A channel that will show fishing from the side of a middle aged working man in central Texas. Kayak, boat and bank fishing from all around including the coast of Texas to the lakes of Canada. May also have some video of my 750 horsepower 2015 Mustang GT.
How shallow have you been able to comfortably get up into with this boat? I'm looking to get something new (at least newer than what I have) and this Sportsman is quickly jumping to top of my list. Also looking at Sea Hunt Ultra 225 and Blue Wave 2200 STL.
Great video! One of the few videos that actually shows the ins and outs of the actual boat instead of just the person talking. Lots of good info, thanx!
Did you add that seat post mount on the front casting deck? I just got back from the boat show and they didn’t have any master series so I forgot to ask about it. We do a lot of skinny water drifting and could really appreciate a seat up front.
I had both Kayaks , I sold the Native because I like the pilot better . It is easier to pedal or paddle and I prefer the open bow opposed to a hatch . I now have to pilots and love them
How's that center mounted transducer working. It's best to place a transducer in a location with a smooth flow of water, no air mixed in. I would think that pocket in the center has less than smooth flow. Curious how it's working out for you. Beautiful boat. Congrats.
@@thrillofbraziel3425 That makes sense. It's been over ten years, I fished the shallows exclusively and only used my finder for finding holes in murky water. I may be relocating to FL east coast and am researching different boats (and new technology) LOL.
@@flippindocks8183 Mercury has been around forever and plenty of 300K-500k dollar in my club have mercuries. Great motor. Even Boston Whalers use mercury
I have a 2011. The sea o I valve is actually the live well fill. If you can untwist the white cap so that the live we’ll fill pipe is open, the boat while running will fill the live well itself. The black plug is only a drain plug and the black screen is an overfill so you do not overfill. Works the same as a kitchen sink
Hey noticed said you were wanting to sell it and I’ve been lookin at this for sometime, I live just north of Houston and see if you still had it and are interested in selling it anytime soon?
I actually traded it in for a 227 Sportsmans Master, it was better suited for the total fishing boat I was looking for. The Mako was great for a calm bay but really can't handle the lake or when the bay gets ruff.
@@thrillofbraziel3425 That is exactly what I have found out about my Tracker 175 TXW. It is ok on a calm day but we don't get many of those anymore. When I am on my trolling motor, it's like riding the mechanical Bull at Gilley's. I have the 75HP, the biggest motor you can put on it and it feels like the boat needs twice that.
Dennis Fairfield running a Mercury trophy 4 blade . 825932 19P RH Prop numbers I can run around 50 mph by myself With a passenger I can get 47 MPH. But I also have a lot of gear “weight”. I keep around 400 to 500 pounds of gear So performance isn’t bad
@@craigcanterbury264 good to know! I’m in search of performance review with the 115pro x5s. I have the 90hp and looking to upgrade. I love the hull the way it rides on the inter coastal in FL bit would like a bit more power. Thought about changing to a 3 blade but haven’t done it yet. 90hp cruises at 35mph but can touch 40
Steven Fottrell so your getting 40 with 4 blade prop on 90 hp?? I wouldn’t switch to a 3 blade unless you have a jack plate 4 blade give you more hole shot and 3 blade give you little more on top end but can’t see it giving more then couple miles an hour if that but your going to get to plane out slower . As far as my 115 pro xs goes I love it it’s good on gas. And like I said if I am alone on the boat I can hit 50 but I carry a lot of gear I’d guess 350 pounds so it get more if I took a lot out Only thing I wished my 115 pro xs had that’s a negative is the elec shift and not cable shit but I’m sure it’s a option that can be added The 115 pro xs is max motor for the mako 18 lts. Gives you full performance of the hull. But trim tabs I’d say is a must I ran it once less then 1/4 tank of gas and no gear just me only thing touching water was back 10 inches of the bull and I was cooking at 56 to 57 mph. Anything specific you wanna know about motor hit me up. Been running it 2 years now. Great motor very quit hardly can hear it at ideal
What size and type body bag do you use that fits in the front compartment. Is it a pain in the ass to put your catch in a bag rather than chest or hatch? My only complaint with this boat is no where for fish. Great review
I used the Feelfree Fish Bag Cooler Large from Austin Kayak and it fit great in the center box. Made it easy to keep fish and the ice lasts all day even when it is 90°F.
Chris go to Makos website it has all the specs there you will need. You can pick up a few inches if you cock the motor sideways in the garage. Or knock the wall down and make the room behind the garage 2 feet smaller 🤔.
I recently purchased a 2020 227 Masters and was thinking about installing some kind of light bar. We run small ditches at night getting to our duck hunting spots. I'm curious how effective the light bar you put in is. Does it light up the bow so much that it blinds you or it more directional?
It does a decent job lighting up the water but I will be moving it up higher as it does light the deck up some making it a little difficult to see out on really dark mornings.
@@thrillofbraziel3425 thanks for getting back to me. The top of the T-top would be ideal, but we have radar and I believe it will mess with the signal. Can you tell me who manufactured the bracket that connects to the t-top tubing?
@@thrillofbraziel3425 thanks for your help. Great choice with the colors. We went with Storm Cloud top and Shark Grey bottom with the Canyon tan seats. I hope you're enjoying it as much as we are.
I have a 2019 247 Master Platinum with Yamaha 300 and jack plate, gray w/white bottom that I purchased Nov. 2018 the day after dealer took delivery. I looked at the Sportsman 247, Ranger 2510, Sea Pro 24, Avenger 26 and I kept leaning back to Sportsman. They handle rough water very well, been caught in some 4'-5' when a storm came up and it handled like a dream, stayed dry. In the Spring I towed mine from NC coast to Florida Keys for a week tarpon and shark fishing, the Sportsman bay boat made that a pleasurable week!
Hey thank you for the review I have read all the comments below as well. I’m in London UK and I M looking into this boat second hand from someone who wants a grand (in Cornwall Canoes new is retail for £1899) not cheap... I can take £150 down and pay about £850 but I’m in sure after saw the comments and different reviews. I don’t care so much about the flush rod holders but I do care about the drive system the fact it is misaligned and that the pin doesn’t insert well and the 4 bolts that hold the system can move and also the system creates noise. What could you tell me about it? After all I think now after more than two years since this review you can give me a decent angle to see if it worth it. Thanks. David
So to address the drive system, I added lock washers to every bolt on the kayak and that stopped all the issues with the drive system. Depending on when the kayak was made this may already be done as they saw this to be a problem after being release for about 6 months. I don't use mine very much anymore because I have a boat now but when I do use it I still love it.
Thrill Of Braziel thanks a lot. Yes I have checked a bit more and the propel on the yak was upgraded and tighten up. I’m still negotiating the price but I really want it. Let’s see if I’ll get it.
@@jasonscott5932 there is wiggle room, and now is a great time to buy if you can find a new 2019 as the 2020 are coming out. I would look to take off 5 to 10% and maybe more if they are motivated.
@@jasonscott5932 yes 2weeks ago just went a little pasted the jetties, 3 foot swells. Did well for the short trip. Will be trying to go out 6 miles off POC in a couple of weeks. Hope to film it
I got the same info as he did on the Minn Kota Ulterra, I went with the manual deploy. After installing mine, I talked to a guy that has the Ulterra that had to go into the shop less than 6 months old, it deployed but wouldn't stow. I was deploying mine last week a few miles offshore with 2'-3' seas, would rather have the Ulterra when deploying or stowing in the ocean instead of going up on front deck in rough water. I will probably get one in time, when they get the issues worked out.
@@1jjwhit The Mako sticker fell off the second week I owned the boat, they have it on order to replace it. It did have holes drilled in the front, this is where I had a fish finder mounted.
Had my eye on this for quite some time. Purchased today from Academy Sports for $675 off retail! Was a steal at almost half price. Can’t wait to get her on the water.
