basshole8190 Posted February 9, 2015 Posted February 9, 2015 So ive been looking to upgrade to a bigger rig for some of the bigger water ill be fishing this year and ive found what i think to be a good deal on a procraft pro185 with 150 4stroke optimax. any experience with them? The ride? The fit and finish? Quote
BassnChris Posted February 9, 2015 Posted February 9, 2015 That was my first boat.....except I had a 2 stroke. 2001 procraft 185 pro dc 150 2 stroke. I thought the ride was fine and really liked the boat. The only reason I sold it and moved 'up'......was that it had a dual console and I wanted a single console. My finish was not what I would like but was a result of previous owners neglect. I bought another procraft......2009 210 super pro sc. Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 9, 2015 Super User Posted February 9, 2015 Handles rough water very well Quote
reelnmn Posted February 9, 2015 Posted February 9, 2015 Own a procraft 180dc with a 135 early 90s model. Mine is very good in rough water. I have no concerns until winds get above 35. Zero stress cracks. A couple considerations: 1. Make sure the transom isn't rotten by removing old transom screws and checking for water drainage or soft wood being removed with the screw. 2. Front livewell drain. Not sure about the model you are looking at but my front livewell overfill drain exits the boat at the right rod locker...under the water line. This area was poorly sealed and had significant wood rot. Quote
Super User scaleface Posted February 9, 2015 Super User Posted February 9, 2015 This^^ I had a ProCraft that served me well. One day I noticed it was not floating level. One of the compartments was leaking and the wood stringer on that side was rotted away. Serious structure damage. Look at the bottom of this photo. No stringer. At the far left part of it is visible. Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 9, 2015 Super User Posted February 9, 2015 This^^ I had a ProCraft that served me well. One day I noticed it was not floating level. One of the compartments was leaking and the wood stringer on that side was rotted away. Serious structure damage. Look at the bottom of this photo. No stringer. At the far left part of it is visible. And you never noticed that before it got bad? Quote
Super User scaleface Posted February 9, 2015 Super User Posted February 9, 2015 And you never noticed that before it got bad? It was a sealed compartment. I knew when the boat started leaning , something was wrong . Quote
Super User Sam Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 Friend had a Procraft. The transom was torn off in heavy seas and winds. He did not know the transom was plywood nailed to the sides of the boat. No more Procrafts for us guys in our bass club. Quote
BassnChris Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 I understand they stopped using plywood in transoms around '99 or '00.......my 2001 did not have plywood and neither does my 2009. 1 Quote
Super User Catt Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 Friend had a Procraft. The transom was torn off in heavy seas and winds. He did not know the transom was plywood nailed to the sides of the boat. No more Procrafts for us guys in our bass club. Seen the transom tore off a Triton One of the worst tournaments (weather wise) I ever fished was in a 19' Procraft with a 200 Merc, winds were 30-35 mph & gusting. Jack (fishfordollars) Yetes was driving, got wet once because the wind blew spray when we turned. I can give y'all horror stories about any boat ever built! Quote
tstone Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 So ive been looking to upgrade to a bigger rig for some of the bigger water ill be fishing this year and ive found what i think to be a good deal on a procraft pro185 with 150 4stroke optimax. any experience with them? The ride? The fit and finish? No experience with procraft but if it is an optimax it's 2 stroke Quote
Super User RoLo Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 No experience with procraft but if it is an optimax it's 2 stroke That's for sure. I'm currently running a 115 Optimax I've never owned a Pro Craft, so I probably shouldn't voice my opinion. In any event, when I was in the market for a new saltwater cuddy cabin, the Pro Craft got pretty lousy press. In the boat shows I attended, I'd rate them on par with Bayliner (not bad, but not too cool) Roger Quote
Super User scaleface Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 The picture in my photo is after I dug the rotted wood out. Quote
BassnChris Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 I think boats are like anything else in general......all that matters is what you think/like.....unless you worry about what others think. I believe most boats are at minimum.....functional, float and work as a fishing platform. Then it boils down to what you like....layout, color, design. Longer boats tend to give a better ride in my opinion......how much is a topic for debate maybe. When it comes to what type of boat, outboard, Trolling motor and maybe even electronics......it is the old Ford, Chevy or Dodge quandary, My first boat was a procraft......I have heard folks say they would never own one and they are junk......heard others say they are the greatest. (I count myself closer to the latter). I searched for procraft when it came to my second boat......only wanted bigger boat...otherwise would have still had my first boat. I think there may have been a time when procraft might not have been good boats.......but I have heard the same about nitro........so I would find a boat that I liked...check it out thoroughly.....really close (trust me.....I tend to not do this close enough)........and go for it.....but do not settle....if you do, you will regret it shortly. 1 Quote
Zeinali_Fishing Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 good forum! I'm currently looking at a pro craft too Quote
Super User scaleface Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 My boat was an 85 or 86 and bought new . Quote
basshole8190 Posted February 10, 2015 Author Posted February 10, 2015 The boat I'm looking at us a 2003 model with an optimal 150 hot foot 2 hummingbird helix 5's and an additional smaller bird at the tm. Has minn Kota with I pilot and a talon 8' anchor boat is showroom condition motor only has 140 hours on it. Service records from when purchased with a matching trailer. After taxes and all other charges I'm looking at 8,300 total for it Quote
blackmax135 Posted February 10, 2015 Posted February 10, 2015 I have a 95 procraft 170 pro v. Its only a 17ft 6inch boat and it handles water very well. The only structure issue I have is the floor were the seats are, the board is rotting in one spot but that's from previous owner. Half way down the boat on the top section above the rub rail the fiberglass is starting to spider web. I don't know why but its on both sides in the same spot. I don't see any were on the transom were it is starting to rot. But I love the thing and it handles great. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 A guy in my club has a mid 2000s 18' with a 150 opti. It's a pretty fast boat, with a good ride. Only complaint he had was the upholstery didn't hold up well. Quote
bama_bassin Posted September 3, 2019 Posted September 3, 2019 I have a 2002 185 pro with a 150 mercury xr6. It’s been a great boat. Handles rough / big water well. It’s been a great boat so far. I be had it for 5 years now. 1 Quote
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