Texas Fishing Forum

new boat decisions

Posted By: stikshooter

new boat decisions - 01/03/21 06:31 PM

I'm in the market for a good catfishing boat. I had a 21' Promaster CC, and I liked the boat. I have been looking at the G3 Bay and the 20' G3 Sportsman as well as CC Glass boats.
Never ran a big alum. boat. Whats the pro or cons on alum vs glass ? Also, any advantage to the walk thru on the G3 Sportsman vs cc?
Posted By: clk

Re: new boat decisions - 01/04/21 01:29 AM

I have been running a sportsman 2400 for about a year now. I ran a 20 foot xpress bay before that. Glass boats are going to ride better then aluminum for sure. I love the full windshield and my customers seem to all like it also. I’ve had my boat in some rough water and it does great for a aluminum boat. Your not gonna run wide open in heavy chop without rattling your teeth but that’s part of a aluminum boat. I can get around in a foot of water in a 24 foot boat so that’s a big plus to me.
Posted By: Big Sam

Re: new boat decisions - 01/05/21 10:10 PM

I have a 2172 Excel with a 150 pro xs... got the gator hide coating.. camo edition... It's aluminum but it's tough...
Posted By: stikshooter

Re: new boat decisions - 01/05/21 10:32 PM

Thanks for the comments.
I found a couple I'm looking at. A G3 Bay 18 DLX with a 90 hp Yamaha and a Xpress H20 with a 140 Suzuki. Any pros or cons between the two ? Both are 2014 models
Posted By: clk

Re: new boat decisions - 01/05/21 11:56 PM

My xpress fell apart. I was constantly fixing screws in seats and other things in the interior. Then I had several welds start cracking that xpress wanted no part in fixing. Haven’t had the g3 long enough to say how it’s going to hold up but I love it so far.
Posted By: stikshooter

Re: new boat decisions - 01/06/21 03:01 AM

Thanks Chris, I appreciate the comment.
I really want to get up north to fish with you soon.
Posted By: jackiekennedyfishingguide

Re: new boat decisions - 01/07/21 01:01 AM

Here are a few shots of my xpress transom. Do you know of a real good aluminum welder, because you are going to need one with an aluminum boat. Especially an Xpress. I've spent over $4000 in the past few years repairing mine, but it sees heavy use in big water and less than ideal conditions.
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Posted By: stikshooter

Re: new boat decisions - 01/07/21 12:52 PM

Pm sent Jackie
Posted By: Big Sam

Re: new boat decisions - 01/07/21 06:38 PM

I don't know what your model it is that you have but I had a tracker that did the same thing it was a 2072 and the factory replaced the boat two times and finally the last boat continued doing the same thing so I got rid of it and bought an Excel which is a hundred times better than that tracker was. But my question is looking at your Express is the power pole too much weight for it on the back?I know it shouldn't be but I don't think some of the earlier model boats had transoms that were tough as they are now
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Posted By: jackiekennedyfishingguide

Re: new boat decisions - 01/07/21 11:57 PM

It's an 05 model and the motor has over 1700 hours on it. I'm sure the newer boats have an improved transom. I have two power poles and have moved my trolling motor batteries to the front to help save weight in the back. The transom has been repaired four times and twice very intensive repairs. It will need it again before spring, I do fish some very ruff water and anchor in shallow water with the power poles and it takes a beating. I probably put more use on a boat in a year than a normal fisherman would in five or more. It's a 22x70 tunnel and it gets up in very shallow water but not a good ride at all in big waves. When you go you have to get back and it beats you bad one way or the other.
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