The Vexus dealer in Bedford, Ill just took me out on the water to see if everything worked before letting me take it home. I have had over a dozen crappie boats and have been searching for many many years for the perfect panfishing boat. This is it! First let me say my dealer was terrific, not that the boat didn't have some problems, but he took care of them and myself like I was family. I had a Ranger 178 crappie boat and I felt it was about the best on the market until I sat my butt in my 181. We tested it on fairly rough water on the river and it cut though the water really smooth for the conditions. I feel moving the gas tank forward helped with the draft and getting on plane. We didn't open it up full throttle because of break in requirements but I could tell the hull design made moving through the water easier for the boat. I will give a report later after break in.
The boat is loaded with most all of the possible upgrades, but upgrades can be put on any boat. The performance, layout, and quality of finish is what really impressed me. I put a Mega 360 depth finder on my Ultrex and used the universal sonar and a Helix 10 for down imaging at the bow and a SI Helix 7 on the dash. Really like the spot lock.
Now I know this isn't what at least 90% of you want but I put a Mercury Command Thrust 60 hp to power the boat because it is about 100 pounds lighter than a 75 and seems to have the thrusting power of a 70 hp. Even though we didn't open it up on the test drive I can tell you I am very pleased.
I think the fiberglass storage compartments will function better than any boat I have ever had, storage looks like it will keep the water out and will be sturdy and easy to clean. My only complaint is that I bought the boat before Vexus did the review of the 181 and it looked like it had a front live well because it had a spray head and drain in the area a live well would normally be found, so I was expecting a functioning live well. When we took it for the test drive of course the live well didn't work because the plumbing was optional. Without the optional live well installed water will back flow through the drain line and put water in your storage unit. I don't think Vexus is aware of this problem. Here's where a reputable dealer comes in, Bedford Sales said you felt the front live well was included so they are installing the optional plumbing package at their expense.
To summarize, it is the boat I have always wanted, in every way, and couldn't find, with the exception of the live well which is being taken care of. I will give a more detailed report after a few times on the water.