Ask The Pros

What should I look for in a big water bass boat?

Question:
There are so many boats out there and every make and model.  For Pros who travel to all bodies of waters, what are the important aspects of a bass boat if you are encountering big waters?  What do you look for in a big water bass boat?
-Don

Answer:
I would say the most important aspect in looking for a boat to handle large bodies of water is SAFETY.

I look for a boat that is in the 20 to 21 foot range in length, with a deeper keel. The added length and V style hull will give more stability to the boat in rough water, allowing you to walk over larger waves, with out taking the beating of smaller or flat bottom hulls.

I also look for a boat with massive flotation, Ranger has always done a good job at setting the bar on this, my boat is a Alpha 211 and because of the finished engine compartment this boat actually has more foam in it then 99 percent of the comparable boats on the market. The next aspect for me is bilge pumps, my 211 is equipped with duel 1000 GPH pumps, this is very important when navigating huge water seas.

Strength is another issue as some boats can actually delaminate from the pounding of ten foot swells. A boat with at least a 4 gusset Transom, and solid Stringer system are a must. At Legend Boats we actually use a 6 gusset Transom that is almost indestructible. The next aspect of safety to me would be a GPS unit not only for Navigation, but for locating purposes if someone were to fall over board.

After safety comes the competitive side, a boat with large gas capacity is a must, my 211 is equipped with a standard 42 gallon tank as well as a 20 gallon auxiliary tank, for a total of 62 gallons giving me one of the larger cruising ranges of any of my competitors. I like the fact that my boat is able to accommodate the larger 7 inch diagonal graphs recessed both front and back, as its not unheard of for anglers to rip graphs right off the boat, with this feature that's never an issue. A 225hp to 250hp is also a must the ability to cover lots of water in short periods of time allows me to be more competitive and can get me off the water quick when I am in a bind. Another feature to look at is the height of the boat at rest, a slightly taller boat with a solid 94 to 95 inch beam will give you more stability when trying to catch and land fish in big water. Also definitely look for the longer shaft trolling motors in a 36 volt system. The longer shaft will allow you to keep the engine in the water for better control, and the larger power will ensure you have plenty of juice under rough conditions.

So in the end I look for Safety, Stability, Strength, and Speed, I hope this helps with your search.

Jamie Cyphers, Western Pro