Older models & 8' rods?

[MDisbrow]

I'm really only looking at a Classic, Sabre, or Eyra right now, say mid/late 90's to early 2000s. Obviously most interested in the previous style for the Classic, not after it was updated to the more current rounded lines.

It would really help me narrow down the search if anyone can tell me which, if any, of these models in those years will comfortably hold several 8' rods in the box. I don't really want to have to get creative to get them in or out of the locker, and prefer that they don't have to be bent along the hull to fit either.

And/or, if for example on an older Eyra or Sabre single console, lay down 8'ers on the deck, how much of the rod is hanging over the passengers foot area?

Anything y'all can tell me would be great.

Kind of going through boat withdrawal pretty hard since moving here, but can't justify the expense of a larger, newer boat. And these Texans sure are proud of their tin boats...

[Eyra1]

Of the 3 boats mentioned, the older Classic would be able to accomodate an 8 foot, using a rod sock. The rod will have to bend some, but at 19 foot it is the obvious choice for putting an 8 foot in the rod box. It will easily hold 7-7 1/2 foot rods.
Now, I do have a 96 Eyra and also an 8 foot rod. Laying the rod on the deck on the rod box side with the rod butt up toward the trim buttons, you still have about a 14 -16 inches extending.
Typically, I will use the passenger rod ramp, especially if I'm fishing alone.
The older Sabre would be about the same on the front deck I believe.

[MDisbrow]

That's pretty much what I had expected. I will mostly be fishing alone, so it's not a real issue. I just wanted to have an idea of what to expect. I'd really prefer an Eyra like yours over the other options, which is what brought about this question.

I live a couple of minutes from Lake Austin, bank access is terrible, and I honestly don't have a ton of time to fish, so I'm just looking for a smaller boat that floats and has a running motor And, I'd much rather pay $10k for a 15yr old glass boat, than $5k for a 15yr old 14' tin boat with a 25hp tiller.

I did look at an '07 Phelix recently, and that's pretty much all I really need for squeezing in a few hours here and there during the week or evenings/nights.

I've only lived here a few months, and sold my boat before I moved from Lake Erie. Didn't take long for that withdrawal to kick in.

Thanks again.
Mike

[1781ccT]

I know it's not exactly close to the $10k price you mentioned for the used boat, but this is where the new Margay floor design would really come in handy. It has spots for three 8' rods in the locker in that little 'bumpout'.

[Eyra1]

There was an older Pantera II in Texarkana for sale by Lane Peeples "basscatlane" on this board. Really nice older rig that even had a power pole and Bass Cat cover, he was letting go for around $7500. Don't know if he ever sold it but it was listed on the Bass Cat site and I think he has it listed in the Boats 4 Sale section here, no pics.
My kind of trips are of the short version as well, and the older Eyra is a great fit on the budget, drafts remarkably shallow and can handle the occasional rough stuff nicely.
Good Luck!




Modified by Eyra1 at 1:13 PM 3/5/2012

[MDisbrow]

Thanks y'all.

Yea, I do think it's really cool that they designed storage for 8'ers into the Margay. I think the storage layout as a result is kind of strange looking, but there aren't many (if any) boats that size with that capability.

To be honest though, if I was buying new, I'd be looking at at least a Classic, most likely P2 as minimum. The money isn't really the issue. It's a combination of how much actual fishing time do I have, no garage right now (small apartment), and I know for a fact that I will use a boat a lot less if I have to drive to a storage facility to pick it up. It would bother me too much to not use a bigger new boat enough, or store it outside.

Lake Austin isn't very big, doesn't even qualify as a lake in my book, but from what I understand during the summer it's steady 4ft chop from wakeboard boats. A zoo to the extent that it's law that you have to run your boat on the right side of the lake, just as you do your car, due to the traffic. My first summer here will be interesting. So I'm honestly a little ways off from purchasing.