one philosophical question?

[achigan]

I m gonna order a new bass boat this winter, in a strict "fishability" point of view ( not for speed, not for hype, not for tournaments ), what do you guys think is the best size and hp for a bass boat? I fish a mix of big and medium waters but I don t go if too windy.

[JerryT]

201 pro with a 225 Merc or etec,,,Thats my minimum size I would hate to own a smaller rig as i use up all 21 feet now

But if i was fishing alone and didnt want to spend a ton i would get a 285XL with a 150

[AB]

The 294 is a great all around weekend fishing boat, fishes good, with a 200HO will run low 70's, and is very easy on the wallet compared to the 200XL and 201XL. What I generally try to recomend is the 294 if you are a weekend warrior, and a 200/201 if you are serious into tournaments...

[Neilslure]

If you fish alone alot in calmer conditions the 285 would do you good, bigger is better though.

[cubswin]

For my waters I like smaller boats, easier to move around in the stump fields.

For what you've suggested I would think a min of a 20 footer and 200 hp. Nothing like having to spend all day running and not fishing when you want to try that area on the other side of the lake.

I'd personally want something with a good amount of freeboard, and maybe a deck thats a bit recessed for bigger water rollers.

[Clint S]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by AB &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The 294 is a great all around weekend fishing boat, fishes good, with a 200HO will run low 70's, and is very easy on the wallet compared to the 200XL and 201XL. What I generally try to recomend is the 294 if you are a weekend warrior, and a 200/201 if you are serious into tournaments...</TD></TR></TABLE>

Grant, as many times as you've seen me bragging, you should know a 294 with a 200 HO will run mid 70's.

i was loaded to the brim this weekend with gas, tackle and livewells (full of water, only a couple of little fish. it was tough on KY lake this weekend.) and partner with a very large tackle bag of his own. and we were running 73 easy, in slightly choppy water. my backboater on saturday couldn't get over the fact that the 294 rode so well in the washing machine type turbulent waters of a 134 boat blast off and mad dash down the river. he seemed really impressed all day by the boat. he talked more about my boat than anything else. he has a late 90's 201, but he fell in love with my 294.

the 294 fishes very well in any kind of water, from ultra skinny water to deep, rough water. rides great has enough storage to store rations for an entire college football team, and is surprisingly good on gas and oil. on top of that, it is an absolute blast to drive. you've got room for lots of rods, tackle, gear, drinks, sandwiches, extra clothes, a sleeping bag, and yes, with the right mounting hardware i firmly believe you can mount the proverbial kitchen sink in the bilge area.

so to answer your question, for the dollar, the 294 is the best value out there, in my opinion.

[F150owner]

Another vote for the 294 with a 200hp engine based on size, fishability, storage, and value. It is the best value on the market in its class. You will come to appreciate the size of the boat if you tend to fish bigger water. Size matters, especially in the difference between an 18 1/2 ft boat vs a 19 1/2 ft boat. Of course, my second choice would be the 285. Good luck!!

[21XDC]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Duane Harper &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Another vote for the 294 with a 200hp engine based on size, fishability, storage, and value. It is the best value on the market in its class. </TD></TR></TABLE>

+1

The 195/200 is good too.

[bigfish]

294 is GREAT,
the 185 is also a REALLY great boat. and is considerable cheaper

[Jason Phillips]

294 w/ 200 horse motor (E-TEC H.O. or HPDI).

[utfisherman]

For Quebec, I would suggest spending your money on a snowmobile and one of those little heated fishing huts.

[BBCJUNKIE]

Best bass boat buy on the market is the 294 with a 200 HPDI

[bassnbuc]

294 is great. 3 small problems I have with mine (I don't believe there is such a thing a perfect boat). 1. It rides great in rough water, but fishing on the front deck is little tricky. I used to have Ranger 372, and I think the the front deck was more stable than my 294. THis may be because the front deck on the Ranger sat a little lower, and there was a little bit of lip between the deck and the gunnel. 2. You can not open the rod locker with the trolling motor in the up posistion withouth moving the cable. 3. THe plug is nearly impsossible to reach when the boat is on the trailer. Those last 2 items should have been engineered a little better, but other than it seems like the perfect boat. It's big and fast enough to hang with anyone, and yet the cost is fairly resonable (in comparison to other modles including the 201 and 200 or other makes. the clsoest thing toit is a Triton TR19, but I like the Stratos better.