2022 VEXUS AVX 1880: 4.5 hours 'in'

[coldfront]

spent some more time out on the water getting to know my new boat.  Since I was delirously happy with my old Ranger RT 178... it's tough to say I'm doing 'double back flips' over the new Vexus... but it's a clear, definite step forward for many reasons... here's some early observations that are based on comparing the two boats..  much of what I'm most happy with are some of the upgrades I made.  And here's a critical factor:  having dealt with Ranger as a FL Woods company and now several years as a JM company... I was used to having a manufacturer work with and at least LISTEN to requests.  I made the call to look at Vexus in an effort to regain that experience.  That I did.  Actually drove 4.5 hours over to Greenville this past week just to swing by the Vexus booth and say 'thank you' in person and share my appreciation for their help and let them know how great the Clark's Marine folks (Franklin TN) did...


this is that boat.  out getting wet.  just the way it's supposed to...



Thoughts and Observations

1.  LOVE LOVE LOVE the Ultrex 112.  thing just chews up weeds (except for the primrose!) and didn't have a care in the world out on the river even at 80K cfs current (used to stay off whenever it was over 60K)2.  Enjoying the LARGE 12 inch helix screens.  having fun with the side imaging and the mega 360.  work great, great views and that's before I have them 'dialed in'. spent my time this weekend tossing baits... 
the boat:
1.  moving from a flat bottom (RT 178) to the pad hull:  it's a big step up on ride.  really noticed it on a couple 30 minute runs on the river with whitecaps and those 'standing waves'.  much easier on the back and the kidneys.
2.  the more pointed bow design does compress space up front relative to the older semi-v style which carried more beam forward.  but not tripping over stuff/rods so that is not an issue at all.
3.  the 115 is quick.  figure I'll get what I most wanted:  a boat that I can run at 'less than' WOT and cruise in the 40-45mph range.  Thinking that will likely be right at 5000 RPMs.  WOT max RPM has been 6300-6400 during those 'one-minute' go big or go home engine break in exercises.
4.  hydraulic jackplate:  really enjoying ability to run it UP when idling into and out of shallow water.5.  COIN BOX! 

boat is stable.  dry when running INTO the wind/waves (nothing is dry in 20mph wind/2 foot waves or better while quartering).  no annoying hull slap.  good blow in foam floatation.
do find that the cockpit area is relatively small and more challenging to move about.  not a lot of room for additional things... like a cooler or a buddies tackle bag...  (especially if they carry, pack theirs like I used to do with mine!)


a few things, small things that I'll get dealers to address at the 20 hour check:
1.  trim guage:  not calibrated properly.  fully trimmed UP shows at 25% on the guage.
2.  electrical wiring attachment came loose in the port side storage compartment.
3.  need to change out the trailer jack.  my driveway is steep.  I need to run the jack all the way up to the top just to clear the hitch.  as someone with OCD I can tell you that is 120 cranks from top to bottom.  I need to manually push/manipulate the boat to get it 'in' the garage and it's best to do that with the jack as close to all the way down as possible.
here's a quick look.  side by side comparison.  the Vexus is a larger boat, but doesn't necessarily look it in the photo.

and of course, the 'why' behind the spend

[Smallie_Stalker]

Great looking ride and now she's got some fish slime on her like is proper.

Thanks for sharing the details with us.

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[Capt. BassinLou]

Great looking Vexus! Congrats again. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!!

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[Oldfart9999]

As long as your happy is all that matters. Very nice looking boat.
Rodney

[Princeton_Man]

Congratulations! 
I like the Vexus hybrid design a lot.