Finally got a ride in a 721

[J Risco]

Big thanks to rammerjammer for getting me out on Hartwell in some slop in his 721 yesterday. What a ride! We were cruising 55mph in some sloppy water comfortable that would have beat me up at that speed in my PII. He actually ran it up to 70 real quick which would have been flat out unsafe in my boat. Don't get me wrong, I love my PII, but the 721 with its extra 2 foot and hull design is a rough water monster!!!

Very impressed with the ride of the 721, def considering trading up to one later this year. He also let me drop the TM and get a few minutes on the bow and it felt great there too. Storage looks awesome, fit and finish were top notch, and his co-angler had 6 or so rods on the pass rod ramp and it still wasn't cluttered. Very impressed over-all with the Bird!

Question for anyone who has ridden in both, how does the 21 PHX ride compare to the 721? Same, better, worse? I know it will be a few mph slower than a 721 but the extra deck width might be worth it IF the ride is as good...

[txbass1]

The 21 PHX would be the ultimate rough water boat. They weren’t made to be comparable. You pay for the difference. Both awesome rigs.

[caddyjoe77]

I can tell you coming from an R that the PHX is miles better. Never rode in a newer cat.

[MJG]

I was set on a 721 then met Howard with McCallister Marine with a 721 & a 21PHX. The 721 was fast but really had to drive it ! Got in the 21PHX and was so impressed that went back to his office and ordered that day with the new Merc 250 that will be here in about 4 weeks. Sure glad I took the time to drive both.

[Wackyjig]

The 21 phx makes the 721 seem like it rides just ok.

[Meleagris1]

Both great rides but I agree with others above - the PHX was designed to be Phoenix's best big water boat, and it is very easy to drive.

[JAdams86]

Just to chime in here. The 721 is no slouch! Also drivesbility is negligible in a proper setup boat. Anything that goes over 75 you have to drive I don’t care what anyone says.

Think of it this way. The 721 is going to be just a tad more sharp on re entry because the hull is a shallower V. It’s also lighter and faster.
The 921 is a few inches longer and wider with a deeper V. It’s a little slower due to weight and hull design. Hence the ease to drive, when compared to a TR21x, 721, 920, etc.

at the end of the day they are both fantastic boats and you can’t go wrong!

ps

i broke my back on deployment in 2009 and have a fused lumbar spine. I’ve ran my boat in some gnarly water and my boat doesn’t bother me. My dad runs a different brand and it beats the hell out of me. Just my .02. He is now considering selling his boat for a bird now that we run tourneys in mine.....

[vausoner]

I think he'll be ok driving a boat.

[DREWTICK]

J Risco Likes to go Fast

[xranger77]

Just get a Verado, have it flashed to like 325hp and have no problems in the low to mid 80s if you want some extra speed. Im sure the new Mercs will be able to be flashed too...just have to wait.

[J Risco]

I think he'll be ok driving a boat.

J Risco Likes to go Fast

Thanks fellas, and yeah if you don't have to drive it it's not going fast enough

Plan is to hang my current engine on one

[limitout]

21 PHX will run in 4 footers at WOT with ease where the 721 can't. 21 PHX much slower but way wider. Really depends on what you need.

[JAdams86]

21 PHX will run in 4 footers at WOT with ease where the 721 can't. 21 PHX much slower but way wider. Really depends on what you need.

Calling bull on this as a owner of a 721
I don’t live in TX anymore but I have been in 4-5 footers on Ray Roberts and Texoma at WOT. Is it a bit of a smack? Yes but it’s not undoable.
Ok maybe not WOT for my boat but same speed as WOT on a 921. 72-75 no problem in those conditions if you know your rig. It also depends highly on how your gear is arranged. 1lb in the bow is equivalent to 5 in the stern.

also to all the just flash the motor guys, no offense but it is illegal in most tourneys, at least the ones I fish. If speed really is that important go for it. But if you win your gonna get polygraphed.

my .02

[HH45cal]

2-3 footers were brutal on st clair last year in my 721; we left day early as 4-5 footers were forecast. I’m being serious -not talking smack - but I’d really like to see either boat wot in 4-5 — could be I don’t know how to drive

[HH45cal]

I would add it outperformed my buddies brand new skeeter— it cracked the top cap loose and he got new boat upon return from trip

[Walleye1875]

That's nothing new for a skeeter. I broke a top cap loose in 6 inchers... they did build me a new boat though.

[Phoenix 921]

2-3 footers were brutal on st clair last year in my 721; we left day early as 4-5 footers were forecast. I’m being serious -not talking smack - but I’d really like to see either boat wot in 4-5 — could be I don’t know how to drive

keep in mine 4-5 footers depends on how everyone measures them and how far apart they are. I do not believe anyone is running a bass boat in 4-5 footers in rollers. I have run WOT in those ways on Fork but a storm blew in with 60MPH winds and the waves were deep but real close together. A legend was trying to run the waves were still to far apart for him.

[Fidgetcranker]

2-3 footers were brutal on st clair last year in my 721; we left day early as 4-5 footers were forecast. I’m being serious -not talking smack - but I’d really like to see either boat wot in 4-5 — could be I don’t know how to drive

I have a 921xp...2-3 footers 40-50 mph...4-5 footers 30-35 mph.
Went out on Erie one time when there was 4-5' waves and small craft advisory out. We stayed in harbors to fish, but had to get to them. Was able to do 30-37 mph and I was very skeert! Never again.
Went out next day in 2-3, waves and cruised pretty easy, topping out at 50 mph for a bit (could maybe have gone faster), but slowed to 40 or so. No need to try for wot unless there's an emergency.
Yes, we did get slammed around some in my 921xp, but it was tolerable. Would like to see the difference of being in a PHX. I thought PHX hull was the same as XP except for rear strakes coming back further, and gunnel being deeper. I didn't think it was a deeper V in hull.

[Sports1]

I have a 921xp...2-3 footers 40-50 mph...4-5 footers 30-35 mph.
Went out on Erie one time when there was 4-5' waves and small craft advisory out. We stayed in harbors to fish, but had to get to them. Was able to do 30-37 mph and I was very skeert! Never again.
Went out next day in 2-3, waves and cruised pretty easy, topping out at 50 mph for a bit (could maybe have gone faster), but slowed to 40 or so. No need to try for wot unless there's an emergency.
Yes, we did get slammed around some in my 921xp, but it was tolerable. Would like to see the difference of being in a PHX. I thought PHX hull was the same as XP except for rear strakes coming back further, and gunnel being deeper. I didn't think it was a deeper V in hull.

I think the V goes further back in the PHX than on the XP. At least that is my understanding.

[txbass1]

2-3 footers were brutal on st clair last year in my 721; we left day early as 4-5 footers were forecast. I’m being serious -not talking smack - but I’d really like to see either boat wot in 4-5 — could be I don’t know how to drive

Could be that you are just a bit more realistic though. Not trying to stir the pot, but there isn't a bass boat made that's running 70+ in true 4-5' waves. Not for more than 50 yards anyway- it'd be in pieces or more likely in the bottom of the lake. Like I said earlier, both boats are great rigs, but it's just physics that the 21 PHX is going to be a better ride in nasty waves.