Well, I don't claim to be an expert on everything about small craft
handling, but I took my small craft certification with the Coast Guard
Auxilary over 20 years ago. Somehow I managed to absorb a few things over
the years. I admit it has only been in the past few years I have gained any
experience with bass boats, but the principals of boat handling can't be all
that different with a bass boat except that they put you a lot closer to the
water. I have run Lake Powell in rough water more than once, and I have
tucked into a side canyon and road it out once or twice.

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"go-bassn" wrote in message
...
Steve's right, imagine that!

Bob, while I could recommend names like Champion & Stratos if you want a
bassboat, the main thing you have to realize about this is that a large
part
of a dry ride is rooted in the drivers abilities in the big water.
There's
right ways & wrong ways of navigating through big water, and if you're
unfamiliar with it you're gonna get wet regardless of what bassboat you're
driving. And your butt & back might hurt so much that you don't even mind
being wet...

Warren
--
http://www.warrenwolk.com/
http://www.tri-statebassmasters.com
2004 NJ B.A.S.S. Federation State Champions



"Steve & Chris Clark" wrote in message
...
I dunno Bob, but it sure sounds like, to me, you want walleye boat. I
have
fished from one on the odd occasion and they do differ from the front
casting deck of a bass boat. If you like sight fishing this is a better
choice but bending down to put a lip on a bass from the front deck can
be
quite different than from a bass boat. If you do have bigger waves on
your
lakes, you will like the extra freeboard! My best friend has a Skeeter
walleye boat, that quite honestly, I find no problem fishing from and
gladly
take the back seat in often.
--
Steve


"Bob La Londe" wrote in message
...
I know, I know. Dry ride and bass boat are mutually exclusive terms.
I'm
still trying though.

I am looking for a dry ride that can handle some chop without dropping
to
displacement speeds. My Baker Tunnel actually does pretty well, but it
sits
so deep in the water at displacement speeds that it makes me nervous if
I
have to drop off the pad in heavy waves or chop.

I want a boat that can handle light chop upto a couple feet and keep
the
riders fairly dry, but also cuts the waves well at displacement speeds
if
it
gets rougher.

As I am sure a few of you know I have the Baker Tunnel up for sale,
(now
that I have everything working right LOL) and I am looking for a new
20+
to
replace it. I have looked at a number of boats, and I am curious what
boat
will give the best rough water ride. I am looking at fishing more pro
and
pro/am tournaments on Mead, Havasu, Powell, and Mohave in the next
year,
and
I want a boat that can handle the conditions that are frequent on those
bodies of water. I know its not possible to stay dry in a bass boat
when
those 4-6 footers start rolling across Wahweap Bay on Lake Powell, but
I'ld
like to be able to handle lighter weather as safely as possible.

I know that the obvious answer is not to buy a bass boat. Go with an
enclosed front cabin Searay, but I want a bass boat. I suppose I
should
also consider a walleye boat with its slightly higher freeboard, but a
lot
of manufacturers seem to be building a bass boat making a few minor
adjustments and calling it a walleye boat.

I have my choices narrowed down based on price, overall safety, and
higher
rough water handling speeds. I am curious what the people in ROFB have
to
say on the subject.

Bob La Londe
www.YumaBassMan.com





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