T-top never affected my gas mileage. I fish bays all summer, all day. You need the shade for that type of fishing.

CON: T-top clearance. You have to be aware of trees while you r driving. Also, where are you going to store your boat. Need special cover with t-top sewn in or high pole barn. You could get a collapsible top. Biminis get in the way.

Jackson, Good luck on finding a new boat. Whatever center console you get I am sure you will love it. I have had my 24 foot Shallowsport for 4 years now and it is great. You should really take a hard look at 4 stroke engines. Great on gas,quiet. My boat has a 250 horsepower Suzuki and I would not trade for it.
Tons power and larger Suzuki's have a timing chain not a timing
belt so it does not ever have to be changed.
As for all the talk about tops. What the people have said about T-tops is true about them getting in the way when casting. I have broken the tips for a couple of rods on my brothers boat. That is why I put a performance shade on my boat. Kind of like a cross between a bimini and a T-top. You can put it up when you need it and it is out of the way when you do not. I have ran my boat 40 mph with it up and it does not shake or flap. Just google (performance shade) and check it out you might find it fits your needs. Good luck.

I would not have a cc without a t-top. It is one of the most used items on my boat. Being the captain, you will be under the T-top most of the time and being sensitive to the sun or not.... you will like the shade. The extra rod holders are handy when standing on the back deck. When in rough water like you get into, especially at the coast, it is nice to grab on to when moving around the boat. To me.... it is a must!!!!

There is a company that makes a fold-down T-top for about $1,200, which will help on towing immensely ... I have an ad for them around here somewhere & will post when I find it.

The earlier comment about 150HP motor was correct. Bass boats are ridiculously overpowered and a typical vee-hull or bay boat center console just doesn't need the same raw horsepower as a similar length bass boat does. 150-175HP should be plenty for you unless 50+mph is a priority ... you'll also burn less fuel with the slightly smaller motor.

Ok Jackson, you got a lot of input. What ya thinking!


I'm kinda with JV's first response. Save up a little more than 22 or 25k.

Now Raymond/ tall bald guy got a heck of a deal on his boat.



I got it! Buy Bombay's! Set and ready to go

Think of when, where and how you will fish and then find the boat that fits the bill. I say to go with the biggest motor possible, otherwise you will regret it. All of the Hubbard guys have different CC's. You've been on mine and a few others. Check out Gene and duck's boats. You will get a feel for them all and will help in the decision. You're budget range should yield a solid boat but it will have to be used. You should be able to find one 2005 or newer with little problem. Good luck amigo and if I can help in anyway let me know!

Taked to Jackson abt 10 days ago...I think he's in Destin FL examining some sheephead's pearly white teeth this week?? And many other salt species as well.

I have a nice bimini top but dont use it as much. Its a hassel putting it up and taking it down in order to go fast. The T-top does provide good shade, but after fishing in boats with them on salt and fresh water, and talking to buddies abt them. It seems more of a hassel than its worth to me. Biggest issues I see is the cracks/fractures on the floor due to so much vibration from the wind and when the boat is going fast and rocking!! The floor repair is expensive too!

Thanks for the info abt the Performance Shade, that looks more practical. But the past few months Ive been thinking about getting a "soccer mom" umbrella which is about 7-8 ft in diameter, sold at Sams. I prob will strap a pvc pipe on the hand rail of the center console and slide the umbrella in there. My face has too many dark freckles when I am out too long and my extened family asked if Ive been doing hard labor out in the rice field...

Sounds perfect BUT I would bet that sucker costs a pretty penny!

That's what I was thinking. And I fish by myself or with one or two guys but I like the safety of a larger boat on these lakes with very few wind breaks. Sometimes a fish 5 days in a week but the sun forces me to come in off of the lake at 10 am because of the "heat intolerance" side effect from my sanity pills.

You guys are giving me great stuff to think about and confirming a lot of what I was hoping you would.

Thanks John. And I NEED the big motor coming from a 70 mph bass boat. Gene Reeves was regretting not getting the 250 hp because his 225 didn't go quite fast enough. That was pretty funny. I think 50 mph would suit me just fine, its when we are going from one side of Tawak to the other at 32 mph that drives me batty.

I have a relationship with a local marina where I barter services and don't have to pay for boat service. So that's why I plan on looking for a better brand that has some hours on it.

Thank you guys. I'll let you know if I can scare up a fish or two in Destin.

Jackson

There's some good info here http://www.bayboatforum.proboards.com

+1 Pathfinder is the best boat on the market for Hybrids/Stripers...if you got the scrillo$

Hey Jackson, ill be on Hubbard pretty much everyday this week.

Was gonna see if you want fish and take a look at the Pathfinder. I'm interested in seeing which direction you go after watching this thread.

I went from a 200 hp Champion bass boat to a 150 4-stroke Pathfinder cc 20 ft. I don't miss the speed. The boat is great as is the Yamaha. The Continental trailer is sorry. From my experience with T-tops and biminis they get in the way and don't provide that much useful shade.