It’s an exciting yet stressful time for me. Christmas? Hardly. I’m ordering my new boat this week for 2012.
For people who haven’t ever ordered a new bass boat, take this as a word of advice; order the boat EXACTLY how you want it. If you’re already paying $50,000 to $60,000, a few hundred-dollar upgrades will be the best investments you can make.
I have learned that if it’s not exactly what I want, it doesn’t take but a few months and the regrets will grow. Here is how I am ordering my boat, thinking of each and every detail:
Legend Alpha 211
This is my boat of choice because I do feel it’s the best ride in the game. I loved my last Legend and hated to give it up! Something really important about Legend Boats is that they have the best customer service, bar none.
Having a single console is my first important factor. This really opens up the bottom of the boat and makes moving around the boat that much easier.
The second important factor is having a Hamby’s Keel Guard. I can’t tell you how many times this has come into play for me.
My last most important feature is the non-skid step at the bow of the boat. This is a rough material placed right next to your trolling motor so you don’t bust you butt trying to get in and out.
Mercury 250 Pro XS and Motorguide 109
The Mercury 250 Pro XS is unbelievable. This past year was the first time I ran one, and what an amazing ride with a lot of power.
On my Pro XS, I will be running a Fury Prop. I had great luck last year and am sure to again this year.
This will be the first time, in a long time, that I will be running a Motorguide trolling motor. I have been very impressed with the progress of Motorguide, and they seem to be really durable. I wouldn’t have anything less than a 36-volt trolling motor. I have had too many instances where I settled for a 24 volt and ran out of juice by noon.
Power Poles and Electronics
At first I thought Power Poles may be one of those products that I wouldn’t use all the time, but now I can’t live without them. They are simply amazing. I will have two Power Poles on my boat and don’t think I will ever have a boat with just one. By having two, it reduces the swing of your boat in windy conditions.
Electronics are extremely important. I have to use a Lowrance on the front of my boat. I just know how to use one so much better than a Humminbird and I constantly catch fish off of my graph. I think it’s just a confidence deal.
My front unit will be an HDS 8, and that’s something to be excited about! My back unit will be a Humminbird 1198c. I’m really looking forward to using the Humminbird, seeing that the last time I used one on my own personal boat was over 3 years ago.
The last piece of electronics I will utilize is a Hydrowave. I was extremely skeptical about them, but I’m a believer now. If it only works once a year for me it will be worth it!
If you ever get to order a boat, just remember to make you’re extremely excited about every piece of the boat, just like me.