Ride vs. fishability?

I am just wondering what factors you think are important when it comes to purchasing a new bass boat.

Would you prefer a shorter ride? 17-19 ft.
-float in shallow water
-get into more confined places
-better fuel consumption (truck and boat)
-less money
-easier home storage
-cheaper insurance

Would you prefer a longer ride? 20-22 ft.
-better ride
-more storage
-bigger fuel capacity
-huge front platform
-able to hang a bigger outboard

Of course each size also has their downfalls, but my question is, “what are the GOOD attributes that would make you buy a certain size boat”?

-dave

I run a 518/519VX Ranger. It’s 19′ and has a 200 Yamaha VMAX.
I feel you get the best for both worlds:

-the front deck is massive
-it is a very manueverable boat in tight qaurters
-it backs directly into my garage
-Fuel capacty is 48 Gallons (twin 24 gal. tanks)
-Most 518/519’s can keep up with 520’s, if rigged and driven properly
-Yes it can handle Lake Pepin when it gets nasty, but I’d rather be sitting in a 20-21′ boat in that moment

I do think a 19′ or 19.5′ boat is almost perfect for the river. But, everyone has their own preferences and experiences to justify what they drive.

Ross

Ross,
Hopefully you, or someone else can help me out. I recently purchased a 1998 Ranger Reata R97. It’s a fish and ski boat, althought I don’t ski. I needed the seating for the family. The guy I bought it from stated that since it has the Comanche hull that it won’t perform well in big water. It’s a 19’1″ with a 92 1/2″ beam. I have a 150 hp Johnson on the back. I guess that he has me a little freaked out about running it on lakes like Pepin, or Mille Lacs. Do you think that this will be a problem? Or should I avoid the bigger water? Any problems, or experiences that you have had? I would be interested in knowing if I should go ahead and tackle these kind of waters, or if I should fish from shore!
Thanks!

skhartke,

Here’s a question you may want to consider when you consider running “big water:” how comfortable are you running “big water?”

I can only speak for myself, but if I’m comfortable, I run it; the only way I got & get comfortable is by doing it.

I had asked myself the same question that you posed to us; then I remembered before there were 20+’ boats, there were smaller ones that guys were running.

Hey, have a good one & enjoy the new ride!

d-nort

Those are all good points that you made. The bottom line though is which type of water are you going to run?

I run with a guy who’s got a 20′ ride. He can manuver it just as well as I could the 19′ I had. What’s more, his ride was more comfortable than mine was due to weight & length.

This year, I’m in a 20.9′ boat; so are rides & comfort will be the same.

The difference between a 200 & 225, if I’m not mistaken, is about three to five mph… oh, price, too.

The reason I went from a 19′ to 20.9′ boat was that not only did I want a new boat, but I also couldn’t pass up the deal & price. That was my reasoning.

Had I got the same type of deal on a 519, I would have taken that; but this one was a 520.

Thanks,