Boat Question

I’m just curious if anyone could tell me what brand of boats float in the shallowest water or can maneuver in shallow water the best. I’m talking 18-19 ft glass boats.

I don’t know much about bass boats but the ones that I’ve seen that seem to float in the least amount of water are Rangers and Tritons. Thats just from an observers point of view.

BomberA

I’m running a older Ranger (18 footer) and she gets me in some pretty shallow water. I would say ALL bass boats will get you in the shallows pretty well. Just my nickels worth.
Happy fishin
Dick

From what I’ve seen, they are all pretty close. I think the Skeeters probably draft about the least, they seem to sit a little shallower than my Ranger anyway. The Champs seem like they sit a little lower in the water in the back end, but most guys I have talked to with them don’t seem to have a problem either.

I have a 19.5 ft ranger. Floats and idles real shallow. Even the Champion guys will admit that the Champs hang butt down. I hear that the 06’s moved the gas tanks up some to fix that though.

Skeeter used to be one of the best for shallow water.I haven’t rode in a new one for several years.

Has anyone ever ran an Xpress, G3, or other tin boat for tournament fishing. I’m thinking about jumping into the Team Supreme (if I can find a partner) next year and wondering if these boats will handle the rigours of the river or if I should stay in the Ranger.

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I have a 19.5 ft ranger. Floats and idles real shallow. Even the Champion guys will admit that the Champs hang butt down. I hear that the 06’s moved the gas tanks up some to fix that though.

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I think they moved them in like 01 or 02 on most models. You can tell a difference when you see one sitting and fishing.

The question is though, did the butt down attitude really affect shallow water draft much? Maybe some Champ guys will weigh in. We are talking draft with the trolling motor down now right and not idling with the big motor?

Yeah, the oldr champions do not float nearly as shallow as rangers or tritons. With the older ones you really have to watch how much gas you put in and also the amount of water in the livewell. The new ones float Awesome, but you give up some of your top end and handling ability.

Hope that helps

I’m running a Stratos 201. She gets me where ever I need. I can’t comment on other makes because it’s my first true Bass Boat.

I’ve seen Champs get into some pretty shallow water. My Ranger can get into one foot of water (per the depth finder), and will maneuver around fine…but that’s with just me in the boat. My boat is a touch under 18ft though.

I wasn’t knocking Champions. That will probably be my next boat.

If you can’t beat em’ join em’

oh please. I can beat em, not all of them, but whats hard to beat is the price.

My Blazer floats shallow, seems to get around real well in the shallows. Lighter boat than some.

There is definately a difference between the older champs and the new ones with the tank under the seat. However, both models handle and ride great.

I 2nd that Bullz EYE! My 21 foot Blazer has about the smallest draft as any other boats in its class .

Hey Bones Jr, Is that the most constructive thing you have to say? Now thanks to you, I will never buy a Champion cause you said that.

Too bad they are made out of styrofoam ( Blazer)

I don’t know which ones actually draft the least amount of water, but if you want a tool that will help you get across those shallow sand flats (besides a push pole), get yourself a hydraulic jack plate. It limits idle time on expansive flats cause it helps the boat with forward drive instead of just trimming and pushing the [censored] end of the boat down into the bottom. Through experience (Thanks Riverfan) and trial and error, you can be hung up and still push the boat over those shallow areas you normally would be shedding down to the skibbies and jumpin in. Also when your way in back of those shallow bays, you can take off in 6″ less of water. I also use it for loading the boat and no more dings in the prop. When running over shallow sand bars on plane, I can run it up for a short period of time ( watching the water pressure to stay at 10#) and get over them without the inevitable thud I used to hear when the skag would clip the sand bar. All of my boats from here on will definitly have a hydraulic jack plate. Fishnut

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Through experience (Thanks Riverfan) and trial and error, you can be hung up and still push the boat over those shallow areas you normally would be shedding down to the skibbies and jumpin in.

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I heard that riverfan has a track record of finding sandbars with his bassboat

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Through experience (Thanks Riverfan) and trial and error, you can be hung up and still push the boat over those shallow areas you normally would be shedding down to the skibbies and jumpin in.

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I heard that riverfan has a track record of finding sandbars with his bassboat

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John,
where are you man your gettin killed out here.

You know when he makes it to this thread he is gunna open up a can of whoop on somebody

I think hes the only one of us who is too mature to lash out at others, or maybe its cause the truth hurts.

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think hes the only one of us who is too mature to lash out at others, or maybe its cause the truth hurts.

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Yep he’s a pretty good guy.
I believe that the time he found land cost him in a tourney. A little late to weigh-in

Spinner Dave…

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Too bad they are made out of styrofoam ( Blazer)

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Come on now…I just read a RECENT post of yours on the General Discussion Board which leads me to believe you know (or at least would like to know) a little about HIGH PERFORMANCE BOATS.

Blazers are constructed of 100% AME 4000 or 5000 Resin (100% composite hull). Instead of explaining the benefits and such, here are a few other HIGH PERFORMANCE BOAT MFG who use the same 100% AME Resin…

Allison
Stroker
Cobra

I believe this puts Blazers in a pretty reputable class. Need I say more?

Oh yeah. In response to your trim gauge question on the General Board… I NEVER look at my trim gauge. While on pad WOT I slowly bump the trim up until I cannot maintain adequate water pressure and/ or exceed my max rpm’s on my motor. If either of these happen…then you have to make a jackplate adjustment.

Trim gauges are relative. Your optimum trim at WOT will CONSTANTLY change with set-up and conditions (ie…how many people are in the boat, how much fuel, different props, damaged props, jackplate height, water roughness, etc…) Use them as a reference until you get enough seat-time to just feel where you need to be.

– d-nort

Jeez Eric a little testy aren’t ya? I hope you get a Champ I’d like to see a 198 in person, or maybe you’d get a 203 with that 250xs, that’s the boat I’d really like to see in action!

Not testy, only giving you the guff you had coming. I have had my mind really set on the 198 with either the e-tec or a 225xs. Problem is the service on the Merc, who would do it good and semi local. Didn’t really think much about the 203 with the 250. I would like to see a Bass & Walleye boat mag. report or ride in one before I took that step.