Consuls, Single or Dual. Your choice and why?

Deadeye · January 31, 2014, 07:36:32 AM

Quote from: fishinfranklin on January 30, 2014, 07:09:10 AM
That is a good looking boat,,And I bet that console will come right off with just a few screws if you ever wanted it off the boat.

That particular dealer told me that if I wanted to order a Single he could do a Dual upgrade at at any later point. He said that Ranger made a conversion kit and that they had done several. He did tell me that once it was installed it was permanent and not removable. Probably just bolted on though and could be taken off if you really wanted to take the time to.

I've looked at some like the newer Nitro's that are quick on and quick off.

Thanks for the hot link Don, I don't know how to do that one.

Donald Garner · January 31, 2014, 11:13:35 AM

Quote from: Deadeye on January 31, 2014, 07:36:32 AM
Thanks for the hot link Don, I don't know how to do that one.

I sent you a PM explaining how to. It took me 3 tries but I think the last one will work.

West6550 · January 31, 2014, 12:58:37 PM

Quote from: Deadeye on January 29, 2014, 08:29:17 AM
Thanks for all the replys and thoughts guys. As my wife has just started to fish with me as of last year I think anything I can do to make her more comfortable and wanting to keep going will be worth it.

This is the model that I have been looking at, not this particular boat, but this model RT188 Ranger with the dual consul. Notice the consuls are set to allow the rods to pass by them. Seems like a nice lay-out.

http://www.holidaymarine.com/fishing-boats/ranger-bass-boats/ranger-rt-188-aluminum-bass-boat/

Those are good looking boats, I looked at most aluminium boats before buying mine. I think Triton also has a nice aluminium model as well.

I know that Ranger is foam filled and is supposed to ride more like a glass boat. I think the Tritons are foam filled also but not sure. I just remember loving the Triton. I actually drove to Okeechobee to look at the Tritons and stumbled on my current boat as they had purchased it the day before :-)

steve76 · January 31, 2014, 02:28:43 PM

The Crestliner VT series appears to be the same boat as the Triton tin boats for less money. I will be buying a new boat this fall so I have been looking at about everything out there.

Deadeye · January 31, 2014, 05:50:10 PM

To clear that up, Crestliner used to make the hulls for the Triton VT Series and the Lowes. Not any more. The hulls for the Triton X series and the Ranger RT series are the same and made in the same plant. Both then go to their respective Brand and get the final details: Foam, Carpet, Seats, Consul, Steering, ETC. I believe that Crestliner still make the Lowe hulls but I'm not sure.

Yeah I've done a lot of research.......

Deadeye · January 31, 2014, 06:01:00 PM

Quote from: Donald Garner on January 31, 2014, 11:13:35 AM
I sent you a PM explaining how to. It took me 3 tries but I think the last one will work.

Thanks for the help Don. I corrected it. Never knew how to do that, now if I can just remember..... LOL

steve76 · January 31, 2014, 10:28:40 PM

Thanks for clearing that up Deadeye. I was basing it off of appearance only. I will hopefully be buying a dual console since my son almost always fishes with me.

Donald Garner · February 01, 2014, 12:27:40 AM

Steve76

How close are you to Lebanon Missouri? If you ever get the chance take a drive there and visit the G3, Tracker and theres one other boat factory there. All three of them you can see right off Interstate 44.

G3 makes a nice boat I have a 1548 Alwed Jon boat I fish out of regularly. Its not a dual console model but I bet you could go to the factory and order one. I actually saw a dual console Bass Tracker Alum boat here not long ago. It was an older model but it was laid out pretty nice. I wonder why they don't produce more dual consoles?

steve76 · February 01, 2014, 12:56:22 AM

I live a couple hours north of there. We have a G3 dealer that just opened up about 10 miles from me. I live in the middle of nowhere so hopefully he stays in business. I looked at the talon 19 deluxe and it was nice but not cheap. I would like to stay with aluminum because I fish Truman a lot.

Donald Garner · February 01, 2014, 01:29:13 AM

Good luck with the new purchase I hope you can find what you're looking for. I like Truman Lake a lot and I was just talking with Marvin Deckard (We're old Army Buddies) not long ago. He runs the Guide Service there at Bucksaw.

steve76 · February 01, 2014, 01:53:57 AM

Thanks Donald, Marvin and Jeff Faulkenberry are super nice guys that can put you on some fish. I mostly launch out of Bucksaw.

Deadeye · February 01, 2014, 07:43:04 AM

Your right about the G3 Talon Deluxe, great looking boat and very pricey as well.

Both Xpress and G3 make nice boats and I think both offer a choice of bigger (150) motors, but they are sure proud of them. Their upper models go for $33-34,000.00. Might as well get a glass boat for that price unless you truly want an aluminum.

Been looking for quite a while at many different builders both Glass and Tin. Lots of choices and it really depends of what you personally want and what you must have or can live without. Options really are very different depending on brand.

steve76 · February 01, 2014, 04:37:32 PM

It seems hard to find a dual console in the affordable aluminum's. Like you said Deadeye, might as well get a glass for the money they want on the 18 and 19ft aluminum. I don't mind getting a used glass boat if the price is right but 30k + for an aluminum is too much. I fish team tournaments and my son will be my partner next season. We fish all over the state and in any weather so dual console is a high priority for me.

West6550 · February 02, 2014, 03:26:26 PM

Quote from: steve76 on February 01, 2014, 04:37:32 PM
It seems hard to find a dual console in the affordable aluminum's. Like you said Deadeye, might as well get a glass for the money they want on the 18 and 19ft aluminum. I don't mind getting a used glass boat if the price is right but 30k + for an aluminum is too much. I fish team tournaments and my son will be my partner next season. We fish all over the state and in any weather so dual console is a high priority for me.

Hence why I got my glass boat used. The Tritons were at the Nitro Z6 price and have you sat in a Z6.. they were a lil small for me and I'm an average size guy.

I bought my 2009 dual console Stratos 294xl with a Evinrude 200.H.O, with a 120 hours on the engine. Came with a manual jakeplate, upgraded trolling motor, in dash GPS Hummingbird, one Powerpole, manual jackplate, cover, dual braking trailer for $25k...

steve76 · February 03, 2014, 10:45:04 PM

I really like your boat West. We fish out of a 1990 Stratos 285 XL now and it does pretty good. It is my friends boat and it is surprising how much more storage and how stable it is compared to all the aluminums I have owned over the years. I bounce off a lot of trees down at Truman so I am worried about the gel coat on glass. I am sure it is nothing that some products from Pro-Tec can't fix.

jonboy · February 07, 2014, 03:04:42 AM

I have a single but dont fish tourneys anymore. Most of the time when it is cold I am in the woods. The dual would be great for winter time but one point that hasent been mentioned yet. I would assume since you live in central Florida is that you fish a lot of the same conditions that I do. A lot more hot weather to contend with than cold. When it is 100 deg and no wind that boat ride is a wonderful thing and we have to deal with that for 6 months out of the year. 40 deg for maybe 3 months. I would do my best to get a removable console if my wifes comfort was the deciding factor. We all know how they get when they start to

sweat