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Dec 30th, 2023
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 Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
#12288684
06/11/17 06:49 PM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514
i-Fish
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514 |
Looking at 17' or preferably an 18' but would save some money on the former. In your experience on these reservoir waters in the DFW area with the typical winds that we have is there a discernible or drastic difference between the two sizes in running across the lake in the wind or even overall fishability?
If you can't find em wind em.
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: i-Fish]
#12288687
06/11/17 06:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 16,058
KidKrappie
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 16,058 |
The bigger the boat, the better it will ride and fish in windy conditions. I would get the biggest boat I could afford because it's better to have the length and not need it than to need the length and not have it. JMO.
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: i-Fish]
#12288688
06/11/17 06:53 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 393
jackwabbit
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 393 |
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: i-Fish]
#12288707
06/11/17 07:21 PM
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Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 144
Ranger481
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 144 |
I have an 18' and like it but am going to up size when my boy gets done with collage. I want a bigger front deck and the ride will be better.
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: i-Fish]
#12288716
06/11/17 07:26 PM
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 109
Big C Hazard
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 109 |
I have an 18.5 ft boat and while I absolutely love that skeeter and can pretty much fish any lake I want. When the wind gets up I do wish I had bigger.
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: i-Fish]
#12288717
06/11/17 07:26 PM
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,683
Bruce Allen
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,683 |
for the most part it seems the 18's are wider that the 17's which give you a better ride and when fishing a lot less wobbly
Lake Fork Anglers Every Thursday Daytime Tournaments. Lake Fork Sportsman's Association www.lakeforksa.com/We are VERY PROUD of our Induction into the Texas Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: i-Fish]
#12288722
06/11/17 07:28 PM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 22
getzitfisher
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 22 |
Recently downsized from a 19'6" to 18'. Pretty big difference on windy days.
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: i-Fish]
#12288730
06/11/17 07:37 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,765
bronco71
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,765 |
18 plus if you will be out in the open in the wind! Bigger is better....
1987 Nitro MX185/Mercury Black Max 150
1999 Triton TX21/225 Mercury Optimax
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: i-Fish]
#12288757
06/11/17 07:59 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340
Bobby Milam
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340 |
I have a 17' champion. I fish any lake with big wind within reason. I get a pretty decent ride and stay dry except under extreme conditions and then it is a mostly dry ride. I did a lot of research on boat ride before I made this choice and the price was right. The difference between rides and fish ability on a 17 and 18 ft boat will depend on the model.
I would love to have a 20-21' just for the deck space but don't want to spend the $$. It wouldn't be worth it to me to upgrade to an 18' boat. Before buying take them to the lake and feel for yourself
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: KidKrappie]
#12288838
06/11/17 09:17 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737
GIG'EM AGGIES
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737 |
The bigger the boat, the better it will ride and fish in windy conditions. I would get the biggest boat I could afford because it's better to have the length and not need it than to need the length and not have it. JMO. Great advice here, bigger is better when it comes to boats. Buy the biggest you can afford.
I am a Senager. (Senior teenager) I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 50 years later. I get an allowance every month. I have PU truck and a bass boat, I am blessed.
Conscience never acquits, it either accuses or excuses.
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: Bobby Milam]
#12288858
06/11/17 09:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,016
Fishbonz
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,016 |
I have a 17' champion. I fish any lake with big wind within reason. I get a pretty decent ride and stay dry except under extreme conditions and then it is a mostly dry ride. I did a lot of research on boat ride before I made this choice and the price was right. The difference between rides and fish ability on a 17 and 18 ft boat will depend on the model.
I would love to have a 20-21' just for the deck space but don't want to spend the $$. It wouldn't be worth it to me to upgrade to an 18' boat. Before buying take them to the lake and feel for yourself Sound advise  Sure a big 22fter will certainly handle extreme weather conditions but do you need it is what you have to ask yourself.I just have a 18ft Ranger with a casting deck extension and it handles big water and gives a dry ride under most windy but not extreme conditions & Since I`m just your average weekend angler and don`t fish for dollars,I don`t need to fish in extreme 25-30mph winds.
Last edited by Fishbonz; 06/11/17 09:49 PM.
HE aka Fishbonz
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: i-Fish]
#12288936
06/11/17 10:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,069
beartrap
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,069 |
been my experience that you won't tell much difference between 17ft and 18ft but you can tell a big difference between 18 ft and 20ft....am pretty sure most of the difference is caused by a 20 ft being able to "span" or have the length to get up on top and ride 2-3 ft waves without the nose plunging into the trough.......
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: i-Fish]
#12289071
06/12/17 12:36 AM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,028
SC-001
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,028 |
JMHO but 17 to a 18 is not that big a difference, 18 to a 19 is more noticeable, 19 to a 20 is a big difference. Brand makes a big difference too a 17' champion with a deep v hull can handle rough water pretty good, a 17' skeeter cannot.
Last edited by Bossbowman; 06/13/17 05:45 AM.
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: GIG'EM AGGIES]
#12289162
06/12/17 01:28 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 483
beeflover
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 483 |
I finally limited my weekend obsession to 18 ft which for me is the max length that fits in the garage.
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Re: Noticeable difference between 17' and 18'?
[Re: i-Fish]
#12289533
06/12/17 12:25 PM
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 35
OU Basser
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 35 |
I was in the same situation about 8 months ago. I went from a 17' Triton to a 18.5' Ranger. The difference was very noticeable to me; however, there are several variables in the mix as others have mentioned. Manufacturer, engine size on each (my 18.5' has a 175 whereas now most only have 150), your overall comfort with fishing in the wind/wake, how often you would actually go out in 20-25+ mph, etc. From the discussions I had when I was doing research, nobody ever regretted getting a bigger boat assuming you can afford it and have a place to store it.
Ranger 185VS
Yamaha 175 HPDI
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