I never knew the decision would be so tough.
I've been out of the crappie business since I moved to East TN from West TN six years ago. Always felt like I was missing something and I'm sure it's not being on the water. I used to drive 1.5 hours to fish Ky Lake religiously. Now I have a lake access about a mile down the road in our neighborhood and I'm not fishing.
Well with that said I have been scoping out both used and new boats for about two months now. I've driven as far as 4 hours to look at a F&F but it was a little too used for my liking. I've looked at G3's, Tritons, SeaArks and War Eagles. I've never bought a new car because you lose money when you drive it off the lot, but I am on the verge of buying a new boat. Although I would like a 2072 there isn't enough room for me to get it in the garage, so it looks like an 1860. G3 has a 1966 but I just don't like the layout of the boat, and truth be known an 1860 is big enough for us.
One thing about the SeaArks I like is that I can get the gas tank up near the bow, but the War Eagle is in the rear. Sea Ark has a 15 degree rise where War Eagle has a 12. Both boats can be protected with vinyl or SeaArk has a spray on Gator Hide or something like that. Both weigh about the same but the SeaArk is rated for a 90 and the War Eagle is rated for a 115. Both boats are close in price with the SeaArk being a little cheaper, but there is just something about the War Eagle I like. Can't quite put my finger on it.
But then comes motors. 2 vs. 4 strokes. Thanks to this forum I've done quite a bit of reading on the subject and have learned a lot. Pro's and cons to each. The E-Tech seems to be the real deal but I seem drawn to a 4 stroke, even though it's a little heavier. Put a 4 stroke on the War Eagle, with the gas and batteries back there then I wonder how well it rides and sits in the water.
And finding a used boat like I'm after is like finding a needle in a haystack. You can get 14-17' boats all day, but make that one foot jump to an 18' and they are scarce.
Grrrrrr.......too many decisions. It's about to drive the wife as crazy as it me. She's like make up your mind and go get something.
Sorry for the long post/vent.
I like my boat......garage too small too..
War Eagle Predator....I looked hard at the Xpress Crappie rig too.
No more boat hunting for me.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z...e/IMG_1102.jpg