Can't Decide 618 / 619 / 719?

[jolicious]

Looking at these three:
618 with an Opti-max pro-xs 150
619 with an opti-max pro-xs 200
719 with an opti-max pro-xs 225.

Couple of questions:
1. any idea on top speeds of each? Consider me, my buddy, and a tournament load. (we're each about 250 pounds a piece).
2. My good friend (and boat mechanic) told me that I always need to get the highest HP that a boat is rated for to ensure proper performance, so I'm wondering why boat companies have the same hulls, but with different size hp motors? Is it a price deal only? How much is the performance hurt in the 19' boats with the 25 hp difference?

Thank you all in advance for input.

[Bigun']

[charliecfh]

If I had a bigger garage and a bigger bank account, I'd had a 719 with a 225...but I have a 618, which is actually rated for a 175. I'm not sure why they list it was 150 on the site and in the literature...it must be some sort of marketing technique to keep the price down.

I can say the 618 with a 175 Pro XS is a fantastic performer and fishes really well for an 18' 6" hull. The wide beam makes it super stable, and it has plenty of storage. I mentioned this in another thread just a minute ago, but i see around 64-67 with two 250lb guys and a full load.

[Jason Phillips]

The 618 can actually be had with a 175 if you ask for it. You'll see mid 60's with that setup and a load. With the 150 you'll see 62-63.

The 619/719 are identical hulls and top caps. The difference is in the HP rating and the standard options. The 619 is a price point boat for folks that want a little bigger boat but don't care about all of the true tournament level options and speed. The 719 is loaded out like a 721 and rated for a 225. I'm trying to get some real world numbers on these rigs but as you can see from my thread a little farther down the page, not many have responded. My guess is you will see around 70 with the 200 on the 619 and 73 or so with the 719 and 225.

I'd love to get my hands on a 719 for a couple of weeks and really work on the setup to see what I could get out of it.

[jolicious]

For insurance reasons, which rating do I go by?
Like the 618 - If I can order it with a 175, is that covered on insurance? I wonder because in the (few) tournaments I fish, one of the rules is that you're boat can't exceed it's HP rating. Thank you all for your info so far.

[Bigun']

The Coast Guard plate will be posted with 175, so for insurance you would fine

I have been talking to Jr. Slagle for months about the 619 and 719 with Mercury engines. The numbers I got with a 200 on a 619 with a fury prop would be 70 to 72. The 719 with a 225 proXS and fury would run 74-76, he also said that Kevin's purple and white 719 ran over 74 on Dale Hollow with him, Kevin, and all of Kevin's gear.

[bassinbama]

go with the 719/225 you'll thank me later...

[nightbasser]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Bigun’ &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The Coast Guard plate will be posted with 175, so for insurance you would fine

I have been talking to Jr. Slagle for months about the 619 and 719 with Mercury engines. The numbers I got with a 200 on a 619 with a fury prop would be 70 to 72. The 719 with a 225 proXS and fury would run 74-76, he also said that Kevin's purple and white 719 ran over 74 on Dale Hollow with him, Kevin, and all of Kevin's gear.</td></tr></table> Tks for chiming in Brad!!!! Those numbers are spot on and where done in warmer weather the cooler winter temps can add to those numbers. The 618 with 175 proxs is running 67 to 68 solo with a good set up and 65 two guys tourney loaded. I have tested and played with set ups alot let me know if we can help in any way

[Ray Co. Hank]

I lv my 618 150 combo. I see up to 62 loaded w/ 2 ppl. Its a great little rig. Fishes bigger than it is but its still 18'6". You wont go wrong with any of the birds, get what you can afford and have fun!

[nightbasser]

Hank the 618 does fish bigger than it is and a ride that good should not be possible in an 18'6" boat!!

[falcooon]

All these rigs are great and accommodate many combinations of specific needs...

Putting that aside ... get the biggest your wallet can afford and you WILL love it! Also ... match the hatch ...namely match the rig to the waters you fish. Small waters do great with smaller boats. However, if you fish bigger waters that can get rough when the wind picks up ...go with the bigger rig!

Good Luck and if you stick with Phoenix, you will love your selection!

[revinkevin]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Bigun’ &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">The Coast Guard plate will be posted with 175, so for insurance you would fine

I have been talking to Jr. Slagle for months about the 619 and 719 with Mercury engines. The numbers I got with a 200 on a 619 with a fury prop would be 70 to 72. The 719 with a 225 proXS and fury would run 74-76, he also said that Kevin's purple and white 719 ran over 74 on Dale Hollow with him, Kevin, and all of Kevin's gear.</td></tr></table>
This is true only thing to add to my boat running that 74 is we didnt have a full tank of fuel and live wells was empty. Jr was driving too...lol. I am still learning to drive it as well as he can
<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by bassinbama &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">go with the 719/225 you'll thank me later...</td></tr></table>
Could not agree more. I started out lookin at the 619 too. Well you see what I got.

[jowens]

Get the biggest boat you can afford. If you like speed, get the 719 w/ 225. If you don't care about speed, get the 619 w/200.

I will say, the 618 is a WHOLE lotta boat for a 18ft boat. It fishes like its WAY bigger than that. Its a true/serious tournament anglers boat in a 18ft package.

[Chuck D]

Bigger is better! Just ask her!