Hi-Powered Red Neck Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 Whats happening Guys and Gals. Well Last summer my wife and I were exploring the Escambia River in my trusty old 84 17' Glasstream. Now the Glasstream was a good looking boat with a Suzuki DT 115 that ran like a top and refused to die. Well we got way up river into an area that seemed a little sketchy. So I told her we were turning around and heading back. Hooked a u turn and was riding the bubble trail I had just made. We were cruising about 30 when I hit a log or a stump the motor kicked up breaking a lock pin that I had securing it down. I was running a CMC trim plate cause the factory trim unit was shot and I couldn't get replacement parts. That hit broke the already weak transom. But the motor was still running and still back there so we continued to the trailer. My wife said "I guess this is going to mean we need a new boat". Yep the search was on. Now I've got a good job and could probably afford a new boat. But I just simply can not justify new boat prices these days. I'd be close to 100k by the time I got what I wanted and that to me is ridiculous. So I was searching for a short list of older boats that I like. Bullet, Gambler, Blazer, Ranger, Skeeter. Everything I found was beat to death needing full restoration or priced to the Moon. Then about 2 day after I went to work on a 56 day hitch I found a listing for a 19' Norris Craft. Man what a sexy boat. Well I knew it would be gone before I got home but I emailed the owner anyway. I told him I'd be back in touch and would be watching the add like a hawk. In my area of Northwest Florida and the surrounding tri-state area. I've fished in countless tournaments seen countless bass boats. I had never seen or even heard of Norris Craft. Even searching the web I could very little info on the Brand. well 60 days or so later I saw it for the first time. Wow it was in great shape and at the top of my list of 5 boats that I wanted to look at. It was late by the time I got there and the river was really high so we scheduled a test run. Before that happened the wife and I traveled all over the area looking at boats that had been neglected, and the owners thought the were worth way more than I did. Two more to look at when I get a call from Matt. He said he was free and would I like to come run the Norris Craft. When I got there he was hooked up and ready to go. He had told me the boat would run in the mid 50's and I figured 19' with a 150, ok. We hit the river and he hit the hotfoot. I was impressed he got a mile or so up river and It was my turn. Came outta the hole a bit slower than the old boat but still pretty good. and speed wise I knew we were in the mid 60's and not really stretching it out. As we idled back to the trailer I looked at him and said mid 50's my foot. He just laughed and said he'd never had a gps on it. Needless to say it belongs to me now. She is a 1990 19XLvee with a '95 Mercury 150XRi. Norris Craft is a small family owned and ran boat company it Tennessee that builds boats by hand using only the best materials available. They are a low production builder by choice and probably one of the best built bass boats out there. My 31 year old boat still shines like a new one. The lay out is dated but thats what I grew up with so it works for me. Its fast and agile, it'll carve corners on the river. It handles really easily for a straight up performance built bass hull. It'll run in the mid to upper 60's on flat calm water. I've had it to 74 on a foot of chop, with my dad and I both tipping the scales around 270. So if you are in the market for a used boat DO NOT pass up an opportunity to get in a Norris Craft. If you see one for sale go look at it. I'll add some pictures later. I'm currently in Guyana working. I tend to get long winded if you couldn't tell. Any questions about feel free to ask. I'll eventually get back to you with a straight answer. Later 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWPreston1969 Posted May 28 Share Posted May 28 I have a 17xlvee with a 150 Mariner and I love it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User GaryH Posted May 28 Super User Share Posted May 28 Congrats on your new boat. 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted May 28 Super User Share Posted May 28 First off, glad you & your wife were OK after that sub-surface collision. Next, thanks for the great write up and Finally, Congrats on your new rig. Sounds like one sweet set up and I'm looking forward to the pics. Nicely Done Sir. A-Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted May 28 BassResource.com Administrator Share Posted May 28 3 1/2 years later.... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted May 28 Super User Share Posted May 28 4 minutes ago, Glenn said: 3 1/2 years later.... Darn it~ They got me @Glenn I hate it when that happens. A-Jay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User J._Bricker Posted May 28 Super User Share Posted May 28 I’m guessing the photos of the boat got lost at the Kodak Kiosk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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