Question:
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.
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.
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.
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 with 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.
I have my choices narrowed down based on price, overall safety, and higher
rough water handling speeds. I am curious what the people in ROFB have to
say on the subject.
Answer:
-Hubers boat is coming up for sale soon. It will keep you and a couple
of others dry and comfy
-you want walleye boat. I have
fished from one on the odd occasion and they do differ from the front
casting deck of a bass boat. If you like sight fishing this is a better
choice but bending down to put a lip on a bass from the front deck can be
quite different than from a bass boat. If you do have bigger waves on your
lakes, you will like the extra freeboard! My best friend has a Skeeter
walleye boat, that quite honestly, I find no problem fishing from and gladly
take the back seat in often.
-if it has to be a bass boat, then your stuck with the lower free
board. Big waves, big water, you most likely want a big boat.
I know that we have discussed this before, but it should be said again.
Buy from a dealer you trust to give you good service. That is the most
important item. If he has good service, that is prompt and friendly,
chances are he has one or more quality lines of boats.
That being said. I prefer Ranger. Why? Because no matter how bad it
gets out there, if that boat breaks down, just stay with the boat. You
cannot sink it. If it cannot sink unless broken into little pieces, it
will eventually get you to land. There is a lot of boats out there that
only float for a time. Or only level for a time when filled with water.
I have been in some that would head straight to the bottom if filled
with water.
My 400 series is a big improvement over the 300 series when it comes to
ride. New models are even better. It's not really necessary to beat
yourself so badly you piss blood anymore at the end of a day. Stay away
from hulls with almost no vee under them. Yeah, I know, everybody likes
what they own, but there is a lot of designs that are not very dry and
handle poorly in big water.
