New to forum / 2016 208

[flatfish]

I stumbled onto this while looking at the SeaPro website and wanted to post a pic of my new 208 that I picked up last week. I will try and check back in frequently and post some updates on how the boat handles and pros/cons as I use it more. I have only taken it out once so far but everything seemed to be great on the boat. I still have a good bit of break in hours left on the engine so I havent opened her up to see how well the boat handles at top end speed. I have a 175 Suzuki on the back and its super quiet. I have some rigging left to do before I take it out fishing which include installing the I-Pilot trolling motor, Lowrance HDS 12 and 10, rod holders, pedestal mounts for fishing chairs, making a custom powder coated flip back cooler seat where I can fish out of the back of the boat, and hopefully 2 10ft Power Poles (they cost so much, lol). The boat came with trim tabs, which was nice. I am coming from a bass boat so I have some getting used to with a bay boat. I mainly freshwater fish but I plan on dabbling with saltwater a little. I needed a all purpose boat that could do it all and something that my family could enjoy also. I looked at almost every brand of bay boat that is sold in SC and the storage blew me away on the 208. The batteries boxes are mounted in the floor which saves a ton of room. The only negative thing I can say about the boat at this time (and i knew it when i bought it) is the lids on the back deck are gravity lids, no locks on them or gaskets. I hope they are not too noisy when it gets really rough out and start banging around. If they do I will have to make some type of seal to quiet them down. If anyone has any questions or wants to see additional pictures send me a message. Thanks

[Juan]

thwelcome31 Nice looking boat. I'd save some coin and skip the power poles if it were me...they'll just get in the way. The i-pilot made the one on my boat obsolete when fishing. You might use them if you plan to stop and swim for a while.
I think you'll find that if the lids are as heavy as they are on the older Sea Pros, they won't cause much noise until someone slams one closed. The location of the hinges on the forward compartment lids are the only thing I don't like on the new boats. Keep us posted on she performs. Enjoy the new ride.

[flatfish]

I hope your right about the lids, they do seem heavy enough to not be of great concern. The I-pilot is a must have. I'm a big crappie fishermen and love to troll jigs. I have a 36v terrova on my bass boat with the I-link and I love it. Once you have one you can't hardly fish without it IMO. As far as the power poles they are not a must have but I'm a big electronics guy and spend a lot of time in the summer locating bream beds with my Lowrance units and the power poles makes anchoring close to beds very easy. I can also get the drift paddles on them to slow me down while drift fishing.

[Juan]

Jul 12, 2016 6:18:18 GMT -6 flatfish said:

I hope your right about the lids, they do seem heavy enough to not be of great concern. The I-pilot is a must have. I'm a big crappie fishermen and love to troll jigs. I have a 36v terrova on my bass boat with the I-link and I love it. Once you have one you can't hardly fish without it IMO. As far as the power poles they are not a must have but I'm a big electronics guy and spend a lot of time in the summer locating bream beds with my Lowrance units and the power poles makes anchoring close to beds very easy. I can also get the drift paddles on them to slow me down while drift fishing.

I completely agree about the i-pilot. I have one on both the Sea Pro and the bass boat and like you, consider them a must have. Probably the most used and best performing gadget on both boats. I take back what I said about the power poles.. never thought about anchoring while perch jerking... they do save the trolling motor batteries if you're in shallow enough water for them to stick. I just hardly ever use mine any more, I'll just hit the spot lock on the i-pilot instead.