Obi_Wan

I really like my BPS reels. I've never had an issues with them and you can find them on some good sales. Right now you can do a trade in if you have some older reels and get some money off gear at BPS. I have a cheap Abu Black Max that has been a good reel. The Academy Sports Metaniums are decent reels for the money. I have one KastKing, but haven't used it yet. I will this Spring. I hear good and bad. I agree with some above. Once you get over a certain price point, it just doesn't make much difference which brand you choose.

I've used hot melt to hold down some small magnets in each well, but the self adhesive works well too.

Short answer: No. Slightly longer answer: It's not just about polarization. Lens tint, thickness, etc will also make a difference.

That is what I was wondering. I know one or two of the rivers will be deep enough for a propeller, but 2 others will only be deep enough part of the time. I know I'll have to paddle only at times. I have friends with yaks, but don't know anyone with a pedal drive of any type. If they draft too deep, I'll have to get out quite often and push.

I've been wondering about this topic too. I want a yak to fish some local rivers. They get shallow at times and I wouldn't be able to use the propeller drive. I'm wondering what the draft is like on some of those. I think I would prefer the propeller, but not sure if it will still work in shallow water with the drive out.

I like my Lews TP1

I've had good luck over the years with the Berkley Lightning Rods. about $39.99 at Academy.

That's a good lookin boat.

All of my fly rods are 3 or 4 piece rods but two. They are 7 piece travel rods. Newer multi piece rods are fine and good makers will make multi piece rods that have great action. I have several Wright & McGill 3 and 4 piece casting and spinning rods I bought in Alaska. I used them for hike in fishing. Still using them. Fish just as good as my one piece rods.

I like Nitro boats, but I would get the Triton and use the $2K savings for a new graph or two.

I guess I wasn't clear enough in the beginning with my comments. "I've always thought the reason aluminum wasn't made with the same hull as fiberglass was because the light weight would beat you silly going across the water. Maybe I'm wrong. I hope I am." I have no beef with aluminum boats. As a matter of fact a Lund Pro V Bass is what I consider the ideal boat for me. I am very impressed with the PolarKraft boats and the XPress boats. I am about to get a fiberglass boat knowing that I will eventually trade it for an aluminum boat. I was trying to say what I hear and the "broad brush strokes" I've been told. I said I hope I was wrong and I guess I am.

Is the fuel line change something I can do, or would you recommend a mechanic do it? I'm excited about the boat. I'll get some pics up as soon as I get them.

1. Not necessarily. He may use something different. 2. I will buy his bag, but it will be his to manage. I will also get him some baits to start with. I see no problem letting him buy some of his own stuff and be responsible for it. I'd rather he uses gifted money for that than for video games. I was responsible for my own tackle. 3. I fish as a co angler now and i find room under the console and in the seat too. Doesn't mean its ideal. I never said the boat is a total loss because it doesn't have back deck storage. Its a problem for me, but not a deal breaker.

I'm not wearing blinders. I've been in more aluminum boats than fiberglass. I know more people that have moved from aluminum to fiberglass than the other way. I always hear two things. 1. Its lighter, so the wind pushes us around more. and 2. Is lighter and flat so it beats me to death in the chop. Growing up we went from fiberglass to aluminum. The ride was rougher. May not be today, but it was then and a light flat aluminum will ride rougher than fiberglass. You're comparing two different designs. a deep V aluminum will not ride the same as a mod v aluminum boat. I'm aware of this and if I had all the money in the world to buy any boat I wanted, I would buy the Lund Pro V Bass 2075. Polar Kraft also makes a different hull design that would ride well in choppy water.

I've wondered the same thing. I've always thought the reason aluminum wasn't made with the same hull as fiberglass was because the light weight would beat you silly going across the water. Maybe I'm wrong. I hope I am. Vexus succeeding would only be good for all of us. good competition is a good thing.

Yes. I've always owned less tackle than my dad, therefore, I've always taken less tackle to the lake than him. All things being equal, we end up fishing the same thing and 3/4 of his tackle never sees the water. I have a larger selection of soft baits than I do hard baits. I basically have one 3700 with crank baits, two boxes with jerkbiats (one shallow, one deep), 5-6 spinner baits, a few jigs, and soft baits. I can get it all in one bag if I want and usually do.

Here's my only issue with the boat. No storage on the back deck. my son will be my constant coangler and this model year boat has no storage in the back. Any ideas if you can cut into the deck and add storage? (and make it look like it was supposed to be there.)

I'm not against Vexus. I like the looks of the boat and I hope they do well. I understand their pedigree, but the idea of a part aluminum boat, part fiberglass boat has been tried before and it failed. Hull design is new and different. It may scream on smooth water, but how does it handle the chop? There may not be "lots" to test, but there is somethings about these boats that are yet unproven. Time will tell.

Good points all. Especially about giving Vexus time. I still think its a little high for a new to the market boat and I wouldn't put my money into an unproven/untested* boat yet. After a year or two, then all bets are off. *Unprove/untested - Need to get some firsthand reviews of people actually using the boat. You'll find warts as well as beauty this way.

Found out the problem. My dad bought the boat used. Original owner said a mouse built a nest in the exhaust. It was cleaned and considered "all clear" as the motor ran fine. Well, after the mechanic said "I've checked everything", I started discussing some of the issues I've read on here and other places. He finally tore it down some more and found more mouse nest. Must have been clean enough to let it run for a while. Its now being torn down like it was bing overhauled and being cleaned thoroughly.

I like the looks and features, but seems like its a little high priced for a new boat. XPress, as mentioned earlier, comes in a little cheaper and its proven.

fishnkamp, Thanks for the comments. He bought the boat 2-3 years ago with only 60 hrs on the motor. Not sure how many he has put on it since. It is currently in the shop because it struggles to run after starting. It takes several times to get it going, but when it does, it runs fine. I don't have the money to do any major fixes, so if the motor goes bad I'll have a 19' paperweight.

Looks like I'm about to get a 2000 Bass Cat Pantera Classic with a Mercury 150 Optimax. I'd be interested in hearing any and all comments on this boat. Stability, ease of driving, etc... Thanks. edit: now know its a 2000 model boat.

75%

Aluminum first. Fiberglass still under development and planned to be released later this year. Bunch of guys from Ranger. Should be good stuff.