Fish & Ski/"Multi-species" built on a bass boat hull? Suggestions Needed

[hwright38]

Hello,

 

I'm in the market for a new boat, and I have a... weird? Strange? Completely deranged? Set of features I'm looking for, and I'm not even sure this combination exists. In short, I'm looking for a Ranger 212 LS with more rod storage. A Fish & Ski that's leaning more towards "fish" and less towards "ski." I camp/sleep out of the boat for 4-5 days at a time, mostly with 1 other person, so a "pure" bass boat won't work (I need more floor space for coolers and stuff). However, I like the fishing performance of a "bass boat" style hull, and I don't want to go with a true Deep-V. 

 

Has anyone made a boat similar to that in the last 5-10 years? Everything I'm seeing is either a bass boat with one bench for seating and no floor space, a Deep V that sits miles above the water, or the exact hull shape I want but has basically no rod storage.

[volzfan59]

Champion used to make a fish and ski that leaned towards more fish than ski. Sadly, they're no longer around. You might take a look at Skeeter and see, they used to make a nice F&S, Nitro too. A Nitro may be more 50/50.

 

[Vilas15]

As a fish and ski owner, I don't know you'll find what youre looking for. The 212ls rod storage is so poor because its set lower for passenger access to the bow like a ski boat, but in a bass boat hull so it has to be super shallow. A deep V hull allows the rod locker set lower but still maintain room for more rods since it extends further under the floor. Fish and skis dont typically set the top of rod locker at the deck height except a few like nitro zv19 but thats a deep V. The bass boat hull Nitro Z19 sport has the same problem as the ranger 212.

[A-Jay]

Take a look at the Lund 2025 Impact XS or even the 1875 Crossover XS.

You get the 25 inch transom on both and quite a bit of what you're looking for.

https://www.lundboats.com/

Good Luck

A-Jay

[Jig Man]

Have a look at Vexus DVX series.

[Junk Fisherman]

The Lund Pro V Bass with the pedestal seats provide a lot of floor space compared to your average bass boat.  Plus, I see guys removing the small floor cooler and storage container to provide even more floor space.   

[DaubsNU1]

On 10/4/2023 at 6:48 AM, A-Jay said:

Take a look at the Lund 2025 Impact XS or even the 1875 Crossover XS.

You get the 25 inch transom on both and quite a bit of what you're looking for.

https://www.lundboats.com/

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

Good advice from @A-Jay.

 

Consider the Lund Adventure...less $$, smaller platform. I've been very happy with mine.

 

 

[slonezp]

Bay or Hybrid bay boat

[hwright38]

Sorry for going AWOL on the thread, I thought I had email replies turned on... Guess not lol. 

 

On 10/3/2023 at 8:17 PM, Vilas15 said:

 The bass boat hull Nitro Z19 sport has the same problem as the ranger 212.

Yes, this is what I'm seeing too. I currently have an '05 Nitro 189 Sport, and it has zero rod storage built in. It looks like that version of the Z19 Sport (that I think was discontinued this year, funnily enough) is basically the same hull just with updated interior. Right now I'm running my rods up the sides of the gunwales with the tips poking through where the wiring goes up to the trolling motor/running lights in the bow. I can cram 6 rods on each side, so I guess it's working good enough for now. 

 

On 10/4/2023 at 5:48 AM, A-Jay said:

Take a look at the Lund 2025 Impact XS or even the 1875 Crossover XS.

You get the 25 inch transom on both and quite a bit of what you're looking for.

https://www.lundboats.com/

Good Luck

A-Jay

I was actually looking at the Pro V GL. The Impact and Crossover look... flimsy isn't the right word, but they look like they'd be beaten up in bigger water. This boat will primarily be used on Lake Powell where it can get pretty nasty in a summer windstorm, and if there's an emergency hiding from the weather may not be an option. 
 

I'm also really more of a glass guy. Not had the best experience with aluminum boats (granted, they were all Trackers...), so I'm going to stay away from them for the time being. 

 

On 10/4/2023 at 7:26 AM, Jig Man said:

Have a look at Vexus DVX series.

Those were on my radar as well. I think I'd rather go with a Ranger or Triton for that kind of money, they seem to be about equivalent hulls. 

 

Thanks for the advice fellas. It looks like what I want doesn't really exist (and may not even be physically possible, thanks @Vilas15 for pointing that out to me). I'll be taking a long look at the Lund offerings, and since originally posting this I've noticed the Tritons seem to sit a bit lower in the water than the Ranger/Nitros, so I'll be looking into those as well. 

 

[slonezp]

https://campionboats.com/rage-model/

[DaubsNU1]

Buddy had a Tracker. I won't go there. I believe Ranger is owned by BP. 

 

I looked long and hard at Alumacraft.

 

Good luck with your search! 

[WRB]

Just pull a portable ski tow bar on your bass boat and have a boat ladder, that is what did. 

Most Fish ‘n Ski ‘n boats compromise in both categories, big wind shield and higher free board you don’t need. 

Tom

[hwright38]

On 10/18/2023 at 9:08 AM, WRB said:

Just pull a portable ski tow bar on your bass boat and have a boat ladder, that is what did. 

Most Fish ‘n Ski ‘n boats compromise in both categories, big wind shield and higher free board you don’t need. 

Tom

I'm not actually looking to ski, I just need more floor space than what's on a typical bass boat for gear and coolers. 

[A-Jay]

On 10/16/2023 at 8:34 PM, hwright38 said:

 

I was actually looking at the Pro V GL. The Impact and Crossover look... flimsy isn't the right word, but they look like they'd be beaten up in bigger water. This boat will primarily be used on Lake Powell where it can get pretty nasty in a summer windstorm, and if there's an emergency hiding from the weather may not be an option. 

 Not had the best experience with aluminum boats (granted, they were all Trackers...), so I'm going to stay away from them for the time being. 

 Bass Trackers can't really be compared to Deep -V Lund hulls.

You get what you pay for.

My Lund IPS2 hull is quite capable when operated by an experienced human.

A-Jay

 

[Born 2 fish]

Have you looked at triton allure ?

https://www.tritonboats.com/fish-ski.html

[WRB]

19 hours ago, hwright38 said:

I'm not actually looking to ski, I just need more floor space than what's on a typical bass boat for gear and coolers. 

Today bass boat are built to have maximum deck area with maximum storage under the deck. The only item missing is a larger size cooler to hold fish on ice because today’s bass anglers release the catch.

I suggest a tournament style walleye boat or simply put a portable cooler on the back deck behind the rear pedestal.

Tom

[Vilas15]

Lund proV bass or ProV musky give you bass boat hull with full rod locker with pedestal seating and more floor space behind them than a normal bench seat. That's about the only option that fits your original criteria. If you want fiberglass either stick with the reata 212 and deal with lack of rod storage or pick your favorite deep V fish n ski and deal with the deeper hull.