Thread: Help me ~ I need opinions!

SH; I heard that Tritons have been falling behind on their warranties and the paint is pealing off pretty regular and they aren't fixing their problems. Also heard that Mercury has bought them out and you can't get them without a Mercury on it. I love a stick steering and that's what I'll go with after this wears out. I would look at others before I bought a overpriced, under warrantied Triton. That's about as honest as I can get. War Eagle makes a stick steering boat also. Here's another one to look at (I'm a little prejudiced). Hope this helps buddy.

http://www.g3boats.com/EagleSeries/E...PF/default.php

Mo'nBack,
I talked to the man and he said he could put on a HONDA or MERCURY....My choice...
I'll ask about warranty and paint chipping....

THANKS!

Anyone else???

Also heard that Mercury has bought them out and you can't get them without a Mercury on it.

SH I have requested and recieved Brochures from 8-10 manufactures of Alum boats in the last 3 weeks. I personally like to sit high up on a deck (like to see them bream bed's) like bass fisherman so I am leaning on a boat that has an upper deck. Also I am wanting to get a boat that has room for two on the bow (just as FM has). I have looked at G3, War Eagle, Fisher, Basstracker, Triton, Express, Sea Ark, Lowes and probably a few more I cant think of while I am at work. I will narrow my choices down to the top three then the boat show is Jan 19-22 here in S'port and they should all be under one roof and that will help me decide. I think Monroe's is soon after. So after all that being said it may help to get them all under one roof! Good Luck and Happy Fishing!!!

BamaFan,
Boat show is a GoooooooD idea. I'll take a look.....

THANKS!
Anyone else???

Originally Posted by BamaFan

SH I have requested and recieved Brochures from 8-10 manufactures of Alum boats in the last 3 weeks. I personally like to sit high up on a deck (like to see them bream bed's) like bass fisherman so I am leaning on a boat that has an upper deck. Also I am wanting to get a boat that has room for two on the bow (just as FM has). I have looked at G3, War Eagle, Fisher, Basstracker, Triton, Express, Sea Ark, Lowes and probably a few more I cant think of while I am at work. I will narrow my choices down to the top three then the boat show is Jan 19-22 here in S'port and they should all be under one roof and that will help me decide. I think Monroe's is soon after. So after all that being said it may help to get them all under one roof! Good Luck and Happy Fishing!!!

Well I love my G3 hull. If it one day "lost its buoyancy" :rolleyes: I think I would get one just the same. I have fished it in everything from trout rivers to 5 miles offshore. It had a nice small draft for shallow water, I have used it in flats for specs and reds. It has no carpet so you can just power spray it clean if it’s covered in fish slime and worm dirt. (for you maybe crappie nibbles... :D) I also really like the center console... I like to stand up while I drive so I can see stumps and shallow water. But I guess that is just preference.

One thing I would really consider is welded vs. riveted. This will affect your sonar when you use the transom mount and big motor. I have to go at a low idle to use my back sonar. Because anything over that causes air bubbles off my welded hull that interfere with the sound waves. They are meant to travel through water not air... I have heard riveted boats are even worse for this. My sonar readings off the transom are the single reason I would consider a nice smooth fiberglass hull. I like aluminum for all its other pros and cons. Maybe they have an aluminum hull now that will not interfere with sonar while motoring...

But that is something I would keep in mind...

Good luck with your choice SH. I know it’s a big one.

~Fishin' Magician~

Fishin_Magician,
Thanks, that's the kind of input that I'm looking for.
I think I forgot to mention that the boat has to be lite enough for me to pull behind my camper. :D

THANKS!
Anyone else???

Originally Posted by Fishin_Magician

Well I love my G3 hull. If it one day "lost its buoyancy" :rolleyes: I think I would get one just the same. I have fished it in everything from trout rivers to 5 miles offshore. It had a nice small draft for shallow water, I have used it in flats for specs and reds. It has no carpet so you can just power spray it clean if it’s covered in fish slime and worm dirt. (for you maybe crappie nibbles... :D) I also really like the center console... I like to stand up while I drive so I can see stumps and shallow water. But I guess that is just preference.

One thing I would really consider is welded vs. riveted. This will affect your sonar when you use the transom mount and big motor. I have to go at a low idle to use my back sonar. Because anything over that causes air bubbles off my welded hull that interfere with the sound waves. They are meant to travel through water not air... I have heard riveted boats are even worse for this. My sonar readings off the transom are the single reason I would consider a nice smooth fiberglass hull. I like aluminum for all its other pros and cons. Maybe they have an aluminum hull now that will not interfere with sonar while motoring...

But that is something I would keep in mind...

Good luck with your choice SH. I know it’s a big one.

~Fishin' Magician~

that is an awesome boat! the built-ins are really sweet, but I agree with bamafan, I like a deck on the front. I think it suits your style of fishing better as well, giving you the option of standing for a good view, or sitting for laziness! i cant pretend to know much more, as I am very green at all this, but thats my 2c worth.

ps make sure it has a BIG livewell!

SH, I went through this boat choice ordeal back at the first of the year! I finally after months of looking at all kinda boats and traveling all over the State, I decided to go with the Sea-Ark. It was more suited to what I wanted than any other boat I came across. But like Mo'nBack said lots of boats are under a Franchise and the dealers can only sell them with what brand motor is available through each franchise. My Sea-Ark is all welded 17.5 ft. has 3 live-wells (2 in front 1 in back), rod box under front deck, and comes with 4 seats. The rear deck has two levels and each level has a seperate pedalstal base to suite what type of position you prefer,it also has a couple of storage compartments on each side, the front deck is a lowered deck but that was what I wanted. Not many boats are available with front livewells, Sea-Ark and Polar Kraft were 2 of the ones I found that were. The best prices I got on my motor (Yamaha) was at Crowley's H&M Marine they actually blowed the other guys away on price for the 60 hp installed with all the controls and tac. included. Bryan's Marine in Vidalia was the next closest dealer in prices and they have a good selection of boats to look at. Smith Marine now carries the Polar Kraft, and Real Deal Marine in Alexandria is where I found my Sea-Ark. I hope you find a great boat to suite your type of fishing. Good luck Boat Hunting:D Sorry for the Confusion :this is TreeFrog I posted under Mo'nBacks name by mistake. ...lol...:D :D