As most of you who follow this board know by now, I traded my Z21 Ranger for an XB21 BasSport Pro about a month ago. This weekend was the first local tournament where my partner and I used my new ride. This is also the first time I have had the boat loaded to the gills for a tournament. 15 or so rods, 7-8 loaded plano boxes (the double deep model), net, life jackets, plastics, cooler full of ice, 25 gallons of fuel, my partners 7-8 rods and limited tackle.
Here is my assessment- 300XS running a stock 27 Promax
PRO's
- The headlights are so cool and functional at blast off time, especially picking up your partner at the dock.
- I wish the rocker switches were lighted- not being familiar in the dark was a chore
- This is the sexiest bass boat on the planet
- The hole shot is good- (I am 260 and partner is 200 plus gear and fuel), the Promax wants to rev a bit, but when it comes over and grabs....it pulls like crazy.
- It was fun running down and past several boats...easily I might add. Runs 70+ at barely 5000 RPM
- I am still not comfortable driving it once I get past 75ish....getting better....but still a bit new to me
- Much easier to drive and balance when a passenger and weight on the port side helps spread the weight evenly. Drove it to 80 for spurts, and not to scary....
- Most people have no idea how fast their boats really run loaded, or, are afraid to admit the truth. I passed many boats on my initial run, driven by guys that claim they can run mid 70's, and I was running 75 and passed them like thay were sitting still...and I had so much more.....can't wait until I am comfortable opening this beast up!!
- Did I mention this is the sexiest bass boat on the planet?
- This thing rides better than any bass boat I have been in, by a lot. My partner cant stop talking about it. (he has Z21 also). Every time someone says...."but how does it ride" with that look on their face like I must be sacrificing ride for speed, my response is always...."Go ask Scott." Maybe there are others that ride better, but you would have to show me to believe it.
- I love having a boat that people stare at when you go by...fast or slow, just don't see many of them, and that was one of the reasons that drove me to make the change.
- The amount of storage in this thing is comical. No way you could fill this with gear. My Ranger was packed to the brim with the same amount of gear. I aslo bought some extra trays so many of the smaller items you need are high up in the compartments. Love not having to bend down in the bottom of a compartment to dig anything out. I used 2 or 3 of the shallow trays, and everything you could possibly use in a tournament day will fit in them nicely, and very easy and convenient to get to.
- The cooler will keep ice for days.
CON's
- It is definitely narrower than my Ranger, and with dual consoles versus single in the Ranger, it is very noticible. Not uncomfortable, but you feel the difference.
- the rod storage in my Ranger is miles better and user friendly (I carry many- too many)
- It is a bit tippy compared to the Ranger. Again, not bad, but you feel the movement of your partner more than the Ranger
- It is lighter and sits higher in the water, so the wind does affect it more when on the trolling motor
- The livewells are deeeeeep.....not a bad thing, just wish the lid was a bit wider.
- If your partner has more than 3 rods out at any time, he better keep them on the front deck, because there really isnt room for more than 2 or 3 in the rod rack......he better get used to it, because it didn't bother me. LOL
That's about all of the con's...very minor stuff that takes some getting used to, but the pro's of this boat are not to be believed. Did I tell you that this is the sexiest bass boat on the planet?? Can't remember.
I will say that once the livewells were full, that seemed to really impact hole shot. Once it finally broke over, it pulled great again, but much more bow rise and noticeably slower to do so. May need to have a smaller wheel for tournament days, while the 27 will be fine when the weather cools down a bit. (I have 1.62 lower unit)
Then, at weigh in, there were guys all over it. Asking loads of questions and looking at every nook and cranny. It's beautiful.. "thanks"...how fast will it go..."fast"...BUT how does it ride......"ask Scotty"...with a big SMILE!
Would I trade back for my Ranger........Oh hell no....why would I, I have the sexiest bassboat on the planet!!!
MET