re: Nautic Star 214 XTS Shallow Bay - any info/thoughts on this boat?

Alx, I remember when you bought that boat. Wasn't it on LASM classifieds or something?

Anyway, I promise that thing sticks like glue. We used to have extra tip cup in the prop...had it reworked about once a year at a shop in Metairie. We also had a spare prop with extreme tip cup in it, but it was an 18 pitch and was strictly used in tournaments when we wanted to get up on plane super shallow. It turned TOO many rpms and we couldn't run it wide open...only got 48 mph tops with two of us on board. With the 19 pitch and a little tip cup, we were always 50+. I hit 56 once by myself and a light load.

If you weren't used to riding with me, I could throw you out in a sharp turn.

I miss that boat... But fortunately, still get to fish it every now and then.

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Yup. I really just need to get a 4 blade since this thing is never going to go fast. I bet that would help it turn.

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Lol...50 is a fast 19' bay boat, man. We bought something called trim extenders that when installed, allowed the motor to be trimmed up a bit more. That helped us get to the proper RPM with the 19 pitch prop with mild tip cup, and increased speed. I don't remember where we got em, but when we first got the boat, we couldn't get enough rpm with that prop.
As far as it sticking, I don't know what to tell you. I do know a 4 blade will stick better and allow better hole shot, but it'll kill speed.

Trim extenders...$27 at BPS

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Some fine-looking, fully-functional pop up cleats you got there. Really like the t-top but had to go without it due to the height of the storage unit the boat lives in.

Good lookin boat

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I really like the idea of a t-top but would be worried that it would get in the way. As a lifelong ginger, I never shy away from adding shade to a situation. Any issues with space on a 22' boat. Is the back deck still fishable (for a non-retard)?

I see you have a power pole along with the ipilot. What are your thoughts on the ipilot while fishing in the marsh? Seems like it would be great to use around small platforms with deeper water where getting the anchor to hold could take a little time. Conversely, I'm wondering if there are issues in the marsh where quarters might be a little tighter.

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I'm almost 50, been in the sun plenty, and still work in the sun somewhat. I take shade when it's available. I LOVE having that t-top. The shade is usually cast to one side, and its usually easy to fish in the shade if you want to. I even found myself getting under it in December.

Does it get banged with a rod sometimes? Yes.
Is it a pain for storage? Yes.
Does it cost money? Yes.
Would I sell mine? Nope.

The back deck is very fishable. It's not uncommon for two of us to fish off the back deck.

I'm guessing your iPilot question is strictly about the Anchor function. My friend operates it more than I do, but know this... if you click Anchor, its going to try to hold itself (the motor) within about a 5' diameter circle. It cant keep the boat straight if the wind is blowing... We typically only use the Anchor function when it's too deep for the Powerpole (which for us is greater than 6'.)

The iPilot is cool because of the remote control. No foot pedal in the way, you don't have to sit down to operate a foot control. You can control it from anywhere in the boat (but IT IS harder to drive the boat from the rear deck)

Of course when you're using iPilot anchor, youre using battery power too. This hasn't been an issue, but it always occurs to me.

Space issues? This is a hard one to answer. We've fished 6 people on this boat a few times. Usually this involves a few "rookies/kids". This can get hairy, but its not like we're tournament fishing at that point (or ever.)

4 adults fishing is no problem. Even 5 occasionally isn't an issue. Someone is usually tying bait or getting a drink or just chillin out for a few mins.

In reality, ask yourself how many people are you USUALLY gonna fish on your boat?

ETA: I say "we" a lot because I literally own this boat with a friend. 50/50. If you can figure this arrangement out with a friend, I recommend it.

That's a 24' bourgs?

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I like our T-top about 50% of the time. I could do with or without it.

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Exactly how I feel about ours

My biggest problem with it is that it acts like a parachute and slows the boat down. We lost around 7 mph. The shade is nice in the summer and the extra storage is nice year round.

With our F225, we run 48-52 mph.

No real desire to run faster. Usually cruise about 40.

I once heard someone say, "If you're going too fast to drink a beer, you're going too fast."

Not that I'd ever do such...