Sorry to hear that. I bet they'll get everything squared away here shortly. Once you get out on the water for the first time, I'm sure the wait will have been worth it.
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Sorry to hear that. I bet they'll get everything squared away here shortly. Once you get out on the water for the first time, I'm sure the wait will have been worth it.
Dear John, that looks pretty darn good. I think I might do it to mine
Boat has made it to the dealer, but they put the wrong seats and bases in it. War Eagle has the correct ones on the way. The dealer erred on the order.
lQuote:
Originally Posted by Hitekrednek
Thanks brother. You wouldn't regret it.
How annoying. When I ordered my current truck, I optioned for the big tow mirrors that telescope and fold away. The factory installed the smaller sport mirrors instead. I thought I was in for a lengthy debacle trying to get it fixed, but the process actually went really smooth. I hope the same thing happens in your case.Quote:
Originally Posted by okhawg
Dear John, with my current setup I run 64 mph according to the gauge and 57 mph according the GPS. I really wanted the jack plate for shallower water
I bet you'd outrun me any day of the week. Lighter boat, same power.Quote:
Originally Posted by Hitekrednek
I'm still messing around with the right JP height, trim setting, and weight distribution. I'll be stoked if I ever hit 60 on the GPS. Still happy with the boat so far, regardless of speed.
Great thread! You guys have some nice boats! I've been following this thread for a while now and wanted to introduce myself. I've owned two War eagle boats (648 and an 1860 both tiller steer) and just sold my 1751 excel F86 with Yamaha 60 four stroke. I'm an avid duck hunter and fisherman and these boats look great! I wish more people would post about theirs!!
That being said, I recently had a baby (in March), built a new house, and have been wanting to order a new Blackhawk for over a year. I'm ready to order one, however the new neighborhood has an HOA rule/law that boats must be kept in a
garage. So I'm currently building a detached 28x32 garage to store it and my truck in. Once the garage is completed next month, I plan on placing my order!
Im torn between the 961 and the 2170. However, I'm wanting a CC and a 150. I noticed you can get the 150 in a 961 side console but not in the CC?? Any ideas why this is the case (they are the same hull and transom)? I was going to contact war eagle and see if I can get the 150hp on the 961 if the factory installs the hydraulic steering. I noticed on some of their other boats that u can get a larger hp rating on the cc with hydraulic steering. Do u guys know the answer to this?
If I can't, I'll probably step up to the 2170 (even though I feel that's too big of a boat) for the larger engine.
Ive be also been a diehard Yamaha fan, but I'm also a mechanical engineer and the 'new' Evinrude H.O. Engines are really making me think about going with them for the torque and hauling capability! Anyone have any experience with these motors?
Those of you running the 961 CC, do you feel like the 115hp is enough for your boat and what you need when hauling people and loads?
Ive also looked at the Excel Bay pro 203 which is rated for a 150hp motor and has a .125 gauge hull. But I don't like the front deck as there is too much storage and takes away from the deck and hauling (for decoys) ability compared to the blackhawk's low front deck!
Thanks for for the help!
Luke
Hitekredneck,
do you have any other photos of your boat? I haven't seen any of the 961 side consoles around here (in SC). I'd be interested in seeing the interior layout of the side console!
Thanks
Luke
You are right you have to get hydraulic steering to get 150 hp. I'm guessing War Eagle doesn't feel like they can get the hydraulic stuff to the CC on the 961 to their satisfaction. Call or email them, they were responsive to my calls and emails.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ol Red
I liked the Excel boats, but none except the Bay, have enough deadrise to be considered big water boats to me. A Excel Bay equipped like I would want, was just a little less than a 2170 equipped the same.
Luke, my boat is currently in my shed which I haven't gotten the lights mounted in yet, but I just went out and took these pictures for you along with a couple I had before I got my shed.
https://goo.gl/photos/zFCTf3apzW8qKP7G8
https://goo.gl/photos/zPEmsxTP5t7ckeMb7
When I got my boat with the 150 vmax sho the rig came with Teleflex no-feedback cable steering. I recently upgraded to seastar hydraulic steering. If I'd thought about it when I was buying the boat I'd have had them install it to start with. I have several friends with the 115 vmax sho on the same rig. One guy has the cc and one the sc. The boat will run about 45 mph+/- with the 115. My boat runs about 57 mph GPS with only me and my fishing load in the boat. Now before I added a trolling motor and all I could get 60 mph out of it with only me and no gear at all.
One the main drawbacks I can think of for a 2170 is the amount of draft which isn't a problem if you plan to stay in deep water. My boat drafts about 15 inches of water with that 480lb motor on the back.
One thing I'd have them do differently if I had it to do over again is mount my stereo speakers a bit closer to the center so if I decided I wanted to go back and add a gun box the speaker wouldn't be in the way. Also I'd mount my trolling motor on the left side instead because until I get on plane it's hard to see over.
thats what I was thinking. I sent War Eagle an email asking this very question, so we will see what they respond with! Just concerned with the draft of the 2170 with a 150 Vmax sho on the back.Quote:
Originally Posted by okhawg
As as far as excel goes, they make a quality boat and have great customer service as I had an issue with a weld popping on the floor and they took my boat and completely welded in a new floor, and repainted it, upgraded the decals, etc. it was better than new when I got it back. That being said, they bay pro looks like a quality boat, I iust don't like the layout on the front deck.
Thanks for for the response! Great forum!
Thanks for the pictures!! Boat is great looking! And the Vmax is a beast. How do U like the hole shot and power? Like I said, I'll be carrying heavy loads in the winter and need the torque and hole shot for duck season. This is why I'm looking heavily at going with the Evinrude 150 H.O. Plus it only weighs 418lbs! So that will save me some weight on the big 2170. However, the proven reliability of Yamaha (my own experience with them), is hard to pass up!Quote:
Originally Posted by Hitekrednek
Your shed is almost identical to the one I built at my last house. However, we moved into a neighborhood with an HOA and I have to build a garage that matches the house now (no metal building/shed allowed), unfortunately! This is delaying my boat purchase for a couple months!
Thanks for for the response!
Luke
this is great info! I was curious what the Vmax 115 would push the CC 961! I really like your SC but with hunting and setting up/picking up decoys, the CC is a must have! Which may force me into a 2170 if war eagle can't build me a 961 cc with hydraulic steering to mount a 150 on it. Also a good point with the speakers!Quote:
Originally Posted by Hitekrednek
What at is the digital gauge on the lower right side of your dash? Can't really tell from the photos!
Luke
one other question, how do u like the duckbill front end and lights? I generally mount a 20" LED lightbar on the front of my boats. I don't really like the shape of the duckbill front from what I've seen, but it'd be nice to have those factory installed lights. Are they plenty bright when it's dark?Quote:
Originally Posted by Hitekrednek
Luke, I don't think war eagle will install a 150 hp on a 961 cc due to the leaning post. I don't think they'll install the 150 on that model even with hydraulic steering. My boat came with cable steering with a 150. I installed the hydraulic steering a year later.
The hole shot is REALLY good. If ya ain't sitting down I can roll ya out the back. It seems like I'm on top the water within 3 feet. I have no complaint about the hole shot or performance of the motor.
The "digital gauge" on my dash is actually my stereo! It's designed to fit in a 4 inch gauge slot. It also has a USB and AUX input as well. The reason I went with the round stereo there was so I could dash mount my Garmin fish finder GPS unit.
The lights on the front are BRIGHT! They will light up the whole world in the front! I've never used the boat at night yet, but I've had them on in the yard at night. As far as the duck bill goes, I love it. I find myself standing on it to fish. I will say this, though, if you put a trolling motor on the boat and you go with one similar to mine (the Minnkota Ipilot) you're not gonna be able to use the tray for mounting the trolling motor. It will hit the duck bill if mounted on the tray. You will have to mount it on the duck bill close to the edge. If you'll look at my pictures real good you'll notice I removed my tray completely and installed the plug for the trolling motor on a second war eagle plastic logo that I got from my dealer. That gave me more walking room with less trip hazard.
Also a word about trailering the boat with the duck bill. You will only want to back your trailer in till the back 1½-2 feet are in the water. If you go in much deeper (especially if it's not a very steep ramp) your duck bill will come below the front roller on the winch stand. If you only have the last 1½ feet or so in the water the boat will ramp upward and land perfectly. If you mess up and it comes too low to the roller, just connect the strap, let the boat stay rearward about a foot or so and pull out. Then you can winch out on up and it'll land perfectly.
[QUOTE=Hitekrednek;7448405
Also a word about trailering the boat with the duck bill. You will only want to back your trailer in till the back 1½-2 feet are in the water. If you go in much deeper (especially if it's not a very steep ramp) your duck bill will come below the front roller on the winch stand. If you only have the last 1½ feet or so in the water the boat will ramp upward and land perfectly. If you mess up and it comes too low to the roller, just connect the strap, let the boat stay rearward about a foot or so and pull out. Then you can winch out on up and it'll land perfectly.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for this Hite. I should be able to pick my boat up in 3-4 days. I wondered how the duckbill and the trailer would "interact".
That was something I had to learn the hard way okhawg. It was aggravating at first.
Okhawg, I can't wait to read about the wareagle 150 zuke combo. I keep reading the zukes are beasts. Zuke will be my next motor.