Looking To Buy A New Deep V Aluminum Boat - Opinions Needed

[fishinwrench]

Not meant for flyrods? Malarkey! Only if you load it down with so many "accessories" that you have no place to drop some line.

My flats jon has no seats, cleats, latches, or foot controls to constantly be grabbing my line. All I have to be mindful of is my stupid FEET....and I'd remove those irritating basturds if I could.

[kjackson]

Three words: Lund, Crestliner and Alumacraft. I've had experience with all three and found each to be a good, good boat. I have only ridden in one Lowe, so I don't know anything about them, but the brand does have a good reputation.

I'm looking for a used one of the big three, but what I'm looking for specifically is a bit harder to find in bass country than it is up north. You're starting at a good time as "year-end-clearance" sales are underway.

If you want me to throw in a wrench, Ranger aluminum is expanding its line this fall/winter, and word is there will be at least one deep vee in the offering.

Good luck in your search.

[Old plug]

I got a 18 ft tracker targa. It is 11 years old it can take anything LOZ can throw at it. It has a 115 merc 4 stroke that wrench is very envious of. I do not like the new Targa's. They are almost more fish and ski than fishing. The front casting deck is really to tiny to be practical. Only problem I have had with the boat itself is there is a filler hose under the floor leaking that fills both the front live well and the bait well as well. The motor I have had only a problem with fuel jets. The 115 merc on mine us in fact a Yama. They put filters in the tiny jets and they clog up very very fast. Dealer puched them out and there has been no more problems.

[Old plug]

I would not want to use a fly rod in a deep v toooo much to get line hung up on. Before i stopped with a fly rod all together i tried one in my boat. It was no fun i assure you. We drove by the factor in Lebanon on 44 a couple weeks ago and i may be wrong but some conglomerate owns Lund and several more boat makers now. The plant was where the old G3 was. Maybe they own the works i do not know.

[Wayne SW/MO]

If you're going to fill it with young ballast you might also look at these. Lots of room and seats to keep everyone from wanting to go home too soon.

http://seaarkboats.net/procat-240/

[Smalliebigs]

I'll second Wayne on this, I have a 20 foot SeaArk and it handles water pretty good but, I have a friend that has the Procat 240 and it is really nice in choppy water for a fishing boat. My boat and that boat have an 18 degree hull from the transom to the front and they plane up well. I think Wayne is right lots of room to walk around for the kids and you can fish the hell out of it. I would put at least a 225 on it and as Wrench said go with the Etec fo sure.

If you're going to fill it with young ballast you might also look at these. Lots of room and seats to keep everyone from wanting to go home too soon.

http://seaarkboats.net/procat-240/

[Old plug]

That boat better have a deeper v than it appears it does in that picture. LOZ would tear that boat to pieces. I cannot imagine speeding around LOZ in it. Last tournament I fished in ,the boater had a 21 ft bass boat with a 250 merc on it. We had to fish mid lake and weighed in at Public beach #2 on a saturday afternoon. Let me tell you it was a cruel ride.

[J-Doc]

So you feel Targa handles rough water much better than most bass boats? (Most meaning not brand specific). I would think it does. I looked at a Lowe tonight. Its a massive hull compared to a bass boat. Looks like a s.all shrimp boat! Lol!

[Old plug]

No i do not think there is much difference in big deep V boats ability to handle rough water. But here on LOZ it really gets violent out there on weekends. The boat in the picture was so wide Up front i cannot imagine it having the water cutting ability we need here.? I may be wrong. I have never seen one like that. But it is 94 inches wide and the bow looks pretty blunt to me. I just do not think it is a true deep v.

[Feathers and Fins]

If you're going to fill it with young ballast you might also look at these. Lots of room and seats to keep everyone from wanting to go home too soon.

http://seaarkboats.net/procat-240/

I had to look around a little but that boats bow sweep look more like a modified V for John Boats. Probably good for rivers but not for the big lakes here is the pics I found of it http://www.hookedoncatfish.com/Ark.html that bow area on the hull is not what I would call a Deep-V design. There homepage sucks for seeing things