Almost two weeks is in the books for the new boat, I didn’t get out as much as I would have liked, but a guys gotta work and spend time with the family. I did manage 4 outings so far, two full days and 2 after work runs incorporating 3 different styles of fishing from pitching to rigging to trolling to try out all the new toys.
Once I got the boat home, I started loading her up with the “necessary” gear. Rods and reels went in first, the side holster as pictured has 6 full length trolling rods in it right now. 2 10’ 6 lead trolling rods, 2 9 footers long line rods and 2 8’6 lead rods. All fit in the holster easily, and come in and out without any problems. I do have rod gloves on these. I could probably fit a couple more in there with smaller diameter reels.
The front rod locker has 8 rods of varying lengths, all with rod gloves on, I could easily fit another 6-8 or even more in there. Again getting them in and out of the locker is easy.
Boxes went in next. Under the passenger console there are 12 Plano boxes tucked away nice and organized. I was planning on putting some sort of netting there to keep them in place, but so far this hasn’t been an issue. They fit nice and tight and come in/out pretty easily. The rear passenger storage also has 12 Plano boxes in there, of differing sizes. The driver side rear storage houses the oil reservoir, rod holders, extra gallon of oil, rags and a funnel, for those just in case moments. And a bottle of bass boat saver… To keep her nice and shiny!
The driver side storage has miscellaneous items in it, line, a couple small boxes, drying rags the rod to tie the kicker and main together. And the under drivers console shelf is pretty much empty at this point. The marine band radio, iPod and my phone sit there.
Up front driver’s side has 3 life jackets, throw able, paddle, extra rain gear. The passenger side, well that’s pretty much empty!! For now…
The glove box. Well that thing is MASSIVE! Not ever owning a boat with one, this one is huge. I have a camera, trolling bible a couple other odds and ends, and have room for the kitchen sink and refrigerator, that’s how big this thing is. Will be great for storing extra hats and gloves later in the year once this weather cools down a bit.
I currently have more gear in this boat than I did in my 1800 Lund Pro V, with lots of room to spare.
The new back deck is great, big and flat, makes pitching out of a dream. Can’t wait for a wing dam or pitching bite to fully utilize that area.
Performance
Ok it’s new, and I have been babying it getting in the proper break in, but I have cracked it open a few times. The hole shot is great, you mash the throttle and she hops out of the hole with a grumbling 2 stroke vigor and you’re on your way. WOT down river during one of the hotter days with 80 plus degree surface temp I was tickling 58 + down river. Up river 52-54. This is with full gas tank, and rear live well full. With Erick and I on Saturday on Pepin, full live well, ½ tank of gas and a flat calm lake we were running 54-55. I haven’t gotten to run the boat in any real rough conditions as of yet. Saturday when the boating traffic picked up with the tuna boats out in full force was a prime opportunity, but since Erick just had knee surgery, I took it easy. He’s fragile enough, didn’t want to hurt him anymore…..
The live well, is huge. I was fishing Pepin on Saturday with Erick Anderson (aka Big E), got into some nicer eater size fish, and since I haven’t had a fry in a long time, decided to keep a few for the pan for Sunday night. First fish went in the box at 7:30 am, last fish around 11:30. Throughout the day I was switching back and forth between the auto fill and auto recirculate. With surface temps hovering around 84, I didn’t give them much of a chance at staying alive. At the end of the day (2pm), all fish were still alive and swimming. The oxygenator and the sheer volume of it did its job.
Trailer with tuff coat is very very nice; it’s a little slippery, almost ate the side of the boat a couple times jumping in and out with wet flip flops on, going to look at adding some non slip tape to the fenders. It looks good and will hopefully last a lot longer than my other trailers did before it succumbs to rust. The Skeeter cut outs, and backup lights not only look good, but are functional. Makes backing into the garage at night much easier.
Fit and finish is great, no problems to gripe about. I did add some weather stripping on the battery compartment door, it did creek every time I walked over it, after the weather stripping was added, no more sounds.
Batteries – I did check the option for the Odyssey batteries. And they are heavy! I haven’t had a chance to give them a proper workout yet. I did spend the first day pitching wing dams, for 6 hours I jumped from dam to dam holding myself with the terrova and ipilot, and at the end of the day, I still had 4 bars left on the terrova meter. I’ll update more on the batteries as I get a chance to use them to their fullest.
A BIG “Thank you to Skeeter Boat Center!” Dave you were absolutely fabulous to work with, your customer service skills are top notch! From day one you’ve delivered on everything you said you would and more. Not to say there weren’t a few bumps in the road that weren’t under your control, but you keep me informed and I drove away a very happy customer.
Eric, well you and I do have a little history, so working with you on rigging was easy and fun with the friendly banter going back and forth. The workmanship is great, everything you added looked like it grew there, and I’m a bit surprised that I haven’t found a “gift” you could have easily have left me somewhere!
Last but not least a Big Thank you Bob Bowman at Wings Financial. Process was smooth and easy. We still need to have that lunch, without you, all the pre planning would have been for not! Thanks buddy!
Any and all questions are welcome, I’ll give you the best honest answer I can.
Jami
What a great looking ride and it sounds like you have the room every river boat needs. Heck, it will pay for itself in no time at all with all the rods that won’t get stepped on 
That question has been banging around in the back of my head for a while now—that is why I am steering clear of the Skeeter Boat Center. I am vulnerable 
