Thread: War eagle

The 861 is a nice boat I had one but if you plan to fish 2 people up front the side panels make it tight. If you are looking at a new War Eagle consider the Blackhawk series they are available in 17', 19', 21' and 23'. I prefer a high deck and I want my seats close to the front of the bow. It is easier to land fish plus if you are fishing 16' poles you are 14' to 15' in front of trolling motor verses losing 4 to 6' on low deck models. I went with War Eagle because they are rugged boats but the biggest reason is I could get changes made to the floor plan, not some cookie cutter boat that was all bass fishing decks without any floor space. Lots of good options out there just depends on what fits your needs.

This is a 2170 Blackhawk, high front deck with seats moved forward, center insulated live well between steps. Lots of floor room for ice chest and gear without them having to be on the decks.

I have talked to Mike about building another 2170 for me with same front set up, moving the console forward and dropping the console live well off. I also don't want the back deck, we long line and pull cranks the back deck is worthless to us. Copy the multi species glass boats if you will. Our grandkids are starting to fish with us some in the summer, I would feel better with them standing in the bottom of the floor verses standing on the back deck reeling fish in.

Try as many different boats as you can decide what you like and want. You are the one that has to be happy with the choice! Good Luck!

Nice rig


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Originally Posted by Cubeice

Nice rig


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Thanks, I have a friend that guides, I fish with him some and send customers to him on guided trips. I had an 861 but I really liked the room and floor layout of his boat. I decided to have a 2170 built so I went to my friend measured the layout of his boat, asked him what he would change in a new boat. I tweeked his layout and had it built, there are a few things that I would change in a do over but for the most part I'm very satisfied. I mentioned earlier I would like to do away with back deck, leaving room for gas tank, batteries and floatation only. Would like to have driver and passenger seat on pedestals so they turn around for long lining and cranking. It would be nice to get up from the seat to reel fish in and stay on floor of boat verses getting on the back deck. You could also set a Bimini top over seats for shade but still have open back area to work while reeling fish in.

I have looked at the multi species glass boats but they sit so high due to deep V, a little bit of a pain to get in on lakes without boat docks plus they are very expensive.

I mainly spider rig and pull some in the spring and summer . I would like to have a live well up front and in the back . I need to sit in a 861 because I have some questions about how far my pole will be back from the front.


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Before you decide on your new boat give me a shout. I’d be happy to take you for a test Ride on a ROUGH day in one of my Xpress Hyperlift Pad Ride Crappie Boats.
I’ll be glad to meet you with several others with different boats so you can have a fair comparison and test drive them all to see which one YOU like best.


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I will do that . I’m going to take my time and find her boat that’s right for me .


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Originally Posted by Cubeice

I will do that . I’m going to take my time and find her boat that’s right for me .


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Just call me when you’re ready. I have a demo ready to go. You’ll be glad you did.

The 200 is a screamer on my 20’ foot model. You can get if for around the same money as everybody else’s 150hp boat too.


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Originally Posted by Cubeice

I mainly spider rig and pull some in the spring and summer . I would like to have a live well up front and in the back . I need to sit in a 861 because I have some questions about how far my pole will be back from the front.


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You are going to be sitting back, that along with the side panels were my complaint with the boat. Sitting back makes it tougher to land fish and easier to get tangled in TM plus you defeat the purpose of fishing long rods when fish are shallow. I have no complaints what so ever with ride and we have been caught in 25 plus mph wind on Grenada in both the 861 and 2170. The 2170 took the waves much better of course. If you are looking for the fastest and lightest boat then may want to look at other boats.

If you compare ride to sportsman series verses black hawk or predator series there is a huge difference. The predator and black hawk are hands down better, no comparison.

I can't tell you about Xpress all have ever owned of theirs was a duck boat, traded it for an 16' War Eagle which was my first War Eagle.

Once again Good Luck! Lots of great options makes for tough decision! I only replied because you asked about an 861 and I have owned and fished with one. I'm not trying to sell it, just giving my opinion of the predator series verses War Eagle's other series.