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Happy Easter everyone! Yesterday morning I went and looked at Phoenix boats, they looks pretty nice, but I have really started thinking about 18's vs 19's. Looks like boats like everything else has gotten larger these days and now 18's are almost 19ft and 19's are almost 20ft. I know the larger boat will handle bigger water but being older and having more time to pick my days like during the week when weather and boat traffic is light I am starting to think that I might could live with an 18ft boat. Not as much storage and about 1ft difference with the main difference the motors are smaller. I have no plans to fish tournaments so I have no desire to go 70mph etc. I know the bigger engines help in rougher water but again if I am a fair weather fisherman does it matter. Would be easier to tow for my mid size truck and move around in the garage etc. No decisions yet but just looking at all my options, skeeter, phoenix and the lund are still all in consideration. I picked up a brochure from phoenix and really like how they lay things out but maybe the phioenix experts can guess which is which but here are 2 pics from the brochure one is the 818 and the other is the 819, which one is the 818 and which is the 819?

Yeah understand, I just saw one locally or close but I think I am sticking with the ones I have listed, I have thought about basscat but I think the one I would be looking at would be the panterra II and again not as many out there at least in my neck of the woods. I am not concerned about going fast, just want something stable that handles well probably will never run over 50-55 etc..any suggestions on 19ft basscats I am all ears, the ones about the panterra II get pretty pricey.

Most of the phoenix's I see out there are with Merc's, I would like to find something slightly old like 2022-2023 and there are more phoenix's out there then skeeters. Just going to try to be patient and see what happens, not one of my strong suits, lol.

I see a like new Caymas close by, I know it was started up by Bentz but I have not read much as to how good the boats are, anyone have one or know much about them. It's a CX19 that I see for sale.

Yup

Thanks for all the input, right now I have really settled on a couple of boats and favoring one. Here is my short list at the moment Phoenix 819 pro Skeeter (zx200 new or zxr19 used) Lund Pro v Bass 1875 Right now if I had my choice right now it would be a skeeter zxr19. I had a really good offer on a 23 zx200 but it would have been a looong drive and probably think this is lame but I wasn't crazy about the color, may be my last boat and would prefer something I like to look at etc, I know probably lame. I have seen several zxr20's for sale that would fit the bill but they are just to big for what I need, I probably could go 18ft but thinking 19ft is a good compromise. If I could find a used 819 decked out that would be a contender but again most boats I am seeing are the bigger nicer boats. There is a used 721 locally decked out low hours but again just more than I need. Why I prefer the skeeters are the come with a yamaha sho and usually bird finders which is what I prefer. I know Mercury pro xs are nice engines also, just prefer the yamaha same for the finders etc, just my preference. I still haven't looked at a phoenix, will probably get to see one this coming weekend. I know they are nice boats with the only negative I have read is mainly about the trailers. Thanks for all the suggestions/input and advice.

Just heard back from Minnkota, the new brushless quest ultrex TM will run 24v/36v with nothing to change...only the new brushless quest versions. Not sure how long they have been out though.

Eh nevermind I think I found my answer, looks like you would have to swap some stuff out so if I am looking at a boat setup for 36v then looks like I am going to have to go with it... Actually looking at the MinnKota website looks like the newest version will do either - https://minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/freshwater-trolling-motors/ultrex QUEST Series: These 24/36V dual-voltage brushless motors have been completely re-imagined from the ground up with updates to mounts, propellers, lift assist systems, drive motors and software – taking the world’s greatest trolling motors and redesigning them to outperform everything else on the water for years to come.\ Will shoot them an email but looks like the newer ones will do either/or.

Can someone tell me looking at some boats that are setup for 36v ultrex, can you run them with 24v vs 36v? I know you lose the ft lbs like 112 to 80 but just curious with the ultrex can you do that?

Understand I just wasn't aware or familiar with Heritage trailers since I thought Lund used Shorelander. Honestly I tend to do things myself for the most part since not always had the best luck with installers, sounds like you have some pretty good ones but I've not always had that experience in the past.

Yeah, they have 2 sites and they moved the other 1875 to there Branson location which is near Table Rock. I like the boat but they will not budge on price and getting better deals on the glass counterparts. Not sure if its true or not but he says that his dealership sells the most pro v bass in the states. Still keeping my options open, pros and cons to everything including this. So just trying to weigh all my options, the fact that the other ones come with active target electronics to boot makes things interesting. The other thing I noticed and not sure how they do it but all the trailers they use are Heritage trailers, not even sure that is an option from Lund but that is the trailer that they are using for all the bigger boats. He said it was an upgraded and much nicer trailer but not sure how accurate that is etc.

Welp I braved the wind and started looking at some boats, was able to look at a skeeter zx200, pretty nice not as much rod storage as I would like but looked like a nice boat. I also was able to look at the lund pro v bass xs, although they had sold the 1875 they had a 2075 to look at. I think it has the most storage of any of the boats that I am looking at. I also stopped by my local Basspro and looked at the nitro z19, wow they have deals going for 2023 units and makes me really tempted. They have a fully configured z19 pro w/ ghost TM and 2 lowrance 9 hds live units and raptor shallow anchor for 60K. I just don't think the build quality is as nice as the other boats I am looking for but that checks a lot of boxes. The other one that I have added to the list is the Ranger z519 boat, since they merged with the same group of Basspro they are on clearance also. I have found a z519 cup edition with dual consoles with the ghost and lowrance 9HDS units about four hours away, same 61K clearance price. From what I can see used bass boats that are couple years old still going for 45-50k+ but has me thinking about what I want to do. Just more to think about.... Still have to try to go see a phoenix but sounds like there trailers are not the best, not sure why you put a great boat on a dodgy trailer but lots of complaints about those trailers. The other thing I have decided is that I am not going to go bigger than a 19', I have a mid size frontier and while I think bigger handle better in rougher conditions when I am retired I would not plan on going out in any of those conditions. Lake of the Ozarks while it can get rough that is usually under certain circumstances with the boat traffic, main channel, holidays, weekends etc...plenty ways to avoid that stuff so I think 19' are what I am settling on and just looking at all my options. Not really a fan of Lowrance, I have Hbird now but old stuff, I guess my dream would be ultrex up front with Hbird 360 and garmin live scope. Most of the Basspro deals run out in a few days but with them being old stock I would imagine the prices would stay the same but trying to not let that rush me decision wise. Just thought I would update with my latest information...

Yeah I am probably in the minority, I am not fishing tournaments and really going really fast is not my top priority. I would be fine with a 150 but I would prefer to have something closer to 20ft just for space and ride benefits but everything in that size class is going to have at least a 200 and thats fine with me. Will have to look into the trick step, really appears to make it easy to get in and out of.

Going to add basscat to the mix, I have one dealer near me but they have no boats but the trailer step up into the boat might actually sell me the boat, lol. I will probably be fishing by myself most of the time so anything that makes it easy to get in and out of the boat is a plus in my book. Not sure how well they handle vs the others that I have on my list, the ones I have on my list are supposedly handle very nice. Will need to do some more research on basscats but adding the panterra classic to the list. Phoenix 819 pro (maybe something in the pro xp line but probably not due to price) Skeeter zx200 Lund Pro v Bass xs 1875 Panterra Classic Nitro z19 Yeah its a $$ thing, the 919 pro has nicer features but I am always thinking about the money. THe money saved with the 819 can go a long way towards electronics and talons etc...I'm basically looking for my best bang for buck.

Yup I have started narrowing down from my research and those are 2 boats on my list, the 721 is still more $$ than I want to spend but I have narrowed it down to these boats so far: Phoenix 819 pro (maybe something in the pro xp line but probably not due to price) Skeeter zx200 Lund Pro v Bass xs 1875 Nitro z19 Still reading and researching but this is what I have come up with so far, there are some other aluminum options that may be a little cheaper like vexus etc but the ones above are the ones I have settled on so far. Those are not listed in any order but I think I would be happy with any one of them but going to go look at them and see the layout etc.

Yeah understand, older not my first go around. I had the pleasure of rebuilding my optimax from the block up when it decided to nuke one of the pistons. I do all my own work but would rather avoid all of that why I would rather go new...

Yeah depends on time of day and where you are etc, my small lake that I fish on is like a washing machine big ski boats. If I am fishing on the main lake its like I am on the ocean, well maybe not that bad but i've had wakes break over my boat, lol.

ROFL yeah thats true, but I think its about perspective at least for me. Kids have been spoiled, one is finally out of college and working and the other one still has a couple more years but I have enough put aside for that. I'm not complaining per se, everything is expensive these days, I'm just old...lol. Ya know I remember when, I paid 12k for my used ranger, I probably can sell it for what I paid for it. I have no regrets on the kids, hoping at some point they can appreciate coming out of college with no loans etc...:) Yeah the tru bass boats like skeeters etc are 90k+, I really love to fish but thats a lot of coin. Yeah those are all that I have been thinking about, kind of whats the best bang for your buck kind of deal. Nitro is maybe the budget buy, i fish out of my buddies and it has help up and runs pretty well. I guess I should have asked out of skeeter, basscat, phoenix which lines would you consider the best bang for your buck lines. I think for skeeter it was the zx line, if I recall that correctly. I've heard phoenix's are nice riding and handling boats but I will probably not get to test drive anything and again going fast is not really my main goal but something that can handle some level of rough water.

Thanks A-Jay and agree with what you are saying and I agree the used boats seem to be going close to what a new one is running. It's a mind thing and something I just need to come to terms with, everything is so expensive. I need to go look at the one locally and see how they have it setup, what trolling motor etc. Thats another thing to consider and I have thought about the history part, I'd like to get something and not have to work on it etc...I want to fish etc so that is another consideration. Any glass boats out there that are pretty solid that I should look at?

Long story but will try to keep it short, I want to replace my current boat that I have had since 2010. I have a ranger 180 vs (fish and ski), I live in a small lake community and got the boat when the kids were young and did dual purpose, pulled them around and allowed me to fish. I have really enjoyed it but now the kiddos are out of the house I would like to go with something more dedicated to fishing since lack of storage is really lacking on my current setup. That brings me to the question that I posed in the title, most always say best etc and I purposefully excluded that since its subjective and really for me I am just trying to get some suggestions of makers and models that I can look for used that are known to have good quality. If money was no object then I would get a lund pro v bass, really like the boat, has ton of storage and looks like it would handle bigger water better than most. Now I currently live in the mid west, I have no plans to go fish Great lakes etc but even my lake of the ozarks on certain days on the main channel can get quite interesting so besides storage my other top consideration would be how it handles in rougher water ( I know the driver can make up for that) but some are better handling than others etc. I still may go the new route since I see used boats seem to be priced pretty high but this will still give me some ideas of maybe the better ones to look into. There is a 23 pro-v bass brand new with 200 pro xs at my local dealer without a lot of stuff I want, talons, electronics etc and they are wanting 60k and for me I can afford it but have a hard time justifying spending that much, thats just me though. I was thinking of maybe going used 5 years or less and maybe saving some money but maybe thats not the case. Anyway, open to some recommendations for mfg and models that have good build quality in the last 5 years and would do well in most types of water, thanks. Looks like I cannot edit my posting but looking for Bass Boats, can be glass or aluminum...

Here are the trolling motor options, what I am not sure about is the 2 36v ultrex options, not sure I know what the difference is, says one is a MSI ipilot link and the other one says MSI ipilot link. Pretty sure the ulterx is the preferred unit. Not sure what the lowrance ghost is either...

Yup the honda engines are pretty much the same as what is in the cars, looks like the honda 200hp is a v6. Not all of the 200hp engines are 6cylinders these days except the Merc (non proxs) and Yamaha SHO, the standard Yamaha and Suzuki are 4cylinders and the Proxs is an 8cylinder.

I found a honda place near me, actually its a tohatsu service center but every 150hp and up Tohatsu is just a rebadged honda. I'm actually very familiar with the engine in the honda since I've owned one, is a 2.4l v4 pretty close to what is in the cars, pretty good little engine but when I priced them for my re-power they are very proud of the engines, pretty pricey. But again, I will be the one working on it unless its under warranty, so as long as I get the parts its really not an issue.

Yeah I understand about the dealerships, I tend to wrench myself unless something is under warranty but I understand that Merc has more dealerships. I'd rather repair myself so really as long as I can get parts its a push unless something happens on a lake etc, but I agree Mercury has more locations for sure. Engine mfg are a potato, POTATO thing, or Ford vs Chevy etc...I currently have an optimax and have done a lot of work on it, not a fan. But most of that complicated beast was due to the emissions standards vs what they normally would have done. I'ts a ticking time bomb with that compressor, I have lots of picks when I got to rebuild the powerhead when it melted one of my pistons (I'll attach one, if you want to see more just let me know, tore it down all the way to the block, machined and rebuilt). I was originally going to re-power my current boat but thinking of doing this instead. I'm not totally against the mercury but if I had my choice I can assure you I would go with a yamaha sho engine instead, and it would be more expensive. I just feel they are better engines, but again that's just me. Yeah you must have not priced trucks lately, I have a 2023 Frontier pro 4x and I can assure you the boat will not be 2x the price, inflation or whatever is going on everything is stupid price these days. If I go down this route it will be more expensive than the truck but if its 2x then it probably wont happen, lol. We looked at full size trucks but it would not fit in the garage, and we live on a sloped driveway that makes getting in and out not so much fun, just to big for day to day stuff. I'm not a truck guy, so its really my wife daily driver. I use it when I need to tow my boat and/or motorcycles and other truck stuff. What I really need help figuring out is all the trolling motor options, I know I want 36v setup but sheesh there are a lot of options these days. Currently have a 24v setup but its basic compared to what is out there these days. Need to read and figure out what all the options are and what do I really want, same goes for electronics.

Once I did more reading I figured out rollers weren't the best option for the boat, they have lots of options and I've only had bunks but I think @A-Jaymentioning the plastic bunks is a good suggestion and added that on the list. They do have an option for plastic bunks. I dont plan on doing much fishing from back deck but if I take someone they may rather fish off the back, but really its about the same size as the boats we fish out of now which are fish and ski's, might be a little bigger. As far as the truck, I really do not have an issue towing with it, I think the numbers will be fine. I think it should be in the 3-4k range when said and done and that should not be an issue. My truck has the tow package, and i do not see that being an issue.