Many more fishing boats deserve attention from potential boat buyers this year—way more than we can fit on the pages of North American Fisherman. Here’s a quick look at 13 more rigs that will fulfill a variety of fishing needs, and fit into a wide range of household budgets.
But don’t stop here; click on the links provided to delve further into the details of the rigs that catch your eye. Then, make plans to visit your local boat show. Only when you can put your hands on the wheel or tiller and plant your butt in the seat can you really start to decide if it’s the one for you.
Ranger
Serious big-water walleye, muskie and striper anglers are the targets for Ranger’s new 621VS Fisherman. The 21-foot, 5-inch multi-species rig is rated for up to 300 horsepower, has a wide 99 1/2-inch beam and carries 55 gallons of fuel in a single tank.
The 621’s cockpit is wide open, with 15 percent more room and an easily accessed under-floor deep-cycle compartment. Fishing features include a 24-volt Minn Kota Fortrex 80 trolling motor with recessed foot pedal and console-mounted Lowrance X135, all maintained by a 15 x 3 onboard battery charger. They even built in enough room on the console for optional in-dash mounting of big-screen electronics like the Lowrance HDS10 and Humminbird 1197.
On the saltwater side, Ranger’s new 2310 Bay is a completely new design for the inshore fishing scene, built through feedback from tournament anglers, elite captains and guides. Following the previously introduced 2410 Bay Ranger, the new 2310 brings updated features and distinctive details to anglers preferring a slightly smaller, more maneuverable rig.
Ideal for anglers along the Gulf Coasts and other popular inshore destinations, the new Ranger measures 23 feet, 4 inches and is rated for a maximum 300 horsepower. With 80-gallon fuel capacity there’s plenty of range and the newly designed bow with more flare provides a very smooth, dry ride.
An ultra-modern sheer line produces a large front casting deck with minimal gunnel height for easy fighting of big fish. And the rear deck features a full transom, eliminating the need for a splash well while offering more efficient space to fish.
The new saltwater boat also features a redesigned console for bigger electronics and integrates three stand-up, rocket launcher-style rod holders on each side and a forward-mounted removable cooler that doubles as a comfortable seating location. A new leaning post provides more rod storage and built-in dry storage for trolling motor batteries. The unique stowable jump seats can be deployed in a matter of seconds. rangerboats.com
Crestliner
The Raptor 1750 TE (Trolling Edition) from Crestliner is purpose-built. First, to provide trollers exactly what they need to do the job. Second, to do it economically. The 17-foot, 7-inch hull has a 140-horsepower maximum power rating, making the package inexpensive to operate and tow. Its compact size means it will fit into any garage or shed, yet, it’s large and deep enough to ply fairly large waters.
Crestliner moved the console (single, double or walk-through optional) forward, creating a spacious cockpit area for fighting and landing fish. An optional stern conversion bench can be set up as comfortable aft seating, or folded down to form a rear casting deck.
The company also expanded its Kodiak line of aluminum semi-Vs, adding an 18 and 14 footer to the popular 16 Kodiak. Crestliner packed value into these multi-species rigs. Both feature carpeted decks, a livewell, gear storage, plus Crestliner’s bow-to-stern .080-inch UniWeld hull for exceptional strength and its exclusive reverse chine and variable-degree deadrise for a smooth, dry ride. crestliner.com
Lowe
Lowe has been in the business of building high-value aluminum fishing boats for 39 years. Bass rigs, like the Stinger 190, are fully equipped, smartly organized and built to last—for a price that won’t demolish a bank account.
The 190, at 18 feet, 8 inches and rated for 115 horsepower, has an 85-inch beam that carries well toward the bow, making the boat a rock-solid casting platform with a large, 38-square-foot front deck. Like many larger bass boats, the 190 also features a highly practical center rod locker that will hold sticks up to 7 feet long.
The standard package includes a Mercury outboard, your choice up to 115, Lowrance X-50 sonar and a 12-volt, 46-pound thrust MotorGuide bow-mount trolling motor.
Boats in its deep-V Fishing Machine series are equally well constructed and outfitted. The 17-foot, 3-inch FM175, for example, offers 92 inches of beam width with a very high freeboard for maximum handling performance, comfort and security on big water. A typical package includes a 90-horsepower Mercury, but the hull is rated to 115. loweboats.com
Lund
Of all the fishing boats Lund offers, its extremely popular Rebel series stands out as being just what hardcore weekend anglers want—a versatile, efficient and rugged multi-species rig. The line starts with the 14-foot 1425 and grows to the 1825 XL, at 18 feet, 3 inches. In the middle is the 1725 Rebel XL, a 17-foot, 3-inch boat that’s easy to trailer and store, yet is large enough to take on bigger lakes.
Rated for 90 horsepower (75 tiller), the 1725 XL features Lund’s exclusive Integrated Power Strake design, which directs a solid flow of water to the propeller to help keep the hull on plane and optimize performance at any speed.
Inside, the 1725 offers plenty of fishing space, while still providing the storage and livewell capacities and convenience fishermen value. Such as, a starboard-side rod locker, aft storage areas, a forward livewell/baitwell and two deep compartments under the bow platform. lundboats.com
Phoenix
For the relatively short time Phoenix bass boats have been around, they’ve made substantial impressions on anglers and the industry, including becoming the official boat of the Professional Anglers Association and the prestigious Toyota Texas Bass Classic last year.
The series’ flagship is the top-shelf, tournament-ready 721 ProXP, a 20-foot, 11-inch boat rated for 250 horsepower. And it’s loaded with standard gear—flush-mounted Lowrance electronics on the console and bow, a 24-volt digital MotorGuide bow-mount, a huge rod box on either side of a pair of cavernous organized tackle compartments under the bow, plus a lot more. phoenixbassboats.com
SeaArk
For bass anglers in 2010, SeaArk’s new Stealth 186, at 18 1/2-feet, with an 83-inch beam, is an all-welded, aluminum 15-degree, V-hull boat rated for up to 140 horsepower. At 1,100 pounds, it’s a lightweight, yet durable, bassing platform that features a deluxe side console, 28-gallon bow and stern livewells, 7-foot lockable rod box and two large rear deck storage compartments for tackle and gear. seaarkboats.com
Tracker
Center console boats are becoming increasingly popular among all types of anglers, and the Grizzly 2072 CC is the largest such bay boat-and-trailer package offered by Tracker. Built-in sponsons at the stern help the boat to plane more efficiently—a real advantage in shallow-water operation—and are part of the unitized all-aluminum hull, transom and stringer system that makes the boat extremely tough. At 20-feet, 3-inches, with a 96-inch beam, the 2072 CC is wide and stable and rated for up to 115 horsepower. trackerboats.com
Triton
Triton’s popular, Tr series is back with the Tr-18, at 18 ½ feet, and the 19 ½-foot Tr-19 bass boats. The pair is designed to meet avid club anglers’ performance standards, while delivering the fishability and convenience features they demand—all in a value-size package.
Both the Tr-19, rated for 150- to 200-horsepower, and the Tr-18, 150-horsepower, are loaded with pro-level features, from the oversize rod and storage compartments down to retractable grab handles and non-skid bow and aft mats.
In addition, Triton reconfigured the 18’s interior, increasing the size of its decks and storage, plus creating more room behind the console. In short, they’re built for anglers who ask a lot from their fishing boats. tritonboats.com
War Eagle
The first War Eagle boat may have hit the water in 1992, but the design brain-trust behind it has decades of aluminum boat building experience. The Wards, Kim, John and Mike, share 60 years of family tradition, and War Eagles are the latest products of their design, engineering and manufacturing talents.
Bass fishermen can’t ask for any more than what they get from the company’s Tomahawk series. The air ride hull, with reverse chine, and a built-in jackplate combine to give the boat maximum lift and superior handling in turns.
At 19 feet, 4 inches, 962 Tomahawk is the largest in the line. Inside, it sports 7 ½- and 6 1/2-foot rod lockers, dry storage and an ice chest under the bow platform, as well as underseat compartments and additional storage and a 17-gallon divided livewell under the rear deck.
For panfishermen and other anglers who fish smaller waters, Eagle offers its VS series of stick-steer rigs, including 15 and 16 footers, and the largest of the three, the 17-foot, 7-inch 754VS. This rig is highly appointed for its class, with a divided livewell, tackle tray storage, 7 ½-foot rod box, and War Eagle’s exclusive T-Lock Cap Rail.
The unique system allows the angler to position accessories like rod holders, cleats, trolling motor brackets and beverage holders anywhere along the gunnel. wareagleboats.com