A test ride is always better but this time of year with several inches of ice, the best you can do in Minnesota is a walk around. That being said I was very interested in what I saw of the new Lund Pro V Bass XS at the Mpls Boat Show. IMO it did not disappoint.
Great layout for the multi-species fisherman, solid boat, proven Pro V hull, well matched motors, etc. Stripped down base show price with a Mercury 150 4 stroke is: $32,384.
First the motor selection. Okay, I’ve never been a Mercury guy and I should add I’ll never be an Opti/Pro XS owner, but word was at the show if you want an ultra-fast boat go with the Pro XS 200 hp. A couple comments from the Lund folks was that the 200 might be a bit overkill once broken in, pushing low-mid 60’s. Most people would probably be very happy with the 150 4 stroke that comes out on the Dyno at 178 hp and still does well into the 50’s mph range. Plenty good enough for this non-tournament fisherman.
I like best the boat’s rod organization. I’m a multi-species guy so I pick up and lay down a half dozen rods throughout the day. Going in and out of a rod locker all day is a pain for me. This does have a center locker which I think is more convenient than a side tank, but the layout is conducive to strapping down multiple rods on the deck for easy/quick access (ala true bass boat). Front deck is long enough to get 7-8 foot rods down each side, and the guy in the rear has the port side to get 3 rods strapped in place and ready to go.
This is the XS or “Northern Style” with pedestal seats versus the 3 person bench seat like a traditional bass boat. Have to admit the pedestals are quite short though, not like the tall pedestals in the traditional Pro V. This is a multi-species rig, but could you jig for walleyes all day from a pedestal like this? I’d say yes it would work for the occasional walleye fisherman, but not for a regular. You can get away with it much more than any traditional bass boat, but meat hunters (especially taller guys) probably wouldn’t want this as a primary boat. Still the Pro V hull should track/troll as well or better than most aluminum boats.
I do like the flip up seats in the back, saves cockpit room over two more pedestal seats. I personally would take the passenger pedestal seat out for most of the fishing I do and just use the flip ups for passengers if on several shorter stops up the channel or from bay to bay. A long drive on Lake of the Woods… Yeah, then absolutely stick with the pedestal arrangement.
One nit, the passenger pedestal seat is fixed to the floor. I’d want to move it in and out for flexibility on cockpit space so that’s a problem for me. The Lund rep and I decided we’d both change the fixed pedestal to a snap out version after market.
Can’t believe the storage in this boat. Blows any bass boat out of the water and is on par with just about any aluminum boat option. I was envisioning doing away with my magnum sized Cabelas tackle bag with eight 3700 tackles trays. They go right into one of the bow storage areas, freeing up more cockpit space. There are 2 large storage areas on the back deck for your partners tackle bag/boxes and rain gear/boat bag. Also the port side has an easy access storage area for a fold up net, and there is an integrated small cooler inside the step to the front deck. You can tell I like a picked up floor/deck space without a lot of clutter laying around… This boat allows you to do this really well.
It might sound like I’m sold and ready to buy one. Answer is still “maybe.” A couple things, I’m always hesitant to buy a first year model of anything, even though the basic Pro V hull and Mercury 150 4 stroke are proven…still I’d like to hear from guys that will actually fish from it and see if Lund tweaks anything for year 2 or 3. Second, I’m hesitant to go back to tin after having glass for my last 2 boats. How does it handle rougher seas? I need a test ride.
Ideally I would test this boat out against fiberglass options. The only 2 real options I see that would compare with the Lund is either the Tuffy X-190 or the Recon 985. Unfortunately neither of these boats are ever at a Minneapolis area boat show and I don’t know anyone/dealer locally that has them to see or test drive. On paper they compare well anyway IMO. Sorry Skeeter fans, been out in the 1825 MX twice and its a multi-species option but a non-starter for me.
I’m most likely a year away from buying but will keep watching the boards for feeback on the Lund. Who knows maybe order new next year, or look for a year old demo depending on price, motor option, electronics, etc.
Over and out,
-Captain FryDog
