I will be buying a new crappie boat in the next 18 months and I'm starting now doing my research. Deep V vs Mod V, tiller steer vs console steering vs stick steering, all will be aluminum and 16-18 feet in length.
Printable View
I will be buying a new crappie boat in the next 18 months and I'm starting now doing my research. Deep V vs Mod V, tiller steer vs console steering vs stick steering, all will be aluminum and 16-18 feet in length.
A few years ago I made the move from mod-v to deep v and have never regretted it. Draft is not so deep that I can not get into fairly shallow water, but I mainly fish deeper water. Wind and waves that cause the mod-v crowd to pause are less of a worry. I like the fact that I sit in the boat, and not at gunwale level. It is much, much safer. Look at Angler's Edge with Al Linder. He fishes everywhere with his deep v's. I have used mine on the SC coast, the marshes on the Gulf south of Nawlins, the TN River, from one end to the other, and all points in between, including Sardis. You will be very happy in the safer deep v, and so will your wife, for they ride much more smoothly.
I too went from a mod-v to a deep-v. I too like the deep-v. I also feel safer with my grandkids.
I fish just about every water type, IL. river and tributaries and backwaters. Resavoir lakes, cooling lakes, Canadian Sheild lakes and have fished in 30mph winds with it. I don't worry about swells, or storms surprising me on the lake. While mine is a 16', I would take it on lake Michigan, however only on calmer days. The great lakes have sunk much bigger ships than my boat. So I show her some serious respect. But for most other inland waters I have no problem fishing for crappie.
Sent from my XT1710-02 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I have seen the bass style and flat bottoms get beat to death on rough waters, while my bow slices through and the gunals keep keep the waves out. Never once have I had a wave crest the bow of my deep-v. They did on my mod-v.
Sent from my XT1710-02 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I want to add one more thing. I have a 70 year old friend who just bought a new semi-v bass style boat. I'm 76. I went fishing with him one time, my last time too. I was perched on the rear deck with absolutely nothing to even press my feet against for stability. Waves made me think I was going over the edge. Getting pounded going to the brush pile will evidently be normal for him. My knees were above my hips and that made it difficult to stand up, then I had to climb over the bench seat to get my "perch" seat. My friend? Well, I noticed that the effort to mount the front deck from his driving seat was strenuous for him too. So he has a brand new boat for about $16,000.........but he bought a young man's bass boat !! As soon as the knees or hips start aching he too will wise up to the benefits of the deeper v- bow boats.
Counsel verses tiller. I'm a tiller fan for several reasons, more useable space in the boat, better steering control, and a view of everybody in the boat. I can make adjustments to path to keep them dry, or not.
There are advantages to the cousel, generally better visibility while under way, easier to back troll or pull cranks. And the windshield is nice on cold runs.
Sent from my XT1710-02 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I made the switch to a deep v for all the reasons stated above. I have a console set up which is what I'm used to, easier for me when loading the boat up. Tiller steer was harder to load up for me. I fish solo 99% of the time, so console is not in my way or anyone else.
Attachment 318301Attachment 318302My boat is certainly not new, but new to me this Spring. I love it!
Sent from my iPad using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app
I agree with all that has been said but will add one thing. A Deep V will take a bit more motor than Mod V or a Flat Bottom to move it at the same rate. More HP = More $$$. If you have a variety of water to fish, then that money is well spent.
Deep V for me. Again for all the reasons listed above...I just feel safe when fishing in a deep v.
I also prefer the console. My friend has a tiller and I hate driving that thing, sitting in the very back of the boat trying to look over the bow or other people sitting in front of you can be a challenge some days. The power trim/tilt is also a bit awkward to use too.
On thing not mentioned is boat length. My boat is 17 1/2' long. A 17'-18' boat just fishes so much bigger than a 16' boat so I would go to 17' as a minimum. My boat is a 1994' and at that time I had 4 friends who had 16' boats and every one of them wished their boats were bigger. I actually was looking at getting a 16' boat but that fact kept nagging at me so I started looking for something a little bigger. I have no regrets and now 20+ years later I still have my boat and all my friends have 17'-18' boats. All of them also have deep v's.
Be sure to get enough HP for your boat to preform well. I originally had a 40 hp and it was just not big enough. It was too expensive to just replace for the heck of it so I kept it for 20+ years and waited until it was just needing some work then switched to a 60 hp a few years ago. The boat is rated for a 90 but both the 75 & 90 are 100# heavier than the 60 so I shied away since the boat is so old.
I have no regrets boat runs 32-34 mph with the 60.