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Is a 21 foot boat too short?

Posted on 10/7/21 at 12:13 pm
Posted by 24nights
Louisiana
Member since Apr 2012
4765 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 12:13 pm
Looking at the 21 foot Vexus center console boat and wondering, is it fairly safe to take to Lake Chuck. I am a novice just trying to learn from you guys and LC is only 4hrs away. I know its not smart to launch in 6 ft waves in a small boat but are there decent fishing spots close to most marinas down there?
The boat will have a 200 Merc XS on it, thx.

eta, If I die I will not sue Chicken for the info I get here. thx

This post was edited on 10/9/21 at 8:23 am
Posted by Galactic Inquisitor
An Incredibly Distant Star
Member since Dec 2013
15169 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 12:26 pm to
That's plenty boat for Lake Calcasieu

After saying that, I looked up Vexus boats. I would not want to spend much time in that lake in that hull design. I saw CC and assumed it was a modified V hull, not a bass boat.
This post was edited on 10/7/21 at 12:28 pm
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
13826 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 12:30 pm to
Personally, I wouldn't take that boat on big water. The back end is way too low in the water. The first big wave that hits the back of that boat is going to swamp it.



You want a boat that sits higher in the water with lots of freeboard like these:





Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 12:31 pm to
21' is plenty big enough to fish 3-4 people comfortably if the boat is well laid out.

It doesn't take a whole lot of boat to catch specs. Sure, a big 24' center console with a T top and a 300 is nice when the wind kicks up. I've fished camanada Bay with 4 people in a 17' predator countless times and had a blast doing it.

Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4200 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 12:37 pm to
21’ is fine. My 21’ Kenner has spent hundreds of hours out at Chandeleur with no issues.

Posted by Ron Cheramie
The Cajun Hedgehog
Member since Aug 2016
5131 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 12:43 pm to
quote:

Personally, I wouldn't take that boat on big water. The back end is way too low in the water. The first big wave that hits the back of that boat is going to swamp it.


Naw that boat is fine. Have gone all over that calcasieu lake in a 15’ flat It’s no different than any large freshwater lake. If there are 2 foot swells whether it’s calcasieu or Toledo Bend I don’t want to be out there.
This post was edited on 10/7/21 at 12:45 pm
Posted by ElDawgHawg
L.A. (lower Arkansas)
Member since Nov 2012
2970 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 12:51 pm to
personally I wouldn't spend a dime on a Vexus.... but that's just me.
Posted by Shexter
Prairieville
Member since Feb 2014
13826 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 1:03 pm to


With the right captain, no boat is too small....



Posted by 24nights
Louisiana
Member since Apr 2012
4765 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 1:07 pm to
Dude comes in here shitting on a boat manufacture and doesn't say why, classic hog guy.
This post was edited on 10/8/21 at 9:34 am
Posted by Saskwatch
Member since Feb 2016
16529 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 1:21 pm to
quote:

My 21’ Kenner has spent hundreds of hours out at Chandeleur


Was that thing still afloat? I've had to push boats off sandbars at Chandeleur and it's no fun.
Posted by lsufishnhunt
Member since Jun 2008
1026 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 1:21 pm to
quote:

21 foot Vexus center console boat


quote:

The boat will have a 200 Merc XS on it,


Safe? Absolutely. But there will be days when it’s not the most comfortable experience.
This post was edited on 10/7/21 at 1:22 pm
Posted by reds on reds on reds
Birmingham
Member since Sep 2013
4200 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 1:58 pm to
Yes it was. I keep meaning to get an accurate draft measurement on that boat but it’s way shallower than I’d think a bay boat would float.

We ran out of water for the trolling motor so just got out and pushed it along through the cut. I’ve been lucky with not getting stuck out there. Am pretty cautious about where we anchor or fish depending on tide. Been stuck in a mud boat in Venice one too many times to get stuck at Chandy
Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 2:58 pm to
quote:

Safe? Absolutely. But there will be days when it’s not the most comfortable experience.


And generally if it isn't comfortable in a 21' bay boat, it won't be comfortable in a 24' bay boat or a 17' bay boat. You might be able to run faster in the bigger boat, but its still going to have suck factor.

Posted by El Segundo Guy
SE OK
Member since Aug 2014
9550 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 3:13 pm to
I was looking at a Vexus (not cc) in the Deep V. I really wanted to like it. But they didn't design the gunnels wide enough to be able to mount tracks for downriggers, rod holders, etc.

The regional sales manager told me they could drill and mount bases into the rear deck. I told him that he's lost his fricking mind. I'm not spending 60k cash on a fishing boat to have to modify the heck out of it when every other manufacturer has wide gunnels and/or an integrated rail system.

ETA--And then the jackass said I could get rear handrails and mount downriggers to them. They do make handrail mounts but those are flimsy and unreliable. That's if they don't destroy your handrails. I've also seen those mounts fail and bye bye to your downrigger.
This post was edited on 10/7/21 at 3:25 pm
Posted by 24nights
Louisiana
Member since Apr 2012
4765 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 3:30 pm to
Posted by back9Tiger
Mandeville, LA.
Member since Nov 2005
14126 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 4:54 pm to
Hell no, not nearly enough freeboard and won't have a true deep v hull to handle big water.
Posted by El Segundo Guy
SE OK
Member since Aug 2014
9550 posts
Posted on 10/7/21 at 8:42 pm to
quote:

And generally if it isn't comfortable in a 21' bay boat, it won't be comfortable in a 24' bay boat or a 17' bay boat.


True. I have fished pretty much all of the big northern lakes and regularly fish Lake Texoma. Texoma can get 3-4" waves. All in a 19' deep v. More freeboard helps you handle bug water. Too much freeboard and you'll get blown around the lake on a windy day.
This post was edited on 10/7/21 at 8:45 pm
Posted by armsdealer
Member since Feb 2016
11490 posts
Posted on 10/8/21 at 8:45 am to
Boat will be fine. My 23ft Avid is a similar hull and has been through some crap weather this past year. You don't need high freeboard for south Louisiana fishing. The only time I ever water on the rear deck is when I am pulling in a shrimp trawl, but that would be any boat.
Posted by ElDawgHawg
L.A. (lower Arkansas)
Member since Nov 2012
2970 posts
Posted on 10/8/21 at 12:49 pm to
quote:

Dude comes in here shitting on a boat manufacture and doesn't say why, classic hog guy


Over-Priced and poorly designed. Basically re-branded Rangers .....
I mean they are fine if you want to go slow and look ugly.

Posted by DownshiftAndFloorIt
Here
Member since Jan 2011
66763 posts
Posted on 10/8/21 at 1:11 pm to
[quote]look ugly.[/quote

The drop-bow on those things is hideous and totally impractical.
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