Inside Elite Boats

Inside Elite Boats: Buddy Gross

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Welcome to Chickamauga, Ga., located southeast of Chattanooga, Tenn. At the base of Lookout Mountain is the residence of Buddy Gross and his family. The dwelling is part house, part man cave.
Welcome to Chickamauga, Ga., located southeast of Chattanooga, Tenn. At the base of Lookout Mountain is the residence of Buddy Gross and his family. The dwelling is part house, part man cave.
Parked inside the man cave is his 2021 Bullet Boats 21XRS, spanning 21 feet, 10 inches that is powered by a 250 horsepower Mercury Pro XS outboard. Behind the rig is a work space used by Gross to store his tackle and organize it for competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Parked inside the man cave is his 2021 Bullet Boats 21XRS, spanning 21 feet, 10 inches that is powered by a 250 horsepower Mercury Pro XS outboard. Behind the rig is a work space used by Gross to store his tackle and organize it for competing on the Bassmaster Elite Series.
Gross is competing in his second season on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Already, he’s won an event — the 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Eufaula.
Gross is competing in his second season on the Bassmaster Elite Series. Already, he’s won an event — the 2020 Bassmaster Elite Series event at Lake Eufaula.
Gross is among a growing number of Elite Series anglers using three brands of electronics, choosing to benefit from each brand’s features. The lineup is a Humminbird HELIX 12, Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE and Garmin Panoptix Livescope.
Gross is among a growing number of Elite Series anglers using three brands of electronics, choosing to benefit from each brand’s features. The lineup is a Humminbird HELIX 12, Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE and Garmin Panoptix Livescope.
The Garmin is rigged to the new BoatLogix pedestal mount that swivels 360 degrees and horizontally or vertically.
The Garmin is rigged to the new BoatLogix pedestal mount that swivels 360 degrees and horizontally or vertically.
The Humminbird and Lowrance units are attached to the BoatLogix Dual Bow Mount.
The Humminbird and Lowrance units are attached to the BoatLogix Dual Bow Mount.
This handy device is the BoatLogix MEGA 360 Support Bracket, designed for use with the Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor.
This handy device is the BoatLogix MEGA 360 Support Bracket, designed for use with the Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor.
The bracket provides added stability and protection to the MEGA 360 transducer, while keeping it perfectly vertical on the shaft for improved viewing of images on the screen.
The bracket provides added stability and protection to the MEGA 360 transducer, while keeping it perfectly vertical on the shaft for improved viewing of images on the screen.
The bracket is attached to the Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor.
The bracket is attached to the Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor.
And so is the MEGA 360 transducer.
And so is the MEGA 360 transducer.
And also, the Lowrance LiveSight and Garmin Panoptix LiveScope transducers.
And also, the Lowrance LiveSight and Garmin Panoptix LiveScope transducers.
At the console are two Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE units.
At the console are two Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE units.
The Lowrance units are mounted to a BoatLogix Dual Console Mount.
The Lowrance units are mounted to a BoatLogix Dual Console Mount.
This connector allows Gross to use a Humminbird HELIX 12, which he uses for mapping and side imaging, giving him the potential to run six graphs on the boat.
This connector allows Gross to use a Humminbird HELIX 12, which he uses for mapping and side imaging, giving him the potential to run six graphs on the boat.
The motor is rigged with Mercury’s exclusive Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) technology, featuring electronic throttle control. Sensors and wires transmit commands through the engine’s computer for fast and precise throttle control.
The motor is rigged with Mercury’s exclusive Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) technology, featuring electronic throttle control. Sensors and wires transmit commands through the engine’s computer for fast and precise throttle control.
Mercury SmartCraft technology allows Gross to monitor multiple systems operated by the Pro XS, including fuel usage.
Mercury SmartCraft technology allows Gross to monitor multiple systems operated by the Pro XS, including fuel usage.
Two 12-volt Lithium Pros batteries power the electronics. Connected to the batteries is a SonarPros Custom Wiring harness made specifically for the setup. Maintaining consistent voltage through dedicated power and ground to each graph is a benefit of the SonarPros system. Amperage draw is reduced, providing increased battery life throughout the day.
Two 12-volt Lithium Pros batteries power the electronics. Connected to the batteries is a SonarPros Custom Wiring harness made specifically for the setup. Maintaining consistent voltage through dedicated power and ground to each graph is a benefit of the SonarPros system. Amperage draw is reduced, providing increased battery life throughout the day.
In the port battery compartment is a Lithium Pros 36-volt battery with 36 volts and 65-amp hours.
In the port battery compartment is a Lithium Pros 36-volt battery with 36 volts and 65-amp hours.
Mounted in the compartment is the Power-Pole CHARGE, the all-in-one system that charges multiple batteries simultaneously, also allowing power to be moved back and forth between batteries as needed. CHARGE automatically devotes power to the batteries that need it the most for maximum efficiency.
Mounted in the compartment is the Power-Pole CHARGE, the all-in-one system that charges multiple batteries simultaneously, also allowing power to be moved back and forth between batteries as needed. CHARGE automatically devotes power to the batteries that need it the most for maximum efficiency.
At the transom is a Bob’s Machine Shop Hydraulic Jack Plate, mounted to a 10-inch setback.
At the transom is a Bob’s Machine Shop Hydraulic Jack Plate, mounted to a 10-inch setback.
The 250 horsepower Mercury Pro XS is shiny and ready for action.
The 250 horsepower Mercury Pro XS is shiny and ready for action.
Power-Pole Blade 10 shallow water anchors are mounted at each side of the transom.
Power-Pole Blade 10 shallow water anchors are mounted at each side of the transom.
The spacious front deck features padding beneath the carpet to reduce fatigue caused by standing up all day.
The spacious front deck features padding beneath the carpet to reduce fatigue caused by standing up all day.
In the floorboard of the cockpit is optional SeaDek flooring. It dries quickly, drains well and provides safe footing in wet conditions.
In the floorboard of the cockpit is optional SeaDek flooring. It dries quickly, drains well and provides safe footing in wet conditions.
At the port side is a rod storage compartment that can hold up to 48 rod-and-reel combos at a time. In the bottom of the compartment is SeaDek flooring for improved drainage of wet gear.
At the port side is a rod storage compartment that can hold up to 48 rod-and-reel combos at a time. In the bottom of the compartment is SeaDek flooring for improved drainage of wet gear.
The cavernous center storage can accommodate up to 36 boxes. The compartment includes a BoatLogix Bullet XRS Center Storage Box for better organization.
The cavernous center storage can accommodate up to 36 boxes. The compartment includes a BoatLogix Bullet XRS Center Storage Box for better organization.
Another starboard compartment holds a spare prop, boat paddle and other boat accessories.
Another starboard compartment holds a spare prop, boat paddle and other boat accessories.
Gross calls this custom add-on his day box, where frequently used items are easily found and accessible. The box is on the starboard side, forward of the console.
Gross calls this custom add-on his day box, where frequently used items are easily found and accessible. The box is on the starboard side, forward of the console.
The integrated measuring board stores flush with the deck, and slides out for quick access near the console and cockpit.
The integrated measuring board stores flush with the deck, and slides out for quick access near the console and cockpit.
Inside this compartment are items for fish care and culling. A balance beam, cull tags, G-Juice and other related items are stored inside this box that is near the livewell.
Inside this compartment are items for fish care and culling. A balance beam, cull tags, G-Juice and other related items are stored inside this box that is near the livewell.
An integrated cooler between the driver and passenger seats adds convenience.
An integrated cooler between the driver and passenger seats adds convenience.
Behind the driver seat is a compartment for storing outerwear and more tackle.
Behind the driver seat is a compartment for storing outerwear and more tackle.
The 30-gallon livewell features dual aerators and fill pumps.
The 30-gallon livewell features dual aerators and fill pumps.
LED compartment lights brightly illuminate the inside of the compartments for improved vision in dark conditions.
LED compartment lights brightly illuminate the inside of the compartments for improved vision in dark conditions.
A view of the 21XRS from the loft of the man cave.
A view of the 21XRS from the loft of the man cave.
And the work continues in preparation for the season.
And the work continues in preparation for the season.

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