Two boats I am looking at

[rwurbanman]

I have a 14' jon boat now. I am looking at a few different bass boats for lake fishing. Here are two I am looking at. I want the boat for fishing bigger lakes in GA like allatoona and linear as well as others. One boat is 17' and another is 15.5' two different motors. Trying to stay under $3000. What y'all think about which boat I would be happiest?

1994 17ft challenger 17' with 60hp

* 1994 Javelin Bass Boat* 15.5' with 70hp

 

[NYBo]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

Welcome to iboats!:welcome:

The first boat will give you more room and better handling in rougher water (a relative term; bass boats can be bears in really snotty stuff) , but is a little underpowered, IMO.

The Javelin should scoot along really well.

How many people do you plan on having on board? I had a 14' HydraSport bass boat with a Suzuki 50 HP that was fine with two people, and handled the Hudson River (on fairly calm days) fine. Your boating skills have a lot to do with what water you can handle.

The above being said, the condition of the candidates is of paramount importance.

 

[rwurbanman]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

Thanks for the reply. I been on boats quite a bit. I have a smaller jon boat now but looking for something better for big lakes not little ponds and rivers. Mostly me and my dog but my girlfriend will want to lay out on the back sometimes or i will take my dad or two young nephews out with me. I was thinking the bigger boat was a little underpowered too but better stability in big busy lakes.

Thanks for the quick response. I know a good bit about small engines and would really be looking at the transom, hull and floors, etc and if any problems just pass onto the next one.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

Larger lakes mean more wind which means more big waves. You want a boat that can slice through the waves not bounce over them. The challenger is a tri hull and no deadrise to speak of in the bow. The waves that the bow tries to break don't go anywhere as the sponsons on either lock them in. Result is pounding. You essentially have a John boat from that perspective. It would be good at rest for a stable platform, but not much freeboard which you want to keep big waves out of your boat.

The Javelin is smaller with less room but has a much better V in the bow and higher sides giving more freeboard. It will ride much softer in big water. It will not be as stable at rest. When I say stable, I mean that it won't rock side to side as much with wave action or you moving about the boat.

Condition is key. If the Javelin is well cared for I'd take it.

Mark

 

[roscoe]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

I'll vote for the Javelin also.

More of a v, and more of a conventional fishing boat interior vs a bass boat with front and rear decks.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

I know a good bit about small engines and would really be looking at the transom, hull and floors, etc and if any problems just pass onto the next one.

Sounds like you're pretty knowledgeable which is great. I like the Javelin also and I think it would serve your needs well since you aren't going to hauling a bunch of people. You can't beat those Johnson/Evinrude triples. I think that boat will clean/polish up pretty nicely with some elbow grease and some new carpet (assuming the deck isn't soft). Certainly worth checking out.

 

[rwurbanman]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

THANKS FOR ALL THE REPLIES!!!

I got a meeting with the owner of the javelin, I am just wondering if its too small, I told him I would pay for gas and he agreed to take me on the lake nearest to him, he said he used it mostly on the river by his place.

I also may have found a different boat an older procraft from 1991, its a little over budget but you know how things can go when budgeting. 1991 18 ft procraft bassboat!!!

I figure that one is worth a look, The owner sent me pictures, I am not familiar with those engines.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

The Procraft looks sweet. That Mariner is just a Merc in gray paint. Procrafts have a dicey reputation in that I know they were good at one point and then bad at another and I'm not sure what the cutoff is. Fellow moderator Bob_VT may have some more info as he has experience with one with a severely cracked hull.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

Man I would go for the Procraft if it's in good shape. The extra money will be well worth it to get into a 18', 150 powered bass boat.

If not I like the Javelin also. It just looks to be in better shape than the Challenger, and the Challenger seems to be a bit under powered being 17' with a 60hp motor. Most bass boat that size have 90s or 115s on them.

 

[rwurbanman]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

Ive pretty much axed the challenger, i thought it was a bit underpowered and everyone here has confirmed. I read a lot about procraft hull problems and their less than helpful customer service. From what i read on the internet (grain of salt) it seems procraft had problems in the early 2000's. but thats just a little bit of reading, seems they were the best boat out in the 90's

Anybody with procraft knowledge and insight is greatly appreciated.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

That Javelin is neat. I like the seating configuration. It would make a great multi-species boat. It is kind of small, but the open floor plan should mitigate that somewhat. Welcome aboard.

 

[Part-time]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

The challenger as well as being under powered looked like it didn't have the electric tilt/trim, a nice option to have and the javlin has it.
The procraft looks sweet but will be a pig on gas compared to the javlin.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Two boats I am looking at

In these days of high gas prices the Javelin would be much cheaper to tow and run. My son had a Procraft 180 with a 150 Merc. What I didn't like about it was the roll as you get to the bow which put the gunwale very close to the water at rest/slow speed. I know some boat mfgrs roll the bow to improve visibility during the hole shot and when cruising just above planing speed. However, you don't see that on big water boats for the obvious reason. Low gunwale in rough water means water over the bow and into the boat. I don't think you want that. Think about it. On length, my boat is 17' but the first two feed are utterly useless A 15' boat for a couple of guys fishing is adequate. 3 is a crowd if you are bass fishing (lots of casting) as would be in a 17' boat, or even an 18.

Mark