Input needed

[quikcarl61]

Assuming you're running a bass boat style aluminum boat like an Xpress against a fiberglass bass boat, the aluminum should go faster with the same parameters. If you're fishing a deep v vs a "pad" style boat, then yes, you're at a speed disadvantage.

My Ranger is a pad hull, I'm slower than him, i know there are differences in the props and such but his boat impresses me to no end.

[Ketchn]

i have a bud that fishes more than about any guide , he loves open water and often chases the big striped ones . he has a bunch of really nice boats and he recently sold what to me was the best ever big whopper sea ark with the walk thru window fishing rig .
he went with a slightly larger big glass center console that is darn near as nice , down side he needed a bigger truck to haul it .
mind you i asked him about a bunch of times what on earth are you doing ,getting rid of that beast of a cool camo boat i might just add .
i never liked open water as much as in the thick of it , but to be sure have done a bunch of it .
my buds that fish for a living in open water all use glass boats , not sure if this helps but its my 27 cents on the subject .

[Big mike82]

Yes this definitely helps. It’s the answer that I figured it would be. Never been a huge fan of glass boats, but the extra weight and low profile makes them an excellent fishing platform in any amount of wind. Thanks everyone for the input. Time to start looking at the used bass boat market. Their prices are outrageous for a 20 footer and above.

[Nick51]

I lived in south central KS the past two years and predominately fished Kaw Lake (OK) and El Dorado. This is all out of 2007 Tracker Pro Crappie 175 and I only spider rig (which in KS is painful because of the pole restriction). I refuse to go out if it is blowing more than 15, which is often in KS/OK. Anything up to that and I am hiding from the wind. And the wind isn't necessarily the problem, because I am used to constantly being on the trolling motor but the issue is the chop. With big wind and big water, you will always have chop, which is hell for spider rigging in my opinion.

All that being said, I bought a TA-196 a couple months back. I've only fishing 6 times and it was all in TN so no crazy KS wind. Definitely doesn't get pushed like my tracker. Almost to the point of frustrating because I can't probe around a brushpile as well like I did in my tracker. I'm terrified to use the boat because it is so nice and I don't know anything about fiberglass. It is crazy heavy when towing compared to my Tracker. Way more stable on the water.

If I had the funds I'd probably be in an Xpress 20PFC. From the looks of it, my biggest issue would be the staggered seat mounts which causes issues with rod holders but I can remedy that. I'm always gonna hide from the wind when fishing KS or OK regardless of boat so my thoughts are I might as well have a boat I am comfortable with.

Best of luck!