Opinions and advise on the 201 Evo

[carp_mstr]

I am getting ready to begin the process of buying a new rig and am interested in a new 201 Evo and would like to hear from both buyers and sellers. I have looked at the 201 Evo and have been impressed with it but have a question about the big lid on the center rod box. It felt a little wobbly when I opened it up and I was wondering how it handles the wind. Has any one had any issues with it ? I am wanting a DC with a 36 volt trolling motor, hydraulic jack plate (How much total setback should I be looking at ?) and a 250 E-tec H. O. also I am leaning towards the stainless steel fenders instead of the fiberglass ones. Also how hard or easy would this combo be to drive at speed ? Also what should I be looking at to prop this boat for a good hole shot and top end? Thanks in advance for any help just don't want make to many mistakes with this purchase. Larry Brumley

[Blue Steel]

Larry, I purchased my EVO from C&O Marine back in November, feel free to call me, I should be able to answer most of your questions. 757-619-4518 after 4pm eastern

[Stratosone]

Larry:

I also have a 201 Evo that I bought in May and the lid is just not a problem..
Great boat handles good, rides good. If you drive any boat to its potential they have to be driven, but I have found this boat to be relatively easy to drive at any speed.

[rodbender1]

Larry,

I have the same setup as you with the exception on the 36V TM and no DC. Bought new in May.

No issues what so ever on the center lid, I have an 8" setback Hydro plate and very happy with it.

As far as driving and ease of handling, if you've driven a boat over 70 MPH then you will not have any problems, it is a dream to drive, just remember when you are close to the 80 mph range in any boat it takes some driver input to get the most out of it. I have driven lots worse at slower speeds, very few that was easier to handle and none that was this fast. My wife has had mine to 76.6 she was very comfortable with it and raved about how easy it was to handle. This was her first time to get one over 70.

To get a 21' boat to 80 mph it has to be on pad and only on pad, so this take a little driving input for this. If this is your first hi-speed big rig and you have been runnung the 150-175's @ 55 mph, it is different, not harder just different and will take a little bit of seat time to get comfortable.

As far as props I have ran several on mine
28 Raker Original B&B tweaked
26 Raker Original
27 Tempest +
26 Fury
27 Fury
27 Hyrdomotive B&B tweaked

The best overall has been the 27 Hydro superior hole shot and top end within a mph of the best. It is a $1000 prop and thin bladed I did not like its survival chances here in my stump infested East Texas lakes. The 28 Rakers was fastest but no hole shot even light.
The 26 raker not a whole lot better slowest.
The 27 Tempest+ and Fury about the same I would give the Fury the upper hand on hole shot to speed is about the same, but the Tempest hold the bow better if you run heavy. The 26 Fury is the best hole shot other than the Hydromotive. not much slower than the 27's at top but seem to perform better all around than the 27's especially in the heat and with a load.

I have settled on the the 26 fury for summer time and 27 fury for cool months or light loads. I plan on getting both worked to help the bow lift thus will probably get a couple more mph's out of them.





Modified by rodbender1 at 4:02 PM 10/6/2009

[candojoe]

Not much I can say that aint been said. It drives like my sex drive, a Cadilac! Get ya one and enjoy it.

[F150owner]

Call me crazy, but I love center rod storage. Easy in, easy out. The Evo still has the normal rod locker, the center box just gives some extra rod storage. I have seen the EVo up close and I like the new deck layout. With a lid that large with it being long, it may feel like it flexes just a tad, but it didn't bother me. I wish my new 21' Allison had a center rod storage box.

Get the stainless fenders. They look better over time, even with scuffs and scratches. Get the max setback which is either 8" or 10" (forgot). Hydraulic plate is nice, make sure you get a dash gauage for it.

Be sure to keep C&O in mind if your local folks don't have what you're looking for.

[StratosBrad]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Duane Harper &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Call me crazy, but I love center rod storage. Easy in, easy out. The Evo still has the normal rod locker, the center box just gives some extra rod storage. I have seen the EVo up close and I like the new deck layout. With a lid that large with it being long, it may feel like it flexes just a tad, but it didn't bother me. I wish my new 21' Allison had a center rod storage box.

Get the stainless fenders. They look better over time, even with scuffs and scratches. Get the max setback which is either 8" or 10" (forgot). Hydraulic plate is nice, make sure you get a dash gauage for it.

Be sure to keep C&O in mind if your local folks don't have what you're looking for. </TD></TR></TABLE>


Try to buy local if you can. I know C&O sell the heck out of Stratos, and seem like a good bunch, but if you can, buy local. Gotta keep the one that wil lservice the boat in business

[big_b16]

Rodbender, what is your propshaft to pad measurement? I've got the standard 6" plate and am turning the 26 pitch fury...but my top end hasn't seen 75. I think it saw 79 at one point according to the smartcraft gauges...but I haven't seen it (originally run by a factory rep for photo shoots). It originally had a 27p Trophy Plus but the holeshot was non-existent regardless of load so I put the fury on it.

[rodbender1]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by big_b16 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Rodbender, what is your propshaft to pad measurement? I've got the standard 6" plate and am turning the 26 pitch fury...but my top end hasn't seen 75. I think it saw 79 at one point according to the smartcraft gauges...but I haven't seen it (originally run by a factory rep for photo shoots). It originally had a 27p Trophy Plus but the holeshot was non-existent regardless of load so I put the fury on it.</TD></TR></TABLE>

The fury's run best a little deeper than the Tempest. When the Hydro plate is set and and bumped for best performance the prop to pad is right at 3 1/4" for both the 26 and the 27. The Tempest runs best at 2 3/4" PtoP. I have never been below 75 MPH (in runnable water), even with a big 2 man team load, full of fuel and livewell is settles in at about 75.5 to 76.5 mph. I have not hit 80 yet but I will, I was at 79.2 (this is what locked on my GPS as top speed so far), tourney loaded, 1/2 fuel, but by myself in August with my 27 Fury. 95+ degrees. I was at 76.6 last weekend 26 fury, with 2 man team, 35 gals fuel and livewell water on a 10 mile run stayed right around 76 for the run no tailwind, slight chop.

Like I said I love the fury just doesn't hold the bow up with load as good as I would like I plan on getting it worked with a little cup added to remedy that. Should get me a couple more mph's with out affecting the hole shot

[craigs06]

I bought mine in June, love it. The center storage is really nice, easy to use and easy to put a LOT of tackle in. The big storage lid flexes a little when you walk on it, no issues so far. I have the 80# TM and have found it to be more than adequate for any current I've found so far. I have a 300 HPDI on a 10" Bob's JP, seems to work just fine for my set up. Easy boat to drive, best speed so far is 86.2 loaded approx 20 gallons of gas and with one person aboard. Very stable at rest, fishes great. I have the second console ordered for mine as well. Also, another vote for C and O, they will stand with you after your purchase, no matter how small the issue is. If you want to talk, IM me your phone number

[rodbender1]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by craigs06 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> best speed so far is 86.2 loaded approx 20 gallons of gas and with one person aboard. </TD></TR></TABLE>


unfair, your not telling the whole story. Your leaving off the Yamzilla part

[craigs06]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rodbender1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">


unfair, your not telling the whole story. Your leaving off the Yamzilla part
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well, yes, there is that You should hear it when it goes by at speed. Makes your hair stand up

[Jason Phillips]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by craigs06 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Well, yes, there is that You should hear it when it goes by at speed. Makes your hair stand up </TD></TR></TABLE>

I've driven it and let me tell you it makes more than just your hair stand up.

[rodbender1]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by craigs06 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Well, yes, there is that You should hear it when it goes by at speed. Makes your hair stand up </TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh Yeah, I can see how it would be easy to forget that thing back there. Man I would love to put my big butt in that seat.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by craigs06 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Makes your hair stand up </TD></TR></TABLE> I bet it does and then pulls it right out.

[craigs06]

Most of us never get to see our boats running. Mike Lohn did several fly by runs for video, was cool to see the boat running and to hear the 'Zilla go by. And the norfer can drive pretty good

[Blue Steel]

That Norfer can't Drive 55

[big_b16]

That makes sense...I had it up too high. I brought it down a couple days ago from where I had it the past month and now at 2.5" below, I saw 75 today. I'm going to bring down 3/4". My problem with the manual slidemaster is it doesn't want to settle evenly with the transom. I have to lock in one side and manipulate it to level it out. The front plate is level with the top of the transom so I think it's just that finicky (about 1/4" low on one side at the engine). Thanks again.

[rodbender1]

big_b16,

I did the same thing when I got the Fury's, tried to run them high like my Rakers and Tempest's, they just do not like to be that high. I am guessing it is due to the Fury's being a little smaller diameter than the others.

Like I said I plan on getting both of them B&Bed with a slight amount of cup added, hoping this will allow me to run them about a 1/2" higher without losing the bow lift. I have plenty of water pressure so that will not be an issue. If I can move them up, then theoretically I should gain a few mphs on top.

I think this may be the reason some folks are not happy with the performance of the Fury's, they are trying to run them where they run other high performance props.