switching to big rig

BASSINPHOENIX · 07-20-09, 07:10 PM

hey guys im thinking about upgrading my ride,i currently own a 17 ft ranger boat and planning to get a either 19 or 21 ft boat.what is the difference when loading and unloading this big boats compare to a smaller one,are bigger boat easier to handle?because i always fish solo,so i will be loading and unloading by myself that is why im so concern at this part.

nofearengineer · 07-20-09, 08:19 PM

I own an 18-footer, and I've gotten to where I can handle launching, trailering, mooring, all of the good stuff. I can't imagine anything an extra 2-3 feet of boat would change. Maybe the extra weight would mean I can't manhandle the nose a bit when getting her lined up perfectly on the trailer...not sure.

zooker · 07-20-09, 09:16 PM

a big boat is kinda like driving a city bus with a troller.. i prefure the easy handling of the 17-18 foot boats..i have fished from alot of differant boats..if your in a wind prone area skip champion boats. i have fished several tournys from them the wind drift worst than anything i have ever seen-inculding tin-..

zooker

carolina-rig-01 · 07-20-09, 09:59 PM

loading and unloading should be the same. like zooker said bigger boats handle a lot different ones both with the trolling motor and while on plane with the big motor, but with a little practice you will get the hang of running the trolling motor on a big boat just fine. i have a 20' ranger and i get it into a lot of places that you would swear you couldn't fit a big boat and have yet to put a scratch in her from doing so.

aikenyounggun · 07-20-09, 10:56 PM

umm either im just amazing(but i doubt it) but i have been loadin a 21 foot champion since i was like 10 years old with no problem, it will take a little practice to get used to but im sure you wont have that much of a problem

bamabassman · 07-20-09, 11:32 PM

mine is a 20'-1" rig. i have had an 18 and a 12' jonboat. loads and unloads the same. but it's true that you can't get into some place like a shorter rig. and you can't get in skinny water like a jonboat either. but i am very happy with mine.

Bassboss · 07-21-09, 02:48 PM

Not sure.... can I have your old boat?!

bassackwards · 07-21-09, 06:10 PM

mine is a 19ft the only problem i have is not being able to turn around in some of these creaks i go in to. having to back out with a troller is a pain. At the ramp no prob just need more room at the dock

nofearengineer · 07-21-09, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassackwards

mine is a 19ft the only problem i have is not being able to turn around in some of these creaks i go in to. having to back out with a troller is a pain. At the ramp no prob just need more room at the dock

That's what your co-angler is for. If it's shallow enough for the boat to get stuck in...it's shallow enough to walk and push in.

bassackwards · 07-21-09, 08:07 PM

lol yea thats a good way to fish by your self

OrygunBasser · 08-04-09, 01:27 PM

I'v had 15,17 and 19 1/2' boats and I like the 19 1/2' best of all but like mentioned, you will have problems with small waters and creeks! The 19 1/2' boat handles large waters so much better than the 17' did that it's unbeleiveable!

Anything under 20' will probably only have a single axle trailer which is easier to move around in your driveway and can be pushed around by hand if you are on pavement! Dual axle trailers will require a full sized P/U. [Just a good Idea]!

07-20-09, 07:10 PM	#1
BASSINPHOENIX BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 25	switching to big rig hey guys im thinking about upgrading my ride,i currently own a 17 ft ranger boat and planning to get a either 19 or 21 ft boat.what is the difference when loading and unloading this big boats compare to a smaller one,are bigger boat easier to handle?because i always fish solo,so i will be loading and unloading by myself that is why im so concern at this part.

07-20-09, 08:19 PM	#2
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	I own an 18-footer, and I've gotten to where I can handle launching, trailering, mooring, all of the good stuff. I can't imagine anything an extra 2-3 feet of boat would change. Maybe the extra weight would mean I can't manhandle the nose a bit when getting her lined up perfectly on the trailer...not sure. __________________ Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing it is not fish they are after.

07-20-09, 09:16 PM	#3
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	a big boat is kinda like driving a city bus with a troller.. i prefure the easy handling of the 17-18 foot boats..i have fished from alot of differant boats..if your in a wind prone area skip champion boats. i have fished several tournys from them the wind drift worst than anything i have ever seen-inculding tin-.. zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

07-20-09, 09:59 PM	#4
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	loading and unloading should be the same. like zooker said bigger boats handle a lot different ones both with the trolling motor and while on plane with the big motor, but with a little practice you will get the hang of running the trolling motor on a big boat just fine. i have a 20' ranger and i get it into a lot of places that you would swear you couldn't fit a big boat and have yet to put a scratch in her from doing so. __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

07-20-09, 10:56 PM	#5
aikenyounggun BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: aiken, SC Posts: 2,051	umm either im just amazing(but i doubt it) but i have been loadin a 21 foot champion since i was like 10 years old with no problem, it will take a little practice to get used to but im sure you wont have that much of a problem __________________ <>< Rather be Fishing ><>

07-20-09, 11:32 PM	#6
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	mine is a 20'-1" rig. i have had an 18 and a 12' jonboat. loads and unloads the same. but it's true that you can't get into some place like a shorter rig. and you can't get in skinny water like a jonboat either. but i am very happy with mine. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

07-21-09, 02:48 PM	#7
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	Not sure.... can I have your old boat?! __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.

07-21-09, 06:10 PM	#8
bassackwards BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: hampton va Posts: 408	mine is a 19ft the only problem i have is not being able to turn around in some of these creaks i go in to. having to back out with a troller is a pain. At the ramp no prob just need more room at the dock

07-21-09, 08:07 PM	#10
bassackwards BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: hampton va Posts: 408	lol yea thats a good way to fish by your self

08-04-09, 01:27 PM	#11
OrygunBasser BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lakeside, Oregon Posts: 159	I'v had 15,17 and 19 1/2' boats and I like the 19 1/2' best of all but like mentioned, you will have problems with small waters and creeks! The 19 1/2' boat handles large waters so much better than the 17' did that it's unbeleiveable! Anything under 20' will probably only have a single axle trailer which is easier to move around in your driveway and can be pushed around by hand if you are on pavement! Dual axle trailers will require a full sized P/U. [Just a good Idea]! __________________ You may practice catch and release as a religion but that doesn't mean that the next person has to bow down to your god!

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