KY/Barkley: Best Boat

[JimDi]

I will be in the market for a boat in the near future. The biggest water that I fish is KY/Barkley. I know from personal experience that these lakes can really get rolling. What is the best boat to handle the rough water?

[KyBigBassMan]

If it is like today, a barge is pretty good! Otherwise I wouldn't recommend anything less than 19 feet (20' would be better) if you are going to fish tournaments when you might get stuck several miles away from you ramp.

As for brands of boats, I'm not touching that one with a 10' pole. Give Rodney a call at Jet-A-Marina. He can hook you up and give a test ride.

[jettdog68]

any brand 19' or bigger, Triton, Skeeter, Ranger, BassCat, are my recomendations.

[S.Curtsinger]

RANGER..trust me Ive been in every manufacturer..and also speared a few ...the ranger comes thru with flying colors...second choice would be a Cat

[chris20]

A 21XD Bullet!

[196 Bobby]

[196 Bobby]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by chris20 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">A 21XD Bullet!</TD></TR></TABLE>

[EdDavisKY]

My choice Phoenix 721 ProXP

[Z20basser]

This is shaping up to be more of a "Which brand do you own?" thread...

[CaymasRodney]

Jim, if you are going to fish tournaments be sure and get at least a 20 or 21 footer. I have a real deal on a new 07 201 Stratos, we also have a heck of a deal on a 2007 294 Stratos with a 200 Yam at our Clarksville store. If you don't want to spend in the thirties then i have a real nice 1997 487 Ranger with a 200 EFI Mercury. Any boat you go with be sure and go 20 or 21 feet.

[KyBigBassMan]

Yep, that's why I avoided that one....

[BeeNix]

Here's a quote from Alabamabee:

My 721 is the dual console boat pictured earlier residing at Logan Martin Lake. My wife and I took the first ride today. Temp was 72, windy, and overcast. We ran 92.5 miles in 2hours 16 minutes, nonstop. The ride, handling, and comfort were awesome. The boat took the waves better than any boat I have owned or ridden in. Handling is like a sports car. Effortless to drive. After putting 2 hours on the motor, varying the speed, I opened it up for a short WOT run. 75.13 mph on the GPS at 5800 rpm. I only let it run wot for a short few seconds. This is one awesome boat. I was very comfortable behind the wheel with no fatigue after 2 hours and 16 minutes of continuous running. I could see all of the instruments and the FULL screen of the Lowrance LCX37C. Nothing was obstructed by the steering wheel. My wife was really amazed at the quality of the ride and she could not believe how easy the boat handled, especially at 75 mph. Her favorite thing was the passenger side console. The console has enormous storage room. She was able to get all of her stuff in the console. She also liked the protection from the wind. Last thing we did was to fish a little. Both of us noticed the room the boat provides even with that extra console in the boat, and we were impressed at the stability of the boat when one of us moved to the edge of the boat. Tackle storage is enormous. The boat holds all of my tackle with room to spare, and room for a partner to store his tackle, and it is all organized. I will update more when I get more time on the boat.

And thousands less than most of the competition
Give one a test drive, you won't be disappointed

[Dave Stewart]

There are a number of boats that can handle these rough lakes in the 19 to 22' class. I have driven Rangers, Tritons, Bass Cat, Charger, Stratos and a few more on these lakes and they all can handle the rough water...a lot of it has to do with the driver as much as the boat as long as the boat is big enough. I will say that I have been running the same Ranger for 10 years now on these lakes and I am out there well over 200 days a year. My hull has no stress cracks and is still solid as a rock. To me that is proof in the pudding of how well the Rangers are built.

[CaymasRodney]

One other thing to consider James, if you are planning on fishing any BFL, STREN or FLW tournaments be sure to get a Ranger, you can miss out on some major money by winning one of these tournaments if you aren't in a Ranger

[bassen9]

If you are planning on fishing tournaments or making long runs I would not buy anything less tan 21', we fished the Midwest Sportsmens classic last fall making approx a 85 mile run both days and I sure was glad I was in a Z22 we passed most all the boats in front of us both days.

[Mike Daleo]

get a big boat that is set up right. A four blade prop will help. You are not gonna fly over big rollers so set your boat up for a comfortable ride and you will be happy.

[BeeNix]

Go big or go home :

[beng]

I think find one you like in the price range your wanting to stayin.... I know right know its a buyers market on boats. Some good deal to be had... You just have to look around for them. I know several guys that have last years boats and they are selling them for unreal prices these are from Tritons, Rangers, to Stratos... Just look around on here and some of the other sites.. Before you buy though have them take you out and fish in it get on the trolling motor make sure you like the lay out and everything.. Thats the true way you going to know if you like it !!! Everyone is different .....

[nightbasser]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BeeNix &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Here's a quote from Alabamabee:

My 721 is the dual console boat pictured earlier residing at Logan Martin Lake. My wife and I took the first ride today. Temp was 72, windy, and overcast. We ran 92.5 miles in 2hours 16 minutes, nonstop. The ride, handling, and comfort were awesome. The boat took the waves better than any boat I have owned or ridden in. Handling is like a sports car. Effortless to drive. After putting 2 hours on the motor, varying the speed, I opened it up for a short WOT run. 75.13 mph on the GPS at 5800 rpm. I only let it run wot for a short few seconds. This is one awesome boat. I was very comfortable behind the wheel with no fatigue after 2 hours and 16 minutes of continuous running. I could see all of the instruments and the FULL screen of the Lowrance LCX37C. Nothing was obstructed by the steering wheel. My wife was really amazed at the quality of the ride and she could not believe how easy the boat handled, especially at 75 mph. Her favorite thing was the passenger side console. The console has enormous storage room. She was able to get all of her stuff in the console. She also liked the protection from the wind. Last thing we did was to fish a little. Both of us noticed the room the boat provides even with that extra console in the boat, and we were impressed at the stability of the boat when one of us moved to the edge of the boat. Tackle storage is enormous. The boat holds all of my tackle with room to spare, and room for a partner to store his tackle, and it is all organized. I will update more when I get more time on the boat.

And thousands less than most of the competition
Give one a test drive, you won't be disappointed

</TD></TR></TABLE> Fortunately phoenix doesnt make ya pay for incentive programs built into the price or some team deal they gave some Jake Leg down the street

[Dan21XRS]

Buller 21RXD. Speed, fishability, ride and beauty all in one package. Plus depending on the motor you choose, less money than a the Ranger, BassCat mentioned above. Jury still out on Pheonix, will they still be in business in 10yrs?... Dan