Japanese style bass boats.

[Redlinerobert]

If these were sold in the states, they'd make a mint. 

 

https://tacklecentral.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/japanese-style-bass-boat/

[Allen Der]

it's weird that they all have merc's on them.

[A-Jay]

8 minutes ago, Redlinerobert said:

If these were sold in the states, they'd make a mint. 

 

https://tacklecentral.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/japanese-style-bass-boat/

I think that's a really good Idea and seems very applicable for many of the small to medium waters I fish.

I would buy one of those.

A-Jay

 

[dwh4784]

Dang, I like! Sure you give up 60+ mile an hour speed, beautiful gel coats, sexy tandem axle trailers, etc. But for a simple fishing platform, (kind of what my dad and I had with our old 1987 Bayliner Bass "Striker") I definitely see the market. Tiller steering to cut down on cost, wonder what they retail for?

[slonezp]

20 minutes ago, Allen Der said:

it's weird that they all have merc's on them.

Those little Merc's are manufactured by Tohatsu

[Catt]

12 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Those little Merc's are manufactured by Tohatsu

Which are manufactured by Honda.

The boats are similar to a multi species boat.

Ever since those dump gator shows everyday round here are going to tiller handles on 115-150 HP...uh no!

[Avalonjohn44]

I definitely would have considered one for all of the small lakes near me...  Pretty awesome little rigs.

[fishnkamp]

Why are you so amazed by them?   Companies like Ranger have offered 15 to 17 foot bass boats going all the way back in the 80's. Just look up a 320V or 330V.  Now they offer a Z175 that is a 17.5 foot fiberglass boat that takes a 115. Other companies offer aluminum boats that can be tiller control or console versions that are smaller, lighter and can run with less horsepower. Look at a Tracker Panfish 16. That has been a staple of their lineup since at least the 80's.  I know this is fact since a friend of mine had one with a 35 on the back when we were just starting college. Another good option is their Pro 160. This is a 16 foot aluminum bass boat that takes up to a 40,, but is in the standard bass boat floor plan.

[Gundog]

Those boats look interesting but probably cost more than a decked out aluminum modified V. I would go with the aluminum boat. Now if money were no object I gotta admit pulling up to the ramp with one of those mini-bass boats sure would draw a lot of attention. And imagine the first person to compete in a tournament with one of those boats. Poor co-angler would be spending most of his time ducking lures. I found a japanese website for the boats. The name is souther boats. The 425 is roughly 14 ft., comes with a 30hp merc. for roughly $18k depending on the exchange rate. 

[fishnkamp]

Heck you can buy any of the Tracker boats I mentioned for about $11,000. There are plenty of good aluminum boats out there for less than $18,000 especially if you are looking to run a smaller engine. Just look at Lowe, Tracker, AlumaCraft, Polar Kraft and lots of others.

["hamma"]

The tiller model looks an awful lot like my tracker super guide v16. the floor plan is a little different, but the idea appears to be the same. for the money? I paid alot less, and being aluminium I'm sure i get more speed from my 40 hp then they do with a 40 on fiberglass.. Dont get me wrong, they appear to be a nice looking rig. But, Im sure most savy anglers would steer towards a tin rig instead

[Goose52]

Those guys over there certainly put together "diminutive" bass boats with class and style !

Does anyone remember the Megabass carbon-fiber hull boat that we were chatting about a few years ago ?

[Jon P.]

I'm sure you could create the same functional affect with an alumacraft boat with a welded aluminum casting deck. Although the look would be harder to achieve.

[Redlinerobert]

That little carbon bass boat was ridiculous.   I wonder what they were selling for?

[Allen Der]

On 9/1/2016 at 9:05 PM, slonezp said:

Those little Merc's are manufactured by Tohatsu

true, but tohatsu also sells under their own name and i believe they make the small yammy's too.  just seems weird to me that mercury would have such a presence in japan.

[Goose52]

2 hours ago, Redlinerobert said:

That little carbon bass boat was ridiculous.   I wonder what they were selling for?

I searched the board and the first time that boat was discussed was in 2006 - someone quoted a $5400 price at that time (and I don't know if that was WITH, or WITHOUT, the 9.9 outboard). The thread that I remembered was from 2010 and no one knew FOR SURE what the price was then.  But probably it was a LOT...

Back in 2006 - the weight of the boat (I'm sure without the outboard and TM) was quoted as 84 pounds !

[Redlinerobert]

Wow.  $5400 for a carbon boat seems like a steal.  I looked hard at them, but then ended up buying a new Ranger.

[Catch 22]

I use a tiller engine on my 16-6 Lund. For the areas I fish,often with lots of current,the tiller provides so much better control,and so much more room. I don`t care to stand flush with the gunwahles as I would probably go swimming more often than not.

Some commercials use 150 hp with tillers that employ hydraulic sterring

FYI tillers cost about $ 800 more than standard steering ,for the engine alone.Console ,helm ,cables,ect may balance out $$ ,I don`t know

[Catt]

3 hours ago, Allen Der said:

true, but tohatsu also sells under their own name and i believe they make the small yammy's too.  just seems weird to me that mercury would have such a presence in japan.

Suzuki, Tohatsu, & Mercury are made by Honda

[FryDog62]

Here's my "Minnesota-version" of the Japanese bass boats.  16 foot fiberglass tiller, re-powered with a new 4 stroke, trailer, seats and electronics.  A smallmouth catching, wave-eating machine!  If I pull the trigger on a new boat this fall it will be for sale soon, if I get the courage to sell it.  There's something to be said for the ease of use and simplicity of smaller, versatile boats.  I personally like the looks of the Japanese boats, would be great to see them in person...

Interior

[Master Bait'r]

I've been wanting a polar craft 16' for a hot minute but these are even cooler...  If you're a solo angler anyways!  

 

Even a 20hp would plane those out real nice!

On September 4, 2016 at 5:28 PM, Goose52 said:

I searched the board and the first time that boat was discussed was in 2006 - someone quoted a $5400 price at that time (and I don't know if that was WITH, or WITHOUT, the 9.9 outboard). The thread that I remembered was from 2010 and no one knew FOR SURE what the price was then.  But probably it was a LOT...

Back in 2006 - the weight of the boat (I'm sure without the outboard and TM) was quoted as 84 pounds !

 

That HAS to be for the canoe.  No way was that boat 5400.  No.  Way.  Lol

[Gundog]

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

Here's my "Minnesota-version" of the Japanese bass boats.  16 foot fiberglass tiller, re-powered with a new 4 stroke, trailer, seats and electronics.  A smallmouth catching, wave-eating machine!  If I pull the trigger on a new boat this fall it will be for sale soon, if I get the courage to sell it.  There's something to be said for the ease of use and simplicity of smaller, versatile boats.  I personally like the looks of the Japanese boats, would be great to see them in person...

Interior

Love the simplicity of that boat. Open floor space and a tiller motor in an fiberglass hull is cool. Most you only see that in aluminum boats.

["hamma"]

On 9/5/2016 at 11:07 PM, Gundog said:

Love the simplicity of that boat. Open floor space and a tiller motor in an fiberglass hull is cool. Most you only see that in aluminum boats.

Almost an exact replica of my tiller steered tracker deep v. I cant locate my pic, but there's one in  the "check out my ride" thread

 

 

[WIGuide]

Found a semi-similar version that's made in MN. It's not the same layout wise, but it's definitely unique.

[FryDog62]

I saw that posted online somewhere... looks cool although a one man versus the Japanese 2 person boats.  If they made the bandit in a jet boat (and out of tin) it would be fun to take in some skinny river systems around here ...