Finer Points Between 18ft. & 19 ft. Bass Boat ? 2024
ChrisD46 reply :
For an aluminum bass boat , say from : Crestliner , Xpress , Ranger , etc. where both a 19 ft. and 18 ft. models are offered in the same series - what are the finer points to consider (besides budget) for a novice looking to decide between the two bass boat lengths ? The easier more obvious part is saying : "The 17 ft. model is too small while the 21 ft. is too long" - so that tougher decision between the 19 ft. and the 18 ft. length choice comes into play ... *For those with exprience having either had both a 19 ft. and a 18 ft. aluminum bass boat before (or friends / relatives) who do - what are the finer points that determined your decision between the two lengths ? To add , in the Xpress series I believe the X19 has a dfferent / better hull than the X18 ? This perhaps would be an example of eliminating the X18 due to X19 better ride ...Thanks in advance for replies !
WRB reply :
Can't help you with aluminum bass boats, glass I would rank Bass Cat as the top choice today.
Check out the boats layout, standard options and dealers customer service where you live. Engine hp is usually higher with every 6" of boat length between 18' to 19", transom width, free board depth and overall weight.
Tom
ChrisD46 reply :
Yes Tom , as an example the 18 ft. aluminum boat us usually 150 HP rated while the 19 ft. model is 200 HP rated . Interesting to note that usually the beam and width measurements are the same while of course one is a foot longer than the other ... Besides ride comfort perhaps side to side stability comes into play between the two lengths ? ...A more expensive trailer may be required ? ...Any up charge for insurance or state boat license between a 19 ft. and a 18 ft. bass boat ? ... Or from a 150 HP up to a 200 HP engine (i.e. hidden cost adders ?)
fishnkamp reply :
Chris my experience has been that between the 17s 18s and 19 the differences fall into horsepower ratings, and floor plans. Obviously the longer the boat the higher the max hp rating, and I always go as close to top HP as possible. It may sound funny but a boat with max hp can give you be fuel economy as well as performance, at least while not running flat out of course. The cruise speed is often higher because you can run a bigger prop. Also you need less time to jump on plane with the larger engine. If I was looking at the Xpress X18 vs the X19 I would go with the max hp of 150 on the X18. I would go with either a 175 or 200 on the X19. Notice the hull on the X19 is the same width in beam so it only weighs about 100 pounds more.
Several other things happen due to floor plan changes. Again I am going to stick to Express just for my examples. Often times on a smaller boat you will have a shorter rod box. In fact sometimes the rod box will extend back further in the cockpit (on the passenger side) making a dual console not available. In this case the deck is a tad longer on the X19 and a step is built in to access the front deck. This can be a great advantage when you get up and down tons of times a day. Many times this step is a cooler or a storage box and that can be very useful.
Many times the "standard package" includes more useful stuff on the bigger more expensive boat. Things like a 24 or 36 volt trolling motor, battery chargers, better electronics may come standard. In my case, when my wife and I were choosing our last boat we researched most of the boats in the category we wanted and it came down to a Triton VT 17, the Lowe Stinger 170 and Stinger 175. It literally came down to the storage on the front deck. I never wanted a boat with 2 livewells, one in the traditional location and the second on the front deck. That meant the 175 was out. I preferred the Stinger 170 over the VT17 because of the two huge front storage compartments on either side of the center rod box. Almost everything else was the same. The Triton did have a step up cooler which would have been nice.
Now compare two 18 footers by Chrestliner Boats. There is a PT 18 and a VT18. Completely different cats for sure. Look at the obvious first. The floor plan is visually not that different. The PT18 stays wider further up past the console. The beam on the VT is 92 1/4 and the width at the chine 64, the beam on the PT is 96 and 68. That can make a difference in how that hull plays in rougher water as well as how much realestate you have on the decks. The VT tops out with a 115 and the PT takes a 150. Next look at packaging. The livewell is larger on the PT, the trolling motor looks like a Fortrex and not a Maxxum, things like the seats are nicer on the PT. It is all these little things that take time to notice.
I hope that gives you some ideas for what to pay attention to if you are doing some research for your next boat.
ChrisD46 reply :
Thanks fishinkamp - very useful information ! ... I will look at the boats you mentioned - currently I keep coming back to the Xpress 19 and 18 .
J Francho reply :
For those two, it's HP and front deck.
zeth reply :
don't forget to check out the Gator Trax Strike series
fishnkamp reply :
I was not trying to suggest any boat in particular, in fact the opposite. I was using those other boats to demonstrate how two similar models from one manufacturer can vary. That was sorta the premise of your question. What is the difference between similar boats.
The Xpress boats are great and if they look right to you go for it. I was just trying to show how two boats can appear to be the same and yet different. It is real important in my opinion to go sit and crawl around each model you might be interested. Make sure you take into account how you like to fish. Most rigs come with a standard package. Lets say you fish in rivers or lakes with lots of current, you might be getting a smaller boat but need a 36 volt trolling motor. Or you could be fishing out of a 19 foot fiberglass but only on lakes so maybe a 24 volt tm may be enough.
ChrisD46 reply :
Fishnkamp - Thanks , understood ...
TOXIC reply :
All things being equal (hull design/deep v/modified v/pad, deck layout, towability) size matters. It is amazing the difference in ride and handling the extra length gives you. Now, if you fish small water or are on a tight budget then it may not be necessary or relevant.
ChrisD46 reply :
On 1/31/2018 at 6:22 AM, zeth said:don't forget to check out the Gator Trax Strike series
I did - certainly well built ! ... *OK , who uses the 2nd thickest aluminum in their bass boat builds from the factory ? Who is brand X ? ... Was that a shot against Xpress or everyone else (Ranger , G3 , Crestliner , Lund, Tracker , etc. ) ?
fishnkamp reply :
Most likely that was a shot against Tracker
J Francho reply :
He's talking about Tracker boats. Xpress uses a heavy gauge Al hull material. In fact, other than Gator Trax, I'm not sure there's any other super high performance Al hulls. Lund and Crestliner are both super heavy duty hulls as well. Both from the same factory. Lund if you want riveted or glass, Crestliner if you want welded. Alumacraft is another really nice boat as well, since we're talking heavier builds.
Catt reply :
I spent many hours in both models
Xpress's X18 & X19 are both Hyperlift hulls
Both have 67" bottom widths
Both have 95" beams
Both are 0.125 gauge 5052 aluminum
Both have 30 gallon fuel capacity
The only real difference is the performance of a 200 hp over a 150 hp
J Francho reply :
On 1/31/2018 at 11:43 PM, Catt said:I spent many hours in both models
I spent many hours in my H18 
Catt reply :
On 1/31/2018 at 11:53 PM, J Francho said:I spent many hours in my H18
As long as it's a Hyperlift ya good to go! ????
J Francho reply :
I miss it soooo much. That boat had such a cool layout, and fish catching mojo.
ChrisD46 reply :
On 1/31/2018 at 11:10 PM, J Francho said:He's talking about Tracker boats. Xpress uses a heavy gauge Al hull material. In fact, other than Gator Trax, I'm not sure there's any other super high performance Al hulls. Lund and Crestliner are both super heavy duty hulls as well. Both from the same factory. Lund if you want riveted or glass, Crestliner if you want welded. Alumacraft is another really nice boat as well, since we're talking heavier builds.
Thanks again Fishnkamp & J Francho ! ...If location matters for length and hull I'll be fshing in Florida at same lakes FLW and Elite Series fish (Harris Chain , Kissimmee Chain , Lake George , Lake Toho , St. Johns River, etc. ) ... From this thread I have learned : Get the longest boat & largest motor for it you can afford ! While rocky structure is not an issue in Florida there is the vegetation and wood in most areas . Wind can kick up waves on shallow lakes , so would seem to favor a 19 ft. for those conditions / location ... Reading and research are your friends - I will do both , greatly appreciate the replies to date !
Catt reply :
200 V MAX SHO on a 19' ????
NHBull reply :
I just went through the same thing on my lund impact 1775 vs 1875. Both boats are virtually identical with the exception of 1 ft.
Being that I am by myself 90% of the time, I wanted something that was easy to handle in my senior years. I also realized that a 115 that was max on the 1775 was more than ample for my lake. Had I went 1875, the 150 would have been the choice and the difference between the boats was about 10k. I am sure there will be times I wish I had more room, but for the majority of thine and 10k, I am happy with an 18' boat
This is the last boat I am going to buy.........again!
ChrisD46 reply :
Catt / J Francho : It does not appear the X18 / X19 series have the Hyperlift Hull ? ... Is it just the H18 / H20 (no 19 ft. ) with the Hyperlift Hull ?
J Francho reply :
On 2/1/2018 at 3:36 AM, ChrisD46 said:Catt / J Francho : It does not appear the X18 / X19 series have the Hyperlift Hull ? ... Is it just the H18 / H20 (no 19 ft. ) with the Hyperlift Hull ?
First thing listed in standard features of all Xclusive, Xclusive Pro, and Xculsive Pro Team: Hyperlift Hull.
fishnkamp reply :
Check this out:
Take notice towards the end they show the seats being raised and there is a cooler located in the middle. tat is part of several packages. It upgrades to better bucket seats and no middle seat, instead it has a step lid. It is a nice touch.
ChrisD46 reply :
On 2/1/2018 at 4:13 AM, J Francho said:First thing listed in standard features of all Xclusive, Xclusive Pro, and Xculsive Pro Team: Hyperlift Hull.
Thanks to confirm - *I did not drill down far enough on the web page !
slonezp reply :
On 2/1/2018 at 3:19 AM, Catt said:200 V MAX SHO on a 19' ????
My buddy has the X19 with a 175 SHO and is more than happy with it.
crypt reply :
my next boat is an X19 with a 200 SHO on it. some time this summer.
Troy85 reply :
I have an Xpress H18 and I love it. Hyperlift hull rides smooth and handles the areas I fish without any problems. I looked at both the H18 and H19, main difference was HP rating. As far as the layout, its pretty much the same between the H18 and H19. I'm sure the 19 will handle waves just a tad better, as its a longer boat. Overall, I'm more than happy with the 18.
ChrisD46 reply :
On 2/2/2018 at 4:47 AM, Troy1985s said:I have an Xpress H18 and I love it. Hyperlift hull rides smooth and handles the areas I fish without any problems. I looked at both the H18 and H19, main difference was HP rating. As far as the layout, its pretty much the same between the H18 and H19. I'm sure the 19 will handle waves just a tad better, as its a longer boat. Overall, I'm more than happy with the 18.
Good to know !
On 2/1/2018 at 8:15 PM, slonezp said:My buddy has the X19 with a 175 SHO and is more than happy with it.
One would think a 175 HP would be plenty of power - wonder how many units of the 175 HP SHO versus the 200 HP SHO Yamaha sells ? ... Might be better to go with the 200 HP SHO if a over - inventory situation developed or a sale due to what's most popular equates to a good deal !
uncustered reply :
I have a tracker txw 175, it measures 17'8". I've tourney fished it for 6 years now. I concur on loss of storage on shorter boat.
I tourney fish Gaston, Kerr, Chickahominy and James River.
Quite frankly, it's too small. Distance between front and back fishermen too close. Gets real "beaty" in more then 2' chop, it's also very wet into and with quartering seas.
It is also a beast trying to maintain a track or location on trolling motor in ANY wind.
If going aluminum, IMHO get the biggest, heaviest, highest horsepower rig your pocket can cover.
Troy85 reply :
If it helps. I bought my h18 used with the Yamaha 115. I never have an issue with hole shot with 2 people, I fish some pretty shallow water too. I can pull skiers, tubes, etc without issues. Top speed alone with fishing gear is about 48. With 1-2 passengers it maxes out at about 44mph. Overall the performance is fine, but if I was gonna buy brand new, I'd put the 150 SHO on for sure.
Further North reply :
On 2/1/2018 at 3:35 AM, NHBull said:This is the last boat I am going to buy.........again!
I am...pun intended...in the same boat. I fully intend to die with the boat I have, because it does what I want it to do really, really well. Electronics 'n' stuff will get upgraded as life goes on, but that is what it is.
What could change that?
- I could wreck the boat...like run it into a BAMF rock not on the charts in Canada. Odds are slim, but it could happen. Solution: Buy new Crestliner Bass Hawk or Lund Pro-V Bass.
- The boat could get wrecked in an accident. A texting cretin could run a stop sign and wipe out the boat. Could happen. Solution: Buy new Crestliner Bass Hawk or Lund Pro-V Bass.
- Could blow the motor, or wear it out. Solution: Re-power to a 150 four stroke. Brand to be determined based on whatever cool stuff has surfaced n the market at the time, plus price and efficiency.
- I could lose interest in the way I fish now. Solution, buy a pontoon boat, or a walleye boat, and fish with bobbers 'n' bait. I hope some kind soul puts me out of my misery if this happens.
- Some kind of physical limitation farces a change. Solution: Re-evaluate and buy a new rig based on whatever is going on. If it's #4, see above reference to a kind soul, and misery.
- Some kind of seriously impactful, genuinely cost reducing technology will pop up and have the real potential to enrich my experience while reducing my costs. Solution: Evaluate carefully, if it's real...make the jump.
What could #6 be?
I dunno...but...what if Tesla started making boats? Think about it. I've done the math, and the technolgy has the potential tp be truly useful, much less damaging to our shared resources as well as less expensive. Would I jump? Depends on the $$$.
J Francho reply :
Look at what Torqueedo is doing @Further North
Might be a repower in your future.
slonezp reply :
sent you a PM
On 2/2/2018 at 9:53 AM, J Francho said:Look at what Torqueedo is doing @Further North
Might be a repower in your future.
Or this. $60k for the motor and batteries. Boat not included
Further North reply :
On 2/2/2018 at 9:53 AM, J Francho said:Look at what Torqueedo is doing @Further North
Might be a repower in your future.
Very, very cool.
...not there yet:
- Way light on HP/thrust. Gotta move an 18 ft. long, 8 ft. wide boat with a ton of storage somewhere near 40 MPH. For now. This will clearly change in the future.
- Insane prices. Feels like they are trading the environmental "feel good" impact for prices that are 4x what they are for a 4-stoke of similar power.
We'll get there. I believe that we'll see, in my lifetime, reasonably priced, effective, efficient, electric power that will work very well for fishing boats.
On 2/2/2018 at 10:01 AM, slonezp said:sent you a PM
Or this. $60k for the motor and batteries. Boat not included
That's cool...but again, at that price it feels like bragging rights, not a cost effective, efficient solution.
Motor and batteries are 4x what my whole boat cost...can't make that up in gas money, not when I have to pay for the electricity.
...but really cool and a harbinger of things to come.
J Francho reply :
They're testing a 150 hp equivalent.
BassNJake reply :
The Electric Only tourney trail I used to fish participated in the The 2017 Electric Bass Angling National Championship, sponsored by Elco Motor Yachts. They won a 20 HP electric motor from Elco motors.
https://www.facebook.com/EEBANC/
J Francho reply :
The Elcos work well, but don't match the lithium performance of Torqueedo. They used Elcos on 18' Tritons at the King Fisher Society, and they were like a hyper drive trolling motor.
fish'n Jim reply :
You're not going to see much difference in 18' vs 19'. Pick widest(beam) one. I would be mostly concerned with the construction; gauge aluminum used(not just hull) and if it's fully welded or not. No rivets on big HP. I'd not recommend aluminum, if use in brackish (part salt) conditions, which is a factor in FLA. Same for trailer, need galvanized down there. A flats type glass skiff would be a choice, so you can go intercoastal as well. What you have for home boat storage and lake accesses. Some longer boats won't fit a "standard" 22 -24' garage. Otherwise, it's a personal choice. You can always trade it off.
I've owned both. There's places I won't or wish I didn't take my fiberglass boats. They don't get along with rocks, stumps, or sandy bottom and you can't launch a big glass rig in a small lake with no/poor access but I could with the alum and the 4x4.
Part of the puzzle is bass boats have gone out of sight on pricing and they're all about the same price on size, making the choice more difficult.
J Francho reply :
Xpress uses a saltwater safe coating on their bay and skiff models, as do most others. Ever see what all those salmon charter fishing boats are made out of in Alaska? Yep, aluminum.
slonezp reply :
On 2/3/2018 at 4:05 AM, fish'n Jim said:You're not going to see much difference in 18' vs 19'. Pick widest(beam) one. I would be mostly concerned with the construction; gauge aluminum used(not just hull) and if it's fully welded or not. No rivets on big HP. I'd not recommend aluminum, if use in brackish (part salt) conditions, which is a factor in FLA. Same for trailer, need galvanized down there. A flats type glass skiff would be a choice, so you can go intercoastal as well. What you have for home boat storage and lake accesses. Some longer boats won't fit a "standard" 22 -24' garage. Otherwise, it's a personal choice. You can always trade it off.
I've owned both. There's places I won't or wish I didn't take my fiberglass boats. They don't get along with rocks, stumps, or sandy bottom and you can't launch a big glass rig in a small lake with no/poor access but I could with the alum and the 4x4.
Part of the puzzle is bass boats have gone out of sight on pricing and they're all about the same price on size, making the choice more difficult.
No rivets on big HP? You better tell that to the engineers at Lund and Alumacraft. They've been doing it wrong for a long time. Those 350hp Mercs must be littering the bottom of all of our northern lakes.
Catt reply :
On 2/3/2018 at 4:05 AM, fish'n Jim said:I'd not recommend aluminum, if use in brackish (part salt) conditions, which is a factor in FLA. Same for trailer, need galvanized down there.
Serious!
Saltwater aint gonna hurt aluminum as long as it primed & painted!
Everything I fish except Toledo Bend is brackish & I chase Specks-n-Reds in saltwater.
Been doing it for years ????
Further North reply :
On 2/3/2018 at 4:05 AM, fish'n Jim said:You're not going to see much difference in 18' vs 19'. Pick widest(beam) one. I would be mostly concerned with the construction; gauge aluminum used(not just hull) and if it's fully welded or not. No rivets on big HP. I'd not recommend aluminum, if use in brackish (part salt) conditions, which is a factor in FLA. Same for trailer, need galvanized down there. A flats type glass skiff would be a choice, so you can go intercoastal as well. What you have for home boat storage and lake accesses. Some longer boats won't fit a "standard" 22 -24' garage. Otherwise, it's a personal choice. You can always trade it off.
I've owned both. There's places I won't or wish I didn't take my fiberglass boats. They don't get along with rocks, stumps, or sandy bottom and you can't launch a big glass rig in a small lake with no/poor access but I could with the alum and the 4x4.
Part of the puzzle is bass boats have gone out of sight on pricing and they're all about the same price on size, making the choice more difficult.
On 2/3/2018 at 7:46 AM, slonezp said:No rivets on big HP? You better tell that to the engineers at Lund and Alumacraft. They've been doing it wrong for a long time. Those 350hp Mercs must be littering the bottom of all of our northern lakes.
I had the same thought...there's a lotta BAMF Lund Pro-Vs running around this part of the country that would be shocked to find that out...
fishnkamp reply :
No Aluminum boats in salt water? I guess we better tell all the dealers here in MD to stop selling aluminum jons and bass boats because fish tidal Chesapeake Bay rivers! LOL There is not one dealer around here that does not sell a line of aluminum skiffs, bass boats and jons. Heck our Bass Pro sells more aluminum then fiberglass.
That is why the Lund Pro V Bass I sat on last Saturday was ordered without a trailer and the dealer had put a ShoreLand'r galvanized trailer under it instead. Amazing.
slonezp reply :
On 2/3/2018 at 9:40 AM, fishnkamp said:No Aluminum boats in salt water? I guess we better tell all the dealers here in MD to stop selling aluminum jons and bass boats because fish tidal Chesapeake Bay rivers! LOL There is not one dealer around here that does not sell a line of aluminum skiffs, bass boats and jons. Heck our Bass Pro sells more aluminum then fiberglass.
That is why the Lund Pro V Bass I sat on last Saturday was ordered without a trailer and the dealer had put a ShoreLand'r galvanized trailer under it instead. Amazing.
Not to mention all the aluminum ocean going boats in the northeast.
Catt reply :
Hanko’s Metal Works Inc. specializes in aluminum work boats used in the Gulf of Mexico along the Louisiana/Texas coast.
That's a 52' x 16
Further North reply :
On 2/2/2018 at 10:06 PM, J Francho said:They're testing a 150 hp equivalent.
That's cooler that heck...but until they get pricing down to at least 4-stroke parity + gas for a couple/few years, it's just bragging rights and environmental smugness...and this comes from a guy who has been habitat focused since the 1970s...
IMO, of course. People should spend their $$$ as they see fit...
Gotta include the costs of charging, environmental impact of coal fired power generation, and $$$/environmental impact of battery disposal in that equation too...
All that said...the idea of zipping across a lake at 45 MPH, no noise other than the slapping of the hull on waves and the wind...no carbon in the air...no exhaust in the water...Makes me smile...
...but I can't get 'er done at 4x the cost of the rig I'm running. It soesn't pencil...not even close...I'm not rich enough to support other people's dreams...
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 2/2/2018 at 9:49 AM, Further North said:I am...pun intended...in the same boat. I fully intend to die with the boat I have, because it does what I want it to do really, really well. Electronics 'n' stuff will get upgraded as life goes on, but that is what it is.
What could change that?
- I could wreck the boat...like run it into a BAMF rock not on the charts in Canada. Odds are slim, but it could happen. Solution: Buy new Crestliner Bass Hawk or Lund Pro-V Bass.
- The boat could get wrecked in an accident. A texting cretin could run a stop sign and wipe out the boat. Could happen. Solution: Buy new Crestliner Bass Hawk or Lund Pro-V Bass.
- Could blow the motor, or wear it out. Solution: Re-power to a 150 four stroke. Brand to be determined based on whatever cool stuff has surfaced n the market at the time, plus price and efficiency.
- I could lose interest in the way I fish now. Solution, buy a pontoon boat, or a walleye boat, and fish with bobbers 'n' bait. I hope some kind soul puts me out of my misery if this happens.
- Some kind of physical limitation farces a change. Solution: Re-evaluate and buy a new rig based on whatever is going on. If it's #4, see above reference to a kind soul, and misery.
- Some kind of seriously impactful, genuinely cost reducing technology will pop up and have the real potential to enrich my experience while reducing my costs. Solution: Evaluate carefully, if it's real...make the jump.
What could #6 be?
I dunno...but...what if Tesla started making boats? Think about it. I've done the math, and the technolgy has the potential tp be truly useful, much less damaging to our shared resources as well as less expensive. Would I jump? Depends on the $$$.
I doubt an electric boat would fare too well. A boat is always going uphill. It takes very little horsepower to maintain 60 mph on a level road in a vehicle. Take your foot off the gas or the transmission out of gear and on a level road you'll coast a long distance. Pull the throttle back on a boat (I don't advise taking the motor out of gear) and the boat will slow rapidly.
Not sure the batteries would like that constant load. Then you can add the ton of batteries it would take to get up to comparable speed a gasoline engine provides and you are increasing the existing drag by a considerable factor. Where would you put all those batteries?
slonezp reply :
On 2/3/2018 at 9:26 PM, Fishing Rhino said:I doubt an electric boat would fare too well. A boat is always going uphill. It takes very little horsepower to maintain 60 mph on a level road in a vehicle. Take your foot off the gas or the transmission out of gear and on a level road you'll coast a long distance. Pull the throttle back on a boat (I don't advise taking the motor out of gear) and the boat will slow rapidly.
Not sure the batteries would like that constant load. Then you can add the ton of batteries it would take to get up to comparable speed a gasoline engine provides and you are increasing the existing drag by a considerable factor. Where would you put all those batteries?
I vote for hydrogen powered outboards. Zero emissions and an unlimited amount of fuel
Fishing Rhino reply :
On 2/3/2018 at 9:46 PM, slonezp said:I vote for hydrogen powered outboards. Zero emissions and an unlimited amount of fuel
Now you're talking. Just don't name it Hindenburg.
Further North reply :
On 2/3/2018 at 9:26 PM, Fishing Rhino said:I doubt an electric boat would fare too well. A boat is always going uphill. It takes very little horsepower to maintain 60 mph on a level road in a vehicle. Take your foot off the gas or the transmission out of gear and on a level road you'll coast a long distance. Pull the throttle back on a boat (I don't advise taking the motor out of gear) and the boat will slow rapidly.
Not sure the batteries would like that constant load. Then you can add the ton of batteries it would take to get up to comparable speed a gasoline engine provides and you are increasing the existing drag by a considerable factor. Where would you put all those batteries?
The batteries on my trolling motor are running under a constant load about 75% of the time I'm on the water...and for much longer periods of time...hours at a stretch, much longer than I run my big motor. They are standard lead acid and they last years.
I did the math on the batteries a while back...on my boat they'd fit where the gas tank is, and/or under the rear deck. We'd have more weight in the batteries, much less in the motors.
Google says Tesla batteries output 375 volts...batteries weigh 1,200 lbs. Close enough for government work.
They claim HP equivalency at 382 - 691...even at the low end, there's not a lot of fishing boats that won't move pretty well...so lets drop it to 250 HP eq. to save a little weight on the batteries. Call it 1,000 lbs. even, just for fun.
Did another Google, claims the Tesla motors weigh 70 lbs.
An Evinrude E-Tech 250 weighs 507 lbs., a Yamaha VMax 250 is 539 and a Mercury Verado is 635 lbs. Average is 560, give or take.
60 gallons of gas is 378 lbs.
560 + 378 = 938
So we're 60 lbs. apart, actually ahead by 13 pounds if you're running the Verado.
I left out the lower unit...so throw 50 lbs back in. 110 lbs.
Trolling motor batteries are another 210 lbs, easy, add the charger...call it 250. Shouldn't need those. Looks like we're 140 lbs ahead with Tesla's Bass Boat.
Get that big girl out the door for $60, $70K, no $180 gas pump charges on the Cabela's card for the boat...call that $5, $6K a year*...it'd sell like hot cakes as soon as anyone did the math...and figured out that an electric motor would get a boat up on plane right-freaking-now and run pretty much silently down the lake at 60 MPH...
Drop that down into the real world where guys like me fish 19 foot aluminum rigs with 150 HP motors...even better**. Walleye guys could troll all day at 2% power, run back to the lodge at 45 MPH....and they can BS and lie about their fish in relative quite while suckin' down a Coors Lite on the way back...
*For reference, I fish about 45-50 days a year right now, on well less than $400 in gas. The TBB would have to account for that...but we're talkin' about that 19 footer with 150 HP equivalent power. I think it's doable.
**150 HP in my boat will touch 60 MPH. I've driven it, could have bought it...but didn't...glad I didn't, it balances better with the 140. The new Crestliner Bass Hawk is a virtual copy of my boat and is rated for 200 HP. That's gonna pop some eyeballs if you hang a Verado back there...My friend John has a 20' 2" reallyeffingdeepV Crestliner that'll touch 60 with a 225 HO Verado on it...1/4 tank of gas and two guys, no gear; I've driven that, it's pretty stable. A Bass Hawk with a 200 Verado is going to be like skipping a rock, but with less control.
***The Bass Hawk with a 175 Verado (plenty motor) set up like it should be, MSRPs at $45,840. Figure a smart buyer can buy it all day for $42K, maybe less. Boats are simpler than cars, by orders of magnitude. Tessla could do this. Partner with Lund/Crestliner...or better yet, Johnny at Bass Pro/Cabela's.
fish'n Jim reply :
One has to consider not all marine aluminum is salt water grade. You don't want a fresh water grade in salt environments. I don't think I said it couldn't be done. He's talking a 18'+ bass boat here. I have a Lund bass boat and it's welded...
As to rivets vs welds, welds are generally stronger, rivets have a crevice and crevices lead to corrosion. Welding fills the seam. Aircraft are riveted, but it doesn't matter it some air leaks in or out and adds to the flexural strength. You don't want your aircraft to crack in half.
There are plenty of fiberglass and steel work boats out there as well. These are my preferences, you do what you want. Don't shoot the messenger.
J Francho reply :
On 2/13/2018 at 11:42 PM, fish'n Jim said:I have a Lund bass boat and it's welded...
I'm just going to stop right there.
Way north bass guy reply :
On 2/13/2018 at 11:42 PM, fish'n Jim said:Aircraft are riveted, but it doesn't matter it some air leaks in or out and adds to the flexural strength.
This is new to me, I’m pretty sure when your 30,000 feet up you DO NOT want any air leakage in your mode of transportation. I’ve owned several riveted aluminum boats and I’ll keep using them. ????
Catt reply :
There's no such thing as saltwater grade aluminum!
slonezp reply :
On 2/13/2018 at 11:52 PM, J Francho said:I'm just going to stop right there.
The new 2018 Lund Predator, which is a utility jon, is made by Crestliner and is welded.
J Francho reply :
On 2/14/2018 at 7:53 PM, Catt said:There's no such thing as saltwater grade aluminum!
Exactly. ANY WATER is bad for untreated aluminum. All Aluminum boats are treated.
On 2/14/2018 at 8:16 PM, slonezp said:The new 2018 Lund Predator, which is a utility jon, is made by Crestliner and is welded.
Why do I doubt that this is the boat? The point is, one can't make a statement that riveted boats being weaker than welded, and then claim leakage at the rivets helps with strength. It doesn't add up. And you, as a riveted Lund owner know the rivet deal is false. Can rivets leak? Yes. Can a welded boat bust a seam? Yes. Ask me how I and two other welded boat owners know this. There's no better, just different, and varying quality.
slonezp reply :
On 2/14/2018 at 9:30 PM, J Francho said:Exactly. ANY WATER is bad for untreated aluminum. All Aluminum boats have are treated.
On 2/14/2018 at 7:53 PM, Catt said:There's no such thing as saltwater grade aluminum!
I think there is 2 grades of aluminum (5052 and 5056)primarily used for fishing boats neither has anything to do with type of water. 5056 is a higher grade, but the point about being for saltwater is moot.
Catt reply :
On 2/14/2018 at 9:43 PM, slonezp said:
I think there is 2 grades of aluminum (5052 and 5056)primarily used for fishing boats neither has anything to do with type of water. 5056 is a higher grade, but the point about being for saltwater is moot.
The reason 5052 & 5056 are used is they are both highly weldable.
Any untreated aluminum is susceptible to corrosion & you don't need saltwater to cause corrosion, all you need is moisture.
Further North reply :
On 2/13/2018 at 11:52 PM, J Francho said:I'm just going to stop right there.
Details, details...
On 2/14/2018 at 9:30 PM, J Francho said:Can rivets leak? Yes. Can a welded boat bust a seam? Yes. Ask me how I and two other welded boat owners know this. There's no better, just different, and varying quality.
Nailed it, right there...
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