I pulled the trigger and bought a 2019 2080. It was rigged with Solix 15, solix, 12, and solix 10 with a G2 200, Powerpoles, Ultrex I pilot link, hydraulic jack plate, and a monotony of other accessories. I added a 360 Mega I had. I relocated the Solix 10 to the bow with the 12 and like that a lot better. The 15 is like having a TV in your face and almost obnoxious when driving as I have to sit up straight and not slouch to see...Not sure what to do here yet.
This is not my first aluminum boat as I started out in a tracker PT 175. Worked great for me but when it came time to upgrade stuff, appeared to be money better spent on upgrading the whole thing. Moved to a Z20 that I liked but the handling on that boat was different. Had to drive the boat quite a bit as it really liked to chine walk. Once I expected this it was not terrible but just felt unbalanced. From there went to a z21 and this was like a super car to me. Stable and comfortable and also fast as can be. Sold it when the covid boat shortage hit and got my money out of it so why would I not. I also got heavy into Kayak fishing and have been doing that as I have been absent from a boat.
So here we are with the 2080. Does not ride like a tin boat nor like a fiberglass. Somewhere in-between.If a 21 foot glass boat is a super car then this is a souped up domestic hot rod, plenty fast but you feel the road. Does not have the sound of wave slap and seems to not get pushed around near as much, granted it is quite a bit longer than the tracker. It planes out quicker than any boat I have ever been in almost surprising me. The ride is good but again not a glass boat. You feel and hear things that normally you would not notice in a glass boat but nothing real exciting. Seems to cut across wakes well although I dont know how well it will handle large chop but I probably wont find out as I fish for enjoyment.
The front deck is like being in the nose bleeds compared to the Z series. First trip I was afraid I had water in the rear pulling the nose up and kept trying to turn on the bilge. No water but just how it floats especially with a 200, power poles, jackplate. Again different, not bad, and I bet once I get used to it I will enjoy it more as I know can use longer rods without slapping the water constantly. The power steering on the motor seems nice and really performs about like hydraulic with maybe a touch less effort required. The remote drain plug seems a great idea that in practicality wears out and does not work as intended. Greased o-ring but still have to give it a pop when closing it. I will most likely get down there and check it before each trip so I guess still a time saver to some extent.
Front deck is roomy enough for me and aside from my daughters coming occasionally plenty of room. When they are there, I do not fish anyways so works well. The build quality seems good when I compare it to other tin boats. It lacks some of the fit and finish of the glass boats but I do not think these are meant to be a direct comparison so I wont. It is a boat that my kids can be in and I not freak out every time I hear a lure slap the side. It is also a boat I can work on as it is not littered with digital dashes and hidden relays.
Overall I think I did good on this purchase and am excited to be back in a boat especially one setup with all the tools that this one came with. It does everything a tournament boat can do just does not look as shiny is the real difference. Time will tell but so far I cannot complain about the overall purchase.