Got a new boat.

It replaces the pontoon. Momma said she was tired of getting wet and cold and good old Hurricane Bob needed to get something to make her more comfy. With her approval, that turned into a 2010 Raider 22/72 Sea Raider.

I uploaded pictures on my profile photo albums. The folks at Raider were kind enough to send me pics of the boat while being built, and the folks at the local Washington shop shared some pics as it was preped for delivery. I looked at Customwelds, Alumawelds, Weldcrafts, Trophies, Parkers, and Hewescrafts. The Raider provided everything we were looking for at a far better price, and a boat built solid, yet light, to make it easier to trailer, and to withstand the punishment I inflict on boats when I want to bottom fish from the bank and beach the boat, bust the Ohio and wade thru the drift, or hit Cumberland in Spring and fight thru the driftwood. Built in Washington state, the boat was delivered by the dealer to my driveway in KY as part of the deal. And if you think I was unafraid of bad weather before, nothing shy of a tornado is going to keep me on the dock now. :)

Raider also builds rugged 17,18,19,and 20 foot with the same style 3 piece walk-thru windshields but optional fold down canvas tops and side curtains. Hardtops come in sizes 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 footers.

Best thing, the Honda 135 pushing a 22 foot boat, is gettting 3 times better gas mileage than the pontoon did with just a 75 HP Merc on it. Whole rig towing weight is about 1000 pounds more than the pontoon was, but the brakes on the trailer and long trailer wheel base makes this thing track very well and stop shorter than the pontoon rig did.

Be glad to share info if this type boat interests you. Shout if ya see me out or at a dock and I'll show you around.

That is one great boat

[QUOTE=LJP;421530]That is one great boat[/QUOTE]

Thanks! My banker says he likes it to. He keeps calling me asking when we're going fishing. In return, I ask him when he's gonna be lowering my interest:)

That is Gorgeous ! Throw your banker overboard , And tell him you have a life vest for sale ! LMAO :D

That should make your wife happy. Where are you going to store the nitrous now that you do not have pontoons?

[QUOTE=roadrunner;421727]That should make your wife happy. Where are you going to store the nitrous now that you do not have pontoons?[/QUOTE]

hahahahahhaa.

That is a REALLY cool boat. I guess you mostly striper fish.........

Will you put this in the cumberland river still??

Later,

Geo

[QUOTE=roadrunner;421727]That should make your wife happy. Where are you going to store the nitrous now that you do not have pontoons?[/QUOTE]

Don't need the nitrous any more:)

Big qustion now is how many long-necks will fit in an iced down 40 gallon live well, :eek:

[QUOTE=GeoFisher;421739]hahahahahhaa.

That is a REALLY cool boat. I guess you mostly striper fish.........

Will you put this in the cumberland river still??

Later,

Geo[/QUOTE]

Yep, I do Cumberland. But this will also see Nolin, Barren, Greene, Taylorsville, and the Ohio. Did a tournament last Sat night. Last V hull I had was running around the Chesapeake Bay, chaseing freighter wakes. So out of Salt I came with my buddy on board who has only known me to have pontoons. I found a tug, and head right for his wake. Stuffed the bow, white water over the roof, bow looked like a hot tub. Dude turned white and almost puked all over my new floor.

I finally got the boat that will let me go fishing when ever I want to, weather or not, tugs or not, and have some serious fun!

I haven't been out with hardly anybody on the board. Got a job diying off here in mid August. I figure I'll take the time to get acquainted with some of ya'll. Besides, I want to clear up the mystery. After a day of fishing, you will know for sure I'm just as wacked out as I sound like:)

That's one nice looking boat you got there Bob. Enjoy :D:D

[QUOTE=Boone;421936]That's one nice looking boat you got there Bob. Enjoy :D:D[/QUOTE]

Thank ya sir! Funny thing. I ran into some old pics of my Dad's old 20 foot Lonestar he had thru the 70's. That's the boat I grew up on in the Cheaspeake bay. I'll add some pics to my profile of that boat. What's funny about it is when I look at Dad's old boat, I see why this one drew me to it. Basically same kinda hull, some protection from the elements, gunnel storage, able to close the bow off in rough water. Real funny thing is I bought mine in about the same phase of life that he had to give his up. Full circle I guess.