3dees

VTI had the same problem on my Crestliner VT19. I called Crestliner and they sent me a piece to cover the hole. same material and color to match the console.

you can get a 7" HB or Lowrance for that price with Down scan but not side scan. might be just a bit more with mapping which you should have on Kentucky Lake. I assume your using it on the console.

I had one and really liked it. sold it for a Hook 9. can't sync them with a console unit, but I'm happy with the mapping. if you don't need the mapping, you can save more by getting the X model. HB also makes some fine 7" units. I've been using Lowrance for many years and see no need to change.

I have gone from 5" to 7" and now 9" HDI touch Gen 2. can't afford 12's. so much easier on these 67 year old eyes. even without splitting the screen it's easier to see on the bigger screens, especially on the bow where there is more distance when your standing. you might be ok with 7's but if your like me you'll be wanting larger. I don't need side scan for the bow and don't really need to sync them so I have a 9" hook on the bow. you can still find good deals on Gen 2's but if you can afford it go with Gen 3's. or you can always put another 7" on the console and dedicate one to just mapping. I'm dangerous with tools and I had no trouble installing the units myself.

I have caught loads of pike over the last 45 years. I use a 6" wire leader, usually about 30 lb. and never had a problem. pike are not afraid of a leader of any size. sometimes we overthink things. the only problem with wire is they tend to kink after some fish are caught. while fishing for pike I also catch smallies, largemouth, and walleye. if fish are active the leader won't bother them. when fishing is slow I will fish without any leader. you just take a chance on bite offs.

I agree with A-Jay. they are not for every situation. I just ordered a new boat with one 10' Talon. maybe in the future I'll add another. I also carry an anchor for deeper water. my old boat had a manual one with an 8' pole. it worked, but it got to be a pain to walk to the back to set it up. not too bad if your staying in one spot for a while, but otherwise it's just too much trouble. some people are happy with a 4" graph. tells you everything you need to know, but most of us will go for larger screens. yeah, they are expensive, but 3500.00 for a 12" graph? it's only worth it if you use it. I really don't know why all the tourney pros have them since I never see them being used.

I thought it was just me. seems like there is a new technique every day.

do what my grandson does. takes a few rod and reels and use gramps lures.

I've tried Plano's, soft tackle bags and the Tupperware boxes. I'm back to Plano 3700's. too much time fooling with the separate bags. I would have opened bags with plastics falling out. whatever makes it easier for you.

I fish all of them, but you'll have to pry my spinnerbaits from my cold dead hands. how many fish do you think are caught thru the years on spinnerbaits as opposed to the other two? some youngun's might think it's an old out of fashion lure, but they still catch lots of fish. heck. I still throw a hulu popper.

4" finesse worm on 1/8 oz. jig head. I have caught everything from big bluegills to a 45" muskie. I should probably fish it more, but I really don't like fishing with spinning gear.

I never buy based on what a pro is using. if you do, you better have deep pockets. fishing shows today are commercials with a little fishing thrown in.

I don't think it causes any problems. if it did, how do we catch fish while drop shotting right besides the boat? on most lakes, the fish are acclimated to sounds of transducers, outboards, and every other sound we can make.

my grandson on the Mississippi at LaCross Wi.

headaches can be different things. cracked transom, loose rivets, seats ripping, and electronic gremlins. just like cars. two identical vehicles. one just goes and goes. the other is a lemon. by tipping side to side, do you mean chine walking? you wont get any in a mod. v hull. Xpress has a pad hull, but most tins don't. as for fishing, the wider the beam, the more stable it will be. I fish three out of my VT19 and there is no leaning. the older tins that were built with narrow beams had more problems with this.

to be honest, any boat can have problems. lots of complaints about compartments on Xpress boats. they seem to leak bad. people make like Xpress is the best built tin out there. they have the best hulls of the tins and can handle more power, but speed is not the most important feature for me. they use thicker aluminum, but the Crestliner PT series are also built with the thicker material. I see other boats in the future using thicker aluminum so the can hang larger engines. I don't have any Xpress dealers anywhere close, but my Crestliner dealer is 30 minutes from me. lots of things to consider in buying a boat, tin or glass. I don't believe there is a huge difference in the tins sold today. all can give years of enjoyment. they can also give you nothing but headaches. yeah, some are built a bit better than others, but usually at a cost. it comes down to what you need vs. what you want.

not even close, but the Xpress is going to be much more expensive. there are other options. Ranger, Triton, Crestliner, etc. do yourself a favor and check out other boats. most tins made today will give you what you want. there are differences depending on size of the boat, size of the motor, etc. deck lay outs are a personal thing.

I had one and they do work. just a pain to leave the tm to go to the back and deploy it. not bad if your going to stay in one spot for awhile. ordered a 10' Talon on my new boat. much easier pushing a button.

I just traded my Crestliner VT19 for a new PT18. I like the lay out better than the Ranger. .110 aluminum sides and .125 transom. 3 rod lockers. ordered mine with a 150 Pro XS, hydraulic steering, one 10' Talon, and other options. no electronics as I'm transferring my two 9" units from the VT19. should be here in about 6 weeks. 33,400 out the door. Yeah, tins are getting expensive. I like the Ranger 198 and if Crestliner didn't come out with this boat I would have probably bought the Ranger.

U.S.M.C. 68-70. wounded in Viet Nam in 69'.

I just traded my VT19 for a PT18. going with one 10' Talon. my VT19 had plenty of room for PP pumps and the VT18 has the same space. with the 115 you don't have the oil reservoir so there is more room.

I have severe back problems. I just can't get used to sitting. I use a butt seat but every hour or so I go down to the running seats and sit for a while. gives me a chance for some coffee and think about my next plan of action.

I can't imagine taking everything out after every trip. I do that before winter and it takes a couple of hours. I remove my graphs and that's it. lockers are locked and boat is covered and stored in my yard. 35 years and never had a problem.

why not install it on the port side. most of my co-anglers are right handed, so theTalon would be out of the way. you would have the same problem with the Power Pole except when it's actually deployed.

I have pulled 19 1/2' glass boats with Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Olds Bravado, and Jeep cherokee without problems but they all had V8's and the boats had breaks. I now pull my 19' tin without breaks with a 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee with a six. no problem at all. you don't need a monster truck to pull an 18' boat.