texasfishingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Power-Pole CS, T-Rigger, JoeGoes, EcKo
119150 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
hopalong 120,579
TexDawg 119,518
Bigbob_FTW 94,889
John175☮ 85,892
Pilothawk 83,260
Bob Davis 81,483
Mark Perry 72,289
Derek 🐝 68,312
JDavis7873 67,416
Forum Statistics
Forums59
Topics1,037,843
Posts13,935,421
Members144,150
Most Online39,925
Dec 30th, 2023
Print Thread
Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar #13379783 12/22/19 05:18 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,739
Phoenix_Ed Online Content OP
Extreme Angler
OP Online Content
Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,739
Okay not really sure where to ask this, but I am giving it a shot here!

I have been considering selling my Phoenix ( crying) and going to a center console aluminum. Reasoning is taking my 7 year old grandson with Down Syndrome would be easier and after 3 back surgeries I have a helluva time getting up out of the console seat some days. It sucks, but it is what it is.

So a couple of questions.

How does one of these fish for bass? I know it would be great to take him crappie and bluegill fishing.

Secondly, has anyone modified the grab bar over the console to lay down? It may be iffy in my garage to clear the bar. And they are hard to measure the height on, especially as I back in and have to go up over the lip on the floor.

I have been looking at the Ranger RB190, but storage is a bit lacking. Any suggestions on other ones to look at. I would prefer a 150 hp rating if possible. I won't rule out a glass boat if it fits my budget.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!!


Wishin I was fishin!! ..............>(((//*>
2021 Phoenix 819 - Mercury 200 4 Stroke - Ultrex
Her name is Novia Número Cinco.
Humminbird Helix 10 Mega DI - Helix 12 Mega SI - Mega 360
PB Largemouth - 9.51 - Toledo Bend - March 2014
Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Phoenix_Ed] #13379899 12/22/19 08:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
P
Pat Goff Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
Boat with front and rear deck will bass fish just fine.
I would expand my search to include professional grade aluminum hulls.
Boatright Scandy White and Empire all build lifetime hulls
And a hinged grab rail is common.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
[Linked Image]
Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Pat Goff] #13379952 12/22/19 09:35 PM
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,739
Phoenix_Ed Online Content OP
Extreme Angler
OP Online Content
Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,739
Originally Posted by Pat Goff
Boat with front and rear deck will bass fish just fine.
I would expand my search to include professional grade aluminum hulls.
Boatright Scandy White and Empire all build lifetime hulls
And a hinged grab rail is common.


Thanks Pat. Good info.


Wishin I was fishin!! ..............>(((//*>
2021 Phoenix 819 - Mercury 200 4 Stroke - Ultrex
Her name is Novia Número Cinco.
Humminbird Helix 10 Mega DI - Helix 12 Mega SI - Mega 360
PB Largemouth - 9.51 - Toledo Bend - March 2014
Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Pat Goff] #13380024 12/22/19 10:15 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 362
C
CADD Offline
Angler
Offline
Angler
C
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 362
Originally Posted by Pat Goff
Boat with front and rear deck will bass fish just fine.
I would expand my search to include professional grade aluminum hulls.
Boatright Scandy White and Empire all build lifetime hulls
And a hinged grab rail is common.


Yep, I freshwater 60% fish out of mine, it's older and had lower sides (20" transom") and sits in the water not much higher than a bass boat.
Most Bay Boats or CC do lack bassboat storage but you can get-by. One good and bad thing about and aluminum boats are they are lighter and have a tendency to pushed around in the wind.


2001 Pathfinder 2200V 150Vmax HDPI
2015 Diablo Amigo (Sand Fleck)

Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Phoenix_Ed] #13380601 12/23/19 03:36 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Alumacraft 14 Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Rb190 is a good rig. I have fished out of one for bass many times now and is my favorite as far aluminium bass rigs go. Mainly because standing while underway helps my back. Wind pushes it around but this isn't an issue with a terrova installed. It is a fairly dry boat and can handle chop. It's not a fiberglass rig so don't expect that type of a ride from an aluminium boat. As for the grab rail most any custom shop could fix you right up. Boat goes fast for such a small motor and has plenty of storage.

Last edited by Alumacraft 14; 12/23/19 03:37 AM.
Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Phoenix_Ed] #13381009 12/23/19 07:05 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,699
F
Fishin' Nut Offline
TFF Guru
Offline
TFF Guru
F
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,699
You might consider a deep vee boat with captain chairs, they sit higher. I sold my CC because it wasn't designed for a TM. I bought a Lund with a split windshield and captain chairs for the driver and passenger. My reason for not buying a bass type boat was the same as yours. Too hard on my back when sitting and rising from their seats. Plus I can add a piston pedestal to my chair if I want to in the future.


Originally Posted by OTFF
He is truly a sick individual.
Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Phoenix_Ed] #13381109 12/23/19 09:21 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
P
Pat Goff Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
There's a huge difference in how these boats are built. The mass produced hulls brag on 10 gauge aluminum, the custom guys use 25 or 30 gauge. My scooter is 30 gauge, and has spent thirty years bashing oyster reefs, uncounted sand bars and other mishaps. I wouldn't trade it for anything sitting on a showroom floor.

And they cost about the same.

A couple of Scandy's, a friend has one he had built in '94, he's run the guts out of it, on his third motor, and it's still good as new.

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
[Linked Image]
Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Phoenix_Ed] #13381810 12/24/19 06:08 PM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Alumacraft 14 Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Those Scanty White rigs look like they are built like tanks. Price isn't bad either. That may be my next skiff once I pay off my rig, been missing aluminium. Wonder how skinny they could run with a prop.

Last edited by Alumacraft 14; 12/24/19 06:13 PM.
Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Phoenix_Ed] #13382232 12/25/19 03:08 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
P
Pat Goff Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
There's a couple running around here and PIC they'll certainly do the deal. My friends runs a jet it's the only one I've seen that'll run skinnier than mine.

There was a peach for sale about a month ago it lasted 30 minutes.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
[Linked Image]
Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Phoenix_Ed] #13382324 12/25/19 04:36 AM
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Alumacraft 14 Offline
Pro Angler
Offline
Pro Angler
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 909
Have you ever seen the nozzle system that a company call river road jet boats designed. Their jet drive for outboard works very similar to a jet skis giving the boat great maneuverability and less cavitation in rough water. Check it out: https://www.riverroadjetboats.com/nozzle-system.html

Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Phoenix_Ed] #13382839 12/25/19 09:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
P
Pat Goff Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
Squirt bike type pumps don't work well in the bays. They work great in rivers and such with rocks, but fall dead on their face in grass. We remove the grates and put a welding rod below the impeller to make the pump work like a weedeater, just chops it up and spits it out. A oyster shell will shut me down though, life is full of compromises.

I can run through three inch deep water with foam covered matted grass, hard for anything but an airboat to follow.

Terry's scooter, I think he had it built around '93, third motor but boat is going strong, Scandy was called white line back then.
[Linked Image]

Mine was built in '94, I wouldn't trade it for a glass hull.
[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
[Linked Image]
Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Phoenix_Ed] #13387409 12/30/19 05:16 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,003
texcajun Online Content
TFF Team Angler
Online Content
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,003
I will throw my 2002 Florida built Scandy White up against any Texas built scooter, and any oyster bed. Love it! It's like an old Timex or an AK-47.

[Linked Image]


2002 Scandy White, 2002 Yamaha 90
Point me towards the water!
Re: Aluminum Center Console Recommendations/Fishability/Grab Bar [Re: Phoenix_Ed] #13387439 12/30/19 05:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
P
Pat Goff Online Content
TFF Guru
Online Content
TFF Guru
P
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 16,640
Yep, that is top of the class right there.


Pat Goff
Seadrift TX
[Linked Image]
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 1998-2022 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3