Review: I think Xpress makes the best High Performance Aluminum boat on the market. For a 17ft boat, it fishes extremely big, and still has the ability to handle semi rough water. The boat is not a glitter barge or a shiny penny, but a weekend'r fishing boat. Positives are that it is make out of aluminum. Negatives are that it is made out of aluminum. Aluminum will dent, flake paint, crack, scratch easily, but it can be easily repaired with many types boat bondo and touch up spray paint. Only problem I have had with boat is a cracked weld in the bow. Manufacturer repaired at no charge and I was up and fishing again in a week. If you want a Serious Tournament fisherman I would look to something that is a more ruff water oriented, as I don't think it will take long term tournament conditions.
Product: On-Board Watering System Manufacturer: Flow-Rite
Review: This evaluation is for a 3 battery setup. Let me just say, that I can't believe somebody hasn't invented this earlier. If you have a boat where the battery compartment is so crowded that you cannot effectively check/fill your batteries, this is the product for you. This system does what it is intended to do, and that is allow the user a fast/easy way to top off your batteries water level. Just be sure and keep an eye on your manifolds and if you see one venting when you are pumping the bulb it may need replacement.
Product: Dual Pro - Pro Series Charger Manufacturer: Dual Pro
Review: Let me say I am not impressed with this product what so ever. Yes, many say their Customer Service is excellent, but it needs to be qualified that it is only because they have so many defective units. I was on my 3rd unit in 2 years and finally came to the realization that if I ever had to replace it with my own money, another Dual Pro would not be in my boat.
Product: Pro Tournament 150 Manufacturer: Pro Mariner
Review: This is the first 3 Bank Charger I have ever owned, and so far so good. Pro Mariner uses a distributed demand charging appoach, i.e. when one bank of the charges senses the battery has been charged it will divert the needed amps to the other banks so that the rest of the batteries can be charged.
Product: 285 Pro XL w/Yamaha Vmax 150 Manufacturer: Stratos Boats
Review: This is the 2nd new boat I have ever purchased, and it has been quite a pleasing experience. As I progressed in my Tournament fishing, I realized I needed a bigger boat to handle the ever changing conditions that I might face. Although I wished I had the funds to buy a larger boat, but after the beating I took on my Xpress I realized my budget would only allow me a boat in the 18.5/150 HP class. Conditions this year have been difficult to say the least and boat has performed flawlessly.
Product: GPSMAP 176 Manufacturer: Garmin
Review: After getting my new Stratos and fishing my first Solobass event in low light conditions, rain, and fog, I found my electronics were lacking with respect to a good quality GPS. Again budget was a prime consideration, and although I really wanted a Lowrance combination Sounder/Plotter it was just not meant to be. I reseached all available GPS's and found the Garmin 176 would fit the bill, and still allow me some funds to purchase the Fishing Hot Spots card for navigation.