Going Fast

[Flatrock]

43 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I don’t much care for going fast, it’s kind of the reason I’ve  only ever fished one bass tournament. I used to like going fast on backroads but apparently pickup trucks aren’t too nimble and a few trees and guardrails later I don’t do that anymore. I’ve also never been on a roller coaster and don’t care for airplanes, I’m a big wimp. Plus I’ve hit plenty of floating and submerged stuff at 25 mph and went through some lower units and props. I’m following Jacob wheelers YouTube channel for the BPT this year and he has been through at least 3 lowers 

I get you...  In my teen to mid twenties, if I wasn't peeling out or sliding to a stop, I wasn't moving in a built 302 in a F100 SWB..  Loved drifting on dirt roads and back trails...  So I'm no stranger go going fast...   I"m not sure which finally broke me of driving like an idiot, but now I just sit back and relax, but at the rate I'm going, I figure I'm going to be that old man in the left lane going 10 under the speed limit in about another 10 yrs..  LOL

[MickD]

Things, mostly bad, happen way too fast at 70 mph.  Very easy to miss something in the water at that speed.  Not being a tournament fisherman, I'm cool with my 32 mph max  of my 60 Merc on a 16.5 foot boat.  I often throttle back to an easy-plane speed of about 25, no stress, reasonable safety, better fuel economy.

 

I'll bet many 70mph drivers are basically unqualified for doing that.  If I see a very fast boat approaching, I move well out of the way, too.

[J Francho]

8 hours ago, Flatrock said:

Maybe you're right, but to be honest it was more of the instability of the boat. My boat remains in the water and his ..?  I think only the prop was touching..  LOL

If YOU felt unstable, then your friend wasn't a good host or driver.

[TnRiver46]

3 hours ago, Flatrock said:

I get you...  In my teen to mid twenties, if I wasn't peeling out or sliding to a stop, I wasn't moving in a built 302 in a F100 SWB..  Loved drifting on dirt roads and back trails...  So I'm no stranger go going fast...   I"m not sure which finally broke me of driving like an idiot, but now I just sit back and relax, but at the rate I'm going, I figure I'm going to be that old man in the left lane going 10 under the speed limit in about another 10 yrs..  LOL

No problem, except for get in the right lane !!!

[Goldstar225]

I'm with you on the no need for speed.  My boat will top out at 50 but you'll usually find me at 30-40 MPH.  I've no problem with the go fast guys as long as they're safe.  I actually enjoy watching a tournament blast off and remember the days of the shotgun starts.

[jbmaine]

On ‎5‎/‎22‎/‎2019 at 9:00 AM, MickD said:

I'm cool with my 32 mph max  of my 60 Merc on a 16.5 foot boat.  I often throttle back to an easy-plane speed of about 25, no stress, reasonable safety, better fuel economy.

 

Feel the same way. Got a 50 on our 16ft. Lund. Maxes out at 30 mph, plenty fast for us.

[jaimeastin]

My boat only goes 33mph, lol.  I am sure if I had a faster boat, I would driver faster, but I usually go about 25...

 

I love fact cars always had at least one sports car and still do.  I drive over 100 just about daily.

 

Water and roads are two different beasts.  Some boats and cars are capable of handling the conditions better than others... driving, my biggest factor is other drivers and the fact that they are unpredictable.

 

On a boat, the issue is the water.  You do not not know what is below the surface.  Water and wind is also an issue together.

 

I try to respect others and make sure that they're not grabbing that oh'**** or Jesus bar.  it's always easier for the driver because Darren control and holding on to something where is a passenger doesn't have that luxury.  Secondly is just dangerous. so no matter how many times you get away, Ariel's at one time which is all it takes.

 

I finished the tournament and blast off is important get to your spot... But there's always other spots. Milo 35 miles an hour boat got me to a spot that I won't it where is everyone else they're bigger boat tours and even farther away. I did have to plan to get back to the dock, but we got back. What's important things always be safe

I fish and drive my boat at night a lot. Electronics really help with that because I will follow my saying Pat back just to make sure. Fishing places in like a river or the California delta can be tricky... Stuff comes with a tie and it's how he lowers and rises.  I seen some people hauling ass, which I think was extremely foolish. The stuff I've seen and avoid it just do it to the conditions changing are crazy. The water is just too unpredictable.

[r83srock]

It’s different strokes for different folks. I live in walleye and musky country, bass fishing just isn’t that excepted here. The folks who “bass fish” primarily tournament fish here, and there are a few who make it hard for the rest of the general fishing community to accept “us”. My boat can hit mid 60s, and a few years ago I ran it like I stole it. Glad I never owned a crotch rocket, I had already had tons of trouble with fast cars. Fast forward to now, and I still enjoy opening it up. However, I’m way more conscious of my audience, surroundings and passengers. If someone is with me whose never been in a high performance boat before, 35-40 is it. If it’s rough, same. If there’s people around, same. Speed is fun, for me, but there’s a time and a place, and it isn’t all the time. Btw, Tritons are known for chine walking, but it’s possible your buddy was allowing the boat to do that to give more speed effect, it’s a dangerous condition if you don’t control it before it begins.

[TOXIC]

Personally, from my perspective there's a few reasons I have a 70mph boat (that's really working to get my 21 foot Ranger to that speed but I can).  First and foremost, safety.  If I need to outrun a storm or need the power of a 250hp motor in bad water (wind and waves), I know I have it.  Second, to get the maximum MPG and control, bass boats are designed to run "on the pad" and while that may make you feel you are close to "out of control" you are not.  With a properly set up boat/motor, it's running at its optimum when it is on pad.  BTW in the "go fast" glass bass boat world, 70-75mph is very slow.  Your skill as a driver and water conditions should dictate how fast you pilot your boat.  I'm not a speed demon and with clients in the boat, I rarely exceeded 40mph unless they were boat owners and were accustomed to higher speeds.  And as has been said, things happen very fast on the water at high speeds.  BUT>>>>There's something to be said about getting out on the lake at sunrise with the water like glass and being able to "let her eat" running down the lake.  Working the trim and jackplate and feeling that last little bit of hull lift out of the water knowing your boat is operating in its maximum capacity and your motor is singing at the top of its RPM range.  I may be old but I'm young at heart.  

[Todd2]

21 hours ago, jaimeastin said:

My boat only goes 33mph, lol.  I am sure if I had a faster boat, I would driver faster, but I usually go about 25...

Bout the same here...40HP Tin boat. Does fine by me.

 

The problem at most of the lakes that I fish is that HP and common sense are inversely proportional. 

[Hi-Powered Red Neck]

Personally I grew up in fast Bass boats tournament fishing with my Dad. The Club he was in had some FAST boats I've been 108 mph in a 21' Bullet. As Toxic said 70 isn't fast. 70 is a nice safe cruise speed on a fast boat. Theres a time and a place for everything. I slowed down and now I wish I hadn't. I'm selling my 2 boats and looking for a Gambler or a Bullet. If you're ever in a boat going faster than you a comfortable say something. The Bass boat I have now is a 18' Skeeter it's a 65 mph boat. To me thats slow, to my wife it's terrifying. She's been behind the wheel of her car at 160 with me in it, so its not the speed that frightens her. I rarely run over 40 with her in the boat. Same with friends, I can tell at a glance if you diggin' the speed or white knuckled. If you like I'll let'er eat. If your white knuckled I'll back it down. Most guy's are the same way. I go fast cause I like it. If my fishin' partner doesn't then we won't. 40 works. I grew up with the "If your boat doesn't scare you a little it's not fast enough" crowd. 

[bunz559]

Tournaments and fun. I own a Ranger RT188 with a 115 and top out at 46mph. While it gets me on the water, moves me plenty fast to get around the lakes in my area, it's still SLOW. LOL! I've fished a few tournaments and it would be super nice to keep up with some of the more powerful boats. But I only run a few tournaments a year for fun. 

 

What I'd really like is to be able to boat around faster for the fun when I want to. Something that'll go 70mph, but can cruise at 50-60 with ease. Currently 45mph is at WOT. No matter if I want to go any faster, I can't. At least with a more powerful boat, I can boat around slow and have the option of going faster. My next boat will be at least a 19ft with a 200 or 225. That should give me a little larger deck room, that will still fit in my garage, and get me into the speeds that I desire. 

[Shimano_1]

I think speed is always relative. Personally anything over 70 is too fast in a bass boat. Too many variables.  Of course guys with bullets would disagree.  I've had one rig that would run 75. I hit that once and scared myself. Cruised at 65 comfortably in it. Also believe there should be some form of training before a guy can buy a 90 mph rig and take it to the lake. If not for his safety for everyone else's.  Guys get crazy launching for a tournament.  I've seen several close calls simply from people with too much testosterone and no common sense. If the driver is experienced and courteous then the speed isnt such a big deal. 

[TnRiver46]

On 11/24/2019 at 9:25 AM, Shimano_1 said:

I think speed is always relative. Personally anything over 70 is too fast in a bass boat. Too many variables.  Of course guys with bullets would disagree.  I've had one rig that would run 75. I hit that once and scared myself. Cruised at 65 comfortably in it. Also believe there should be some form of training before a guy can buy a 90 mph rig and take it to the lake. If not for his safety for everyone else's.  Guys get crazy launching for a tournament.  I've seen several close calls simply from people with too much testosterone and no common sense. If the driver is experienced and courteous then the speed isnt such a big deal. 

I rarely run my boat wide open and wide open is usually 27 mph going upstream........ haha! I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you can bust open a gear case just floating through shoals and forgetting to trim up.......

[22RangerZ520R]

I rarely run WOT, except to let her breathe hard every once in a blue moon.

 

Pushing a bass boat to its max out limits on speed just to make it to a spot 7 seconds before another competitor is dumb imo.  Do we drive our cars with the pedal to the floor until the needle is maxed out on the speedometer?!?!?  

 

I think it's funny to see guys constantly swapping out props, etc just to gain 1-3 mph top end speed.  If you are worried about going 70+ mph vs just 65mph it's time you leave the rods at home and pick up boat racing........  I drive my boat a majority of the time at the blistering speed of 33-35 mph and make it to my spots in plenty of time without putting myself, my passenger or my boat/motor at risk.

[Sam]

A  few times I would actually forget how fast I was going as I looked at the birds, the shoreline, other boats, for things floating in the water, etc., and then looked at my GPS speed which was clocking in the 60's.

 

This can happen when you have calm water and a hot foot and are enjoying a beautiful day.

 

Otherwise, I keep the boat at a peak 50 MPH when needed, like in a tournament or as stated above, I just want to go fast for the heck of it.

 

I have gone over 70 in my friend's Ranger on a calm day on the Chickahominy River and never knew how fast we were going until he told me to look at his GPS for our MPH.

 

Major problem is that things happen very fast on the water and going fast for no apparent reason puts you and others in peril.

[GreenPig]

I'm a speed freak and proud. I run all 3 of my boats WOT every trip. From slowest to fastest. 2.9 mph, 15.1 mph, 27.4 mph and those are GPS speed with just me and tackle.? My boats are simple fishing platforms and most lakes have ramps in the general area I'm going to fish. I fished tournaments for years zipping around and understand the need for speed. I catch bigger fish nowadays going slower.

[Ratherbfishing]

I have only a 25 horse motor on my 17.5 foot aluminum so obviously I can't go very fast BUT the only time I've really desired to go faster is when a storm is rolling in.  To have a bigger motor would mean I can't take it on my (now) favorite lake.

[Way2slow]

A smaller, slow boat will make you a better fisherman.  The lake I mostly fish is about 77,000 acres and over a mile wide down in the main body.  I can go almost 60 miles in one direction so, if the area I'm fishing is not working for me, it doesn't take long to go to another area 15 or more miles away at 70+ MPH.  Unless you want to spend your whole day riding, that's not so easy to do in a 25 - 30 MPH boat (or even slower).  

That makes you have to hang around in a somewhat limited area and figure it out.  Figure out where the fish are at and what bait and how to present it to them to entice a bite.

I started almost 60 years ago fishing the backwaters of this lake using nothing but a 17ft canoe with a little 1.5hp outboard hanging off the side, so my fishing was confined to no more than a mile or so in any one direction.  I learned to make it work, and know that area like the back of my hand.  When other people say they can't buy a bite, I can always fall back to this area can catch fish.  It may not be the large numbers other places, if you could get to them, would produce, but I can always depend of getting a few fish out of it. 

It's like learning a small lake inside a huge lake.  The things this teaches you, you find if you pay attention, you can use the same techniques in other, similar areas you come into that work in your are.  Also, when gas gets back to $3.00 a gallon again, you don't really care about the whole, huge lake if you are generally fishing on a budget like I am and don't want to spend $100 a trip feeding some big a** motor running all over the lake at 70mph.

[Bird]

I recently spent the day with a friend on his Triton at lake Anna " 13000 acre " and can say with confidence......I wasn't to fond of running 70mph.

It felt way to fast for my comfort zone. 

 

He had a 200 hp Yamaha pegged moving from spot to spot.

Give me my boat with 40lb thrust. Lol

[Swamp Yankee]

I’m more than satisfied with my 14’ tin boat with its 15hp tiller control Mercury.

Where I do most of my fishing, anything more than 12-15 mph is overkill, in my opinion. Fluctuating water levels because of a hydroelectric dam, lots of New England glacial boulders, plenty of storms and beavers dropping trees upstream, stump fields and logs floating under the surface...even that 15 mph is too fast in some of my favorite stretches. 

The river gets lots of bass tournaments with guys flying up and down the rivers at full speed. But the “ regulars” are pretty much all running 25hp or less. 

Even so, there are plenty of times when I just grab the oars and roll my rowing skiff down to the launch on its dolly. After all, the biggest bass I catch mostly come from a shallow stump field about 1/4 mile upstream from the launch.