Super User TOXIC Posted March 28 Super User Share Posted March 28 I’m not advocating any brand because of the boats you listed or any boats you are looking at for that matter, you need to know the issues with any of them. Lund, Phoenix, Ranger (I am an administrator on an owners page) or any other brand will have owners pages and will contain the most prevalent problems. Keeping in mind that the internet is the biggest gripe outlet, so you have to wade through a lot of BS but there is good information in there as well. Likewise you need to run every option of boat on the water and you will find that one boat will “fit” you better than all the others. That’s a fact. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishoptf Posted March 31 Author Share Posted March 31 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? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Functional Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 not apples to apples given the boat I have but I'd prefer a bigger motor to get on plane faster with a full load and potentially a passenger or 2. My boat runs fast enough for me but my biggest issues is getting out of the hole if I have more than myself in the boat or decently choppy water. Youd have to look at fuel numbers but a 150hp motor running 4k rpm to hit 50mph vs a 200 at 3k to hit 50 you should be looking at less fuel consumption and less motor wear. Its common around here but with the experience I currently have I do believe in getting the biggest motor the boat can handle when you settle on a boat. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishoptf Posted April 1 Author Share Posted April 1 20 minutes ago, Functional said: not apples to apples given the boat I have but I'd prefer a bigger motor to get on plane faster with a full load and potentially a passenger or 2. My boat runs fast enough for me but my biggest issues is getting out of the hole if I have more than myself in the boat or decently choppy water. Youd have to look at fuel numbers but a 150hp motor running 4k rpm to hit 50mph vs a 200 at 3k to hit 50 you should be looking at less fuel consumption and less motor wear. Its common around here but with the experience I currently have I do believe in getting the biggest motor the boat can handle when you settle on a boat. Yup understand and I am leaning towards the 19's, they either come with a 200 or 225. The 18's are just so much cheaper and I like cheaper, lol. Funny I can find lots of 18's and 20's for sale, not many 19's though. Actually find a lot more of the 20's and up, again I'm not a tournament fisherman etc, if it takes me 5 min longer to get somewhere etc, no big deal. Honestly I am running a 18 Ranger 180 v/s with a 115 optimax, anything is going to be light years better than what I currently have. I just saw more 18's out there and looking at the dimensions had me thinking, my current preference is to go with a 19' boat, not crazy about the dual axle trailer but understand that its better for towing etc. Still not sure what boat and trailer will be for a 19ft boat and dual axle trailer, I think it will be around 3500 but still a guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishoptf Posted April 1 Author Share Posted April 1 No one shoot me but you don't hear much about triton these days, I do see some out there, looking at the 19 trx patriot anyone have any opinion on them? Build quality etc, my guess would be better than a nitro but maybe not as good as skeeter, or phoenix. Just wondering how they ride an if anyone has any opinion on them etc, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NYBasser Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Triton, Nitro, and Ranger are all owned by White River Marine aka Bass Pro. You'd get much better customer service after the purchase at Phoenix/Skeeter imo. If money is your greatest concern then go with an 18ft boat. That being said, I've fished Ozarks a couple times out of my Phoneix 920 and those yacht wakes are no joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User J Francho Posted April 1 Super User Share Posted April 1 @Functional hole shots are about torque and lift from the prop. HP isn't always the cure, though more is always better, lol. You might consider re-propping over re-powering to get a better hole shot. It's a ton less expensive. In my old Bullet, a 27 cupped 4-blade got me up on plane in less than three seconds at around 16-17 mph. A three blade polished and plugged 31 took what seemed a mile and forever to get on plane, but ran another 8 or mph faster at WOT trimmed out properly. I realize this isn't totally related, but could be helpful. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawgfinder Posted April 1 Share Posted April 1 Horsepower rating is there for a reason. Have a boat dealer here notorious for advertising lower prices because he has lower horsepower motors on his boats and people don’t realize how long it takes to get on plane no matter the prop and crappy resale value for anyone paying attention. A 20’ boat with a a 150 hp motor is unethical salesmanship imo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User J Francho Posted April 1 Super User Share Posted April 1 Not test driving is just as bad. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Catt Posted April 2 Super User Share Posted April 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Functional Posted April 2 Share Posted April 2 Not sure if you have the space for it but be on the lookout for leftover 20s you might be able to snag for a 19s price if they are so plentiful. Either way buy what you really want the first time around. You may think you are saving money but in the end youll end up paying more when a few years down the road the nagging in your head wins and you buy the 19. A common phrase is "buy once, cry once". @J Francho I looked at new props and motor height changes but I'd be giving up too much on the top. Supposedly the 60 on my tracker comes setup all around optimally as is. Also the amount of times I have someone else in the boat are slim...if it happens more often/consistently I'll likely just end up selling the boat and getting something bigger. With the price of used boats I can actually get as much if not more than what I bought it for in 2013. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishoptf Posted April 2 Author Share Posted April 2 31 minutes ago, Functional said: Not sure if you have the space for it but be on the lookout for leftover 20s you might be able to snag for a 19s price if they are so plentiful. Either way buy what you really want the first time around. You may think you are saving money but in the end youll end up paying more when a few years down the road the nagging in your head wins and you buy the 19. A common phrase is "buy once, cry once". @J Francho I looked at new props and motor height changes but I'd be giving up too much on the top. Supposedly the 60 on my tracker comes setup all around optimally as is. Also the amount of times I have someone else in the boat are slim...if it happens more often/consistently I'll likely just end up selling the boat and getting something bigger. With the price of used boats I can actually get as much if not more than what I bought it for in 2013. Yeah understand, I think the 20's are just 2 big, not sure I could get it to fit in my garage even side to side and I have a midsize truck plus I am a *cough* older guy and not getting older and not sure I am going to be able to muscle the 19 around in the garage. What is interesting about the Tritons that I see online at basspro is they have no electronics, would allow me to set that up the way that I want vs getting some helix 7's etc that some of the others have. These are 23's and they have had them for a long time, will be interesting to see at some point I assume they will want to part ways with them. My one concern with the triton is will white river continue to produce them or at some point will they fold up shop. Thanks for all the suggestions etc, going to start another thread about electronic options... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishoptf Posted April 3 Author Share Posted April 3 One of the issues that I am having which is normal is I see some units that I would be interested in but they have them priced much higher than I believe they should be. I mean if I can purchase a 23 model for the same price brand new, well a 2021 even with low hours shouldn't be selling for the same price at least I my mind. I know things have been pretty crazy past few years but I think things have kind of settled down. I know some folks get offended when you offer them much less than what they have stated, just going to keep looking and see what comes along. There are plenty of 20ft boats and larger out there, just fewer of the 19's for sure. Basspro has boating centers and a website but trying to actually talk to someone in another location has been a major pain, they have some boats that I would be interested in but trying to find out what all the options are and out the door price has been interesting to say the least, lol. I did make one decision last night, I am going to run lithiums for sure, I plan on running a 24v setup and planning on going with 4 batteries, 1 starter that will be traditional LeadAcid, 1 House dedicated to the graphs and 2 for the trolling motors. I may not need the house battery but I see lots of folks doing things that way. Will be running one of these - https://smartshoremarine.com/products/trollbridge-12x24-for-lithium-batteries and if I want to go with the additional house battery then I will add this to the mix also - https://smartshoremarine.com/products/battery-combiner-100-for-lithium-batteries I have this setup in my current boat and was one of the first when they came out back in 2010-2011, works awesome and has never let me down. On my current lake I have a community slip with my lift but no access to shore power, this unit charges all your batteries when the main engine is running, as long as you do some running you should stay topped off since the alternators usually throw out a good bit of amperage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Functional Posted April 3 Share Posted April 3 @bishoptf not sure if you plan on financing any of this purchase but keep in mind youll likely pay a higher interest rate if you bought used. For me factoring that in with any financing it would have to be a good bit cheaper than a new boat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishoptf Posted April 3 Author Share Posted April 3 7 minutes ago, Functional said: @bishoptf not sure if you plan on financing any of this purchase but keep in mind youll likely pay a higher interest rate if you bought used. For me factoring that in with any financing it would have to be a good bit cheaper than a new boat. Yup understand, no one is having any great financing right now that I can see. Lots had some stuff up through end of March but haven't seen anything come out. Via my local bank I am already approved for a certain amount, I am at a point where I can pay cash or a combination etc., but I agree have to keep all of those things in perspective. One thing that I like about a 2 year old boat is the upgrades, if they have already added shallow water anchors or graph upgrades etc., might be able to find something cheaper. Leaving all my options open and just trying to find what I think is the best bang for my buck kind of thing... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishoptf Posted April 8 Author Share Posted April 8 Here's my update, if I go with my brain I would go with the Lund 1875 Pro V Bass, if I go with my heart it would be a Skeeter zxr19. Some my find this offensive but I kind of look at it this way, I would compare the lund to when I had a mini van, before kids I swore I would never own one, have a couple of kids and man mini vans make traveling with kids a whole lot easier plus they carry a bunch of stuff. The drove fine for the most part not the fastest but made everything easier with the kids. Now the skeeter would be like a sporty car not necessarily a lambo but a low ends sports car, gets where you want pretty fast, can't carry near as much as the van but looks and drives nice. So if money was no option I maybe would have more than one boat but thats not going to happen. Pretty close to calling it and the Lund 1875 Pro V Bass is the leader and just makes more sense. I wish it was longer like 19 and half but the 2075 is to big. Also wish the back deck was a little bigger than what it is but that is a trade off with the jump seats which I think is nice to have if you want to take out a couple of folks on the lake etc. I think the pro's out weigh the cons, will pretty much allow me to fish ANY lake in the midwest and the south and not really have to worry about the conditions being to much for the boat. I don't plan to go out in bad weather but there are some lakes that boat traffic can be a real pain, loz, kentucky etc. I'd just like to have a boat that while it's still a concern the Lund will handle those things a lot better and still be a nice platform to fish nice from. The 19ft Skeeter is a nice boat but it's just not going to handle the rougher stuff the same, it may be a wet ride in the Lund but your going to get where you want to be in it. If I could swing a 21ft bassboat then it may be a little more equal but even then I think the 18ft Lund may still be the better boat to be in vs the traditional 21ft bass boat, just my opinion. Thats where I am at currently, if someone would come buy my old boat I would then purchase the Lund. The other downside is the Lund is actually more expensive then the Skeeters I have been looking at or about the same cost but with more and better electronics. Thats pretty crazy that a Tin boat is more expensive than its glass counter part but it is what it is. One other thing is I kind of wanted a dual axle trailer since I will be driving some distances, kind of like the piece of mind having 4 tires vs 2 but almost all the 1875's come on a single axle trailer, its much lighter than the glass boats and it's not needed from a handling standpoint, just me kind of wanting extra tires on the road. I know I could order one with the dual axle trailer but does that make any sense for an 18ft boat? Thanks everyone for the comments, just thought I would post an update. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishoptf Posted April 8 Author Share Posted April 8 Really would like everyones thoughts on single axle vs dual axle trailers. I know the pros and cons for the most part, easier to move single, dual axle peace of mind on trailing etc. Need to really decide if single is good enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted April 8 Super User Share Posted April 8 23 minutes ago, bishoptf said: Need to really decide if single is good enough. If you have it rigged right and are consistent and persistent with your maintenance, single axle performs well. A-Jay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishoptf Posted April 8 Author Share Posted April 8 Just now, A-Jay said: If you have it rigged right and are consistent and persistent with your maintenance, single axle performs well. A-Jay Yeah the dealer said he could swap for a dual axle ($995), they only use Heritage trailers which they say are much nicer than the Shorlander. I've watched your video when you swapped the bunks off of your trailer (yeah I'm that much of a stickler about things) and have a single trailer now but I do not do much trailering at all right now and wanting to change that. Just need to make up my mind. Thanks for the input and quick reply as always. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted April 8 Super User Share Posted April 8 I purchased a custom galvanized trailer rather than painted. Years of experience in the salt water environment sold me. Btw, do your own research, 'the dealer' is trying to pay his mortgage. Good Luck A-Jay 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User gimruis Posted April 8 Super User Share Posted April 8 13 hours ago, bishoptf said: Some my find this offensive but I kind of look at it this way, I would compare the lund to when I had a mini van, before kids I swore I would never own one, have a couple of kids and man mini vans make traveling with kids a whole lot easier plus they carry a bunch of stuff. The drove fine for the most part not the fastest but made everything easier with the kids. Minivans. Man I hate those things lol. We had one as our "family" vehicle growing up and I promised myself I'd never own one. I'm sticking to it. An SUV of various size or a crew cab truck can do everything that a minivan can. I'm glad they're being phased out. Every time I see one, especially with a guy driving, I just shake my head and wonder. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishoptf Posted April 8 Author Share Posted April 8 3 minutes ago, gimruis said: Minivans. Man I hate those things lol. We had one as our "family" vehicle growing up and I promised myself I'd never own one. I'm sticking to it. An SUV of various size or a crew cab truck can do everything that a minivan can. I'm glad they're being phased out. Every time I see one, especially with a guy driving, I just shake my head and wonder. Yeah the sliding doors made it easy for the kids to get in an out, and if i took out the back seats, full sheet of plywood would fit, they really can haul stuff. My midsize pickup truck would have it hanging out the back, lol. I guess what I was saying is the Lund is I believe more versatile and by far has the most storage room. I think will handle any body of water that I would fish and if the weather turned etc I think it would do much better than the other 19ft glass boats. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangerjockey Posted April 8 Share Posted April 8 On 4/1/2024 at 3:48 PM, bishoptf said: No one shoot me but you don't hear much about triton these days, I do see some out there, looking at the 19 trx patriot anyone have any opinion on them? Build quality etc, my guess would be better than a nitro but maybe not as good as skeeter, or phoenix. Just wondering how they ride an if anyone has any opinion on them etc, thanks. I have run Rangers and Champions and now a Triton. I like it every bit as well as the other 2. The Champ is probably the best rough water boat I ever owned but if it's that bad I'll fish off my dock. I think you would be hard pressed to find a bad boat these days. Caymas , I wouldn't touch. A couple of their dealers have closed up around here and they have a bunch of inventory sitting around. If I were buying a new one tomorrow I'd buy the Charger copy of the Champion 210 or 196 and I'd look at the Ikon also. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bishoptf Posted April 8 Author Share Posted April 8 1 minute ago, rangerjockey said: I have run Rangers and Champions and now a Triton. I like every bit as well as the other 2. The Champ is probably the best rough water boat I ever owned but if it'S that bad I'll fish off my dock. I think you would be hard pressed to find a bad boat these days. Caymas , I wouldn't touch. A couple of their dealers have closed up around here and they have a bunch of inventory sitting around. If I were buying a new one tomorrow I'd buy the Charger copy of the Champion 210 or 196 and I'd look at the Ikon also. Leaning towards the Lund 1875 pro v bass right now, funny I could pick up a Triton TRX 19 or a Skeeter zx200 for much less $$. Hard decision I think most of the boats are decent out there but I think the Lund gives me more options, extra seats for taking folks for a ride, better rough water handling then the other 19ft glass boats etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User TOXIC Posted April 8 Super User Share Posted April 8 @bishoptf your logic is solid. As for dual vs single trailer, it’s really a preference since you don’t require it for the weight. Things to consider that would influence my “preference”:are some things you already mentioned like maneuvering a dual vs single depending on your garage setup. While it is nice have 4:on the road there are some drawbacks. You have to replace 4 tires, you have to service 4 bearings and you have the possibility of problems with 2 axles rather than 1. Finally the small amount of additional weight will tax your tow vehicle more and will decrease mpg. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.