Bass Boat Lg - 19'6"-20'-21'

[Bass_junky]

Okay guys,

I am seriously considering purchasing another boat.  My question is what are the opinions of various length's?  Ex Found a Ranger Z19 2006 Ev-225 which is 19'6" lg (excellent price), a Skeeter 20I 2006 which is 20' lg and of course my dream boat 2006 Z21 Ev-250 which is 21' lg. and a 2004 Triton 21X Merc 225 21' lg.

Let's here your opinion's, does 18" really matter?? and I mean boat length not other lengths we like to brag (dream) about,  

[Popeye]

From my experience having owned 3 sailboats, a 23' San Juan, a 27' Catalina, and a 30' Catalina, the extra footage in a boat is amazing. You'd think that a couple of extra feet wouldn't make THAT much of a difference. WRONG! Along with the added length normally comes added width and depth. As far as bass boats go, I am certainly NO EXPERT - far from it. However, I just bought me a 15' ProCraft and I've been fishing a lot on my Boss' 17.5' Skeeter and I honestly don't see much difference between my boat and his except for some added storage and a little more deck space on the Skeeter. Still, I look at those 19 - 21' boats and they have deck space like an aircraft carrier compared to my little ProCraft. I could have bought me a bigger boat but I wanted something that would completely fit in 1/2 of my garage and I don't need a big boat since there will only be one or two people on mine most of the time. Hope some of the real bass boat experts here on BR chime in with better answers for you!

[Catt]

The boat is only as good as the operator  

[cart7t]

The question is a little broad to give a good answer.  A 21 foot boat will have more storage (usually) and deck space (usually) compared to a 19 1/2 footer.

The question is, what are you going to use this boat for primarily and where?  Are there any financial constraints?  How much stuff do you usually bring?  What tow vehicle do you own?

[Jig Man]

Storage and deck space are most important to me.  I am a junk hauler and need all the space I can get.  I also want extra space for the guest's stuff so I won't be underfoot.

[ba7ss3in]

Don't know what size boat you have, now, but in all honesty I don't really see the purpose of a boat over 18.6 ft. Unless, you fish tournaments on big water. I have a 2005 18.6 ft Stratos with a 150 Yammy. I have fished off of  21ft Rangers and Tritons and other than speed, no big difference. As for as storage goes, I am reorganizing and getting rid of a lot of junk and sticking to those colors that consistently work. Just because you have an 18 or 21 footer, don't mean you can catch fish.

[Bass_junky]

Well thanks for the replies  Currently, I have a 19' with (3) storage compartments & two live wells.  I do agree ba7 organization is the key point.  Popeye also made a good point on garage size.  I do Bass fish in tourney's (at the very least i donate my entry fee) hence the Ranger & Skeeter boats I mentioned.  This is typically on big water lakes or Rough water of the Columbia which is why i am looking for a larger boat.  Hauling is no issue, I have a 3/4 GMC and as for the financial restraints, I think i covered that by listing the options i was looking at.  I agree bigger boat doesn't mean you catch more fish & a boat is only as good as the operator, thats a given.  One option of a longer boat i didn't see a response to was: longer boats typically have a tandem trailer, seems this would help on road trips.

[cart7t]

Well thanks for the replies  Currently, I have a 19' with (3) storage compartments & two live wells.  I do agree ba7 organization is the key point.  Popeye also made a good point on garage size.  I do Bass fish in tourney's (at the very least i donate my entry fee) hence the Ranger & Skeeter boats I mentioned.  This is typically on big water lakes or Rough water of the Columbia which is why i am looking for a larger boat.  Hauling is no issue, I have a 3/4 GMC and as for the financial restraints, I think i covered that by listing the options i was looking at.  I agree bigger boat doesn't mean you catch more fish & a boat is only as good as the operator, thats a given.  One option of a longer boat i didn't see a response to was: longer boats typically have a tandem trailer, seems this would help on road trips.

You have the option of putting a tandem trailer under just about any boat.  I wouldn't own a 19 1/2 foot boat or larger that didn't have a tandem whether I was hauling long distances or not.  That's just too much weight on a single axle for me to be comfortable with.

As for rough water ride.  I don't think I'd be looking at a Ranger, or even a Triton if running the rough stuff on a regular basis is a concern.

Champion would be a better choice. IMO.

[ba7ss3in]

Well thanks for the replies Currently, I have a 19' with (3) storage compartments & two live wells. I do agree ba7 organization is the key point. Popeye also made a good point on garage size. I do Bass fish in tourney's (at the very least i donate my entry fee) hence the Ranger & Skeeter boats I mentioned. This is typically on big water lakes or Rough water of the Columbia which is why i am looking for a larger boat. Hauling is no issue, I have a 3/4 GMC and as for the financial restraints, I think i covered that by listing the options i was looking at. I agree bigger boat doesn't mean you catch more fish & a boat is only as good as the operator, thats a given. One option of a longer boat i didn't see a response to was: longer boats typically have a tandem trailer, seems this would help on road trips.

I have not towed a boat that size but I know one advatage was when a friend and I fish private lakes with no ramps he has an easier time loading his boat than I. He has a 21ft Triton. If its stability in rough water you are lookig at, I would go with a Ranger.