Update on the 18 foot Phoenix

[nightbasser]

To all that are interested I got to have a long conversation last week with lead Engineer at Phoenix Greg Strahm regarding the new 18 foot boat that is in the works. Creating this boat will involve considerably more work than the 719 Phoenix. One goal that Greg and I discussed at length was having the 18 footer be a mini me of its awesome big brother the 721. This will take some thought and input to get the proportions right to keep the same great lines and eye appeal of the bigger boats. I would love to hear what input you guys have for the 18 foot model. Pm me is you would like to talk about the prelimenary measurements ont he boat as they are not set in stone as of yet. Tks JR

[marty92xrd]

[Darth VMAX]

IMO I would look at making a it a big small 18 footer. What the heck does that mean? The Bass cat Sabre is only 18'1" but seems bigger than that. Its shorter length also makes storing very easy in a standard garage which is a HUGE bonus to a lot of people. At least a 175 hp max rating is a MUST as well.

18'3" length
93" beam

[reelman]

Its my opinion that a quality 18 footer with a 150hp (2 or 4) is the bread and butter LONG term for ALL bass boat makers...its no coincidence it dominates many clubs and non-competing guys' choices.
May all makers concentrate on this aspect and not forget many guys own that rig for 3-15 years before moving up or buying another like it.

[ditchdiggerjcfII]

18' rated for a 175 if they keep the weight way, way, way down so that it will perform. A sabre weighs 1200#. That needs to be their benchmark. Any heavier than that and they might as well make the boat bigger and rate it for a 200 like a LE 186 legend.

[red 186]

18'6"rated for a 175 but not an entry level as a lot of people like this size boat and not just because of the price, good seats, dash, electronics and alot of the bells and whistles like the 21 footers have, and a good trailer also with a tandem as an option, dress it up, heck I owned 3 - 186s and if I was to buy tomorrow it would be an 18' 6" boat again.

[bassworm1]

I love my 180,!! you need a big deck all the bell and whistles rated for 175 to 200.tandem trailer is nice but a single you can move around easy.the 18 you can get back in some skinny water with it.cut the seats down so you sit a little lower.just a few things i would look for.

[Ohirolina]

18' 6" with a 200 HP.........You need something to compete with the Stratos 294 EVO.........Mid 70s for top speed...No more regular 294s

If the 719 could be equipped with a 250, I don't think production could keep up with the demand. ..........a 19'6" boat easily running 80+ would be awesome

[Lancer6]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Ohirolina &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">18' 6" with a 200 HP.........You need something to compete with the Stratos 294 EVO.........Mid 70s for top speed...No more regular 294s

If the 719 could be equipped with a 250, I don't think production could keep up with the demand. ..........a 19'6" boat easily running 80+ would be awesome</TD></TR></TABLE>

And also make funeral directors happy!

L6

[ditchdiggerjcfII]

bullshit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Darth VMAX]

How in the world does a 294 Stratos which is a 19'6" boat have anything to do with a boat a foot shorter?(the whole purpose of this thread) I will tell you it doesn't, period. You must be meaning a Stratos 285 which is a 18'6" boat that is now rated for a 175 (what it has always needed to be rated at IMO). That would be a direct competing model to the 18.?' Phoenix.

The only boats that are in the 18' class that have a 200 rating are those the NEED that much HP to perform with a 175 on other brands

[buzzzzbait88]

I'd like to see an 18ft with lots of storage and the same features as the big boys. A 65mph boat with a 175, but would still perform well with a 150. That would be good for me and of course a nice wide, stable fishing platform.

[Ohirolina]

Chill out Darth Man.
The 294 Stratos is the top seller in the Stratos line........One reason for my post was meant for Phoenix to be able to Grab hold and take some of those sales away from Stratos. Some of the reasons people choose the 294 is for the speed and the reasonable price. If you are looking at a 18'6" boat that is slower than a 294 and costs more than a 294, which are you more likely to buy? I know there haven't been any prices given on the 18'6" Phoenix, but I have compared the prices on a 719 to a 200 XL and there is a definite difference, and there is a huge difference between it and a 294.
I owned a 18'6" Champion with a 175 HP on it........62-64 MPH loaded 67 light thus the request for a 200.
With all of this said....Phoenix is still at the top of my new boat choice list. The 201 Evolution and the Z21 Intracoastal are neck and neck for a distant second.

[IABryan]

I have a 186 and there seems to be a lot of space in my boat when you look in the battery compartment between the transom, floor and livewell area but the actual area for my batteries is tiny.

There has to be an engineer who can maximize that space....

[nightbasser]

Tks for all the input guys and keep it coming I will pass everything along to Greg

[tpgrealty]

I think an 18'6" with a max rating of 200hp, but would still perform and run 60gps with a 150hp. That way if you wanted to keep up running with the bigger boats you could and still be able to get into those tight places the bigger boats can't.

As far as storage goes one large compartment in the middle front deck with 2 rod lockers on each side. The starboard rod locker able to hold a 7'10" rod.

Ice chest between the driver and passenger seat that could hold at least 12 can drinks and 10lbs of ice. The ice chest would also be the center step and a water line could run through the bottom through ribs to help cool the livewells.

Normal storage compartments behind driver and passenger seats.

Battery compartment that is designed to hold upto 4 batteries (you don't have to run them) so you could put a 36v trolling motor. Hold an oil tank that comes standard with remote fill.

Dual livewells with pumpouts. Livewell pumps that are easy to get to and change when needed.

A design similar to basscat's bow so it would fish bigger than the boat is.

This is personal preference of course but If it were made I would be a the dealership buying it.

[ditchdiggerjcfII]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tpgrealty &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think an 18'6" with a max rating of 200hp, but would still perform and run 60gps with a 150hp. That way if you wanted to keep up running with the bigger boats you could and still be able to get into those tight places the bigger boats can't.

As far as storage goes one large compartment in the middle front deck with 2 rod lockers on each side. The starboard rod locker able to hold a 7'10" rod.

Ice chest between the driver and passenger seat that could hold at least 12 can drinks and 10lbs of ice. The ice chest would also be the center step and a water line could run through the bottom through ribs to help cool the livewells.

Normal storage compartments behind driver and passenger seats.

Battery compartment that is designed to hold upto 4 batteries (you don't have to run them) so you could put a 36v trolling motor. Hold an oil tank that comes standard with remote fill.

Dual livewells with pumpouts. Livewell pumps that are easy to get to and change when needed.

A design similar to basscat's bow so it would fish bigger than the boat is.

This is personal preference of course but If it were made I would be a the dealership buying it. </TD></TR></TABLE>That sounds damn good to me.

[bassworm1]

Well i know for a fact the 180 bee with a 175 will run 68mph all day long it is a good match for that boat!!!! with a 200 i'll tell ya when i get her tuned in for me also on a new one i would bring the deck back father also.other than that cant wait to see a new one!!!!

[Darth VMAX]

Ok... I am chillin

Only prob I see with the 200HP rating is the price will start to climb as a lot of people will want to max the hp. A 200HO on a 18.5' boat would be fun though

I still say:

18'3"
93" beam
175 hp MAX

[nightbasser]

Just found out the 18 footer will have the awesome removable console feature of the two big brothers