"Bass boat" or deep V?

[IntroC]

I owned a v-hull before I bought the bass boat that I have now. My decision was based on what species and the style of fishing I did the most. I fish primarily bass and walleye with a little musky and salmon thrown in. Regardless of what I'm fishing I like casting and liked the large front casting decks on a bass boat. Pros of a bass boat for me was the obvious casting deck. I like that you can put most tackle and rods under the floor instead of on it. More speed. You can get into extremely shallow water. Can get under low bridges. 

 

Pros of the deep v would be safety if you have small kids that will be fishing with you. Safer on big rough water.  If you are a troller they have more options for mounting rod holders and other accessories on the rails.

 

The ole man has a Ranger Reatta that IMO is THE best compromise on the market. Has a large casting deck. Handles great in rough water. Your not really fishing down in the boat as the sides seem to half way between a bass boat and your typical deep v. Would be tough to find one in the ten grand range though.

[Fishing Rhino]

On 1/28/2017 at 9:28 AM, Elkins45 said:

I live in KY. I mostly fish for bass, but I also jug for catfish and muskie fish in the fall. Often I will fish and camp for 3-4 days, and as retirement gets close I hope to do a whole bunch more of this. I'm looking at used boats in the $10K range. Dealers have all sorts of "bass boats" but there are also a few deep V types at similar prices. Most of the Vs are configured so there's a lot more space in them for "stuff" as opposed to the bass boats that are mostly flat decks with storage spaces under doors. The Vs also have a much higher load and person capacity for the same trailer weight and the physics teacher in me assumes this is because they displace more water.

 

"What are the advantages of a deep V configuration as opposed to a traditional "bass boat" for use as an all-around fishing boat? I think I remember reading somewhere that the V is better for rough water? What makes a "bass boat" better for bass fishing?

 

Boats of identical weight, without regard to shape, will displace the exact same amount/volume/mass/weight of water.  It takes a ton of displaced water to support a boat that weighs a ton.  They have a higher load capacity because they have higher sides.

 

The higher sides make it more difficult for water to slop over the sides into the boat, making it less likely to swamp when weather conditions deteriorate.

 

 

"In sailing and boating, a vessel's freeboard^[1] is the distance from the waterline to the upper deck level, measured at the lowest point of sheer where water can enter the boat or ship. In commercial vessels, the latter criterion measured relative to the ship's load line, regardless of deck arrangements, is the mandated and regulated meaning.^[2]

In yachts, a low freeboard is often found on racing boats, for weight reduction and therefore increased speed. A higher freeboard will give more room in the cabin, but will increase weight and may compromise speed. A higher freeboard also helps weather waves and reduce the likelihood of being washed over by full water waves on the weather deck. A low-freeboard boat is susceptible to taking in water in rough seas. Freighter ships and warships use high freeboard designs to increase internal volume which also allows them to satisfy IMO damage stability regulations due to increased reserved buoyancy."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeboard_(nautical)

[fishnkamp]

That looks like a nice boat and it should hold all of your camping gear before you unload and setup, even with a second person.

Since you live in Kentucky ( it sound like you may more western KY) do you spend anytime on Dale Hollow Lake?  I live in MD but vacation on that lake as well as Center Hill in TN.  We usually stay at Hendricks Creek Resort over in KY.

[Elkins45]

2 hours ago, Fishing Rhino said:

Boats of identical weight, without regard to shape, will displace the exact same amount/volume/mass/weight of water.  It takes a ton of displaced water to support a boat that weighs a ton.  They have a higher load capacity because they have higher sides.

 

The higher sides make it more difficult for water to slop over the sides into the boat, making it less likely to swamp when weather conditions deteriorate.

 

 

 Yeah, I didn't say that very well. It CAN displace more water before it swamps because it's taller.

 

I really like the floor layout of the Lowe fishing machine. The only thing that bothers me are the photos on the Lowe website. There's one of two guys standing in the boat and there is a LOT of boat sticking out of the water below them. I can imagine in a decent breeze they will find themselves sideways to the wind and drifting pretty easily.

 

Oh well, like everyone has said every decision is a compromise. I suppose if I do buy the V that just means I will have extra room for a couple of 5 gallon buckets to tie out as sea anchors

[fishnkamp]

Equipment like drift socks, your buckets for  use as sea anchors,and for more shallow fishing you could consider a pair of shallow water anchor poles.  I have the Lowe Stinger 170 which is a 17 1/2 foot long bass boat version. It sits higher out of the water than say some of my other aluminum bass boats I have owned prior. It rides better also.  The higher ( by inches) hull does catch a bit more wind and current. It has been no problem river or lake fishing, tidal water is another situation. If I am fishing an area no big deal, if I want to sit and fish a dock, well that is a bit more challenging. My answer is a Dig In shallow water anchor pole and rear hull bracket, I am looking at a Venom Lures Dine Right anchor pole unit for my front trolling motor.

[Elkins45]

Well, that Ranger Cherokee didn't last long...

[Further North]

On 1/29/2017 at 8:29 PM, NorcalBassin said:

I had a similar decision to make when I upgraded a couple years ago... "v" won for me so I could also tow the kids around on a tube.

I have no problem towing skiers in my Crestliner.

 

On 1/28/2017 at 5:47 PM, Elkins45 said:

I think I need a tall front casting deck and just a bunch of open space down near the console and rear. Sort of a "semi bass boat." Is there such an animal?

Yes.  Lund Pro-V Bass, or used, a Crestliner CMV - I have the latter....even used, it would push your budget, but as a hybrid, it might be worth looking for.

On 1/28/2017 at 8:28 AM, Elkins45 said:

Most of the Vs are configured so there's a lot more space in them for "stuff" as opposed to the bass boats that are mostly flat decks with storage spaces under doors.

I would challenge that deep-v boats have more room for stuff.

 

I have had 6 boats in the last 10 years...and all but the current one were deep-v.  On my current boat (Crestliner CMV 1850) all my "stuff" is below deck and out of my way while I fish.  With the v-hulls...a lot of my "stuff" was out on deck, in my way and underfoot.

 

All my lures, all the rods I'm not using, and all the other misc. gear in my boat is put away and out of the weather when I'm not using it.  In my v-hull boats, there were tackle boxes on deck, coolers in the way...always something getting in the way of fishing.

 

...all that said, you need to get the boat that fits your style best.  Look a lot, think a lot, if possible, fish on all types of rigs before you plunk your money down.  You're the only one who knows what you like and how you'll use the boat.

[jimf]

I've owned both, and like everyone has said it's a compromise.  My current boat is a small 16' deep V (Lund Fury) with a 25 hp tiller that I bought new last year.   Previously I had owned two different bass boats, one fiberglass and one aluminum.   I wanted a small boat to get on some 25hp restricted lakes, and I went with the deep V because some of the lakes by me are open and perched and can get really rough.  I'm so happy I did, I've been out in some pretty rough stuff with whitecaps and the little boat cuts through them great.  And the tiller option was maybe the best decision I made because it opened up so much space, although as a poster above mentioned that might not be the case with a big engine.  But small engine - tiller.   It's just so much more practical.    I really don't have an issue getting back into some really shallow water with the deepV, I've never once not been able to get into water I need to.  Again I have a small boat.

 

The biggest disadvantage is getting pushed around in the wind.  

 

I love the deep V, and the tiller really allows for alot of space.   This boat is the smallest and least powered boat I have ever owned, and my favorite that I have ever owned.  

 

 

[carlm01]

I traded in a bass boat to get a deep V , I'm happy with sitting a little lower and having a smaller casting deck, You stated that you fish for various species , Your better off with a deep V, as for not performing as well with the trolling motor , I find no difference at all although my Lund Rebel does sit a little lower in the water ... Good luck either way

[Pete-K]

Hard to beat my 1825 Pro Guide Tiller Lund. Open floor plan and plenty of room.

Petre

I fish for catfish, Crappie, Stripers, Sauger and bass. Works for all of other then flipping for bass.

[carlm01]

 

[MattC]

On January 28, 2017 at 7:22 PM, Junk Fisherman said:

I considered a Crestliner Fish Hawk for a long time.  It has one of the biggest front decks in its class yet it has open space around the cockpit since it doesn't have a large rear casting deck.  I don't think people would call it a "semi-bass boat" but it is one of the better tin deep Vs for bass fishing IMO.  

my father jumped on a lightly used Fish Hawk 1650 over the summer last year for a smoking deal, he was in the same shoes as you are deciding between deep V or bass boat but when the list started for what he wanted and wanting to be able to get him me my little brother and mom on it for a day out fishing and cruising around so deep V was the only practical option and when he located this boat he didn't believe price but price was true drove 2hrs one way bought it on sight and its been great so far. the guy selling the boat wasn't lying either when he said hardly used, when the boat went in for winterization they ran tests on the merc 90hp and it only had 11hrs total run time on it. only issue I've seen is storage is sorta tough but ya make do and when it's only me dad and brother and we stop to fish the back row seats unfold down to further extended the rear casting deck which is a BIG plus! 

[Elkins45]

Well, here's what I ended up with:

 

It's a 2007 G3 16 ft deep V with a 50hp Yamaha two stroke. It looks like it has spent most of its life in a garage. Everything was in exceptional condition and I got to take it out on the water before buying it. $7000. I think I got a super deal, so if I decide I don't like the V hull I can probably trade without taking too much of a hit.

[jimf]

Nice!  I've heard very good things about the G3.   Congrats!

On 2/15/2017 at 7:07 PM, Pete-K said:

Hard to beat my 1825 Pro Guide Tiller Lund. Open floor plan and plenty of room.

Petre

I fish for catfish, Crappie, Stripers, Sauger and bass. Works for all of other then flipping for bass.

I don't have near the boat you do (Lund Fury 16') which is probably all the more reason I just love and appreciate the tiller layout.   A friend of mine who goes through new boats very couple of years bought a tiller a few years ago which surprised me, and when I saw it the lightbulb went off.   I'll take a little spray in my face to open up all of that space.  My current boat is almost 2' shorter than my previous bass boat with a console but it fishes bigger than that boat.  

 

Tiller and deep-V - 30 years ago when I had a nice shiny fiberglass boat I would have laughed at me launching this thing, but yet here I am and I love it.  

[starbuck]

On 1/29/2017 at 9:55 PM, Elkins45 said:

 

Kentucky, and I generally fish in-state. The only time I really see rough water is on Kentucky Lake because the main body is really wide but quite shallow outside the river channel. On summer afternoons the whitecaps really jarred my teeth out in my heavy old bass boat.

 

I have both a 2016 ranger 520c  and a tracker 175 wt ... I fish ky lake often ... unless I'm gonna flipping or pitching skipping under docks for sure ... I much prefer the hull and it's only a 16 foot 8 inch boat boat rides way better on the 3-4 foot days on Kentucky ... even then I can still pitch flip skip just fine out of the v hull ... I like it so much probably going to move to new ranger 1880ms or a Lund and sell the tracker 

On 2/28/2017 at 4:43 PM, Elkins45 said:

Well, here's what I ended up with:

 

It's a 2007 G3 16 ft deep V with a 50hp Yamaha two stroke. It looks like it has spent most of its life in a garage. Everything was in exceptional condition and I got to take it out on the water before buying it. $7000. I think I got a super deal, so if I decide I don't like the V hull I can probably trade without taking too much of a hit.

 

 

You did great