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  1. #1
    Member
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    May 2012
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    Spring, TX 77379
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    27

    Blazer 650 Pro Tour

    Why is nobody talking about their new 650 Pro Tour bass boats? Would like to know some pros and cons on the boat.

  2. Member
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    Apr 2014
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    SW, Ohio
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    #2
    2022 z519 cup 225 merc 4s ser # 3B210484. 2--hds12 live units. 2 poles, atlas plate, ghost, hamby's, active target, merc digital gauges
    2002 basscat pantera 3 (dad bought new) sold 8-2-22
    2000 stratos 20 ss (bought new) 200 hp Rude ficht great boat/motor sold 11-21
    pulled by a 2500HD Denali
    proud dad of an ARMY Captain
    MAGA
    ASE/GM Master tech before tools

  3. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
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    Arkansas
    Posts
    511
    #3
    Give me a day or two! Picking mine up tomorrow
    Blazer 650 PRO /Nizpro SC SHO

  4. Member
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    Apr 2014
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    SW, Ohio
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    #4
    Quote Originally Posted by falconpilot View Post
    Give me a day or two! Picking mine up tomorrow
    a ballistic guy? need feedback one vs the other! congrats!!
    Last edited by mactlman; 04-10-2021 at 10:59 AM.
    2022 z519 cup 225 merc 4s ser # 3B210484. 2--hds12 live units. 2 poles, atlas plate, ghost, hamby's, active target, merc digital gauges
    2002 basscat pantera 3 (dad bought new) sold 8-2-22
    2000 stratos 20 ss (bought new) 200 hp Rude ficht great boat/motor sold 11-21
    pulled by a 2500HD Denali
    proud dad of an ARMY Captain
    MAGA
    ASE/GM Master tech before tools

  5. Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Mid Ga
    Posts
    52
    #5
    Is there something specific you want to know? I’m not the guy to post “look what I have” stuff on here, but happy to help if I can. Had a 2020 625 and now have a 2020 650.

  6. Banned
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    Mar 2018
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    Oklahoma
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    #6
    Saw a solid gel gray colored one that had red glitter pinstriping on the lake a few weeks ago, it was a sharp looking boat.

  7. Member
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    Arkansas
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    511
    #7
    3CDCAE09-1BEC-443D-AF11-E5F445967B81.jpeg
    Got to send some time in it and I’ll give comparison..got to get it broken in first..
    Blazer 650 PRO /Nizpro SC SHO

  8. Member opaleski's Avatar
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    Mar 2009
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    Florida/Michigan
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    #8
    Quote Originally Posted by falconpilot View Post
    3CDCAE09-1BEC-443D-AF11-E5F445967B81.jpeg
    Got to send some time in it and I’ll give comparison..got to get it broken in first..
    Nice looking boat!!

  9. Member
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    Sep 2017
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    Kyle tx
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    #9
    Quote Originally Posted by scubaskeeter View Post
    Why is nobody talking about their new 650 Pro Tour bass boats? Would like to know some pros and cons on the boat.
    I have one. Everyone really gets on to talk about the bad of there boats in their prospective boat forum. Most don’t post about the good! I have gotten to spend time in mine for about a year. I’ve had 5 boats in past 3 years. So to say I’ve had most of em is in understatement. I have been in a Phoenix 920 , ballistic, gator trax, ranger, xpress in last 3 years. Also a nitro . To me the boat itself is the best I’ve been in. When you look for overall qualities you just can’t beat the blazer 650. Rides great in rough water, is fast, big, and has lots of storage. Yes there is some cons I personally don’t like such as backwash coming off pad and the switch panel. Also livewells are huge and is a single livewell. Wish it had a removable divider . Fancy panels it’s not but everything just works . Doesn’t have the porpoise that skeeters are known for at low speeds. There is a reason they are hard to get right now. If you would like a ride and are south in Austin area or are fishing in a tournament I’m in I’d be happy to take you out anytime and let you drive to get your own opinion on it.

  10. Member
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    Apr 2014
    Location
    SW, Ohio
    Posts
    17,190
    #10
    like the colors!! wish they had a better website with color options
    2022 z519 cup 225 merc 4s ser # 3B210484. 2--hds12 live units. 2 poles, atlas plate, ghost, hamby's, active target, merc digital gauges
    2002 basscat pantera 3 (dad bought new) sold 8-2-22
    2000 stratos 20 ss (bought new) 200 hp Rude ficht great boat/motor sold 11-21
    pulled by a 2500HD Denali
    proud dad of an ARMY Captain
    MAGA
    ASE/GM Master tech before tools

  11. Member
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Spring, TX 77379
    Posts
    27
    #11
    Quote Originally Posted by grandbassslayer View Post
    Saw a solid gel gray colored one that had red glitter pinstriping on the lake a few weeks ago, it was a sharp looking boat.
    Very nice, thanks for sharing.

  12. Team Antique joeyp's Avatar
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    Apr 2008
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    Destrehan,LA
    Posts
    2,899
    #12
    I fished out of Cliff Crochet's boat last month and fell in love with it. Tons of room, great ride, and ran great. I was really impressed on how well it performed in the turns.
    1991 Blazer VLX-150 / 2003 Mercury 150 XR6
    2015 Ranger 521C/ 2019 Mercury Racing 300R

  13. Member
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    Jan 2018
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    Arkansas
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    #13
    About 10 hours on boat so far..fished one tourney..I’ve owned a 17ft Lazer, Phoenix 20 PHX, old Skeeter, Bullet 21SST, 2-Ballistic 223’s and this boat, the 650. Spent a lot of time in my brothers Ranger 521, and my buddies Trition 21HP and his Phoenix 21 XP pro..

    The 650 rides with the best of them. It lands very soft. The Ballistic and 21 XP Pro MIGHT be little better in really big water as they’ll span waves a little better. The 650 and 20 PHX IMO are about identical rides with the 650 being just a little softer overall....both are extremely dry rides in quartering waves both directions. Biggest water I’ve run in it so far has been 2ft’ers with odd 3 footer here or there. Storage on the 650, the 20phx, the 21 xp pro and Ballistic are all about the same..tons of storeage in all of them..just comes down to preference on layout..my favorite layout is the 20 PHX..just personal preference..lots of room is 650 for sure..live wells are simple and clean in 650 and work very well..really like the pump out feature. Rear compartment is huge and well laid out. I’m running two lithium batteries, 2-power pole pumps, and power steering pump...still lots of room and very clean install in back. The factory deck light and courtesy lighting is also nice touch on boat. The two lights mounted to rear of boat are a nice touch since most manufacture miss doing this..great safety feature at night/low night morning or evening takeoffs..the center storeage box between the seat is HUGE! IMO, really way to big as I’ve got a ton of crap in there and it’s truly easy to loose crap in there! It’s giant! The sliding tray in foot of passenger is great space...I store boats that I’m using for the day in there..easy to get too at any time. The cooler box under middle step is big and keeps ice all day. The seats in the boat are the most comfortable I’ve set in a bass boat. These and Ballistic are about the same, but 650’s backs are more upright as compared to Ballistic which I find much more comfortable. The storeage/glove box at right side of driver seat is big and great touch. It’s plenty big to store remotes, cell phone, gloves, tools, etc and has a positive locking latch. I really like the big drivers console..I mounted a 16” Garmin flush..still got plenty of room to mount water pressure gauge, power pole remote, Bob’s jackplate gauge, 2-Yamaha. Command link gauges, and a stereo head..The low cut windshield also works really well blocking wind from driver. The boat doesn’t have a bunch of plastic to crack or fade and I really like this..it’s a clean, sleek look..the 650 and Ballistic beat the field hands down on this issue. The front of boat with Force , Beast Fishing dual stack mount with 2 Garmin 1243’s is very clean. Still plenty of room to step into boat from front..again, not plastic covers or trim up here..The switch panel is clean simple design..I do wish that boat manufactures would use lighted labels..ie...make the label under the switch lite...that way your not hunting around trying to find right switch at night..none of the boats I’ve owned has had this feature. Performance...boat is absolutely best handling boat I’ve ever driven when it comes to turning and cornering..it’s incredible..it’ll be be right at home running Caddo Lake! It floats very level while fishing and very little side to side movement when moving around. I’m still getting use to the raised deck design which is positive in lots of ways, but makes it easy to kick a pole over the side. Raise the jackplate to the top and I think I could take off in 3 ft of water..just hops boat straight front on plane..impressed with how little water it takes to float and run the boat. It doesn’t feel or handle like a 1850lb boat. Driving the boat-I pit power steering in this one...the boat will literally drive itself, no hands on wheel up,to,around 70 or so..it starts requiring a little input above 70 but not much..doesn’t chine walk bad at at..easy to drive boat..just started prop testing so best speed yet is 80.3..this is literally with everything I own fishing gear wise in the boat. 3/4 fuel and power poles. I know the graphs on front sticking way up on double mount are costing me 1-2mph as well. Add a 250lb passenger, it’s running 75-75.5..I know there are several guys running the SHO flashed and running mid 80’s loaded..I will say the performance window on the boat is very, very small..what I mean is finding the sweet spot of jackplate height and trim..I’m having to,work hard to find that perfect spot..it’s a very small spot..one way or the other and numbers fall off fast..only boat I’ve driven that was so hard to find this spot. I’m sure with time in boat, it’ll become easier. Another great thing about the boat is it’s low speed performance. It’ll stay on plane, loaded down to 18-19mph with zero porpoising and hopping up and down..you can literally cruising around in the low 20’s..

    Con’s so far- Blazer needs to step up their work on finishing out the boat. Couple of gauges were wired wrong and to be honest, the wiring in the boat can only be described as a cluster f*^#%. Rats nest. It wasn’t hard to clean it all up but a customer shouldn’t have too..maybe I’m being little unfair comparing to Ballistic(cleanest, neatest boat ever!)..I’ve talked to several other owners about their steering wheels rubbing blinker trims..requires a spacer wash or trimming blinker covers..these are things that will make a great boat, and even better boat! And they aren’t hard to do..Only knock on performance is the backwash when coming off plane..with little practice, you can minimize this problem though...so far only issues with the boats, so overall, I’m extremely pleased so far with the boat and would recommend one in a second. I can tell you the owner of Blazer, Keith Craft is hell,of a nice guy and very responsive to any concern. Chris Williams has been great all along as well..always there to help or answer questions. If you’re considering buying a Blazer, I’m also recommending seeing Steve Glenn at S2 Marine in Quitman, TX..great guys to deal with..

    edit-to be fair regarding the wiring..Chris did tell me their main finish guy was has been out for several weeks and did not finish my boat..maybe other boats are better and mine is a one off...that being said, I just want to give an honest review of how I see things. I’m in no way bashing any boat here..just providing feedback so they can build an even better boat..
    Last edited by falconpilot; 05-02-2021 at 11:33 AM.
    Blazer 650 PRO /Nizpro SC SHO

  14. Blazer Boats Moderator Rebel1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Taylors, SC
    Posts
    12,722
    #14
    Blazer has always struggled with rigging and fit and finish IMO.

  15. Member
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    Jul 2013
    Location
    New Hampshire
    Posts
    161
    #15
    Just got mine this wkd. Overall boat is awesome. But, like you said wiring is a wreck. The water pressure gauge is not even hooked up, among some other wire and rigging issues.

  16. Member
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    Apr 2014
    Location
    SW, Ohio
    Posts
    17,190
    #16
    power steering a yamaha thing or aftermarket? pump mounts in hull?
    2022 z519 cup 225 merc 4s ser # 3B210484. 2--hds12 live units. 2 poles, atlas plate, ghost, hamby's, active target, merc digital gauges
    2002 basscat pantera 3 (dad bought new) sold 8-2-22
    2000 stratos 20 ss (bought new) 200 hp Rude ficht great boat/motor sold 11-21
    pulled by a 2500HD Denali
    proud dad of an ARMY Captain
    MAGA
    ASE/GM Master tech before tools

  17. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Arkansas
    Posts
    511
    #17
    Seastar power steering- pump mounts in hull..had it on my Ballistic w/300R...never own another boat without it..
    Blazer 650 PRO /Nizpro SC SHO

  18. Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Green Cove Springs, FL
    Posts
    2,163
    #18
    Good review and can’t wait to hear what kinda numbers you get out of it! Accurate and honest, with an array of also really solid boats to compare too. I’ve had my 625 for over a year, and so far what you noted are my only complaints which pale in comparison to other great aspects. Any trick to the steering wheel rubbing on the blinker to fix? Cut the blinker trim piece back? My only other thing is the motor rigging for the new Merc v8’s, this goes for all boat manufacturers is to check the throttle with Merc gauges upon initial setup as I had to get mine fixed(only getting 95.5% at WOT).

  19. Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2020
    Location
    Liberty, Texas
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    67
    #19
    Quote Originally Posted by falconpilot View Post
    About 10 hours on boat so far..fished one tourney..I’ve owned a 17ft Lazer, Phoenix 20 PHX, old Skeeter, Bullet 21SST, 2-Ballistic 223’s and this boat, the 650. Spent a lot of time in my brothers Ranger 521, and my buddies Trition 21HP and his Phoenix 21 XP pro..

    The 650 rides with the best of them. It lands very soft. The Ballistic and 21 XP Pro MIGHT be little better in really big water as they’ll span waves a little better. The 650 and 20 PHX IMO are about identical rides with the 650 being just a little softer overall....both are extremely dry rides in quartering waves both directions. Biggest water I’ve run in it so far has been 2ft’ers with odd 3 footer here or there. Storage on the 650, the 20phx, the 21 xp pro and Ballistic are all about the same..tons of storeage in all of them..just comes down to preference on layout..my favorite layout is the 20 PHX..just personal preference..lots of room is 650 for sure..live wells are simple and clean in 650 and work very well..really like the pump out feature. Rear compartment is huge and well laid out. I’m running two lithium batteries, 2-power pole pumps, and power steering pump...still lots of room and very clean install in back. The factory deck light and courtesy lighting is also nice touch on boat. The two lights mounted to rear of boat are a nice touch since most manufacture miss doing this..great safety feature at night/low night morning or evening takeoffs..the center storeage box between the seat is HUGE! IMO, really way to big as I’ve got a ton of crap in there and it’s truly easy to loose crap in there! It’s giant! The sliding tray in foot of passenger is great space...I store boats that I’m using for the day in there..easy to get too at any time. The cooler box under middle step is big and keeps ice all day. The seats in the boat are the most comfortable I’ve set in a bass boat. These and Ballistic are about the same, but 650’s backs are more upright as compared to Ballistic which I find much more comfortable. The storeage/glove box at right side of driver seat is big and great touch. It’s plenty big to store remotes, cell phone, gloves, tools, etc and has a positive locking latch. I really like the big drivers console..I mounted a 16” Garmin flush..still got plenty of room to mount water pressure gauge, power pole remote, Bob’s jackplate gauge, 2-Yamaha. Command link gauges, and a stereo head..The low cut windshield also works really well blocking wind from driver. The boat doesn’t have a bunch of plastic to crack or fade and I really like this..it’s a clean, sleek look..the 650 and Ballistic beat the field hands down on this issue. The front of boat with Force , Beast Fishing dual stack mount with 2 Garmin 1243’s is very clean. Still plenty of room to step into boat from front..again, not plastic covers or trim up here..The switch panel is clean simple design..I do wish that boat manufactures would use lighted labels..ie...make the label under the switch lite...that way your not hunting around trying to find right switch at night..none of the boats I’ve owned has had this feature. Performance...boat is absolutely best handling boat I’ve ever driven when it comes to turning and cornering..it’s incredible..it’ll be be right at home running Caddo Lake! It floats very level while fishing and very little side to side movement when moving around. I’m still getting use to the raised deck design which is positive in lots of ways, but makes it easy to kick a pole over the side. Raise the jackplate to the top and I think I could take off in 3 ft of water..just hops boat straight front on plane..impressed with how little water it takes to float and run the boat. It doesn’t feel or handle like a 1850lb boat. Driving the boat-I pit power steering in this one...the boat will literally drive itself, no hands on wheel up,to,around 70 or so..it starts requiring a little input above 70 but not much..doesn’t chine walk bad at at..easy to drive boat..just started prop testing so best speed yet is 80.3..this is literally with everything I own fishing gear wise in the boat. 3/4 fuel and power poles. I know the graphs on front sticking way up on double mount are costing me 1-2mph as well. Add a 250lb passenger, it’s running 75-75.5..I know there are several guys running the SHO flashed and running mid 80’s loaded..I will say the performance window on the boat is very, very small..what I mean is finding the sweet spot of jackplate height and trim..I’m having to,work hard to find that perfect spot..it’s a very small spot..one way or the other and numbers fall off fast..only boat I’ve driven that was so hard to find this spot. I’m sure with time in boat, it’ll become easier. Another great thing about the boat is it’s low speed performance. It’ll stay on plane, loaded down to 18-19mph with zero porpoising and hopping up and down..you can literally cruising around in the low 20’s..

    Con’s so far- Blazer needs to step up their work on finishing out the boat. Couple of gauges were wired wrong and to be honest, the wiring in the boat can only be described as a cluster f*^#%. Rats nest. It wasn’t hard to clean it all up but a customer shouldn’t have too..maybe I’m being little unfair comparing to Ballistic(cleanest, neatest boat ever!)..I’ve talked to several other owners about their steering wheels rubbing blinker trims..requires a spacer wash or trimming blinker covers..these are things that will make a great boat, and even better boat! And they aren’t hard to do..Only knock on performance is the backwash when coming off plane..with little practice, you can minimize this problem though...so far only issues with the boats, so overall, I’m extremely pleased so far with the boat and would recommend one in a second. I can tell you the owner of Blazer, Keith Craft is hell,of a nice guy and very responsive to any concern. Chris Williams has been great all along as well..always there to help or answer questions. If you’re considering buying a Blazer, I’m also recommending seeing Steve Glenn at S2 Marine in Quitman, TX..great guys to deal with..

    edit-to be fair regarding the wiring..Chris did tell me their main finish guy was has been out for several weeks and did not finish my boat..maybe other boats are better and mine is a one off...that being said, I just want to give an honest review of how I see things. I’m in no way bashing any boat here..just providing feedback so they can build an even better boat..
    Great review

  20. Member
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
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    Arkansas
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    511
    #20
    I took the blinker trim covers off, used a dermal to trim them back to where they cleared..
    Blazer 650 PRO /Nizpro SC SHO

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