New boat continues. HELP

[WVFishDep]

Ok all, I’ve got a deal worked out and initial paperwork in on a 2012 Nitro Z7 with 51 hours, 150 pro xs, new Fortrex 80 and a powerpole, 21k. But, I’m still bouncing back and forth on a new RT188, which will be 26k outfitted. I want to be able to use the boat on a lot of different types of water around me, including 9.9 restricted lakes (trolling motor only) but also be comfortable traveling the east to major lakes. I know the differences that are always preached in aluminum vs glass, and not trying to get that started again. 

 

I just want your alls opinion on what route you would take. I don’t have a lake within 4 hours that is over 8k acres. Any help is appreciated. Thanks all

[J Francho]

When I price out a RT188 with what's probably on that Z7, it's more like $36K.  So, consider that part.  Also, have you ever tried loading a bass boat using only the trolling motor?  It's not a fun or ideal process.

[WVFishDep]

10 minutes ago, J Francho said:

When I price out a RT188 with what's probably on that Z7, it's more like $36K.  So, consider that part.  Also, have you ever tried loading a bass boat using only the trolling motor?  It's not a fun or ideal process.

I definitely agree with the latter, but I may have to fire the motor up at the ramp to load. I just know realistically my time in tight structured water will far exceed open water, and I’m wondering if that should automatically mean I need to go tin?

[lo n slo]

i have one boat for the big lakes and a jon boat for the small ones. find a used johnny with a decent 9.9 tiller and trick it out the way you want it. not that expensive if you aint scared of a little work. ?

[Further North]

I'd keep it simple: Which boat do you like the best?

 

Buy that one.

[slonezp]

1 hour ago, Further North said:

I'd keep it simple: Which boat do you like the best?

 

Buy that one.

Stop making sense

[J Francho]

I don't why tin is for "structured water" and glass is for open.  When I had a 22' glass rig and an 18' tin, I preferred the tin Xpress on Erie and Ontario.  The Bullet was nice for calmer, inland waters.

[BrianinMD]

20 hours ago, J Francho said:

When I price out a RT188 with what's probably on that Z7, it's more like $36K.  So, consider that part.  Also, have you ever tried loading a bass boat using only the trolling motor?  It's not a fun or ideal process.

Loading with the trolling motor is not that bad at all.

 

One thing that would mean a lot to me is the RT188 would be new and the Z7 has some wear on it and likely out of warranty.

[J Francho]

1 hour ago, BrianinMD said:

Loading with the trolling motor is not that bad at all.

Thanks.  It was a real pain with my Xpress.  Might be because it was at a steep ramp.

[BrianinMD]

37 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Thanks.  It was a real pain with my Xpress.  Might be because it was at a steep ramp.

yeah, I can see how that would cause some issues. Around here there are next to no lakes which allow gas motors. You get used to loading with trolling motor only pretty quick.

 

With my Ultrex I put it on 7 and it will hold with the prop just under the surface, line it up and just pull up the motor right before it hits the trailer.

[fishnkamp]

Something that helps the loading with just a trolling motor is to cover your bunks with the white slick bunk material. I had the kit from CE I believe any way two sections covered my entire 8 foot long bunk and the kit comes with 4 pieces which covered both.  The called them self centering bunk glides. Check oue Eastern Marine (in Delaware) online. They sell them. Those bunks were so slick I had to leave the front strap hooked up till my 15 1/2 foot Polar Kraft bass boat was in the water. That boat was used to fish several electric only reservoirs around here. I had moved the two standard bunk boards out a bit then added a new cross member which allowed me to add two more shorter bunks inboard closer to the center keel on that mod v hull. This allowed the entire hull to be supported on bunks. That helped since I had a heavy group 30 battery up under my front seat. It was a stick steer boat originally.