Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
No doubt the esox mag is a good boat. I'm a bit partial to the navigator....have owned one since the 90" beam model came out.
couple of things you may want to consider: If it gets windy (even on a 1000 acre lake) will you still try to fish? The one nice thing about the v-hull boat is that even in wind, if you are working into the wind, you will have a much better time maintaining your balance, it will be much smoother ride overall as well. If you have to get somewhere in the Esox with people, it will be a tough go...the water has nowhere to go, so the boat bounces and bounces and bounces... Probably not as bad as the old Tri-hull boats of years past, but it could get painful in waves of a foot or so...let alone being a wet ride in cross winds.
Also, if you are fishing anywhere with rocks, the aluminum can get dinged and you are in most cases no worse for wear, whereas you crack the glass, it most likely is a repair issue.
Granted the esox will have less draft as compared to either the lund or alumacraft, I feel it falls short in the variety of waters you can fish... The front deck of the esox would be quite welcome, although the alumacraft has a very nice sized deck as well...it is almost too high off the water at times, though (advantage esox on that level) The back area of the alumacraft (console model) is a wonderful place to fish from. Stable right up to the edge of the boat, and a figure 8 can be huge around the back corner.
I am not extremely familiar with the layout of the lund, but if memory serves me correctly, the back deck is not at the same level as the side lockers (that has always puzzled me..trip hazard for casters IMHO).
I would also take a bunch of time to consider where you want electronics mounted and how easy it is to do the rigging. Also consider the type of storage you need....lots of big boxes take up room on floors quickly, which may need to come into play when you start loading up the boat for trips. Dry storage needs, terminal tackle needs, etc.
Biggest thing regardless of boat... Watch the load rating of the trailer. If the trailer under the boat is only enough to take the boat and a little gear, it will take it's toll over the long haul. Best to get a trailer heavy enough to handle a fully loaded boat (gas, gear, and extra), then add another 500 or so pounds to play safe. If you go too light on the trailer, it will create undo stress on many things, and on-the-road problems can very well come into play. Many dealers put a lighter capacity trailer under the boat to make a rig seem like a good deal, but that can cost more in the long run...
I know if I had the $$ for a second boat for small water, the esox would get the nod... If it was a choice of just one boat, I'd be looking for something a bit more versatile for bigger waters as well.
which ever way you go, enjoy the purchase of the new rig!! That is part of the fun of the later portions of winter....then the wait to get the boat becomes killer!!
Steve
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