Rick Clunn to run Aluminum at Classic!

[Popeye]

but you certainly arent going in big water with a 18ft aluminum boat.

I guess that depends on what you consider big water. I'm guessing that Lake Michigan would be considered big water to some and my 19' Tracker isn't the only tin boat 12+ miles from shore trolling for salmon. And I stay out unless the waves get bigger than 4 footers.

 

[clarker2000]

To the last post. Again Im not downing tracker boats. That is what i have as my aluminum rig. I guess what Im saying is that put a 18 ft champion glass boat in lake erie with 3 footers and then take a 18 ft tracker and see which one is a better ride. No comparison, champion wins.

What I was getting at before was the fact that Rick Clunn is using a tin rig to get into places others cant. He said it was for economical reasons. I dont buy that at all. I just read a post from Byran Velvic on BASS and he is using a glass boat as well. In fact he is running a jet engine to get into those tight places. I think your going to see BASS go back to regulating boats again. They may not go back to saying "you have to run a triton". I can see them regulating the boats to minimum 21 ft glass boats with 250 hp prop driven boats. I think letting these guys use any boat they want isnt all to fair. I wouldnt be surprised to see someone show up with a flats boat with a step up back platform to see spawning bass. If the water is that skiny I would show up with one of our homemade rigs that can go in 6 inches of water. Should be interesting.

I think its going to be down to the guys who fish rivers the best. KVD, Skeet, Hackney or maybe even brauer.

 

[Jim]

So is Steve Kennedy! :beer:

 

[Waterwings]

...I think letting these guys use any boat they want isnt all to fair...

I think it would prove to be interesting, as long as some limits as you metioned were set (length, motor, etc). It might just open-up some good sponsorship from other [tin boat] companies. Sponsorship for the pros is getting to be fairly slim these days (companies dropping sponsorship opportunities) from what I've read lately. A bunch of pros fishing tin rigs would probably be a good market boost to help the boat companies who make them.

 

[shamoo]

So is Steve Kennedy! :beer:

So is Randy Howell!!! I heard Clun, Howell and Kennedy have the TIN there but are undecided weather to use them.

Tracker has a Pro Team 190 TX Tin that would accomadate the Pros, throw a jet on that baby and your set.

 

[Bubba]

He stated that he would have a 150 outboard on it, the 190 TX's are only rated up to 135hp. This will be the boat he'll be in more than likely...

Tournament V18, rated for up to 150hp, very nice in my opinion. If I were to have a tracker boat, this would be the one I would want. I just really like the way these are set up.

 

[clarker2000]

That is a nice boat. I agree, sponsership from some of the tin companies would be great. They dont even mention G3, Wareagle, Lund, express etc... Im sure these smaller companies would love to get in with a pro or two. Trust me having a jet tin boat would launch a whole new series of pro anglers. I think it would only be good for the sport. I would have to bet that in some way shape or form, tracker is modifing those boats for them. They carry probably 15 rods, tons ad tons of tackle and most if not all of them carry a spare trolling motor. Im also glad to see espn hyping up the coverage. Its a gamble for sure. Do you go tin for skinny water or stay with the big rig and cover tons of water and have more time to fish. I dont see the winner coming from skinny water though. They have a massive cold front coming their way and that could pull the fish off.

If you had to pick one tin boat to fish as a pro, what would it be? I would go with a custom war eagle and probably get a jet engine.

 

[Jim]

I would go with an Xpress x19 with a 200 on the back 8)

https://www.xpressboats.com/view/131

 

[bassboy1]

I would go with an Xpress x19 with a 200 on the back 8)

https://www.xpressboats.com/view/131

Yeah buddy!

Get it with the High Performance Package, the Tournament Series Package, and the Limited Edition Package, and you have a tin rig with the same benefits that glass boats offer. Not to mention, it can run with the big boys. I have seen multiple reports of that rig running 74 and change with a 200 VMAX. Can't say I wouldn't prefer an E-tec HO, but for 2 strokes in performance bass boat usages, the VMAX is a pretty sweet motor. Other than that, I might want to swap the Minn Kota Max 80 with a Fortrex 80, and then I would be set.....

Plus, they have all aluminum trailers. Painted trailers look nice out of the showroom, but the aluminum trailer won't start rusting and looking ugly like the painted one will in a few years with a few rock chips.

 

[Waterwings]

If you had to pick one tin boat to fish as a pro, what would it be? I would go with a custom war eagle and probably get a jet engine.

If it were me I'd go with a Tracker, having already owned one and was really pleased with it, just didn't get it on the water as much as I should have:

 

[Waterwings]

Found this pic over at the bassmaster.com site. Steve Kennedy trying to get his tin rig "un-stuck" after running aground pre-fishing for the Classic. Anyone else notice that there are no manufacturer markings on the motor and the boat brand seems to have been painted over!? :-k

photo from bassmaster.com, Feb. 2009

There was also a caption under another pic of Kennedy that stated "...once Steve Kennedy gets this aluminum rig wrapped, it'll be legal for the Classic..."


Wrapped tin at the Classics! Can't wait to see that! 8)

 

[bassboy1]

Hey look at that. An OMC motor. May bring some attention back to these older motors. That is probably an early 90s or late 80s 88 - 140 horse. Can't quite make out the hp.

 

[Waterwings]

Hey look at that. An OMC motor. May bring some attention back to these older motors. That is probably an early 90s or late 80s 88 - 140 horse. Can't quite make out the hp.

In another pic in the gallery I found this one at, it shows the rear of the motor and it has 88 on it.

 

[shamoo]

Somebody should run down there with about a thousand tinboat Stickers and wrap that thing for him, surprise him when he wakes up.

 

[Waterwings]

Somebody should run down there with about a thousand tinboat Stickers and wrap that thing for him, surprise him when he wakes up.

:lol:

 

[Loggerhead Mike]

i bet that tin fly's with that motor on it!

I think letting these guys use any boat they want isnt all to fair

i dont think you should have to have a $20,000 big time sponcered boat to get in the tournament. look at motocross. some of the "average" joe's racing on there own buck are doing just as good as the pro's. and i think it would make it much more interesting to watch on tv

anywho, just my own openion. cant wait to see it!

 

[Bubba]

If I were a pro, and had to choose a tin to run, this would be it....

G3 HP200, 200VMax :mrgreen:

I love this boat... =P~

Unfortunetly, they don't make these HP series anymore.

 

[clarker2000]

Thats what im talkin bout. Sweet ride!!!!!!

 

[Quackrstackr]

When you start getting into bass boat style tin rigs with bigger motors, the price difference really isn't as large as you would think.

I saw some brand new Stratos glass boats at a show last month that were cheaper than what I paid for my tin Triton last year.

That's one of the reasons that Tracker discontinued the Avalanche.

 

[Quackrstackr]

Found this pic over at the bassmaster.com site. Steve Kennedy trying to get his tin rig "un-stuck" after running aground pre-fishing for the Classic. Anyone else notice that there are no manufacturer markings on the motor and the boat brand seems to have been painted over!? :-k

I would bet that's a borrowed or temporary boat. It has an old Johnson on it.

I imagine the paint has been added because neither of the manufacturers are his sponsors.