The Crestliner Mod-V 1800 Bay features a new center console design, ample rod storage and a unique transom setback that helps with smooth handling.
February 21, 2019
By G&F Editors
Check out these reviews of 2019 fishing boats that are perfect for Southern waters.
CRESTLINER MOD-V 1800 BAY Crestliner Mod-V 1800 Bay. Anglers can expand their horizons in the new Mod-V 1800 Bay. Its overall length of 18 foot, 6 inches makes it a compact powerhouse packed with 150 horsepower and a 21-gallon fuel tank. The Mod-V 1800 Bay also comes in a slightly larger model, the 2000 Bay, that boasts a 20-foot, 5-inch length.
Established during an era of post World War II industrial expansion, Crestliner has a long-standing reputation of building high-quality boats. The Mod-V design is engineered with a unique design of an interlocking tongue-and-groove system, covered by handcrafted welds, to provide maximum strength and durability.
The high-end center fiberglass console has a 12V power outlet, space for 7-inch in-dash electronics, six vertical rod holders, windscreen, instrument panel and forward-facing seat with a livewell. The 1800 has a rather unique and distinct transom, one angled with a 5-inch setback to increase performance and handling.
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The Mod-V 1800 is designed with a reverse sheer bow that gives it better running visibility. The 21-gallon stern livewell is a welcome feature. The stern jump seats incorporate storage below and room for additional passengers. There’s also quick access rod storage along the starboard and portside of the boat that holds two rods up to 10 feet long. The front console seat, with a backrest, serves a dual purpose as a cooler with a 48-quart capacity.
The center console includes an instrument panel, space for electronics and more. Fishability The Mod-V 1800 Bay’s overall length of 18 feet, 6 inches makes it easy to maneuver through the water and the unique transom setback helps with smooth handling and steering. The spacious bow deck with storage offers ample room for fishing and throwing cast nets.
Special Features The 1800 Bay features a SureMount system for accessories. The center console includes space for top-mount electronics, a forward-facing cooler seat with a backrest that incorporates 6 vertical rod holders.
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Ample storage is provided on the front deck, with SeaDek flooring offering excellent traction when the deck is wet. Specs Length 18 ft. 6 in. Beam 96 in. Dry Weight 1,217 lbs. Fuel Capacity 21 gal. Max Horsepower 150 MSRP $25,782 The wireless man-overboard system is an innovative and life-saving option that can be added. BASSCAT LYNX BassCat Lynx New this year from Bass Cat is the Lynx. Using what they learned while tooling the Jaguar and Caracal, they have set out to make it an extremely efficient, performance-oriented wide body hull.
The Lynx is Bass Cat’s longest running pad design to aid with handling in rough waters. It’s rated to handle 250- to 300-horsepower outboards. The dash is large enough to accommodate 12-inch electronics. The electronics are all housed in a waterproof electronic panel that is easy to use on the dash.
In an effort to add more deck space and optimize storage, the Lynx is designed with gunwales for added space. The off-center rod box in the middle holds over 20 rods that are more than 8 feet in length. Port and starboard tackle storage can be opened without moving rods, as they’ve built in space behind the lids.
Some standard equipment includes two Hummingbird Helix 7’s, a Minn Kota Fortrex 112, lighted hand rails and a 12-volt boat ventilation system.
Attention to detail is seen in the pliers holder on the front deck, a dip net scabbard and two fully insulated ice chests. The boat is designed for the competitive angler.
All electronics are housed in a waterproof electronic panel and it offers space to mount your own electronics Fishability The wide bow and deep bow rise provides a rock-solid platform for fishing. The trolling motor is situated far forward and centered and has two pedals to select forward or reverse, making navigation simpler. Thanks to this year’s design with its wide body hull, the Lynx is poised to take on rough waters.
Special Features The Lynx incorporates removable rear deck lids for easy access to bilge area, lighted hand rails, dual 1000 GPH bilges, a foam-filled stringer system, two rod boxes, an engine-matched propeller and stainless cup holders. The windscreen is removable and is a welcome touch, especially during the late season.
Space is optimized with removable rear deck lids and triangle-shaped livewells. SPECS Length 20 ft. 8 in. Beam 96 in. Dry Weight 1,900 lbs. Fuel Capacity 60 gal. Max Horsepower 300 MSRP $79,995(Boat, trailer, motor & freight) A large, tapered, off-center rod box graces the bow with built-in tackle storage. SKEETER FX APEX Skeeter FX Apex New for this year from Skeeter are the FX21 Apex and FX20 Apex. They’re designed with the bass tournament fishermen in mind. Originating in 1948, Skeeter’s celebrating 71 years since the first molded-marine, plywood flat-bottom boat was made by Holmes Thurman in Shreveport, Louisiana.
A pioneer in the industry, and one of the first manufacturers to begin using fiberglass in boat construction, Skeeter has come a long way since its inception.
Enter the new FX21 Apex and FX20 Apex. The concept was to bring a comprehensive package that enhanced performance and fishability and offered extra value. These rigs feature a Yamaha 4.2L 250 horsepower V MAX SHO outboard.
Both models come standard with a Humminbird Solix 15 on the dash and Humminbird Solix 12 on the bow.
These models also incorporate two 8-foot Power-Pole Blade shallow water anchors. Other accessories include an Atlas hydraulic jackplate and a Minn Kota Ultrex iPilot LINK 112 trolling motor.
The decks are equipped with red Skeeter deck lights and red LED deck lighting. There is also a standard Fusion BT Audio
Device with two speakers and a HotFoot with slide and pro trim. The FX Apex Edition comes on a specifically Skeeter built trailer. Storage within the front deck and large platform gives anglers plenty of space to cast and reel in a trophy of a lifetime.
The 15 Solix Chirp Mega SI GPS with temp and networking comes standard on the dash of both the FX20 and FX21. Fishability The decks are equipped with LED lighting, so navigating them early in the morning or late hours won’t prove treacherous. The pre-equipped Minn Kota Ultrex iPilot trolling motor is a welcome feature.
Special Features The respective packages for the FX21 and FX20 come fully loaded for a competitive angler. The Humminbird Solix both in the dash and the bow are nice touches. The design and ergonomics of the boat are well thought out down to the color-matched power poles, trailer wheels and so much more.
The livewell system, situated behind the bucket seats, has a recirculating drain mode with a timer and pump out function. specs Length 20 ft. 11 in. Beam 95 in. Dry Weight 2,175 lbs. Fuel Capacity 48 gal. Max Horsepower 250 MSRP $77,495 (FX21); $76,195 (FX20) (Boat & trailer) Storage and tackle compartments are incorporated throughout the FX21 and FX20. VEXUS AVX2080 Vexus AVX2080 This year, Vexus unveiled its largest AVX aluminum boat design, the AVX2080. It’s a performance-based boat that is 4 inches longer than its predecessor, the AVX1980, which helps reinforce the smooth ride of the all-welded pad hulls.
Noteworthy at the helm of the AV2080 is the glass-infused console that’s positioned to allow an abundance of leg room and features speed, tach, fuel, trim and water-pressure gauges with room to mount electronics.
As for storage space, there’s a central step to the front deck that’s bonus storage for small items. The center rod box holds rods up to 8 1/2-foot sticks and the port side holds 7-foot, 10-inch rods. The starboard compartment houses a well-insulated cooler and also features storage space for bulky gear.
Additionally, the rear storage sides are made of reinforced fiberglass and are expansive for all your gear storage needs. They are also insulated and include raised seals, water dams and compression latches to ensure your gear is secure and protected from the elements.
Its large front deck is spacious and is slightly raised to enhance visibility when casting shallows, and the lockable storage and rod boxes keep gear out of the way and secure while traversing the roughest of waters.
The console features speed, tach, fuel, trim and water-pressure gauges and there is room to mount up to 10-inch electronics. Fishability The 20-foot, 2-inch rig has a 200-horsepower rating, Sea Star Pro steering and a 32-gallon fuel capacity. At the stern, the rear power compartment is spacious, with easy access to batteries, pumps and the bilge. There’s also plenty of room to store additional gear like a spare prop, tools or a shallow-water anchor pump.
Special Features A Minn Kota Fortrex is on the bow while the glass-infused recessed trolling motor station includes a cup and tool holders and room for up to 9-inch flush-mounted electronics on the bow panel. If you’re needing to mount larger electronics, Vexus offers a custom Victor bracket.
Oversized storage boxes house a plethora of rods. They feature weatherproof seals to keep your gear safe from the elements. specs Length 20 ft. 2 in. Beam 95 in. Dry Weight 1,800 lbs. Fuel Capacity 32 gal. Max Horsepower 200 MSRP $39,395 (Boat & outboard) Custom-contoured high performance bucket seats and two fold-down fishing seats provide space for a day on the water.
