mid 80s bullet, what should I know, how stable is it?

Newbie to go fast bass boats. I have been looking for an Ally and stumbled on a 17.5' Bullet.

First Q- How stable is it in chop? I mainly fish places like the Detroit River and Lake St Clair, where there can be a fair amount of wind chop, and freighter rollers. I've been looking for boats 19-21' longfor that reason. I do spend some time on smaller rivers and lakes, where a smaller boat will actually be nicer. How will a 17.5' Bullet handle it when trolling? How will it handle it at speed?

Second - Anything in particular to look at on this boat? Any known areass for soft spots, cracks, dampness, etc? Any easy ways to check for dampness in the hull?

Thanks!

I'd pass on that boat for the simple fact of the lakes you fish. Thats the reason I bought a 22 ft bullet. Look for a good used 22er. It's worth the drive.

Thanks for the reply... sent you an IM as well.

I have another quetion. I know Rangers are much heavier, and obvioulsy slower, but as far as fishing goes, and stability is concerned, will a 18' ranger be able to handle more chop than a 18' bullet, or do I have that assumption wrong? I'm figuring the heavier boat will ride better, both at speed and trolling.

For your paticular fishing i would find the BIGGEST boat you can afford...Shorter boats dont do well in big water.....Just because it weighs more doesnt mean its going to fish better or ride better!!!!! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

I agree, Just trying to figure out if I'll ever find a 20 footer I can afford that isn't completely beat.

It will spend about 60% of the time on a 6500 acre lake, 20% on the Detroit river (avoiding the shipping channels, sticking to the weeds and piers) and 20% on various lakes under 4000 acres.

I got a very nice 22 ft storm 4sale look under boats a4sale http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/eek.gif

Storm- can't afford it, thanks though

Bill, not sure on the comparison of the Ranger and older Bullets, I think ya got a good discription on S&F on a similar?

http://forums.screamandfly.com...78493

In my opinion, like others, I would get the longer boat. Heavy don't always mean better ride!! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

wbones,i dont no about go fast bass boats but will tell you to take your time as this is a buyers market.

this is a serious question< so I'll be fair about my comments, The heavy widebody boats are nice but the ride is not what you'd think since the boat plows more its a flatter push thru the water and in riugh water it pounds down flat. which is why the big name boats need suspention seating. their seats are full of foam padding and so forth. I am not saying their bad or etc. just the design causes the boat to ride a little more flat bottom, then take the light weight go-fast style---you'll here most say they ride rough and can't handle the big water, just not true. I have found the ones that put down the go fast boats have never even been in one and during rough water rides in one change their minds. I will tell you this i ran the other brands and liked them and then i got my BULLET ---been in them for several years fishing with other friends who have them. the boat gets better fuel mileage to comparable boats of equal size and i even get better than 18 ftr's with 150 hp. if you'd like to ride / drive one please test both brands to make your own mind up. I would offer you a ride in mine and its open for you to fish in if you could come south. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif

I had a 17 foot Bullet before and I can tell you I still regret getting rid of that boat! The ride was great. I had a 175 on it and I will say that at around 75 or so it was a handful to handle. But it road well and was very fuel efficient and fished well. Now I'm not gonna say that it fished better than a 20 footer but if you are looking to save a few dollars and you want to run around 70+ with only a 150 then BUY the Bullet!!! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

very true or get a 20ftr with modest power and still run strong
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2500 be truthful now! Mine is wider than a bullet and wider than most big name boats. It doesn't have the suspension seats cause its ancient, now it may not be a speed demon but I have seen 80 but in rough water how would you say it rides?

Other than picking with him, I'll be truthful. I have grown up riding in Rangers. I got in the Bullet thinking it was what I had heard about. I will say that I don't know of any other boat that you can go 70 in 3-4ft waves and it be a smooth ride. Now its just been in 2500's Bullet but if they are all like that then I will vouch for them. After fishing with him for 2 yrs I don't know why any pros don't run them. Its made for the front guy. Huge deck up there, plenty of storage, and can outrun everyone to the spots.
I'll miss flying past 12-15 boats on blast off.

Chris
thanks I've enjoyed the past 2 yrs on the team trail, now Derrick (my son going into the USMC) will be with me this yr. I have been in alot of boats over the years and I'll say that the BULLET has been the best from holeshot --crusing--WOT, just a smooth boat. your Jav/RudeHO is fast and fun to drive and it rides very well http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

for the origional poster: ride/ fish in a BULLET and you'll be happy. I like the fact that I can run very slow on pad (18-19 mph) and set down in 2 ft water and jump up in 2 ft water. If you fish big lakes or small ponds mine is perfect. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif