I did consider the vexus, but I went with Avid after hearing the engineer/designer behind avid boats was the engineer/ designer vexus. Not sure if that is true but I trust the source and figures if he was trying to take control of the full design then it be nice to get behind what ever comes next. They are great boats. The XB21 is absolutely amazing. I wish I could get that now!
@@FishingwithBam Gotcha.....I'm currently in a 1989 Stratos 201 and it has a 225 Etec. I'd like to have at least a 225 or 250 on my next boat. The hull stripe on your boat is way better looking than the original stripe they had on the hull.
I have the ranger 198P and the things that interest me are the fact I’m an hour away from Avid’s headquarters, the fact I can run a 200 instead of a 150 and 97” beam vs 92” beam. But I do love the pad bottom hull on the ranger. Would you still prefer the Avid over the ranger?
Yeah, but there are some things to note. My 2017 198p was a way better ride than my 2021 198p. The hull changed a bit, maybe to prevent flexing that caused the welds to crack? Not sure, but the newer hull was rough. The Avid is very smooth and handles well, same layout as the ranger but the rear boxes are bigger and it has a better rod locker layout. The avid doesn’t have nav light switch on the bow which I miss, and the trim switch is difficult to get to. The ranger had a better bow all around. From what I was told the engineer behind the first run of ranger aluminum boats is also the engineer behind vexus and now avid. Not sure if it’s true but you can see similarities between them all.
@@FishingwithBam well that helps a lot but also confuses me even more on which one to go with lol! No nav light switch is odd and when you’re saying trim switch where do you mean? Surely not the one on throttle handle? I have one on throttle, one on front bow, and one on the engine itself. Of course I guess you know that. Does it ride like a fiberglass? Also, you said tournament ready, or at least I think you did, does that mean depth finders already installed? Sorry so many questions, I’m just getting ready to start seriously looking .
@@FishingwithBam I have one more question and probably most important to me. I looked at many aluminum boats and the ranger was the only one I could stretch my legs out almost the entire way under the console. I’m 6’5” so I love that extra space.
@@HumorousHearsay the ranger had nav light and trim at the bow so you did not have to walk back to the console if you needed to use it. The Avid only has a trim switch on the bow. It has Nav light switch at the console only. It does have dual finger switches on the steering wheel for trim and jackplate. I think it rides just like fiberglass. I had a phoenix before this and it is just as smooth. It doesn't chime walk either at max speed. Mine came fully loaded, all graphs (depth finder), power poles, the whole package. I switched from Ranger because the aluminum boats are now made at the tracker factory. Which is close to me, but they are making two different boats in the same building on the same line. The quality of ranger has dropped since. The fiberglass Rangers are still doing good but aluminum has taken a hit. I like the Avid. I think if you live close to the headquarters for them you can't go wrong with it. You should see if you can do a tour of the factory. Most boat manufacturers will let you and it is always a pretty good deal. Id go check it out if I lived closer lol.
@@HumorousHearsay when it comes to leg room, it has the same amount or maybe a bit more than the ranger. The seat is also adjustable, My ranger did not have that.
I have the 8s. I would say the size is situational. The lakes I fish are deep. I only get the chance to use the Raptors when I am in shallow flats or maybe if ai am lucky at a ramp if it is shallow enough. Having 8 raptors means I need to be in about 6 ft of water for them to keep me anchored properly, but each lake will be different.
Does your boat have the 100 or 125 aluminum? I watched a vid claiming that avid aluminum was 25 thicker than the “standard” aluminum… then seen reviews that claim it is 100, thickness. WhT the deal on that? I’m considering the 19xb… pros and cons?? Thanks
@@shawnb_fishing1534 The total price for the boat was around $55,000, give or take from what I can remember off the top of my head. It was a dealer demo boat, so even though I was the first owner of the boat, I did get it for less than new price.
Alot things they could do better like adding timer to live well. Beware I have a 2022 19xb fished in rain an it is still holding water somewhere in boat.
Where did you find water? I fished a 3-day tournament last weekend. It rained 2 out of 3 days. I noticed a little water in the back but I found it came from the live well. The top of the live well to be exact. I have a plan to correct that. The Livewell timer is not that big of an issue for me. My first few boats did not have timers and my most recent boat 2021 Phoenix 819 pro did not have one either. I got accustomed to being the timer myself. Old habit now. I do plan on eventually adding one.
@@bobbyakridge57 It was at the top of the live well. On mine, it has a plastic part that holds the seal, it's not sealed around the top so when water sloshes around it comes out there and into the back of the boat. It's not too much but enough that I had to kick the bilge at the end of the day to clean it out. I did run a lot and it was rough out as well with the 30 mph winds. I've had way worst problems on boats ( my ranger 198 hull split in half) so I was happy that I only had to kick the bilge on for a second. Once I get settled into my new home I'll make a video of how I am going to fix it.
As soon as you took your hole shot I was like hey that's PB2! Thanks for the review
PB2 gang!
Dang Bam you have been hopping boats! Congrats on the new rig. I am still running and enjoying my RT198P. Cheers.
I know right! I might have a problem.
Nice boat great video 👍
How long is the boat on the trailer with the trailer tongue folded? I am trying to see how much roon this will take up in the garage.
Great video content. My question is did you consider the Vexus 2080? If so, what sold you on Avid over the Vexus?
I did consider the vexus, but I went with Avid after hearing the engineer/designer behind avid boats was the engineer/ designer vexus. Not sure if that is true but I trust the source and figures if he was trying to take control of the full design then it be nice to get behind what ever comes next. They are great boats. The XB21 is absolutely amazing. I wish I could get that now!
@@FishingwithBam Gotcha.....I'm currently in a 1989 Stratos 201 and it has a 225 Etec. I'd like to have at least a 225 or 250 on my next boat. The hull stripe on your boat is way better looking than the original stripe they had on the hull.
I have the ranger 198P and the things that interest me are the fact I’m an hour away from Avid’s headquarters, the fact I can run a 200 instead of a 150 and 97” beam vs 92” beam. But I do love the pad bottom hull on the ranger. Would you still prefer the Avid over the ranger?
Yeah, but there are some things to note. My 2017 198p was a way better ride than my 2021 198p. The hull changed a bit, maybe to prevent flexing that caused the welds to crack? Not sure, but the newer hull was rough. The Avid is very smooth and handles well, same layout as the ranger but the rear boxes are bigger and it has a better rod locker layout. The avid doesn’t have nav light switch on the bow which I miss, and the trim switch is difficult to get to. The ranger had a better bow all around. From what I was told the engineer behind the first run of ranger aluminum boats is also the engineer behind vexus and now avid. Not sure if it’s true but you can see similarities between them all.
@@FishingwithBam well that helps a lot but also confuses me even more on which one to go with lol! No nav light switch is odd and when you’re saying trim switch where do you mean? Surely not the one on throttle handle? I have one on throttle, one on front bow, and one on the engine itself. Of course I guess you know that. Does it ride like a fiberglass? Also, you said tournament ready, or at least I think you did, does that mean depth finders already installed? Sorry so many questions, I’m just getting ready to start seriously looking .
@@FishingwithBam I have one more question and probably most important to me. I looked at many aluminum boats and the ranger was the only one I could stretch my legs out almost the entire way under the console. I’m 6’5” so I love that extra space.
@@HumorousHearsay the ranger had nav light and trim at the bow so you did not have to walk back to the console if you needed to use it. The Avid only has a trim switch on the bow. It has Nav light switch at the console only. It does have dual finger switches on the steering wheel for trim and jackplate. I think it rides just like fiberglass. I had a phoenix before this and it is just as smooth. It doesn't chime walk either at max speed. Mine came fully loaded, all graphs (depth finder), power poles, the whole package. I switched from Ranger because the aluminum boats are now made at the tracker factory. Which is close to me, but they are making two different boats in the same building on the same line. The quality of ranger has dropped since. The fiberglass Rangers are still doing good but aluminum has taken a hit. I like the Avid. I think if you live close to the headquarters for them you can't go wrong with it. You should see if you can do a tour of the factory. Most boat manufacturers will let you and it is always a pretty good deal. Id go check it out if I lived closer lol.
@@HumorousHearsay when it comes to leg room, it has the same amount or maybe a bit more than the ranger. The seat is also adjustable, My ranger did not have that.
NICE BOAT
What size speakers will fit under the seats where they have them mounted
I think they were 8 inch or 6 inch… I can’t remember to be honest. But I bet it’s in that range
Looks great brother. One amazing rig I’m sure you’ll rip plenty of lips.
We moved a while back and live on a lake now. It's a bit easier to get out and fish, no more an hour-long drive just to get to the lake.
Raptor 10 or 8. Which is better
And why
I have the 8s. I would say the size is situational. The lakes I fish are deep. I only get the chance to use the Raptors when I am in shallow flats or maybe if ai am lucky at a ramp if it is shallow enough. Having 8 raptors means I need to be in about 6 ft of water for them to keep me anchored properly, but each lake will be different.
Livewell does not have timer on recirculation. I have a2022 19xb.
Did you get the water issue resolved? I’m considering a 19xb. Would you advise? Pros/cons? Thanks
Livewell does not have a timer. Beware. I own a 2022 19xb. You gotta add timer.
Does your boat have the 100 or 125 aluminum? I watched a vid claiming that avid aluminum was 25 thicker than the “standard” aluminum… then seen reviews that claim it is 100, thickness. WhT the deal on that? I’m considering the 19xb… pros and cons?? Thanks
Definitely faster than 62. I drove one over 70-solo
What kinda electronics are on it?
I have a 12 inch HB solix in the dash, 10 inch solix with Mega live at the bow. 80lb ultrex, JBL radio with 2 speakers, wireless phone charger.
If you don’t mind bout how much did it run you?
@@shawnb_fishing1534 The total price for the boat was around $55,000, give or take from what I can remember off the top of my head. It was a dealer demo boat, so even though I was the first owner of the boat, I did get it for less than new price.
Alot things they could do better like adding timer to live well. Beware I have a 2022 19xb fished in rain an it is still holding water somewhere in boat.
Where did you find water? I fished a 3-day tournament last weekend. It rained 2 out of 3 days. I noticed a little water in the back but I found it came from the live well. The top of the live well to be exact. I have a plan to correct that. The Livewell timer is not that big of an issue for me. My first few boats did not have timers and my most recent boat 2021 Phoenix 819 pro did not have one either. I got accustomed to being the timer myself. Old habit now. I do plan on eventually adding one.
@@FishingwithBam where did you find find it leaking from
@@FishingwithBam Where at on the livewell? That maybe my problem
@@bobbyakridge57 It was at the top of the live well. On mine, it has a plastic part that holds the seal, it's not sealed around the top so when water sloshes around it comes out there and into the back of the boat. It's not too much but enough that I had to kick the bilge at the end of the day to clean it out. I did run a lot and it was rough out as well with the 30 mph winds. I've had way worst problems on boats ( my ranger 198 hull split in half) so I was happy that I only had to kick the bilge on for a second. Once I get settled into my new home I'll make a video of how I am going to fix it.
@@bobbyakridge57 between the livewell lids and the plastic splash guard that has the seals on it.
Flash that SHO, you won’t regret it.
I almost did. I’ve recently got a newer boat but if I didn’t I would have done it. Guy up the road from me owns a shop that does them.