What boat would you prefer for Tournament fishing: 18' 8" or 20'. Average sized lakes, and why?

I think it really depends on what kind of tournaments and lakes you'll be on.

I've spent many years fishing out of my friends various 20'+ tournament boats. While they are comfortable and fast, I went with an 18' V hull aluminum with a 115 motor. It's very stable, it can go though very shallow water and gas doesn't cost a fortune. For the local tournaments we fish, it's just fine. I don't get upset of I bump and bang it around in some of the "thick" areas we fish in. While being able to go faster, 50mph gets us around lakes like Toho and Kissmmee just fine for recreational fishing. With the money I saved over a big boat, I bought a Harley

All in opinion I wont go smaller than 20 but 18'8 is a very good size boat for a beginner. Test both sizes and go with your comfort level. I like the extra room on the deck for rods and walking,18' is a little too small on the deck for me.

It really depends on the type of waters you are primarily fishing.  Although 18'8" is not a huge boat, I personally think it it big enough.  For the lakes that I fish in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, I think a 19' boat is perfect.   I have a 19 foot Bass Cat and I feel like I can go just about anywhere with it. It's big enough to handle some pretty rough conditions and yet because of it's size it makes fishing and maneuvering in and around docks and cover easier.  Obviously you are going to sacrifice on deck space and storage, but only you would know if you need the extra deck space and storage.  18'8" boat is also easier for storage if you are parking in a garage and a little easier to tow.

The bigger the better: better ride, more room, more storage.

You're talking 16 inches.  If you like it and its a good deal, get it.  I have a 20' and my buddy has a 19' and I honestly can say it isnt a big enough difference to really notice.

18'8" is going to be lighter, get better mileage, both in towing and on the water. If you fish huge lakes I would say 20' or bigger but if you dont 18' would be ideal.... unless your boat is a rolling bass pro shops

I've have/had Rangers 20', 19', & 18' and many smaller tin boats.  On big water, that 20' mark can make a difference when it gets rough - an extra foot or so to span waves can really help.  But hull design is obviously a factor as well.  Are you talking 2 of the same makes/models in different lengths - or are you comparing 2 totally different makes with very different hulls, layouts, methods of manufacturing, etc... all of this stuff comes into play more than 16"...

You're talking 16 inches. If you like it and its a good deal, get it. I have a 20' and my buddy has a 19' and I honestly can say it isnt a big enough difference to really notice.

16 inches is a huge difference, for one a 7'9 rod wont fit on an 18'8 unless the new boats have changed that plus they are at least 6" wider. Also size of the lake doesn't matter for rough water, one of the roughest lakes ive ever fished is lake Waln-in-Water and it is a fairly small lake so that all depends on protection around the lake. If you can afford it the 20 makes a huge diff. I fished with a guy on Okeechobee with a 2004 ranger 18'8 and felt like my kidneys were going to explode and I own a 1998 Sratos 20' and the difference is unbelievable in my opinion.

Whoa 6 full inches wider!

BassCat catalog

Sabre 18' 1" with a 93" beam and Puma FTD 20' 4" with a 94" beam

Skeeter catalog

ZX190 18' 5" with a 92" beam

ZX250 21' with a 94" beam

6" huh!

How a boat handles in rough water has a lot more to do with driver input than hull design; I've been in 20' boats that pounded my back into submission because of operator error.

and I have been on a 21' boat that has done the same to me, but the diffence is 1-3 ft and 2-4 ft waves and it depends on the manufacturer for beam, I was off by 2" at Stratos 201 is 95" and a 285 is 91" that is a big difference but like I said it is just my opinion.

At my age I've had lots of boats. M y current is 18'11' if I was looking for a new boat it would be over 20' with folding tongue on the trailer. Unless you are fishing very small waters big equals more deck space, more storage space and more comfortable.

I have a  ;D18ft Nitro with a 150 Mercury that I do not have a note on it is just fine. I would like to have a larger boat but not if I have to have boat loan. It is hard to make a payment when there is snow on the ground. 

I have an 18' 6" boat with a Merc 150 HP and IMO it is the perfect size. Handles very well in rough water, slow by no means and fuel is not bad at all. If you can afford the 20' and fuel for it than go for it.

I love hearing how 18'ers are ok for beginners, after all the Classics that were won out of 17'10" Rangers by beginners. Buy what works for the water you fish,  learn how to drive it in weather, and go catch some bass.

me and my dad have been in water out in Lake Fork in 6 foot rollers  in a 181/2 foot boat and i dont care what size boats they were,Mike  Iaconelli was getting beat up as bad as we were

There is true meaning to the term, the bigger the boat, the bigger the hole it makes in the water to throw money in.  Get the biggest boat you can afford.  That extra deck room is a huge plus, and the ride is usually better, but that's depends on the boat.  I worked my way up through the full gamut of boats and after a few years of using my 20' I would have a hard time going back to a smaller boat.

I love hearing how 18'ers are ok for beginners, after all the Classics that were won out of 17'10" Rangers by beginners. Buy what works for the water you fish, learn how to drive it in weather, and go catch some bass.

+1

I was thinking the exact same thing as I was reading this thread... The 17' 10" 300 series Rangers were the gold standard for MANY years. Of course the 20'+ hulls have more room and ride better - and can carry twice as much HP. But those little old boats are still quite fishable. (Full disclosure, along with a newer 19' Ranger, I have an old 373 as a project boat w/ a 'little' 150hp)

I have a 2006 18' 8" Ranger and love it. I fish club tourneys and some BFL's. It has a 150 optimax and is great on gas. Easy to tow and it fits perfectly in my 3rd car garage space. 6 months and no more payments and wouldnt even think about upgrading. Unless of course I win the lottery.

I agree with the statement to get the biggest you can afford. When I first started tournament fishing I fished the MBAA circuit, which has a draw format so I had the chance to ride in alot of different brands and sizes of boats.

Out here in CA the wind can pick up in a hurry and it can get down right nasty. I've been on the water in 3-5 foot swells and it gets down right scary at times. While its true that alot of it depends on the drivers ability I always felt safer in the bigger boats. Not only that but I'm a big guy and the bigger boats are of course more roomy and comfortable.

Oh yeah, my first boat was a Champion 186, my second boat was a Champion201 and my current boat is a Champion 210 Elite.

Moral of the story is, buy what you like.  Buy what you can afford.  Buy what works for you.  After all, the fish don't care if you're in a $50,000 Ranger or a beat up ol' Jon,  all that matters is gettin' them in the boat.

Whoa 6 full inches wider!

BassCat catalog

Sabre 18' 1" with a 93" beam and Puma FTD 20' 4" with a 94" beam

Skeeter catalog

ZX190 18' 5" with a 92" beam

ZX250 21' with a 94" beam

6" huh!

How a boat handles in rough water has a lot more to do with driver input than hull design; I've been in 20' boats that pounded my back into submission because of operator error.

BINGO!

I bet KVD could still kick butt in a 18' Ranger Bass Master Classic Rig from the 90s