Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

Looking at getting a 19'2" NITRO. How is the ride. What are the topboats out there. Ranger

Take a good look at Vexus before you decide

Lots of good boats out there of differing brands. Are you looking for new or used? What’s your budget?

Lots of great boat brands these days. It’s all personal preference and whatever trips your trigger. I wouldn’t limit yourself to the two you listed. Skeeter, Phoenix, Vexus, Bass Cat….The list goes on.

If you can, get a 4 stroke.

mark poulson wrote: ↑Tue Oct 22, 2024 8:51 am If you can, get a 4 stroke.

I agree Mark that will probably be budget driven

I own a 2022 4 stroke
It is heavier and physically much larger
I have learned they tend to break off the motor bracket and come into the boat easily upon impact with an obstruction
All outboards do they same over the years as we know

Being substantially heavier the 4 stroke breaks free easily on lesser impact than the lighter 2 stroke
This is just my opinion from research

I suggest looking into an engine restraint or tether for any outboard you have.
It just makes sense that the heavier it is the easier it can break free.
This is what happens when the government puts regulations in place forcing the manufacturers to comply

4 strokes will likely become lighter with time
Hole shot is not good as a 2 stroke
2 strokes are better suited for a bass boat
Only Ca thinks a 4 stroke is better

Not the professional manufacturers of outboards
Not the fishermen
Not the boat manufacturers trying to build a boat to hang a monster engine off the transom

For those who prefer the 4 stroke

What are the pros to the 4 stroke?

My opinion BassCat, Phoenix, Skeeter and Triton w/4 stroke today.
Tom

JVGondal wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 10:19 am For those who prefer the 4 stroke

What are the pros to the 4 stroke?

Less maintenance, better gas mileage, longer engine life. Check their weight vs the same hp 2 stroke. Call local boat dealers/mechanics and ask them.

So far the v 8 four stroke gets about the same gph as a
Optimax 2 stroke. Rangers have a great name but not the best riding boat.

I'm not sold on the better fuel for the 4 stroke. My old 06 pro xs was 10 gallons on my normal from Flemming to woods round trip. My 2022 4S is 15 gallons on the same run. Granted its a different boat so I'm not sure the comparison is fair. But I'm definitely using more fuel that I did with my 2 stroke.

My 175 pro xs definitely gets better fuel economy than my old 2 stroke. But it was black max old
Not sure about less maintenance as a 4 stroke has more moving parts
Should last more hours.

Dave Brabec wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 2:56 pm So far the v 8 four stroke gets about the same gph as a
Optimax 2 stroke. Rangers have a great name but not the best riding boat.

Dave are you talking all Rangers or the more recently built Bass Pro Shops versions of Ranger? My wide 2006 Z19 Comanche has the best ride I have ever experienced in a boat under 20’

First off the Mercury 250 4 stroke is only 6 lbs. heavier than a 250 2 stroke. They are not any harder on a transom. My hole shot is good midrange is excellent, and top end is okay, but I run 521 c loaded. As far as a particular brand of boat you really just have try a few out and see what you like. Ride, speed, all-around performance. The only thing holding you back is your pocketbook. If money was no problem I would look at an Icon or an Allison. Alison's are crazy fast, strong as hell and use less fuel with a smaller engine in a 21 ft. boat Have fun.

We can make suggestions until we’re blue in the face but until we know 1998biker’s budget we can’t suggest anything specific.

JVGondal wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 4:52 pm My 175 pro xs definitely gets better fuel economy than my old 2 stroke. But it was black max old
Not sure about less maintenance as a 4 stroke has more moving parts
Should last more hours.

Regarding gas mileage there’s no comparison between modern direct injected two strokes and older fuel injected, much less carb engines.

monte300 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 6:36 pm

Dave Brabec wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 2:56 pm So far the v 8 four stroke gets about the same gph as a
Optimax 2 stroke. Rangers have a great name but not the best riding boat.

Dave are you talking all Rangers or the more recently built Bass Pro Shops versions of Ranger? My wide 2006 Z19 Comanche has the best ride I have ever experienced in a boat under 20’

As far as I’m concerned the 488 was the best riding Ranger I’ve been in. Haven’t been in a new one but owned a 06 519 and fished a lot out of a 520. Lots better riding boats out there.

JVGondal wrote: ↑Wed Oct 23, 2024 4:52 pm My 175 pro xs definitely gets better fuel economy than my old 2 stroke. But it was black max old
Not sure about less maintenance as a 4 stroke has more moving parts
Should last more hours.

My old 175 Evinrude Ficht definitely got better mileage than my two stroke 225 pro XS. Whether it be WOT or just cruising. Not a fair comparison considering one boat went 60mph while the other one 70+