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Xpress Aluminum Bay Boats
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landlocked beachbum
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Joined: 09 Apr 2007
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Location: Little Rock, Arkansas

PostPosted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

To add................... the case of a battery doesn't conduct electricity, that's what it's for. A battery box is moot on that point. Here's the skippy on battery boxes, and good info I might add!

"HOW TO INSTALL (actually how NOT to install) A BATTERY BOX.

The typical battery box serves a number of purposes. In addition to mechanical support, the obvious one is to contain acid and water spills and the nasty damage they can do. There is, however, a very important function that is used rarely but can be vital to survival and a function that is often negated by incorrect installation.

The battery box is designed (usually) to protect the battery from salt water in the event of a dunking. During an emergency you could need the battery to get an engine started or maintain a bilge pump so you don't want salt water shorting it out, causing steam, chlorine or worse problems. This function is achieved by having a bubble of air trapped under the battery box lid. If it remains reasonably horizontal, it will also prevent water ingress to the box itself as the bubble extends down below the lip of the box.

So in view of this desired function, always make the electrical connections with the wire coming vertically through the access skirts in the lid. NEVER DRILL HOLES IN THE LID FOR WIRE ACCESS. Also, avoid purchasing battery boxes made by uninformed manufacturers that have "knock-out" holes or vent holes already in the lid."
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MakoJJ
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Joined: 13 Aug 2011
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Location: San Antonio

PostPosted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My Mako 18lts w/ the 90hp has served me well as a first boat. I am always real careful with it, but I am human and do make mistakes. It'll take on anything I dish out. Only complaint I have is the shallow water performance, since it needs 2' to take off and a solid foot and a half once on plane (with jackplate). The 90 hp cruises at 35mph+, but you could get a 115 hp on it if you want to go faster.
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Bighead
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Joined: 08 May 2010
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 5:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

ironmanstan wrote:
Ray this is my personal opinion only. If you are looking for your first time boat to learn with. A basic all welded 16- 18 foot aluminum with nothing but a tiller steering outboard is the most functional, light mantainance, shollow running, light weight, easy launching, cheap to run powered boat there is. Now you can go up from there to such things as center console etc. Oh...make sure you get an aluminum trailer.


I grew up fishing in South Louisiana in EXACTLY this boat...and my dad still uses a 16' Alumaweld with a 50 hp evenrude...and it sips fuel, runs like a champ, can go skinny, get back in the marsh ditches and ponds, and run lake ponchartrain like a champ.

He paid about $12K for it brand new...11 years ago, taken care of it, maintained it, and it is going strong.

For the life of me, I cannot figure out why boats like this are more popular here on the coast.

Bighead
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Johninaustin
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 8:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I fish the Laguna in a 15' 1963 Mirrocraft v-hull with a 15hp Mercury. (Just bought a 2011 model for it)

I'm only 4 years older than the boat. It'll be running a long time after I'm gone. Wink

I wish they still made the boat style, the sides are so high it's about knee deep with a very bluff bow. It is a LOT more seaworthy than a lot of the flatbottoms today. I've taken it out thru Packery several times and would have no hesitation running to the near rigs on a good day.
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Popeye
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ray:
I bought an 18' Mayek with a 90 a little less than a year ago from Premier for roughly 22k. I have to agree with Stan that it's a solid built boat; and the guys at premier are top notch. The 90 is by no means a speed demon. I primarily fish the ULM with an occasional run to Baffin or 9MH. It suits my needs perfectly....carries me and my boys at 35mph.
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Tyler
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:22 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ray,
You could pull a boat like Ironmanstan is talking about with your jeep.
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Popeye
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yep...a buddy of mine pulls his Texas Skiff with a 6 cyl Jeep.
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Ray
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Joined: 23 Mar 2006
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
You could pull a boat like Ironmanstan is talking about with your jeep.


Tyler,

This is exactly what I have been wondering and worrying about in trying to decide if I wanted a boat or just needed to stick with kayaks. I have looked at some of the major brands, Majek, Transport, and even some used Boston Whalers; those boats on trailers get pretty heavy.

The lightest weight one I have found that isn't aluminum, is the Mexican Imemsa Panga. Those run around 3,000 to 3,200, according to listed weights, boat, motor, and trailer. The basic boat hull with floor, console, and storage weighs around 1,200 pounds.

My Jeep is rated at 3,500 pounds as far as load, so that's cutting it pretty close!!! I would love to have the Panga; it is a beauty. The cost for it fully equipped and ready to go is between $28,000.00 and $39,000.00 depending on what I wanted on it.

The 20' Xpress bay boat which is also very nice is $28,000.00 and around 2,000 pounds on the trailer according to the dealer. 'Course what I would really like is a 4 to 6 year-old, nice boat, well maintained, for a lot less.

If I still had my 3/4-ton GMC, size wouldn't be much of a factor, but with the Jeep, it is.

Ray
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Last edited by Ray on Sat Jun 23, 2012 3:28 pm; edited 1 time in total
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ironmanstan
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 1:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You can pull an aluminum boat with a smart car. You could pull my Majek with a 4 cyl toyota carolla.
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landlocked beachbum
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 1:14 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Talking Panga style boats and bay boats is apples an oranges my friend. Wink
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ironmanstan
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 1:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote




A simple functional wide and steady rig. Ran this one for 13 years in saltwater.
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Ray
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 3:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
Talking Panga style boats and bay boats is apples an oranges my friend.


I didn't say I knew a lot about boats!!!! Very Happy Guess this should be a whole different conversation; what are the major differences between the 20 foot aluminum bay boats and a 20 to 25 foot panga-style boat? I guess size and mass would be 2 things, but what else?

I really don't know a thing about boats. Kayaks have been my mode of water transportation, or wading.

I really appreciate everyone's input. I'm learning a lot just reading.

Thanks!

Ray
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Big Jack
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Look for a used one. Mine is a 2005 18' Boat Right Custom Flats. Heavy freaking duty aluminum. It is super stable, can't even rock it. I can get real skinny in this dude. Picked it for $5800 last summer. It aint pretty but it's pretty darn good.
http://www.boatrightmarine.com/


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Snake
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 4:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Were pimpin' an 1988 duracraft and it still has a lot of years left. Just take care of it and it will last for years.
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landlocked beachbum
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 7:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Some are DEFINITELY built better than others...........................
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