs back in the day.

Well it just finished pouring here and the temps dropped about 10 deg. Maybe it will clear up for ya this afternoon! It it was me I'd be itchin like a dog with fleas!

Sorry to hear about you Mom. My Dad passed a couple years ago and happened to live right off 31 but closer to Algonquin. Hes the guy that got me into all my hobbies. If your ever down here grab a burger at Tracks in Cary. One of the best burgers around!

Long underwear some Gortex and as long as its not pouring in a couple hours we are set to get wet!

 

[bassman284]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Mighty fine looking rig, AC. I'm jealous. Happy boating.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Out right now. Dry as can be. Stable as hell and got 39mph out of her. Loving this thing besides the fact I have not caught anything yet

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Mighty fine looking rig, AC. I'm jealous. Happy boating.

Thanks!

 

[pikefisherman]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

That I-pilot would seal the deal for me, I won't leave home without mine. Nice boat.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Looks great from the pics you have posted - you got a nice price on it. Enjoy the fishing!

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

That I-pilot would seal the deal for me, I won't leave home without mine. Nice boat.

Mine is auto pilot, not I pilot but youre right that thing rocks! I was looking them up and its a $1200 TM. Not a bad bonus!

Looks great from the pics you have posted - you got a nice price on it. Enjoy the fishing!

Thanks,
Playing hookie today and going back out in just a little bit.



Im glad everything went good on its maiden voyage yesterday and its quite a bit faster than I thought it would be. I was going to be happy with 30mph but ended up a little faster than my old boat. I dont even think I need to worry about finding a bigger motor now.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Got 41 Mph out of it today on the river! Little 60 moves!

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

As I said earlier, that thing should do well on the river. Have you started an add-on list yet?

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

As I said earlier, that thing should do well on the river. Have you started an add-on list yet?

I was thinking about stuff to do, but besides upgrading the fish finder I cant really think of anything the boat really needs. Maybe nitrous to keep up with the bigger engines? JK. Im open to suggestions. What do you add to these things?
The trailer could use new bunks and possibly wheels and tires to make it look better so thats probably going to happen first.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

That's a good question, Boat looks to be pretty complete. Upgraded fish finders are nice, If you do a lot of night fishing a black light comes in really handy. Maybe a hand held spotlight for running the shores. Compass, got lost in the fog one night long ago coming out of Fox Lake while headed to Grass Lake. Anchor sized for the boat. I've always wanted a drift sock but as of yet it's still on the wish list.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Lol Me and a buddy got completely lost for a couple hours last week in the fog in the same spot. I knew we couldnt be that far but he was scared to death we would run out of gas and have to sleep on the lake. GPS and a spotlight are great ideas.
Is a drift sock worth it in these shallow waters?
Yes we do mostly night fishing since I work 6days a week, never thought about a black light since the boat has really good interior lighting already.
I have a couple good anchors so Im good there. We fished the Mchenry Dam last night and one anchor held us perfect. I do keep a second on on the boat for those windy days that only having one just keeps spinning the boat around.

I cant believe how expensive some of these new fish finders are. Some are well over 2k. The one I have is decent(better than the one on my other boat) but probably almost as old as the boat. Are newer ones that much better?

Also forgot to mention I when I bought the boat, I got all the original boat, motor, fish finder, trolling motor and safety manuals, and factory service manuals for the motor in mint condition. All the important stuff had been highlighted so the previous owners must have really cared for the boat which was great to find.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

That looks very similar in design and construction to my Astro (I'm pretty sure they are related). Anyway, you should be happy you have the smaller engine. Mine has the 135 and it's really too fast and sucks down fuel like a whiskey drinkin' woman

With that hull design, it gets squirrely over 50 and downright scary above that. Feels more like it might flip on tight corners rather than digging in and carving them. The extra stern weight means you have to be better about distribution too. I would be happy if mine had the smaller motor. My days of racing around are coming to a close anyway...

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

It is funny in a way. We went aroung in circles for almost 3 hours and that stretch of lake isn't that big. I alway have a compass in my tackle box now.
The black light works very well as it doesn't effect your night vision and when used with flourescent line the line glows and makes it much easier to watch.
I fish a lot of water that is only 10-15' or less and most of the time I drift and many times I find the wind blowin a little harder than I would like and drifting too fast. At that point I usually give up and get off the water. A sock would change that.
Yeah those new finders can get pricey in a hurry and many have features that I'd never use. The boat I sold to my brother has a Humminbird 718 that is nice, clear and accurate. Wanted to keep it but he insisted it went with the boat. Now I'm looking at these two.
Humminbird? 596c HD DI Sonar Fishfinder | Bass Pro Shops
Lowrance? Elite-5x HDI Fishfinder - 83/200 kHz and 455/800 kHz | Bass Pro Shops

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

It appears that these boats are circa 20+ years old. Depending on care and storage, that introduces the real issue of transom, stringer, floor rotting.

Have you considered an aluminum bass boat instead of fiberglass? It would avoid the rotting exposure (largely), and allow you to run a smaller powerplant to push a lighter hull.

I have the alum. fishing boat you speak of with the 90 merc on her. It's a Spectrum "Pro Angler" 19 feet with high sides, walk through full windshield, live well, all the goodies. The merc doesn't fly on this bigger hull but I get where I need to and it always planes out nice. Depends what you're looking for I guess.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

It is funny in a way. We went aroung in circles for almost 3 hours and that stretch of lake isn't that big. I alway have a compass in my tackle box now.
The black light works very well as it doesn't effect your night vision and when used with flourescent line the line glows and makes it much easier to watch.
I fish a lot of water that is only 10-15' or less and most of the time I drift and many times I find the wind blowin a little harder than I would like and drifting too fast. At that point I usually give up and get off the water. A sock would change that.
Yeah those new finders can get pricey in a hurry and many have features that I'd never use. The boat I sold to my brother has a Humminbird 718 that is nice, clear and accurate. Wanted to keep it but he insisted it went with the boat. Now I'm looking at these two.
Humminbird? 596c HD DI Sonar Fishfinder | Bass Pro Shops
Lowrance? Elite-5x HDI Fishfinder - 83/200 kHz and 455/800 kHz | Bass Pro Shops

Same here we ended up at the channel to Lake Marie from Grass over and over and over. It was hilarious every time we ended back up at the same sign which you could barely see until you were 10yrs or less from. My buddy was losing it while I was falling over laughing. I knew the State park was 5minutes away we just couldnt find it.
I might grab a sock and try it out. Same with the BL.
Thanks for those links I will look into them once a few bucks free back up. Most definitely better than what I have.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Sounds like that outboard/boat is a good combo if it's pulling 40MPH, congrats!

I fish a lot at night also and have red LED interior lights. The red light helps keep your night vision and bugs are not attracted to it. I also have white interior lights which are brighter than the reds, but I don't run them much as they create a bug-fest. The stern all-around light is the only white light I keep burning all the time, and it keeps the bugs far enough away that they don't annoy us.

If looking for a sonar with GPS built in, be aware that you'll probably need to get additional mapping software, another $100-150. I have a Humminbird 581HD DI and the GPS is just "OK". It shows the outline of the lake and the boat's position, but that's it. Still saving my pennies for the $150 Navionics map.....