Hey Guys

Been reading the forums awhile now and appreciate all of the useful information.

I'm looking into getting a new boat and would like your opinion if you don't mind...

I do a lot of fishing through out the year (mostly bass in lakes and some river trips) but close down shop for duck season and need a boat that can handle both.

I don't think a mud motor of any kind would fit my needs as much as a decent sized outboard would.

My question is in your opinions which brand would you choose and why for bass fishing with duck capabilities?

Tracker Grizzly
War Eagle
Xpress
Lowe
Excel
Alumacraft
Ect...

Thanks

No on the grizzly tracker. No Bueno

Kelly

G3


end thread.

I hunt and fish out of a 17' Xpress. Shallows during duck season still give me fits.

I run a 17' War Eagle w/50hp Merc. Agree with Mr. Amos, it's hard to sneak back in shallows without a mud motor.

sea ark for me. buudy has a center console and it can handle the waves good and hold all your gear. they are great boats.

the problem with the ones you have listed is you can not design the interior layout the way you want it....They are not bad boats but if you want to design it to your needs most of the above will not do it. I would call Gator Trax and have them build a boat you want. I went through this same issue last year. I also went with a outboard. I decided on the Yamaha 70 four stroke. good luck

Thanks for the info.

Any thoughts on a center console?

Rodney I've looked at the gator trax boats online just about every day for few months and really love them...it just seems they would be way more expensive

Basic boat 5000 to 6500
Yamaha 90hp 10000 (just the first I looked up)
Plus 2000 for a trailer and thats before designing it

I hunt out of an 18' Xpress and can get into the shallows ok just have to find the spot get as shallow as motor will allow and walk it in the res of the way..here is a pic....

The gator trax I've seen have very low sides, that's not what I want if the wind get up. Check out the sea ark boats they have lots of configurations.

Kelly

Some Gator Trax has high sides,here is some pics of the inside depth of my Gator Trax boat.

16' War Eagle with a 30 hp Honda cause I have one for sale. LOL

Anytime Kelvin you need to have someone quality check your boat, I'm your man!!! dang I could do some damage with that boat

Kelly

How do you like that flooring on the gator trax? I saw one the other day at Bass Pro and wondered how durable it was?

Nice open layout, Kelvin.

Gator Trax offers just about any size/layout you can dream up. I have owned and run a 1744 and now my 1750 intimGator. The 1744 had 18" sides. Learned a valuable lesson one certain lake out west one season that that wasn't gonna cut it. My 1750 has 21" sides which come standard on all 50" bottomed G Trax boats. I have sold just about every size and configuration you can think of over the 8 years I have been a dealer for them here in Texas. Have even hunted out of several of my customers boats so I have a good feel for what each size and/or layout offers. IMO, the 1850 ( w/ 21" sides) is the best all around size for hunting and fishing. Plenty of space to haul guys and gear to the blind and plenty of elbow room for fishing during the spring/summer. If you are not in a hurry to buy you might want to wait and check out the new MB Sport V (available in console steering or tiller)that will be available starting in Aug. Yes, it is a short tail mm, but has the shift control and trim switch on tiller like an outboard. Will it run as fast as a 90 outboard? No, but the modded version of this motor will run 30's with a load and that is plenty when chasing ducks and adequate when running around on lakes/rivers when fishing. Excel now offers a hull made with .125 5086 aluminum that is worth a look as well.Feel free to gimme a shout if you'd like more info. Would be glad to answer any questions you may have. My cell number is in my sig. I will behosting my annual Caddo Lake get together on April 28 and we are hoping to have a few of these new Sport V's there on G Trax's and Excel's for guys to run. Click on this thread for more info on the event:

http://www.texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/3024330/1

Rick

Cad of the new Sport V tiller model



My 1750 with MB HD7000

Man that hide has got to be some of the most durable stuff you can put on the floor of any boat.It cleans up very well,I have had every thing on that floor from bird blood to swamp mud and there is not a trace of it in the material after its been cleaned out for the seasons end.
Also in the summer it is a God send in an aluminum boat,"let me be the first to tell ya",with out it when that boat heats up it will make you jump out of it boy.
The lay out that you see in my boat cost me around $350 and I put it in myself.Call Gator Trax and they will hook you right up.

Kelly, I always got a seat for you and JJ.

The material Kelvin is referring to is called hydroturf. And, IMO, it is a must in any aluminum boat. Anyone needing any just give me a shout....I have some in stock.

I decided on the center console...I also agree that hydro turf is great stuff.

Rick what's the ballpark range for a basic 1850 with about a 50hp outboard with a side console, front and back decks for fishing and a rod/gun box all the way down the passenger side?

Pm at ya

kelly we know youre scared of mud boats and mud motors dont lie lol

I use my 18" xpress for exactly what you are asking about with great results. Tons of fishing time on it but also use it to get around for duck hunting.

What model Xpress are you guys running?

friends don't let friends buy a Tracker Grizzly ...