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Glass Boat Questions

Spurhunter

Spurhunter

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I've never owned a glass boat, but I'm really wanting to sell my Xpress and go glass since the lake I fish all the time gets so rough. If I do it I will look at used 21 foot bass boats with 250hp outboards. I don't care about speed as much as rough water ride and fishability. I would love to have a Champion, but they stopped making boats in 2010 and if you find a garage kept, well cared for Champ less than 20 years old they want your first born son as payment. Please answer some or all that you have knowledge on. On to the questions:

1) What is the best riding bass boat model for rough water?

2) How old can you safely go without increasing the possibility of stress cracks, soft wood, soft transom? (Nobody likes soft wood.) I won't consider a boat that wasn't garage kept out of the weather.

3) What manufacturers should be avoided?
 
I can't help ya with glass but maybe look at deeper v aluminum like a Lund. I say that cause just last night I was cruising about 35mph - 40mph in my xpress and hit something so hard that it sent the boat sideways. I can guarantee with a glass boat. I'd be looking at some expensive repairs on the hull. It put one heck of a hook in the bottom of my xpress and gave my stainless steel prop a beating on one blade.
 
Ranger VX models in the 2000-2007 range from my research is one of the most comfortable rides ever made.
I took my time and found a 2004 520dvx (2 owner military) with a yamaha 225. It has been a great boat and needs nothing really unless I wanted to replace the carpet which is not in bad shape. You can still find them and some being redone....they do old a pretty good value.
This is my first glass going from 18-20' aluminum rigs.

It is a learning curve on boat control while fishing but handles so much better!
 
1] Lots of good riding boats on the market now. Normally the longer and heavier the hull the better it takes rough water but knowing how to drive any boat, no matter its size, is just as crucial.

2] Most boat manufacturers started going composite in the mid 2000's so that does lessen the worry of getting into transom rot issues. Weather is the biggest harm with a boat so only considering one that has been garage-kept has you on the right track.

3] most boat companies have all had to step up their production processes the last two decades to stay sustainable. Most of the lesser brand boats have either shut down or have been bought out by other manufacturers. I don't know if you are looking at new boats or just used but scrutinize any boat heavily that was made before 2005.
 
sll said:
scrutinize any boat heavily that was made before 2005.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the response! 2005 was my absolute cut off. That's basically a 20 years old. I'm probably going to look more at 2010 and up. The newer the better. I see a lot of Nitros for sale, but I always hear that they weren't made as well as others.
 
Hduke86 said:
I can't help ya with glass but maybe look at deeper v aluminum like a Lund. I say that cause just last night I was cruising about 35mph - 40mph in my xpress and hit something so hard that it sent the boat sideways. I can guarantee with a glass boat. I'd be looking at some expensive repairs on the hull. It put one heck of a hook in the bottom of my xpress and gave my stainless steel prop a beating on one blade.
Click to expand...
What the heck did you hit?
 
X-Tennessean said:
Ranger VX models in the 2000-2007 range from my research is one of the most comfortable rides ever made.
I took my time and found a 2004 520dvx (2 owner military) with a yamaha 225. It has been a great boat and needs nothing really unless I wanted to replace the carpet which is not in bad shape. You can still find them and some being redone....they do old a pretty good value.
This is my first glass going from 18-20' aluminum rigs.

It is a learning curve on boat control while fishing but handles so much better!
Click to expand...
I do like Rangers!
 
I run a 522 ranger that can take a beating, but they are pretty hard to come by. If I bought a new boat tomorrow it likely wouldn't be a ranger considering the changes. Phoenix and bass cat would be on my short list. I have seen some legends I really liked but have no first hand experience.

I think you will find a good hull easier than a solid motor. I despise a mercury and those opti motors have cost me a fortune. I grenaded my last one at 294 hours. Had good luck with the only verado I ran.
 
season 9 shipwreck GIF
 
I have rode in a lot of glass boats over the years, Stratos, Triton, Ranger, Allison, Bumblebee, Astro and several tin boats G3, Xpress, Tracker etc.

The smoothest ride in white cap conditions was a Ranger glass boat. I had three Stratos and they rode really good too in heavy wake and waves.
 
Redfox said:
I run a 522 ranger that can take a beating, but they are pretty hard to come by. If I bought a new boat tomorrow it likely wouldn't be a ranger considering the changes. Phoenix and bass cat would be on my short list. I have seen some legends I really liked but have no first hand experience.

I think you will find a good hull easier than a solid motor. I despise a mercury and those opti motors have cost me a fortune. I grenaded my last one at 294 hours. Had good luck with the only verado I ran.
Click to expand...
Phoenix and Bass Cat are on the short list. I wouldn't buy a Johnny Morris Ranger, but pre BPS for sure.
 
Champion, Triton, Phoenix, Stratos would be my picks. I despise a Ranger. I wouldn't buy a Nitro. I think the 9 series Phoenix is supposed to ride better than the 7 series. Might be a good idea to post this question on bass boat central.
 
Ranger and wouldn't be scared of one older than a 2005 if it was in good shape.I have a couple buddies with 522 rangers and in my opinion they are the best roding/fishing boat.Also look under the front of what ever boat you buy,water/wave slap if it has a cup in the hull.By cup just think of it like cupping you hand and slspping water the popping sound it makes.Alot of your newer boat slap pretty good with the nose in the wind.
 

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