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Center Console - what brand to buy
#13195181
06/25/19 12:08 AM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 629
learnin to fish
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 629 |
Looking at upgrading to a center console. 2 main things it MUST have are front and rear fishing seats and must take rough water well. Looking at 22-24 with 200HP or larger. I have found Epic boats with the front and rear fishing seats but have seen some really bad reviews on them. Any suggestions?
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13195292
06/25/19 02:13 AM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
Pat Goff
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640 |
Haynie Magnum. Trans XLR8 Majek Extreme.
Pat Goff Seadrift TX
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13195293
06/25/19 02:15 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,226
Jimfishes
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,226 |
There are two guides in my area who run Bluewave center console boats.
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13195302
06/25/19 02:31 AM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 273
JackCaster
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 273 |
Blue Wave hard to beat. 24' with a 250 Suzuki. Runs well on the N Texas lakes and is excellent inshore shallow. I call it a spoiler because once you start fishing out of this class of boat, you will really hate going back to the 18-20's. I do have a trip coming up in a Blazer Bay so will chime in if the thread is still active.
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13195391
06/25/19 09:47 AM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11,975
tmd11111
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 11,975 |
Looking at upgrading to a center console. 2 main things it MUST have are front and rear fishing seats and must take rough water well. Looking at 22’-24’ with 200HP or larger. I have found Epic boats with the front and rear fishing seats but have seen some really bad reviews on them. Any suggestions? I'll toss my .02 cents in on Epic. I'm on my 3rd year with a 22SC w/ 175 Etec. First and foremost, its an entry level boat. Some of the fit and finish leave a bit to be desired but have to say so far its held up really well. I use mine 2-3x a week and the only issue was the stereo quit working a few months after I bought it. Dealer replaced it without a problem. I switched to a bay boat due to spinal surgery which made getting in and out of the drivers seat of a bass boat challenging at best. Probably the best decision I ever made and don't see myself ever going back. I pretty much strictly bass fish out of it unless I'm down at Amistad visiting the in-laws taking them fishing for whites and stripers. About the only negatives of it compared to a bass boat is its slower and it catches a lot of wind but nothing a trolling motor with spot lock cant handle. For the price it was hard to beat.
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: JackCaster]
#13195772
06/25/19 05:38 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,992
Stump jumper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,992 |
Blue Wave hard to beat. 24' with a 250 Suzuki. Runs well on the N Texas lakes and is excellent inshore shallow. I call it a spoiler because once you start fishing out of this class of boat, you will really hate going back to the 18-20's. I do have a trip coming up in a Blazer Bay so will chime in if the thread is still active. Blazer Bays are very nice boats and if I was guiding full time that is what I would have. A weekend fisherman can definitely get by with less. If you are looking new ignore this comment but if looking at used pass on a Kenner. I am sure there are others. You might want to look at Triton or Skeeter. I am partial to my Champ. I wish they were still in business. I really like the layout and can't think of a negative except that maybe the gel is a little thin on the deck lids. Get the largest motor the boat is rated for. If you don't you will wish you did.
2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax 2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13195926
06/25/19 08:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,569
Mckinneycrappiecatcher
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,569 |
pathfinders are really good boats, and blazers are a pathfinder clone essentially. I know from personal experience that blazers take rough water really well. They dont have super high sides either so they dont catch a ton of wind on the lake. That composite theyre built out of is damn near indestructible.Biggest thing I would suggest is get a two stroke DFI motor and not one of those dumb four strokes. Dont underpower your boat, 200 is on the low end for a 22 and probably not enough for a 24.
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13196369
06/26/19 02:27 AM
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Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,008
BigDozer66
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,008 |
2016 Ranger RT188 Charcoal Metallic Dual Console 2017 Yamaha 115 VMAX SHO (VF115LA) SS Prop Minn Kota Ultrex i-Pilot Link 45" 80 lb. Humminbird Helix 10 Mega SI BalZout Console Humminbird Helix 10 Mega SI BBT Bow Mount Trick Step
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: Mckinneycrappiecatcher]
#13196890
06/26/19 06:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,992
Stump jumper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,992 |
pathfinders are really good boats, and blazers are a pathfinder clone essentially. I know from personal experience that blazers take rough water really well. They dont have super high sides either so they dont catch a ton of wind on the lake. That composite theyre built out of is damn near indestructible.Biggest thing I would suggest is get a two stroke DFI motor and not one of those dumb four strokes. Dont underpower your boat, 200 is on the low end for a 22 and probably not enough for a 24. Like I said max out the HP rating. One thing I noticed when I was looking was that too many Bays and CCs were not maxed out on HP. My Champ really needs a 250 but I struggled just to find the boat I wanted and could not be overly picky on the HP. If I was buying new it would have the max it could handle.
2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax 2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13197297
06/27/19 12:17 AM
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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 |
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 - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13197323
06/27/19 12:39 AM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,219
Chris B
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 16,219 |
A good friend of mine got a 24' Skeeter Bay with trim tabs, hydraulic jack plate and a 300 4stroke. That is a sweet boat. But it is pretty expensive. A bunch of the guides around New Orleans run them.
I hate photobucket.
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13197412
06/27/19 01:51 AM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,925
smooth move
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,925 |
i have a 22 pathfinder that i love. it's a 02 that i bought new. on the 2nd motor now. that being said, i couldn't afford a new one now. 2 of my neighbors have 22 epics and they are very good riding boats. both have 225 zukes. they ride better than my PF in choppy seas. i wouldn't be afraid to buy one at all. they are the old bay stealth hull with a carolina flare.
es le bon ton roulet
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13197427
06/27/19 02:08 AM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 629
learnin to fish
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 629 |
Thanks to all for helping with some great information. I agree on the lack of HP on most CCs. I also appreciate the comments on the Epic Boats as they are the only ones I have found that have a front and rear fishing seats. I currently have a 210SL Skeeter Fish and Ski and love it, only problem is its hard to fish more than 3 people and doesnt handle rough water very well. Has a 200 HP Yamaha with plenty of power so definitely dont want to downgrade HP. I cant afford a brand new boat so will have to start the search for a CC with front and rear fishing seats with a minimum of 200 HP.
Thanks again for the help,
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13197958
06/27/19 05:36 PM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,992
Stump jumper
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 13,992 |
Configuration and plenty of storage is what I like about my Champ and only reason I settled for a 200. I have a nice lockable rod locker up front and plenty of other storage. Some of the older Bays just do not have comfortable seating for passengers. Mine is the all composite model. Stay away for the older ones with wood. Neighbor has one right now with Transom being rebuilt.
2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax 2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
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Re: Center Console - what brand to buy
[Re: learnin to fish]
#13198280
06/27/19 10:57 PM
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 15,278
Mo
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 15,278 |
Back in the day , blue wave would custom build a floor plan to your specs. My first one was custom, the second was a boat show special , I am on my second bluewave, the 18 9 was not big enough , I have a 22 and if I lived on the coast it would be a 24.
I have no complaints about bluewave.
Good luck
MO
MY BACKYARD , 20,000 ACRES , NO MOWING
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