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Posts: 709
Location: sun prairie,wi | i am looking for a good musky boat...lets see some pictures of the best musky boats.
tight lines |
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Posts: 774
Location: South East Wisconsin | Look back a few pages. There was a theard about this already. S. Killips |
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Posts: 566
Location: Elgin, IL | I'm finding that the best boat is the one you can get out on. |
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| Tuffy X190.
runs fast (60mph), handles the rough stuff, fishes great, close to the water.
rod locker that'll swallow 9' rods and more storage than you know what to do with.
'nuff said.
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| All above answers are absolutely false with the exception of "the one you can get your hands on."
Brand names mean nothing. Motor choice means nothing. It's what the wife/girlfriend/mistress wants.
Screw it, don't get a boat. Just get a pair of neoprene waders and shorefish. Easier to conceal from a female than a boat. |
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Posts: 814
| The best boat is one that's PAID for!
If it floats, has a troling motor, decent locator, and outboard that's all you really need. Just remember there is no best! get what you can afford and get to it, last time I checked the fish don't care what you fish out of..... |
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Posts: 315
| just like my dad says "i catch just as many fish out of this $3000 boat thats paid for than the next guy in his $50k boat thatll take him forever to pay off"
= )
-brian- |
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Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin | The best musky boat is the one that runs every time when you turn the key, press the button, or pull the rope. The one that comes back in every time at the end of the day. The one that doesn't need to stop for gas every day. The one you don't need to worry about how you are going to make the next payment. The one that lets you have fun while you are out there fishing.
I've fished from 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.5 foot aluminum boats, from 16, 17, 18, and 19 foot glass boats and seen people using pontoon boats to fish muskies. You adapt to what the boat can do. You modify your fishing to take advantage of your boat's strengths and cover up its weaknesses.
If you are lucky enough to be able to choose any boat you want the decision can be based on what waters you fish the most and how you fish them. You can get a boat that plays to your abilities. There are a lot of good boats out there from many different companies and to name the "best" for you is impossible because every person responding would be biased by their own fishing experiences which probably don't correspond to yours.
I changed the types of fishing I've done and as I drifted away from big open water salmon/trout fishing there was no more need of a boat that would handle the big waves and amounts of equipment needed. As a result I now run a boat that is more suited to my current fishing that entails smaller lakes in WI and MI and making longer runs on Canadian medium to large sized shield lakes that aren't as open. It gave me advantages of a faster and smoother ride, more room up front for my rods, easier handling with the bow mount and less $$$ at the gas pump. I traded off away better handling in waves three feet high and higher, which as I said, isn't that often any more. Not that the rig won't run in the bigger waves, just not as good as the deep-V I had and not as dry because the sides are lower. Those are the decisions you need to make for yourself.
That said, here's my rig. Tuffy X-190, a mighty fine rig for me.
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Posts: 17
Location: Minnetonka | Whats being done to better balance these X 190s? They both appear very stern heavy. Where are the gas tanks and batteries and whats being planned by the manufacturer to have hul sit closer to level? |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The hull sits exactly as it should in the above images with no passenger load. Gas tank is amidships, batteries for the trolling motor up front. I drove one for a year, and it was far from stern heavy. Keep in mind this is a low profile rig, and is a high performance hull. Both the rigs have a 200 HP motor and a kicker on the rear as well. There's maybe 6" of freeboard under the water in the rear, IF that much.
My experience. |
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Posts: 295
Location: Southern Ontario, Detroit River and Lake StClair | All depends on how and where you fish. If your a troller the best boat isn't going to be the same boat as if you're a caster. If you fish farther south or not late in the season and different boat maybe in order than if you fish the north and fish late in the year. The boat I'm running now if a LOWE Roughneck 1860 VT. It's a modifed-vee all welded aluminum. It's not fancy by any means. It only runs 34mph top end BUT I can fish with it any where and any time I want. I get into some bays with rock bars across the mouth that guy's with high dollar rigs and glass boat avoid like the plague. I fish so late in the year that I'm breaking ice at the ramp and out to the main water for at least 2-3 weeks at the end of the season. You can't do that with a glass boat.
Your best off making a list of what your requirements are taking into account things like the weather and, seasons and bodies of water you fish and then go down it with the different boats you like checking things off. The one with the most checks is the best boat for you.
Good Luck and Good Fishin'
Tim
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Posts: 709
Location: sun prairie,wi | thanx alot roughneck ...you make alot ofgood points i am planing on getting something in the spring....
tight lines
www.mycustomlures.com |
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Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin | Stern heavy , yes certainly in this picture. There was most likely 10 galons of water in the livewell in addition to the motors a 3.3L two stroke and a 9.9HP 4-stroke that weighs a ton for a little motor, plus there is a jackplate on the back giving the motor even more leverage on the hull and most likely there was about 5-7 gallons of water in the bilge. But running, I think I could set the motor back even farther than the 5.5" and still have not be at a critical weight distribution. There are two batteries, the bow mount, four tackle boxes, 12 rods, 20# anchor, rod holders, planer boards, drift sock, boat clothes for three, four smaller tackle boxes in storage, and other misc. items stored up front. |
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Posts: 232
Location: Sun Prairie, WI | If it floats, it is a good boat. If you need a boat to show the other guys or to stay up with them, then you are fishing for the wrong reasons.
$100 row boat or a $ 50,000 Ranger, the fish don't know the difference. |
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Posts: 395
Location: NW WI | IMO Tuffy boats offer the most stable platform to fish from. But the "best" boat to fish from is the one that gets you on the water and is the best fit for your situation.
Ask me......I went through this all 4-10 weeks ago!  |
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Posts: 548
Location: MN | Ifishskis - 9/20/2009 5:41 PM
IMO Tuffy boats offer the most stable platform to fish from. But the "best" boat to fish from is the one that gets you on the water and is the best fit for your situation.
Ask me......I went through this all 4-10 weeks ago! :)
I'm going through it right now...  |
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| What ever you can afford and whatever is stable! I have a little 14.5' smoker craft that I use, I will not be able to go out on any really big lakes but we don't have them around here anyway. I fish mainly rivers and streams so I bought it for what I fish. Remember, one thing about boats..... you can always modify them to what you need reguarding storage or seating (within reason) mine had 3 really high bench seats I cut the middle out of the center one and created 2 side seats with a clear through the middle so I could walk easier. I tied the seats back into the floor on the rib and it's strudy and functional. Like they said find what works for you or what has potential to work for you then make it your boat.
Jacob |
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Posts: 620
Location: Seymour, WI | There is tons of good info in this thread.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=40... |
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Posts: 550
Location: So. Illinois | Factor in the water you will be fishing, the price point you are willing to pay, and the features you want in a boat. Do your research and watch all the different resources where boats are listed for sale. You will be surprised what comes available. I needed a family boat for general outings (tubing, swimming, water skiing and an occasional fishing trip) at the time I bought my boat. I found a older (1986) 19 foot runabout and converted the bow by adding a floor, access hatch covers and trolling motor. It's a stable deep V that I can (and do) take on big water to fish or still use with the family for skiing or tubing. Paid for it up front for under 4K. Been using it now for 10 years with few problems. I spend more time on the water than my friends who have boats costing 30 - 45K. It's not the fastest boat on the water (top end is 36 fully loaded and gased with two large adults with a comfortable crusing speed of 31 at 3600 RPMs) but it gets me to where I need to go. When I first bought it, I convinced myself that I was making due unitil I could afford a real "fishing boat for Muskies." My kids are now grown and I no longer need a family boat. I can afford an expensive muskie boat but I don't want, or need a new boat because what I have is reliable, inexpensive and I don't have to worry about what it looks like (a few dings or scratches add character to the old boat). Don't worry about keeping up with the Jones'es and don't be conned into the mentality that you need the newest and the best to be properly outfitted to fish for muskies -- that's what the dealer reps want you to believe. The fish don't care what your boat looks like, but you have to be happy with the purchase you make and the costs you will incur in relation to the amount of time you actuallly spend on the water. A 35K Tuffy or a 50K Ranger look great but I can look at my family and smile knowing my money is going into a retirement fund and helping to pay college tuition vs. a 10 year bank note on a boat. If a new boat is your thing, have at it and enjoy your time on the water; but I really enjoy the fact that my costs are so low and I have the same access to water and success as the "new boat crowd."
Oh, one other thing..... "nuf said."
Sorry , couldn't help it ;^)
J
Edited by AFChief 11/24/2009 6:50 PM
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Posts: 300
Location: Minocqua, WI | mskyhntr - 9/19/2009 9:46 PM
The best boat is one that's PAID for!
If it floats, has a troling motor, decent locator, and outboard that's all you really need. Just remember there is no best! get what you can afford and get to it, last time I checked the fish don't care what you fish out of.....
I don't know you, but I already like the way you think and see things.
Proof from a poor college kid.
$600 ebay and then fix it up yourself with some modest bells and whistles. Enjoy!
Sorry for having most of my Bass gear in there. HA!
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| Got a question for you with the X-190s. If you remove the rear storage boxes/deck extension, is there one or 2 seat bases under there? I haven't been able to find an answer on this yet and the website doesn't show it. If there's only one, it would unfortunately be a deal breaker as I need 4 bases. Unless someone has any other ideas on how to have 4 seats in the boat. |
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| there are 2 bases under the rear deck extension, for a total of 4 in the cockpit.
the rear deck removes easily, takes just a couple of minutes.
drop me a line if you'd like more detailed photos or information:
[email protected]
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Posts: 145
| AndrewR - 9/23/2009 11:52 AM
mskyhntr - 9/19/2009 9:46 PM
The best boat is one that's PAID for!
If it floats, has a troling motor, decent locator, and outboard that's all you really need. Just remember there is no best! get what you can afford and get to it, last time I checked the fish don't care what you fish out of.....
I don't know you, but I already like the way you think and see things.
Proof from a poor college kid.
$600 ebay and then fix it up yourself with some modest bells and whistles. Enjoy!
Sorry for having most of my Bass gear in there. HA!
Thats a sweet little rig! I can't wait to get mine completed but I have decided to fish out of it for a while, save some cash and decide what I want to do to make it mine all mine. I paid $500 for a 14.5 smoker craft, trailer, fish finder, gas can, and a 9.9 evinrude that was not working at the time but later to find out that it had a hole in the carb (jb weld to the rescue). It needs paint but I work at a paint shop other than that it's dry and stable.
Jacob |
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Posts: 75
Location: Aurora, IL. | I agree on what has been said about everyones rig they are all great boats. I have owned and fished in about all of them from a Lund Rebel many years ago to a Ranger 620 today. It really doesnt matter to the fish what you fish from. The only reason I catch more muskies today than I did 30 years ago is because of having more experience on the waters I fish and maybe a little more knowlede picked up over the years. That being said I really must say the Ranger 620 is the best platform I have ever fished from. From fishability to ride it is simply great. Yes it costs a bunch but it was a decision I made that has made me happy every time I put her in the water.
Good Luck!
Gun |
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Posts: 743
| lambeau - 9/23/2009 12:58 PM
there are 2 bases under the rear deck extension, for a total of 4 in the cockpit.
the rear deck removes easily, takes just a couple of minutes.
drop me a line if you'd like more detailed photos or information:
[email protected]
Tuffys look great on the outside ,but looking at the floor space or cockpit as as the elitist like to call it, well, there isn't any. Don't you take any tackle boxes or just put everything in Planos and in the storage compartments? Then where do you put all the other odds and ends that would normally go into the storage compartments? Give me a boat with floor space and decent sized front deck for casting. Oops,I bet this gets deleted.
Edited by KSauers 9/23/2009 4:55 PM
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Location: Twin Cities | Ranger 69_ for me. This one is going to get pryed out of my cold dead hands... |
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Posts: 311
Location: Ontario | Try any of those boats in Dec with an ice-locked ramp and a hwy covered in salt, sand and slush. There's a real good case for a 14' deep V and a reliable 15 or 25hp two stroke. Duck boat! The boat's gotta be the biggest muskie status symbol of them all. I'm with bn, like the fish care at all. My '03 Lund will be paid off next month and the 90hp 4 stroke Yamaha has never given me a hiccup. Its the best boat in the world in this guy's opinion. |
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Posts: 1456
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | The best boat is the one you are happy fishing out of. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Almost-B-Good - 9/20/2009 7:48 AM
The best musky boat is the one that runs every time when you turn the key, press the button, or pull the rope. The one that comes back in every time at the end of the day. The one that doesn't need to stop for gas every day. The one you don't need to worry about how you are going to make the next payment. The one that lets you have fun while you are out there fishing.
I believe you just described a canoe. |
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Posts: 433
Location: Cedarburg, Wisconsin | No, I've been in the Boundry Waters canoeing before and I've seen some that never made it back. Didn't know you could do something like that to a canoe. I think they had to get out the 44 and put it out of its misery. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Almost-B-Good - 9/25/2009 6:55 AM
No, I've been in the Boundry Waters canoeing before and I've seen some that never made it back. Didn't know you could do something like that to a canoe. I think they had to get out the 44 and put it out of its misery.
So true. Makes you wonder about the ones driving the canoe. Haha! |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Best boat...
No such thing.
We have a 14' aluminum powered with a Suzi 9.9 4 stroke. It's an old beater we redid that Keith found in the weeds in a guys back yard, and it's the 'best' to hit small lakes with crap landings, or waters that require a little rig like Wabicon/ORielly. Great boat for tiny lakes or extremely shallow water accesses.
We have an old Patriot 1690 with a 40 HP 4 stroke, great puddle jumper for muskies, bass, and pannies where the landings are improved but tough for anything larger than 16'.
I loved my Tuffy X190 for the waters with good landings and for the big stuff.
Keith and I are currently rebuilding a 1995 Tuffy Esox LTD with side by side seating, rear deck, etc. Can't wait to get her on the water, but we have quite a bit of work to do on her yet.
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Posts: 3868
| My humble 14' BlueFin w/ 15hp merc (with a 55# MinnKota "Kicker") cost my Dad and I about $500 15 years ago. Early '70's boat and late 90's motor. It was pretty funny to see it at the slips at a big Cass Lake outing along all those other wonderful muskie boats. It was interesting, too, that almost every boat owner came over and checked out my little boat, most saying "Yup, that's just about what I had when I started out." Know what? Last week I tilted the motor up a notch and increased my top speed from 23mph to 25mph. I think I even have a "hole shot" now, but to tell the truth I don't really know that term means except as related to porn.
(Stella Shot From Above.JPG)
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Posts: 529
Location: Not Where I Want To Be | I had that identical Boat 20 some years ago. If it could talk it would tell stories. |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Lots of good advice here. The bottom line is the "best boat" varies from person to person. What works for one will not work well for others. You just have to find a boat that matches your style of fishing and size of lake you fish and one that is affordable. For instance, a boat designed for Mille Lacs or LOTW may not be the best boat on the smaller metro lakes and vice versa.
The important thing is the fish don't care about your boat. No fish has ever hit a lure because the guy throwing it had a fancy boat. I have known many people who have bought new boats thinking it would help only to find they caught the same number of fish as with the old boat. I've been there and done that too. |
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| I personally do not like the bass boats like Rangers and the Tuffy's mentioned. I do not like the high casting decks. You catch a fish and you have to get down on your knees to unhook it. I like the Alumacrafts and Lunds with a higher freeboard. They both have raised decks in front but if you hook a fish you can step down into the boat, net it and in many cases in my Alumacraft, I can sit on the side rod locker and unhook the fish. A lot easier on the knees, you'll see when you get older this means a lot! |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | From the deck of a 1700, 1760, X190, or Esox Magnum, it's literally a snap to reach the fish in the water from anywhere in the boat. The Esox Deep V series have plenty of freeboard, in fact they were originally configured and are still sold as big water Walleye Boats. The only Tuffy that could be compared to a bass boat is an X190, and that isn't either...it's a big water boat offering low profile access to the fish and the water.
Lund now offers the Predator series, kick butt muskie style interiors in a big water, lower profile aluminum rig. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | best boat...i agree, no such thing...(though I do love Rangers! )) best boat for the waters you fish might be a better statement...big water, well then get a big deep boat...smaller water? get a smaller more stable platform type boat...muskies don't care what you fish out of...buy a good one with a good motor and spend your money on good electronics, trolling motor and batteries and you will be much better off than an expensive boat with cheap electronics, trolling motor and batteries....
Edited by BNelson 10/12/2009 11:37 AM
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