boat style comparison

[Brnnoser6983]

Need a little help. I'm looking at upgrading my 14' boat. I'm looking for those who fish a deep V (like a Lund) and looking for your input. What made you choose this style over a traditional bass boat (ranger, skeeter.. So on)

 

I'm not looking for best brand opinions, just pros and cons.

Using this mostly for bass, and musky. I do have a family, but no one else fishes.

[slonezp]

I have a Lund.

So let's begin with where you fish and choosing aluminum or fiberglass. Most southern lakes that are naturally occurring are shallow and muddy. The manmade impoundments are flooded river systems and have different bottom types, but tend to be deep. Minnesota glacier lakes are varying depths and tend to be sand and/or rock bottom. Good choice for aluminum.

As far as why I chose a Lund. The ability to fish big water.  My Lund has a traditional bass layout...most deep v's don't. 

[S Hovanec]

My bass boat is a deep-v.  I wanted a deep-v because I mainly fish big water and I prefer to be IN a boat rather than ON a boat.  Plus, we take our dogs with us and the higher sides of the deep-v are more pup friendly.  When I was shopping, I narrowed it down to 3 boats:  617 Ranger, Skeeter ZX1775 and the Lund Mr Pike 17.  It's sad to say, but I picked the Lund based solely on it being the most affordable of the bunch.  I do not regret getting the Lund and I've been happily using it since 2005.

[Further North]

I've got another non-traditional aluminum v-hulled boat - a Crestliner CMV.  It's got a slightly shallower hull than the Crestliner Fishhawk (1° less deadrise), with a traditional bass boat layout.  I am also primarily a musky/pike/bass fisherman. It handles big water (Lake of the Woods and other big Canadian lakes) very well.

Like Sloanzp wrote, I prefer it because I fish the same kind of water you do - lots of rock/sand bottoms with varying depth...I'd probably be fine with glass...but I'm more comfortable with aluminum.

What I like about the bass boat layout is the amount of space for fishing, and amount of storage.  All my tackle and all my rods are stored below deck, out of the way, unless I'm using them.

What I don't like about most traditional deep-V boats is that they lack storage and that the back of the boat isn't really set up for fishing actively.  Potential storage space and casting platforms are taken up with a deep well that holds for chairs...and little else.  Tackle boxes are likely to be on the deck, getting in the way and not organized the way I want.

...but a lot of people have them, use them and love them.

[Junk Fisherman]

Further North (CMV) and Slone (Predator) both have boats that have caught my eye over the years.  Like them, I fish bigger water and spend quite a bit of time on the Great Lakes.  Because of this, I went with the fiberglass deep V bass boat in a Tuffy X-190.  It is a hybrid, multispecies boat.  This boat has a large front deck like a traditional bassboat but it has a much deeper V with pedestal  seats.  Like most deep V tins, it does not have much of a rear deck.  If the bass boat layout is crucial then check the Lund Pro V Bass.

And you speak of musky fishing....  The X-190 and the Pro V Bass pedestal model target the musky fisherman.  .

In terms of cons- these style of boats are not as good as your traditional, low profile bass boat for shallow water fishing.  Pitching baits and skipping docks will be better in the bass boat.  But get out fishing in 2'-3' waves and you'll be happy you are in the deep V.