When I was a kid, I used to sit and sift through fishing catalogues dreaming of one day owning a shiny new bass boat, but by the time I could afford one, I chose to buy a deep v boat instead. Each have their pros and cons, but ultimately, I decided that a deep v was the better family fishing boat while a bass boat would have been preferable if I fished many tournaments. Since I planned on growing a family soon, my choice was obvious. If you too are wrestling with the choice of buying a bass boat vs. a Deep V fishing boat, read on. Perhaps my experiences and research will be some help to you!
What’s the Difference Between a Bass Boat and a Deep V?
The difference between a bass boat and a deep v fishing boat is essentially the fishing boat equivalent of the difference between a sports car and a work truck. A bass boat sits low to the water, is exceptionally fast, and is built for one thing (bass fishing). A deep v, on the other hand, has much higher sides which makes it slower, but also more comfortable for passengers, and better able to target multiple species. Indeed, that’s why deep v fishing boats are often called “multi-species fishing boats.”
The Design of a Bass Boat vs. a Deep V
Bass boats and deep v, or multi-species boats, have very different design characteristics. Bass boats sit low to the water and one fishes “on” a bass boat. Deep v or multi-species boats have relatively high sides or gunwals, meaning anglers fish “in” such boats. Bass boats are designed for speed while deep v’s are designed for stability and a drier ride in waves.
Bass Boats
Always remember that bass boats are designed with three key “S’s” in mind: Storage, Speed, and fishing in the Shallows. These three things are critical wants of the audience bass boats are mainly targeted to: tournament fishermen. A bass boat is designed to carry all the gear a tournament fisherman can carry, at speeds exceeding 70 mph to any corner on the lake a bass might live in, including shallow water.
To achieve these goals, bass boats sit low to the water so as little wind as possible will touch the boat, and are designed so that, on plane, as little of the hull as possible is touching the water. When coupled with the monster 250-horsepower engines typical of the type, it’s no surprise that they can reach blazing speeds.
This design also has the effect of allowing bass boats to have very shallow drafts, meaning that they can go into very shallow water. This is handy around spawn time as bass and other species tend to spawn in the shallows.
Deep V / Multispecies Boats
In contrast to the specialized bass boat, deep v’s are designed to catch every boat in the lake. While they can’t go into as shallow water or reach the same speeds as a bass boat, they can go into higher waves with much more confidence. As a consequence, deep v fishing boats are far and away the preferred model for walleye, trout, and salmon fishermen.
Because one sits “in” a deep v boat, it’s going to provide a much drier ride than your typical bass boat in rough waters. This is enhanced by the fact that its v-shaped hull is designed to cut through higher waves. Many deep v boats are also designed to have a full windshield. This is a blessing and a curse on a windy day. While it can help keep you dry, it also makes boat control challenging as it acts like a sail. As a result, backtrolling is quite popular (literally, going backwards while trolling) on windy days because it’s much easier to go slow and methodically this way in a deep v.
Pros and Cons Between Bass Boats and Deep V Fishing Boats
As I have experience fishing out of both style boats, I’ll go ahead and list what I consider the pros and cons of each. I’ll dive into some of the less obvious in more detail below, but at a glance:
Bass Boat Pros and Cons
| Bass Boat Pros | Bass Boat Cons |
| -Speed. 60 mph is nearly standard with 70 mph + available on many top models. -Huge storage compartments that can fit anything you need. -Bass boats can get into very shallow water compared to deep v boats. -Lower gunwales means a bass boat won’t catch wind as easily as a deep v boat. -Normally fiberglass, which means they’re stealthier -Can easily accommodate any shallow water anchor system you like. -Jack plates can enhance performance. -Easier to make different types of casts (pitching and flipping) given lower gunwales. -You can use whatever trolling motor you’d like, including cable driven ones, on pretty much any bass boat. | -Not as safe for children given they are “on” the boat as opposed to “in” the boat. -Difficult to fish more than two people or three in a pinch. -Challenging to use for family activities such as water sports. -Limited storage for tubes or water skis. -Can provide a very wet ride when driving in larger waves. -Not intended for very large bodies of water or very rough seas as they handle poorly in high waves. -Can be difficult to find in certain (mostly northern) areas. -Not designed for trolling. -Difficult to mount accessories such as rod holders or downriggers to the boat without damaging it. |
Essentially, the pros of a bass boat vs. a deep v is that the bass boat is going to make bass fishing significantly easier. Not only can you fish more waters that bass frequent, but you can fish them more effectively. Here are a few ways:
Casting
You may not appreciate how much better you can cast from a bass boat vs. a deep v, but it is remarkable. First, a bass boat’s lower gunwales makes techniques such as pitching and flipping much easier. Secondly, you can cast your lure on a lower arc towards the water, which makes it easier to achieve a soft entry without a huge splash that could spook fish. If you’re fishing in clear water or with wary bass, this could be a very big deal.
Great Choices in Shallow Water Anchors and Trolling Motors
You tend to have more options in terms of rigging a bass boat with shallow water anchors and trolling motors vs. a deep v fishing boat. This is because bass boats are designed with the idea that people are going to want to install a jack plate which allows easier installation of a Power Pole shallow water anchor. It’s very rare to see a deep v running one of these as most use a Minn Kota Talon instead. There’s nothing “wrong” with that, but if you prefer the hydraulic Power Pole you might want to purchase a bass boat.
Likewise, it’s pretty rare to see a deep v boat running a cable-driven trolling motor like a Minn Kota Fortrex. Many deep v’s simply lack the space necessary on the bow to place one whereas they fit much more easily on a bass boat. Some people place a huge premium on cable driven trolling motors so this too could be a huge consideration.
Deep V / Multispecies Fishing Boat Pros and Cons
| Deep V / Multispecies Pros | Deep V / Multispecies Cons |
| -Much drier ride than bass boats in wavy conditions, especially if equipped with a full windshield. -Deep v’s are designed for bigger water than bass boats, so they can handle waves better. -Cuts through waves allowing one to go faster in rough conditions. -Great for trolling. -Can easily mount accessories such as downriggers or rod holders to the boat, often without putting holes in it. -Can fit the whole family plus the dog and everyone has a seat. -Great for watersports and other activities your family wants to do besides fishing. -The higher gunwales are safer for small children and the elderly. -Easier to convince the wife to buy as it is a far more practical option for a family. -Can mount a kicker motor which aides in trolling and also provides a measure of safety. -Far better for guiding. | -Cannot access as shallow of water as a bass boat. -On average, will be significantly slower than most bass boats, sometimes significantly so. -Depending on the model, may be limited in what types of trolling motors you can purchase depending on space in bow. -High gunwales will catch the wind making boat control difficult. This is exacerbated if the boat has a full walk through windshield. -The more affordable deep v models don’t tend to have the same storage capacity of a bass boat. -Larger models may require a larger towing vehicle, especially if fiberglass. -Can be challenging to mount PowerPoles to many deep v boats as jack plates aren’t as common. Thus, most deep v’s are going to run Talons. -Can be harder to tow on a windy day for the same reason boat control is more difficult. -It can be difficult to find a deep v in many (usually southern) states. |
While many of the pros of a deep v vs. a bass boat are well-known, here are a few you may not have thought of.
Easier to Add Kicker Motors
A kicker motor is a small (usually 9.9 – 15 horsepower) motor that is used for trolling as well as a backup in case the main motor dies. If you enjoy trolling or even just want peace of mind, it is a great option to have. Frankly, I don’t think it’s even possible to add these to many bass boats, as the shape of their stern and transom is often designed in such a way to accommodate jack plates and various shallow water anchors and wouldn’t easily take to these even if you wanted to.
Can Easily add Downriggers
It is also easier to add downriggers to a deep v vs. a bass boat. First of all, most aluminum deep v’s these days have some sort of accessory track system that runs along their gunwale so you don’t even need to put a hole in the boat to add these (for example, Lund’s Sport Track system as seen below).
Even if you did need to drill holes in your boat to put downriggers, it wouldn’t kill the resale value on a deep v the way it would on a bass boat because the next guy would probably want them. If you drilled holes for downriggers on a bass boat you’d be sure to get some raised eyebrows and stares.
Guiding
Remember at the beginning of this article how I compared a bass boat to a sports car and a deep v to a work truck? I meant that very literally. While a bass boat can make you money in a tournament (where you could also lose your entry fee, mind you), a deep v can make you consistent money every day if you use it to guide others. Deep v’s are far superior vessels for charter captains or other guides than bass boats due to their enhanced comfort, safety, and room for clients. A bass boat really isn’t designed for more than two people. Three is a crowd and four is a safety risk. Given the guide needs to be on the boat with his or her clients, that’s really going to put a damper on things.
Pricing
Pricing has gotten ridiculous on all boats if you ask me. I bought my (at the time) brand new Lund Impact 1875 Sport for $27,000 out the door in 2013. Today as of writing, Lund wants over $43,000 for the same boat and motor. Lund’s smallest deep v boat, the Adventure, is being listed for about what I paid for my larger Impact just 10 years ago.
Granted, Lund is one of the more expensive brands, but even value brand Tracker is asking $23,000 for their most basic deep v offering, and that boat is so small it really doesn’t get you the best elements of a deep v.
As for bass boats? They too are pricey. Just doing apples to apples here, but a Ranger Z518 bass boat (read: 150 horsepower equipped, “mid line” – so comparable to what the Impact represents for Lund) is being listed at nearly $53,000. Their Z185 is listed at nearly $43,000. Meanwhile, Tracker’s nearly base offering Pro 170 is listed at a hair over $18,000.
Buying a Used Bass Boat vs. Deep V
Depending on where you live in the country, you might not have the option of buying a used bass boat vs. deep v, or vice versa. Or, at least you won’t have many options. Deep v’s are a specialized boat that are easy to find across the Midwest but much more challenging to find in the deep south or even New England. If you don’t believe me, go over to walleyecentral’s classified ads and check out where they’re selling. You won’t find that many in certain areas.
It’s not quite as hard to find bass boats in the Midwest though I’d imagine in certain states it could be a challenge. Certainly, you won’t have nearly as many options as you would in, say, Florida.
If you can find a used bass boat or deep v, it doesn’t necessarily mean the deal is going to be spectacular. Used boat prices have increased over the past few years to a point where one really needs to consider if it isn’t worth going new. While used boats are still a savings, you have to contend with not knowing how the prior owner treated it. It’s doubtful you’re going to have the same familiarity with boats as you would with cars, so you might want to take a certified boat mechanic along with you to check out whatever you intend to purchase.
What is the Better Family Boat?
I would emphatically argue that a deep v style boat is a much better “family” boat than a bass boat. First of all, a deep v can actually fit your family in it. While many bass boats are “rated” for more than 3 passengers, that’s as many safe seats as they have! What good is that when you want to take the wife, three kids and grandma along for a ride?
Pretty much every deep v fishing boat out there is going to have at least 4 seats, but even 16′ boats nowadays mostly come with an “aft flip up seating” option. This means most deep v’s are going to have 6 actual seats for passengers before you get creative. Now, would I recommend casting with this many seats or people in the boat? No. But that doesn’t mean you can’t vertical jig for lake trout or take the kids trolling for pickerel.
Likewise, many deep v’s are designed with the thought that they might be used for watersports such as waterskiing or pulling tubes. While you “can” do this with a bass boat, there’s not exactly a ton of space for either of these items plus your passengers. I can’t even imagine trying to race down a lake with a giant donut tube sitting on top of a bass boat, but it’s no big deal behind a full windshield.
Basically, a deep v lets a family easily do everything a family wants to do with a boat. They’re easy enough to fish out of, they’re great for watersports, and they have an actual seat for everyone. Clearly, a deep v is a better family boat than a bass boat.
Deep V’s are Safer Than Bass Boats
In addition to the above, it should also be noted that deep v boats are safer family boats than bass boats. They don’t go as fast, which makes collisions less likely. If something does happen, there’s a better chance you or your kids won’t be thrown out of the boat given its higher sides. They’re easier for others to see and thus avoid, and they’re designed with big water in mind. While you still want to pick your days, you have a much better chance of getting home safe from a storm in a deep v as a novice than you would in a bass boat.
Finally, because they have higher gunwales, your kids (and you) are much less likely to fall out of one of these boats. All it takes to fall out of a bass boat is to step to the side! At least with a deep v, you have a wall to hold you in.
What is the Better Tournament Boat?
In short, it depends on what sort of tournament you’re fishing (bass or walleye). With that said, if you’re googling this, chances are you want to know what boat is best for bass tournaments. Clearly, a bass boat is going to be a better choice for a bass fishing tournament than a deep v. There are several reasons for this, and they come back to the three S’s I mentioned earlier.
Speed
If you’re serious about bass fishing tournaments, you need to be serious about speed. For one thing, the old maxim “time is money” rings true. The faster you can get to your fishing spot, the more time you have to connect with fish to win a tournament. Further, if you can go faster than the next guy, you can get to “your” spot first, claiming it.
While some very pricey deep v’s are pushing the 60 mph range, it’s far more common to top out around 40 – 50 mph or less. Since even the more basic 150-horsepower equipped bass boats are besting 60 mph, and the top of the line 250-horsepower tournament rigs are more or less standard at 70 mph, this is a huge advantage.
Storage
Bass boats are renowned for their storage. While some extremely expensive deep v’s like the Lund Pro-V lineup can probably best them, any old average bass boat is basically a floating storage compartment. This is a big deal if you’re fishing one of the bigger tournament trails that might have you far from home for weeks at a time. Not only can the pros fit all their tackle in their bass boats, many also even have room for luxuries such as spare trolling motors!
Shallow Water Handling
If you want to win a bass fishing tournament, you need to go where the fish are. If they’re in very skinny water, a bass boat is going to get you where a deep v simply can’t reach.
Best Bass Boat Brands
There are a number of great bass boat brands, but most folks would probably argue that Ranger, Skeeter, and Triton are among the top tier that are widely available. There was a time when Ranger was considered the undisputed king, though a change in ownership has led to some grumbling. Time will tell if it is warranted.
Tracker is a value brand bass boat that gets, frankly, horrible reviews online. I’m not 100% sure how much of this is truly deserved. Here’s my theory. As it is so inexpensive, this is a brand that is frequently going to be the first boat someone buys. Being new to boating brings with it oh so many opportunities to do something remarkably stupid. I often wonder just how many of the horror stories out there about this boat are really due to something dumb someone has done.
Now, is the fit and finish of a Tracker going to be the same as Ranger? Goodness no. But fit and finish isn’t why these are getting the poor reviews. It’s worth researching, but I wouldn’t write the whole brand off, especially when you can find so many of them used.
Best Deep V / Multispecies Brands
While there are a number of great deep v / multispecies brands out there, my personal opinion is that two of the best are Lund and Alumacraft. I like these two brands because they have a huge range of offerings for every price point and desire. I wrote an extensive article comparing the two once which you can find here. While it is a few years old now, and there are new models, it’s still a good resource to see the difference between the brands (especially if you’re going to buy used).
In terms of value brands, Tracker makes a number of deep v style boats as well, and these get the same negative press that their bass boats do. Again, I’m not certain how much of this is truly deserved, and how much of it comes from often being the first boat someone buys.
The Best of Both Worlds: The Lund Pro-V Bass
A few years ago, Lund came out with what may just be the best of both worlds: the Pro-V Bass. While these are ostensibly bass boats, they feature a modified v-shaped hull that is designed to handle rough water better than most “true” bass boats out on the water. While you will sacrifice several of the advantages a true deep v fishing boat has over a true bass boat, you will get better rough water performance and actual seating for up to 4 adults. The Pro-V Bass is not going to be the fastest bass boat out there but it is an aluminum rig that may just prove more versatile in the different weather conditions you might find on the tournament trail.
Bass Boat Pros vs. Deep V in a Nutshell
To put it simply, bass boats are designed to do one thing (fish for bass) and they do it really, really well. Deep v’s are designed to do many things, and to do them very well. All the same, they aren’t going to be able to keep up with a bass boat (literally or figuratively) when competing in the area those boats specialize.
When evaluating a bass boat vs. a deep v to consider which is best for you, ask yourself the following:
- How many people are going to be on it usually?
- What are they going to want to do (fish all the time vs. fish and ski)?
- How old are they / how likely are they to fall into the water?
- What type of fishing do you plan to do? Casting? Trolling?
If you’re buying a boat exclusively for you and maybe a friend and want to fish primarily for bass, then a bass boat is your best option. But, if you’re looking for a great boat for family fun that is safe, comfortable, and versatile, a deep v is the better choice.
I hope this helped you pick out a great boat for your family!
John Paxton
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