Lund Pro-V Bass review

[FryDog62]

Someone on this site asked me a couple years ago to provide a review on my Lund Pro-V Bass 1875 XS.  I said give me some time on the water and I will, but never got around to writing it.  Another person on a different site just asked and I provided so I thought I would post here as well.  It was -12 degrees this morning in Minnesota so if nothing else it keeps me thinking about Spring (98 days until open water season begins

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I've had an 1875 PVB for 3 seasons and overall I'm very happy with it... Actually coming from the fiberglass world, I'm surprised I like it as much as I do. 

 

I have the XS seating with the pedestals and rear flip up seats. Not often I have 4 people in the boat but the set up is a lot better and more versatile than a traditional bass boat. You can pull tubes/skiers if you want.

 

It is like a traditional bass boat in that the seating is farther to the rear of the boat, so you will get more side spray when quartering than you would with a high sided Deep-V boat with seats that sit further forward and a full windshield. But as far as going straight into bigger waves, its Deep-V hull is better than my Ranger was. The first year I would hold my breath and brace myself just before I'd hit a big wave. But I didn't need to, the Deep V does well in rougher seas, straight on the same as a Pro-V would. That's a definite plus in this boat. 

 

The layout is great for fishing - I'm primarily bass/muskie, but I have used it some for trolling/jigging for walleyes. If I were mostly a walleye fisherman I'd be in a different boat, but unless your fishing in waves over 2 feet it does fine. It seems to track better than a typical bass boat too, and doesn't get pushed around in the wind like other high-sided walleye boats can. 

 

The front deck does sit a little higher up than most bass boats. But the floor comes up almost to the gunwale so its a slight advantage and gives you a little more room/clearance if you fish jerk baits, flip, roll cast, etc. You may have to adjust if you skip lures a lot since you are a little higher above the water, but just modify your trajectory a bit and you're fine.  I skip a lot of plastics and the angle is second nature now...

 

The storage is phenomenal. Honestly, I would have a real hard time going back to a traditional bass boat storage system. I can organize gear/tackle so much better in the PVB. The hazard can be that you store too much stuff and weigh the boat down, so I'm careful not to over do it. 

 

I've always been a big proponent of maxing out the hp rating. This was a holdover 2016 boat and already rigged with a 150 when I bought it. I don't fish many tournaments or travel great distances very often so I don't feel the need to go 60 mph. I top out at about 50 mph and don't have a problem getting up on plane at all.  I usually cruise relatively effortlessly at about 35-40 mph.  If you fish a lot of tournaments, travel great distances regularly, or usually have 3-4 people in the boat then I'm sure the 200 hp would be a better option. 

 

I did max out the trolling motor with a 36 volt Ultrex 112. I wouldn't consider anything less. I use the TM 90% of the time I'm on the water and it lasts all day even in stiff river current. Wide open I go approx 3 mph which is plenty fast IMO. The Spot-lock on the Ultrex was improved over the Ulterra I had on my Ranger, it works well. The cable drive is so much better too.  The one modification I did make was the length of the shaft on the Ultrex.  At the time I bought the only shaft length sizes available were a 45 inch and a 60 inch.  Since I do fish big water occasionally, and the bow sits up slightly higher, I went with the 60 inch.  The problem was when fishing shallow the head of the motor really sticks up high.  I ended up glancing my rod/lure off it a few too many times when skipping or roll casting.  It became a real pain and limited my casting angles just a little too often.  I took the motor to a certified MinnKota dealer and had the shaft cut to 52 inches (a size they offer on the new ones now!).  It seems to be a very good compromise.  In true 3 footers the prop will sputter above the water at times, but I don't fish in those conditions very often.  I do fish calm shallow areas regularly.  

 

I added a jack plate and it has been a huge plus. I wanted this boat for big water but also for shallow rivers and no wake zones. With the jack plate up, the hull stays level and I only draft approx 12-14 inches of water depending on speed. 

 

Only misgivings I have are:

 

*The cover it came with is custom made for the boat, fits great but the pole system to hold the cover up in the bow simply doesn't work. It flops over every time and will also pool water if it sits outside in the rain. At first I used a traffic cone as a prop up front but once the sun gets hot that would wilt over too. I ended up using a Christmas tree stand to prop the bow pole up and it actually works great believe it or not, but kinda silly I had to resort to that!

 

*The cooler is a joke. I don't know what Lund was thinking when they made an otherwise very good quality and somewhat expensive boat but designed it with a $9 cooler. Its a hollow-sided, non-insulated, cheap Igloo that holds ice a couple hours at best. I get it they wanted the cooler to fit inside of the step to the bow, but they could have done this better or reconfigured the step slightly to accommodate a different/better brand of cooler. I don't need a Yeti, but I would have gladly paid the extra $50-100 bucks for a better quality cooler that holds ice at least a day.  I now use the bow step for line storage and bought an Rtic cooler I slide under the driver's console.  Not ideal but its pretty much out of the way and holds ice for a couple days.  

*It seems 80% of the stains I get in the boat are in the cockpit area.  If anyone is ordering this boat new I would recommend vinyl covering for the cockpit but not necessary for the rest of the boat.  (I believe this is what A-Jay did).  I did put a “semi-custom” Lund carpet/mat in the cockpit to reduce staining if anyone is interested in an after market option PM me.  Vinyl would be best however IMO.  
 

*Last nit is a plus/minus - its an aluminum hull. Its superior in terms of occasionally scraping the bottom in rivers, where fiberglass would chip. I've pulled it up on a rocky shore on Rainy Lake for shore lunch and wasn't paranoid like I was with my previous fiberglass boats. But the freeboard on an aluminum boat scratches easier than fiberglass. It just does. Even if you're careful you'll scratch the freeboard or peel up the decals over time when you nudge a dock or tree/brush.  But if it looks a little beat up in a few years, I can always take it in for a cosmetic re-fresh.  Heck I'll be 60 then and no doubt will need one too, if not already ~

 

Overall, I would give it a 9 on 10 scale. I've had buyer's remorse with other boats I've bought and have traded them off after a couple years. No thoughts of that at all with this boat. I can think of only one other possible boat I would consider buying and it is twice the cost. Not worth it in my opinion. And there would be that issue of having to adjust to the lack of useable storage again, or lack of comfortable seating for 4 passengers occasionally, etc. 

 

A very versatile boat which is what I wanted...

[NHBull]

Thanks for taking the time.

I have an Impact 1775 and have been envious of ajays rig.  Maybe  next year

[detroit1]

Let me know when you sell your Impact NHBULL, I love that boat ...

[A-Jay]

 A most Astute & Insightful Review ~ 

Nicely Done @FryDog62

 That Pro-V Bass seems like a very solid rig indeed.

Congrats

A-Jay

[gim]

Solid review.  Some people post reviews on large investments like this and they don't post anything negative or an item they would change.  Its like they think the entire setup has no flaws.  So its very refreshing to hear you complain about the cheap cooler and the lack of outboard horsepower.

[FryDog62]

37 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Solid review.  Some people post reviews on large investments like this and they don't post anything negative or an item they would change.  Its like they think the entire setup has no flaws.  So its very refreshing to hear you complain about the cheap cooler and the lack of outboard horsepower.

Agreed, that’s why I waited awhile before reviewing.  To be honest, I think 150 hp and 50 mph is plenty of power for that boat.  Never felt underpowered, but then the FLW isn’t calling me to join either

[Boomstick]

Thanks for the review. I may have actually been the person who asked for the review, I can't remember. There was a used one that popped up and if I wasn't diagnosed with cancer right after, I would have bought it. That's basically my dream boat. In fact I am looking to buy and rig out kayaks this year, so I can continue to put away some money and maybe in a few years as the Pro Vs will have been around a few more years and dropping in price a little, maybe I can make it happen.

[FryDog62]

1 minute ago, Boomstick said:

Thanks for the review. I may have actually been the person who asked for the review, I can't remember. There was a used one that popped up and if I wasn't diagnosed with cancer right after, I would have bought it. Anyway from what I've seen and for the lakes I fish and how I'd use it, I'm near dead set that the Pro V 1875 is the boat I could go out and buy if I could afford it.

Sorry to hear about cancer, that’s more of a priority to beat that.  Now that the boat has been out 3 years I’m sure there will be more used for sale..?

[Boomstick]

Just now, FryDog62 said:

Sorry to hear about cancer, that’s more of a priority to beat that.  Now that the boat has been out 3 years I’m sure there will be more used for sale..?

Yeah, it stinks, preventive care basically runs me a boat payment but with no payoff date but I'm alive and beat it. If nothing else when I payoff my truck, it should be in good enough shape where I can bank the payment a few years and there's a boat. But that's not gonna keep me down, I'm going to buy kayaks for myself and the boys to get off the shore next year while I put away money for a boat.

[Vilas15]

On 1/16/2020 at 3:18 PM, FryDog62 said:

The layout is great for fishing - I'm primarily bass/muskie, but I have used it some for trolling/jigging for walleyes. If I were mostly a walleye fisherman I'd be in a different boat, but unless your fishing in waves over 2 feet it does fine. It seems to track better than a typical bass boat too, and doesn't get pushed around in the wind like other high-sided walleye boats can.

Im primarily musky/bass then walleye and crappie. Pro v bass xs is my dream boat. Maybe I'll get an 1875 down the line when used ones are reasonable. The 150hp would do me fine and be a big upgrade from a 60hp pushing 32 mph ?

[Junger]

Thanks for the review, the ProVB XS is at the top of my list and your review definitely helped me settle on some options (jackplate, TM length).

 

From the website the boat/motor/trailer length is 21'3", but doesn't say if that's with the tongue up. Do you happen to have that dimension? 

 

My garage is limited to 21'.

[FryDog62]

20 minutes ago, Junger said:

Thanks for the review, the ProVB XS is at the top of my list and your review definitely helped me settle on some options (jackplate, TM length).

 

From the website the boat/motor/trailer length is 21'3", but doesn't say if that's with the tongue up. Do you happen to have that dimension? 

 

My garage is limited to 21'.

Yes that is the length with the tongue swung to the side... you’ll also have to factor in that adding a jack plate sets the motor back a few inches farther too.  My garage is 21’-3” and I have to angle my boat EXACTLY to fit in.  I invested in a Trailer Valet ($400) to be able to be able to position the boat just where it needs to be.  
 

Lastly, I’m going to add to the review if you are buying the boat new to consider having the cockpit done in vinyl (the rest of boat in carpet is fine).  The cockpit seems to track 80% of the stains in my boat and vinyl is easier to clean.  I believe A-jay had his done this way.  I added a mat/carpet to the cockpit floor.  If you go that route I can show you what I did.  But vinyl would be easier?

[Junger]

When you angle it in, can you fit another car next to it? Or will it take up both sides of the garage?

 

My wife would not be happy if she couldn't park inside the garage.

[FryDog62]

39 minutes ago, Junger said:

When you angle it in, can you fit another car next to it? Or will it take up both sides of the garage?

 

My wife would not be happy if she couldn't park inside the garage.

Excellent point...  Yes, if I wasn’t able to leave room for my wife’s Jeep I would be single!!

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Junger said:

Thanks for the review, the ProVB XS is at the top of my list and your review definitely helped me settle on some options (jackplate, TM length).

 

From the website the boat/motor/trailer length is 21'3", but doesn't say if that's with the tongue up. Do you happen to have that dimension? 

 

My garage is limited to 21'.

 

1 hour ago, FryDog62 said:

Yes that is the length with the tongue swung to the side... you’ll also have to factor in that adding a jack plate sets the motor back a few inches farther too.  My garage is 21’-3” and I have to angle my boat EXACTLY to fit in.  I invested in a Trailer Valet ($400) to be able to be able to position the boat just where it needs to be.  
 

Lastly, I’m going to add to the review if you are buying the boat new to consider having the cockpit done in vinyl (the rest of boat in carpet is fine).  The cockpit seems to track 80% of the stains in my boat and vinyl is easier to clean.  I believe A-jay had his done this way.  I added a mat/carpet to the cockpit floor.  If you go that route I can show you what I did.  But vinyl would be easier?

 

1 hour ago, Junger said:

When you angle it in, can you fit another car next to it? Or will it take up both sides of the garage?

 

My wife would not be happy if she couldn't park inside the garage.

I do have a vinyl deck while it does collect a decent amount of debris, it's super easy to clean up while offering very stable footing; even when wet.

Just don't get over spray on it from cleaning/treating your seats or you'll bust your Azz.

Don't ask me how I know. 

I'm asked all the time so I've written it down and have it handy.

My rigs dimensions on the custom Galvanized Bunk Shoreland'R trailer, including the 6 inch jack plate, the new V8 ProXS and the tongue collapsed are as follows:

Length over all ~ 22 ft 8 inches

Width ~ 8 ft 8 inches (104 inches)

Height - (ProXS trim up and lower unit secured in transom saver) 82 inches

12 ft Talon height 86 inches (Tilt brackets make this a non-issue).

 

I have a double sized attached garage and manage to  'just' slide in this rig and a full sized GMC Sierra with full cap.

 

Like you, I have to do a lot of measuring in advance along with some hoping; Worked out OK.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

[slonezp]

On 1/19/2020 at 5:57 PM, Vilas15 said:

Im primarily musky/bass then walleye and crappie. Pro v bass xs is my dream boat. Maybe I'll get an 1875 down the line when used ones are reasonable. The 150hp would do me fine and be a big upgrade from a 60hp pushing 32 mph ?

What's reasonable? My Predator 2010 is up for sale and is the predecessor to the ProV Bass

[gim]

5 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Yes that is the length with the tongue swung to the side... you’ll also have to factor in that adding a jack plate sets the motor back a few inches farther too.  My garage is 21’-3” and I have to angle my boat EXACTLY to fit in.  I invested in a Trailer Valet ($400) to be able to be able to position the boat just where it needs to be.  

d**n, I have a 21 foot garage and my boat is a foot shorter without a jack plate and my boat barely fits with the motor stowed down too. I always thought that the swing away portion of the front of my trailer should be further back to save more space too.

[A-Jay]

On 1/19/2020 at 6:57 PM, Vilas15 said:

 Maybe I'll get an 1875 down the line when used ones are reasonable. 

 

9 minutes ago, slonezp said:

What's reasonable? My Predator 2010 is up for sale and is the predecessor to the ProV Bass

 

Often seems that a 'reasonable price' can differ quite a bit depending on which end of the possible transaction one may find themselves.

 

 Generally, it may be high enough to cover the seller's costs and a reasonable margin, but not high enough for the seller to realize what the buyer considers excess profit.
 A reasonable price might not necessarily be the lowest price.

And when supplies are low and demand is high - reasonable goes right out the window.

May be what's going on with buyers looking to get into a used Pro-V Bass.
I felt like the purchase price of my rig was reasonable.

A-Jay
 

 

[Vilas15]

55 minutes ago, slonezp said:

What's reasonable? My Predator 2010 is up for sale and is the predecessor to the ProV Bass

Not in the market quite yet. Need to buy a house, a truck, etc. Like i said its a dream!

[FryDog62]

1 hour ago, slonezp said:

What's reasonable? My Predator 2010 is up for sale and is the predecessor to the ProV Bass

Are you thinking of buying an 1875 or 2075 PVB?

[slonezp]

9 hours ago, FryDog62 said:

Are you thinking of buying an 1875 or 2075 PVB?

No, that would be nothing  more than a lateral move. Right now I'm thinking about a Ranger 1880MS or 2080MS, or a Triton 186 or 206 Allure. I took my grandson fishing this past year. Unfortunately mom and grandma won't let me take a 3 year old on the boat without them tagging along. Needless to say, there's not enough room for the women and all their stuff and all the baby's stuff in the Predator. The Ranger and Triton both have a huge cockpit with seating for 6. It's also 10" wider. I'd be giving up the huge front fishing deck. Right now I don't see a way around it. The baby loves fishing. If I could take him without the girls, I'd keep it. 

 

[FryDog62]

I had promised interior/storage pictures of the 1875 PVB “XS” version.  Boat is out of storage, so here it is front and rear.  A plethora of storage, the concern can be bringing too much.  I try to keep it organized as much as possible.  

[Junger]

On 1/20/2020 at 4:23 PM, A-Jay said:

My rigs dimensions on the custom Galvanized Bunk Shoreland'R trailer, including the 6 inch jack plate, the new V8 ProXS and the tongue collapsed are as follows:

Length over all ~ 22 ft 8 inches

Width ~ 8 ft 8 inches (104 inches)

Height - (ProXS trim up and lower unit secured in transom saver) 82 inches

12 ft Talon height 86 inches (Tilt brackets make this a non-issue).

 

Revisiting this as I'm getting more serious about a new boat...the overall length of 22'8" is with your motor trimmed up, correct? Is the height the engine cowling at 82"? Are the bigger engines taller/longer? I have a standard 7' high garage door, I will probably get the 150HP motor, but it all depends on what I can fit.

[A-Jay]

14 minutes ago, Junger said:

Revisiting this as I'm getting more serious about a new boat...the overall length of 22'8" is with your motor trimmed up, correct? Is the height the engine cowling at 82"? Are the bigger engines taller/longer? I have a standard 7' high garage door, I will probably get the 150HP motor, but it all depends on what I can fit.

 

My rigs dimensions on the custom Galvanized Bunk Shoreland'R trailer, including the 6 inch jack plate, the new V8 ProXS and the tongue collapsed are as follows:

Length over all ~ 22 ft 8 inches

Width ~ 8 ft 8 inches (104 inches)

Height - (ProXS trim up and lower unit secured in transom saver) 82 inches

12 ft Talon height 86 inches (Tilt brackets make this a non-issue).

 

The numbers above represent the 2016 1875 Pro-V Bass with the 200 hp V8 ProXS 

on a 6 inch manual Sea Star Jack Plate mounted in the second hole from the top,  and the motor trimmed DOWN (to about an inch or so off the deck) and the trailer tongue collapsed.

Seems you may be cutting the height a little close.

Also I'd recommend verifying the 150 hp motor dimensions vs the 200 hp.

They MIGHT not be very different.

 

Good Luck with your pend purchase. 

A-Jay

 

 

[12poundbass]

I hate to the the bearer of bad news but I read just yesterday LUND isn’t taking anymore new orders until August/September 2021. Hopefully nobody is looking for a new on this year.