is a Triton 17 explorer too small for tourney

triton1369 · 03-22-09, 08:35 PM

I am about to pull the trigger on my first bass boat and I am going for the triton explorer 17 and probably the 90 hp optimax. My question is if anyone else fish tourneys out of a 17 footer? I know lots of people who use 18-20, but cant say that Ive seen anyone fish a 17 footer. I know that the 18 footer is a little better in open water, but wouldnt the 17 make up for that in tight conditions in small coves and inlets?? Any help would be great Thanks Bill

bassintom · 03-22-09, 08:46 PM

It all depends on what type of waters you will be fishing.I used to use a 17ft Fisher bassboat in T's but found out it was not meant for fishing the Hudson River or really large bodies of water.

zooker · 03-22-09, 08:57 PM

the smaller the boat the easier it manuvers in tight places.. imho you don't need anything bigger than an 18 footer unless you are fishing big bodies of water.. as tom said hudson or potomac rivers the cumberland or missippi santee cooper..

i use a 16 footer to fish the lakes around here.. and i may run anywhere from 4 miles to 13 miles at a time..

zooker

Bubba_Bruiser · 03-22-09, 10:14 PM

IMO I don't see why not. I think BASS and most sanctioned tourneys require 17' as a minimuim. I don't think I would want to sit on a large open body in 4' waves in one though. I fished a tourney earlier this year and there was a couple of cats in 14'. But they are just local "fruit jar" tourneys. It's not the size of the ship, it's the fisherman on the deck. hahahahaha

MrPhotographer06 · 03-22-09, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zooker

santee cooper..

zooker

fished in a 14' before..not badd.

MIbasser · 03-23-09, 10:19 AM

No, not at all. I've been on a lot of different water in my 17 Explorer. I've been on Burt Lake (17,120 acres), Mullet Lake (16,704 acres), Higgins Lake (9,602), Houghton Lake (20,046) acres, Lake St. Clair & River. You just have to be smart about it. I plan on fishing Saginaw Bay for sure and maybe Erie as well this year. Now Have I had to stand on the step and hold my butt seat when a 40'er goes by with a 3' wake... I just plan on watching the wind/weather reports before I go out.

carolina-rig-01 · 03-23-09, 03:17 PM

the tournament i was in yesterday gave the 18' explorer away to the winner, not a bad looking boat at all. anyways the worst part would probably be the boat ride at take off, if the tournament is very big and you aren't one of the first boats then it would be really rough. yesterday we were towards the end of the second flight, we were boat 195 out of 300. the water was rocking pretty good by the time we took off, we were in a champion 210 elite and at 70 mph that water was very big and very bumpy. i would say that boat would be fine though. i have fished a lot of smaller tourneys with 25 to 50 boats and it would have been fine in them.

MarcBorger · 03-23-09, 03:38 PM

I fish tournaments on the Potomac River in a 16'2" Skeeter SS90 with a 90hp Yamaha. While storage can be a pain (especially with two tackle bags and a cooler for lunch) I have no problem getting where I need to be and catching fish. I usually have one of the smallest boats and I usually am one of the last to launch but I still have a great time and can cover enough water. The biggest issue on boats that size becomes the gas tank, I only have a 12 gallon tank and I have to be very careful that I don't run too far and get stranded but if you pay attention you will be fine.

03-22-09, 08:35 PM	#1
triton1369 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 13	is a Triton 17 explorer too small for tourney I am about to pull the trigger on my first bass boat and I am going for the triton explorer 17 and probably the 90 hp optimax. My question is if anyone else fish tourneys out of a 17 footer? I know lots of people who use 18-20, but cant say that Ive seen anyone fish a 17 footer. I know that the 18 footer is a little better in open water, but wouldnt the 17 make up for that in tight conditions in small coves and inlets?? Any help would be great Thanks Bill

03-22-09, 08:46 PM	#2
bassintom BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: washington(northwest) N.J. Posts: 3,958	It all depends on what type of waters you will be fishing.I used to use a 17ft Fisher bassboat in T's but found out it was not meant for fishing the Hudson River or really large bodies of water. __________________ A man's gotta believe in something...I believe I'll go fishing.

03-22-09, 08:57 PM	#3
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	the smaller the boat the easier it manuvers in tight places.. imho you don't need anything bigger than an 18 footer unless you are fishing big bodies of water.. as tom said hudson or potomac rivers the cumberland or missippi santee cooper.. i use a 16 footer to fish the lakes around here.. and i may run anywhere from 4 miles to 13 miles at a time.. zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

03-22-09, 10:14 PM	#4
Bubba_Bruiser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South MS Posts: 3,659	IMO I don't see why not. I think BASS and most sanctioned tourneys require 17' as a minimuim. I don't think I would want to sit on a large open body in 4' waves in one though. I fished a tourney earlier this year and there was a couple of cats in 14'. But they are just local "fruit jar" tourneys. It's not the size of the ship, it's the fisherman on the deck. hahahahaha __________________ \,,,,/ ROCK ON! HRN4L!

03-23-09, 03:17 PM	#7
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	the tournament i was in yesterday gave the 18' explorer away to the winner, not a bad looking boat at all. anyways the worst part would probably be the boat ride at take off, if the tournament is very big and you aren't one of the first boats then it would be really rough. yesterday we were towards the end of the second flight, we were boat 195 out of 300. the water was rocking pretty good by the time we took off, we were in a champion 210 elite and at 70 mph that water was very big and very bumpy. i would say that boat would be fine though. i have fished a lot of smaller tourneys with 25 to 50 boats and it would have been fine in them. __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

03-23-09, 10:19 AM	#6
MIbasser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Okemos, MI Posts: 1,447	No, not at all. I've been on a lot of different water in my 17 Explorer. I've been on Burt Lake (17,120 acres), Mullet Lake (16,704 acres), Higgins Lake (9,602), Houghton Lake (20,046) acres, Lake St. Clair & River. You just have to be smart about it. I plan on fishing Saginaw Bay for sure and maybe Erie as well this year. Now Have I had to stand on the step and hold my butt seat when a 40'er goes by with a 3' wake... I just plan on watching the wind/weather reports before I go out.

03-23-09, 03:38 PM	#8
MarcBorger BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Rockville, Maryland Posts: 48	I fish tournaments on the Potomac River in a 16'2" Skeeter SS90 with a 90hp Yamaha. While storage can be a pain (especially with two tackle bags and a cooler for lunch) I have no problem getting where I need to be and catching fish. I usually have one of the smallest boats and I usually am one of the last to launch but I still have a great time and can cover enough water. The biggest issue on boats that size becomes the gas tank, I only have a 12 gallon tank and I have to be very careful that I don't run too far and get stranded but if you pay attention you will be fine.

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