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Posts: 3480
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | What would make the ultimate Muskie boat?
Now...to satisfy both glass and aluminum fans, let's just say that an aluminum/fiberglass composite has been discovered which allows the boat hull to be shaped and sanded like a glass hull, yet be bent like aluminum... The boat would come with either tiller or console, but the main aspcets are the same.
Leaving us with just the interior design of the boat...where would you have things placed?
I'd start with one big rod locker in the bow, and a 60" livewell across the rear.
Steve |
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| I'd start with one big rod locker in the bow, and a 60" livewell across the rear.
check.
check.
http://www.tuffyboats.com/boats/1760 |
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Posts: 1137
Location: Holly, MI | I need a high dry front and sides for crazy Lake St Clair(always getting wet), while maintaining a low back end for dealing with fish/trolling setups/etc.
This might sound crazy but just hear me out.. I would love to see a 18 to 20 foot boat with an inboard motor. Lets me have a huge wide open, low, no obstruction, full width back end of the boat. An inboard V8 makes a thump that seems to attract muskies (while trolling on Lake St Clair at least). [ask the guys who use them or who don't but fish alongside them!]. A center console lets me run all the way around the boat to get to any rod or cast anywhere I want to. Rods go in rocket launchers off the bimni so no locker needed. Livewell not needed either, like a rod locker, just takes up good usable floor space. If I'm sneaking out for a salmon (meat) trip I toss the huge cooler in the front full of ice.
Oh and one more very cool thing.. I saw this on Capt Frank's boat last year, He has a set of controls at the back of the boat as well. He can change trolling speed and steer the boat from a remote post at the rear of the boat. Very nice. |
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Posts: 2427
Location: Ft. Wayne Indiana | Front Deck 9 feet long
Beam 100 inches
Total length 21 feet
large back deck, similar to Ranger 620's with extention deck
small livewell up front
small livewell in the back (no need for a 60 incher live well, that just takes up storage space)
DRY storage
Sits low to the water, but not "bass" boat low, more like a Crestliner 1850
lockable storage
8'6 rod lockers in the 9 foot front deck
built in lure storage in the back deck
I'll think of more later |
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Posts: 2515
Location: Waukesha & Land O Lakes, WI | For the Musky fishing I do, medium sized bodies of water, A Tuffy Esox Magnum with a 96" beam that has a 3-4" carpeted gunnel going around the boat. It'd be nice to have a small gunnel for flush mount rod holders and to step on.
I do like the the 1760 Tiller...wish it was a tad wider, maybe I'm just spoiled by the wide beam of my C-Liner. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | I would love to see Ranger making a single console in the 618 tiller models hull....put the console farther back like where the older 690 consoles were...huge front deck, big back deck, 8'6" rod storage up the middle, lots of dry storage compartments...that would be the ultimate small and big water rig in my book...make it handle a 175 and I'd buy it!!!
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Posts: 1996
Location: Pelican Lake/Three Lakes Chain | Check the Tuffy website after the new year. They are building the ultimate rig right now, the 1890. I am drooling just thinking about it! |
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Location: Contrarian Island | as far as I know the new Tuffy will compete with the Ranger 619,,,I'd like to see something a touch smaller than the 619 built by ranger in a console ..that is why I think there 618 tiller hull would be a kick butt musky rig in a console...18'4", 90" wide, plenty deep..the new Tuffy will have a price tag of mid to high 30's with a 200...be nice to have a smaller, big water, deep, wide, and not so long boat that would either handle a 150 or 175 to keep the price tag closer to 30 if possible..just my opinion...618 tiller hull is a great hull and could be matched with a console and 150 or 175 and be great even on big water ....
Edited by MSKY HNR 12/16/2005 9:54 AM
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Posts: 4266
| Never enough room for storage or for long rods. Need lots of that. I'd like to see a built-in tackle box like a Lakewood with removable racks and another area for Plano type boxes that could slide right into the compartment without me having to open it, leaving the deck uncluttered. Besides big casting decks fore and aft, I like the way my rig is set up so I can literally walk all the way around the boat if I want to. Comes in handy when fighting fish, and also gives other anglers in the boat room to move around. 100 hp tiller and a nice kicker. Wide gunnels, but not so wide that you beat the heck out of your rods when you're using gliders and other walk-the-dog type lures. Gotta be user friendly. |
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| OK, the door is open, so here's the skinny on Tuffy's new products.
1760 GC and GT, 84" wide, 17'6" long, and an open gunnel design with all new on board computer electrical, new SAS seating, new consoles and instrument panels, and a price $1500 less than the 1760 Osprey or Esox Deep V with way more room and a lower profile. Still the same great ride and big water performance. Rates at 75 tiller and 150 console. Same rear deck insert that is actually 4 sided 5' plus storage, gull wing lids, and BIG. The deck removes in a minute with a socket wrench, and reinstalls as quickly. It's not just a 'board'. Storage is sealed fiberglass lockers, and there's plenty. Lighter, faster, more room, good looking, and less money.
1890:
Totally new Muskie rig. 97" wide rated to 200 console and 100 tiller. More front deck storage than the 2060 and 1760. 14 rods in the center loader, 9' rod storage. HUGE rear deck insert, doubles as storage. rear livewell and additional storage. All new consoles in the Walkthrough and Sport models. Computer controlled touch pad electrical. New instruments, new seating, new graphics and more. This boat has been two years in development. If you are happy with the 50 MPH area in speed, it can be rigged and ready with a 175 V-6 4 stroke, GPS, graph, and trolling motor in the lower portion of the before mentioned price range.
New Walkthrough models in the Esox Deep V on the 1760, 1890, and 2060. Tuffy has totally revamped the entire line over the last 18 months including an all new Esox Magnum, building a full line of dedicated muskie rigs.
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Posts: 1245
Location: Madtown, WI | Being an owner of a 1760 Deep V In know what an awesome hull it is....is the new 1760 GC the same hull just without the caps??
Cory |
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Posts: 156
Location: Oconomowoc, WI | Really want see the new 1760 GT and GC!!! When??? |
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| Really want see the new 1760 GT and GC!!! When???
soon! very soon!
there's an 1760 GT at the factory right now with my name on it...
Cory, my understanding was: same hull, new interior, no cap (compared to your '02).
however, the website says:
2005 marks yet another watershed year for Tuffy Boats. Always forward looking, the engineering team at Tuffy completely redesigned the time tested and tournament proven Deep V Osprey and Esox Deep V hulls. The result is form, function, and good looks built into a fishing craft perfectly suited to the needs of the multi specie angler.
Steve???
Edited by lambeau 12/16/2005 4:08 PM
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| I can't wait to see my NEW boat....a Tuffy!!! 
Any pics yet?? |
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Posts: 2091
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Happens to be my current boat my Tuffy. Handles big water great, fast, lot's of room and perfect for two anglers. It will have to be my dream boat for a few more years!
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 tuffy1.jpg (70KB - 448 downloads)
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | The new 1760 is exactly that, the new 2005 interior Esox Deep V with the Exox Mag gunnels. Of course, that requires a complete redesign on the deck and hull. The profile will be about 8" lower, which is alot. The front deck will be the same layout created in '05, with an 8'6" center load rod locker, etc.
I am curious though, what IS the perfect muskie interior? I'd like to see some ideas based on what is desired, not just what's currently available; always looking for input! |
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Posts: 355
Location: Wausau, Wisconsin | My esox magnum is nothing short of a musky fishing platform from God. The boat is ideal for fishing muskies on most all of the waters I fish. The comfort and stability is ideal for several people. Now with fishing Winnebago, Green Bay and Lake of the Woods with regularity, I can't wait for the new models. My magnum is for sale. 2005 with 5 months use. Fully loaded with a 60hp Suzuki 4. |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | I have been dead set on getting a 618 T, though I am disturbed that this boat does not come with, or accept a rear deck/deck extension. My perfect layout is a tiller rig(will own nothing but), tiller extension with ample rear casting deck space, with easily accessed batteries, chargers etc. Small front deck(4.5' would be perfect) as I fish at the tip of the boat now, with side decks/storage, wide enough to stand on and at the same level as both front and back decks. I'd prefer the 618 console hull in a tiller. Being used to the size of an esox magnum tiller, will not allow me to reduce floor space. Front deck lure storage would be a plus(a very big plus), and side or floor lockers of 9' would be preffered.
I also require that my butt seat post hole be centered close to the bow. I need to be able to lean on it, and keep one foot up on the bow(placement of the deck seat mount has been one of my biggest gripes). Ranger might as well leave the deck seat right out or add another one, as it is too far away from the front and sides for me to ever use as is.
Decent interior lights are also a must, as is true dry storage, and a decent cooler. 60" livewell not needed here either, though rear bait well with timed recirc pump is a must.
The Tuffy you people are describing almost sounds inviting. I thought I'd never even look at one. Need to check out the new 1760 on the water. What does the side deck/gunnel system look like?
Edited by Reef Hawg 12/17/2005 3:51 PM
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Posts: 814
| Reef Hawg: I could be wrong but I am about 90% sure that on the new 1760 gt there is no side gunnell to stand on like the esox mag you can't walk all the way around like you can on the mag. Also if you buy the 1760 gt tiller you CANNOT get the rear casting deck because you won't be able to steer the motor. So the Only real platform is in front but it is large enough for 2 people to cast from. Now as for the caps it will have the same caps as the esox magnum does. Hope this helps. Mike
Now for my ultimate Musky Rig:
18+ feet long!
Must be tiller model Only!! I need all the floor space you can get.
Must have a wide beam at least a 96 inch like Lund has, (wider the beam the more stable it is)
Must have Completely Dry storage like on the new Tuffy's
No need for the large livewell just a baitwell The Large livewell is wasted space, should be dry storage.
Now just put the esox mag interior in a deep v with everything I mentioned above and I believe you have the ultimate musky boat
it will fish 3 people very effectively and ALL people will have a platform which makes fishing gliders and figure 8's alot easier!
If there is a boat out there like this please give me some info as I am in the market!!!!!
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | You and I should just design our own rig!!! Dissapointed that the 1760 has no rear deck option, darn. I don't buy that it can't be steered. My buddy runs an old 681T with a deck extension, and can steer just fine, though he does have a slight tiller extension. Seems that we tiller guys are lumped in with the right handed reel guys. Not alot to choose from in models that we prefer. |
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| If you want a rear deck extension in a 1760 Tuffy tiller you can get it, but must test first to make sure you can steer from the seated position with an extension. From what I've heard the rear livewell is basically a deck unto itself though. |
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | If you use a tiller handle extension, the rear deck would be just fine in the 1760. I believe that Merten's handle is longer for a couple of the brands of outboards. The rear of that boat has more walkable and fishable area WITHOUT a deck than most do WITH. Also, there is a 1/2 deck (again, this is also a storage box) option that can be mounted either side, allowing one to get close to the transom with the seating and still have an extended 'side tank' storage box either side. The 1890 will have even MORE fishable and walkable area. Think now, if a deck extension makes it tough to reach the handle, the area that is standard has to be pretty substantial. The rear deck in the Esox Deep V models is really quite large, remembering that one can walk all over the splashwell area unlike most other boats.
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| i plan on modifying my 1760 tiller to accept a deck extension: mounting a pin-base seat on the extension neatly solves this problem, similar to what i did in my old ranger (jacorn's boat as of today.)
esox deep-v back deck (console version, so this has the extra insert, but you can see the two pieces).
my old deck extension "solution".
Edited by lambeau 12/17/2005 7:42 PM
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tuffy rear.jpg (56KB - 935 downloads)
First day 05 004.jpg (96KB - 570 downloads)
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| reef hawg and i think alike!
my perfect rig:
- tiller open floor layout
- ample front deck with bump seat near the front so i can lean on it and still figure-8 easily
- lure storage - i hate having lures laying or hanging around (this is what homemade rear extensions are for...build it in!)
- rod lockers long enough for muskie size gear with built-in separators/holders
- true dry storage
- cooler (love my mountain dew...)
- accessories: interior night-lighting (red or green bulbs), radio/cd
- deep-v hull for the waves, low gunnels for easy access to the water
the Tuffy 1760 hits on these items, especially once i play with the rear seat/deck extension placement in the tiller version. |
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Posts: 921
Location: Apollo, PA | Michael,
That is excellent, Tuffy should make that option a reality for those of us that can't build it> |
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| take a sec and compare the pic of the tuffy with the deck extension to the pic of my old ranger with the rear deck installed. i'm just eyeballing things here (until i've got my new boat in the garage) but the size of the rear deck areas looks very similar.
on my old ranger i placed the pin-hole for the seat close enough to the edge that i could sit in the seat with my legs over the edge and still comfortably reach the tiller handle...should be able to do that in the new one too, right?
i think the tuffy extension might look slightly bigger...thus a tiller handle extender would be helpful, and as steve mentioned, aftermarket power steering adds 2" to the length of the tiller handle.
there's got to be other people out there running tiller's with big rear casting decks. what have you done? how big is too big? what are the pros and cons of yours for making the "ultimate muskie boat"??? |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | Thanks for the response Mike. You will be called to help build an extension for me, for any rig I choose(hopefully I can pay with fishing trips or something)!!! You, muskihtr, and I are not the only ones who like the same things in a rig. We tiller guys need to be heard!!!
Looking at the top view(thanks for posting it Steve), it does look as though there is some room to cast up there now. Is the rear splash area almost level with the deck as it looks? I thought that the rear was layed out more like a 618T(that has no rear deck at all). I was wrong. In talking about the ultimate rig, though, the front deck is still much too big for me. I need more actual floor space for storage of equipment. I require enough room to lay my net flat on the floor with the handle extended. What is the length of floor between decks as is? Wish I wasn't so picky. Wife is glad that I am though, as I haven't spent any money yet. That 1760 is definately as close as anything I've seen yet, though, to being it. Would love to see one in person soon. Has the dry storage been improved in the Tuffy line? I know I've had problems with the older ones.
In all honesty, I think Ranger should really offer a Tiller with a deck as well, or at least an add on, and alternative mounting area for guages(who had the bright idea to put them where they are...DOGhH).
Do you have a picture of the bottom of the hull of the 1760?
Edited by Reef Hawg 12/18/2005 8:50 AM
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Location: Contrarian Island | Geez Jason you are picky! You could put your net sideways along the one of the sidewall and have the handle extended and locked...I do that in my Lund..works just fine
I'd really like to see the 1760 console to see how roomy it is...Steve, will there be one at any of the shows? what are the specs on that 1760 console? 17'6" by how wide?
Any idea what it will run top speed with a 150?
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Posts: 32886
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Storage:
Yes. The storage in all the Esox Deep V models are fiberglass lockers that are glassed to the liner before the liner is glassed into the boat. In other words, imagine ALL the storage, including the rod locker, built and installed like livewells with no plumbing.
Net Room:
If you have three seats, you can extend a net and set it on the inside on the floor. The 4th seat will get in the way.
Deck Space:
Either you have large dry storage, lots of floor space, and a 8'6" rod locker ( top row in the rack), OR you have a short deck. There are a couple models out there that are 17'6" and have just a 6.5 or 6.75' rodlocker because the front deck is shorter. Tough to have the best of both worlds, because a large side tank on both sides eats the floor space up as it did in the pre-2005 1760 Esox Deep V model and invites less than dry storage problems as well. The front deck will easily and comfortably fish two.
Splashwell:
Yes, the splashwell and rear livewell area are exactly level, so one can use that entire surface. Tuffy actually traction coats that area, covering up polyflake in the process. Not as prettty as if we left the polyflake surface, but you'd otherwise slip on the smooth mold surface rendering that area useless for anything but keeping water out of the boat.
Top speed with a 150 4 stroke, Opti or E Tech:
Jack plate the rig with a 6" set back, prop it right, and with two anglers and a full load you will run mid 50's and near 60 with empty livewell and 18 gallons of gas, our dealers know how to rig a 1760 C to be a rocket. Full load means all gear, full gas tank, and a full livewell. Place the engine one hole up on the standard 25" transom, and you will run about 50 to 52.
Beam:
There are many boats out there that fish muskies very well. Hull design and beam are a function of at rest stability and ride. Too wide, and the ride is very rough and wet in big water. Not wide enough and interior room and stability are effected. Take your hand and slap the water palm flat, then slap the water with the edge. Which hits you harder? Also, wetted surface has alot to do with speed, the less wetted surface trimmed out and wide open, the faster the boat because there is less drag. Tuffy design engineers work to get a near perfect balance and have done a pretty good job of it, IMHO. The 1760 GT/GC has an 84" beam.
Aluminum models by Lund, Lowe, Crestliner, Alumacraft and newcomer to the big freshwater tournament boat, Polar Kraft, come to mind as nice muskie rigs. Ranger, Triton, Yar Craft, Warrior, and a number of others build very nice Walleye boats that adapt well to the muskie angler. Look at them all, compare features, benefits, and pricing, and make an informed decision based upon what it is you are trying to accomplish with the purchase. All are nice boats! |
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Location: Contrarian Island | Great stuff Steve,
I'm definitely going to look at the 1760 console...when can I see one first hand? one at the factory now by chance?
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