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Center Console boat questions... Help with advice from those who know
#12772343
05/28/18 10:28 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 117
MuglyFish
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 117 |
So, I have been looking at a Lowe 20' Bay center console boat. I sold my Tracker and shopping a new boat. I don't fish tournaments, but enjoy flipping under docks for bass. Does anyone have a lower profile center console that can chime in with the maneuverability vs the standard bass boats? Do you have issues bass fishing from a center console? I am torn between the Lowe 20' Bay or going traditional Lowe 175C.. These are the boats models I am choosing from .. https://www.northtexasmarine.com/default...r=xNewInventoryhttps://www.northtexasmarine.com/default...r=xNewInventory
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Re: Center Console boat questions... Help with advice from those who know
[Re: MuglyFish]
#12772412
05/28/18 11:35 PM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 6,854
V-Bottom
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 6,854 |
I've had my (Fiberglass Deep V Wellcraft) since 96'. I will never sit down and operate a boat again. I want to see what's in front of me all the time. You won't be sorry with that CC.
Texas Anglers Recognition Program TPWD Official Weigh Station,77563 Coastal Bend Weigh Team, Cert. Weigh Master USMC66'- www.troutsupport.com
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Re: Center Console boat questions... Help with advice from those who know
[Re: MuglyFish]
#12772417
05/28/18 11:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,042
Pat Goff
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,042 |
There's a fleet of really well made aluminum center consoles that are better than a lowe at about the same price: Scandy White in Florida Empire Boatright Fifth Lake
I'm partial to the scandy and boatright, but all are lifetime hulls. And they are all saltwater boats, which won't have cancer if you decide to dunk it in the bay.
Pat Goff Seadrift TX
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Re: Center Console boat questions... Help with advice from those who know
[Re: Pat Goff]
#12772493
05/29/18 12:49 AM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 117
MuglyFish
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 117 |
The Lowe 20' Bay has a saltwater package that I was looking at.. Along with galvanized trailer for alittle more protection in the saltwater. I do not think I will go into the saltwater much, but with the package it has equipped.. I should be OK for a handful of trips to the coast every decade Unless I'm missing something important?
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Re: Center Console boat questions... Help with advice from those who know
[Re: MuglyFish]
#12772558
05/29/18 02:00 AM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,413
TCK73
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,413 |
The Lowe 20' Bay has a saltwater package that I was looking at.. Along with galvanized trailer for alittle more protection in the saltwater. I do not think I will go into the saltwater much, but with the package it has equipped.. I should be OK for a handful of trips to the coast every decade Unless I'm missing something important? Look at the rigging and electrical, you will know real quick if that boat is really ready for the salt. Also, look at the trailer frame, if it is a tube frame, thats a no go for the salt, even if its galvanized, even after one trip.
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Re: Center Console boat questions... Help with advice from those who know
[Re: MuglyFish]
#12772572
05/29/18 02:14 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,644
Droyhef
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,644 |
[quote=MuglyFishing]The Lowe 20' Bay has a saltwater package that I was looking at.. Along with galvanized trailer for alittle more protection in the saltwater. I do not think I will go into the saltwater much, but with the package it has equipped.. I should be OK for a handful of trips to the coast every decade You are. You asked about info from people that know, pat knowes. He said for similar money you can get a better boat.
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Re: Center Console boat questions... Help with advice from those who know
[Re: MuglyFish]
#12772775
05/29/18 12:02 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,042
Pat Goff
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 17,042 |
Let's dig this hole a little deeper. You don't say where you're from. Or who you're looking to purchase from.
Here's the sobering advice for the day: It takes ONE trip to the bay to insert terminal cancer on a boat not properly rigged for it. Here's what a saltwater prepared boat does NOT have: carpet. zink piano hinges for lids. unsealed switches, breakers, electrical connections. plug in lights Then there's rigging, it takes a lot longer to properly rig a saltwater boat than a freshwater, and if your dealer isn't schooled they'll have no idea what's required. Lowe is not a bad boat, and I'm not calling it a ugly baby. You asked is there anything better, and there absolutely is.
Pat Goff Seadrift TX
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Re: Center Console boat questions... Help with advice from those who know
[Re: MuglyFish]
#12772944
05/29/18 02:56 PM
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 416
sae
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 416 |
It only takes 1 trip to the coast in a fresh water boat to start the cancer. ask me how I know.
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Re: Center Console boat questions... Help with advice from those who know
[Re: MuglyFish]
#12772972
05/29/18 03:17 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957
Bob Landry
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957 |
And even if it is rigged for salt, you should still plan on going though a lot of Corrosion-X. That stuff will be your best friend.
2015 Seaark 1872 MV CC Etec-90 Two Helix 12 CHIRP SI's, , MinnKota Riptide ST80/i-pilot Link, Bob's Hydraulic 2020 Robalo R200 CC, Yamaha 150
Bitter Gun Owner Bitter Clinger Armed Infidel
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Re: Center Console boat questions... Help with advice from those who know
[Re: MuglyFish]
#12773110
05/29/18 05:35 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,088
Stump jumper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,088 |
Go with the Bay. If I can get my 22' Champ back in to the back waters of coves on Lake Fork then certainly you can do it with the lighter weight Lowe's. When I bought mine I was a little concerned about fishing shallow water but we had no problem this spring. Only problem we had was keeping the green trash fish off our hooks .
2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax 2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
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