Which War Eagle do I need?

[randy]

Hello - I'm in the market for a 1542 or 1548 War Eagle boat. I will be fishing and hunting from this boat. If you have or had one can you please tell me your likes or dislikes about the boat. Also anyone have one for sell let me know.
Thanks
Randy

[Wildfowler]

The 1542 will be a little bit faster because it's lighter and has less surface drag, but it will draw a little more water that the 48. The 48 will take slightly less water to float it, and it is going to feel more stable. The added stability is probably the reason that most folks opt for the 48 in boat.

I think Wareagle only offers the 48 inch boat in a 16' length, but I could be mistaken.

Overall, the top speed difference is going to be negligible, but the stability will be noticeable.

[Model12]

To answer the question...The one that has XPRESS written on it.... and in 16 foot. I started out with a 15' and ended up going to the 16'. No comparison. No disadvantages. Just my 2 cents....

[JimAire]

Randy,
I have hunted from my 1542 for several years and it is a stable boat. If you're gonna tote a load then the 1648 would draft less. The two biggest drawbacks to the wareagle is that drop down deck. That is the most common complaint I hear about them. It is also not a skinny water boat. It is designed to be a fishing boat and they add camo and use it for duck hunting. If you want the best duck hunting boat, go to Springfield and talk to Kman. GATORTRAX..

[randy]

Thanks guys to all who have replied. Everyone has made a valid point that I will take into consideration. Please feel free to keep responding if you have any advice in this area.
Thanks
Randy

[Dutch Dog]

is your last name Avery? To answer your question I had a 542 war eagle and it was a little cramped. I would go with the 648 and go ahead and get the 40 hp motor on it. all total about 2500 difference in the boats, but that beats asking yourself every time out "why didn't I get the next size larger". You can as one guy pointed out get a 1548 in an express boat, but their flooring system is a little rinky dink. and unless you want to be stepping all over the ribs I firmly recommend getting whatever you get floored.

[BuckeyeHoov]

Go with the Xpress 1756.

[Anatidae]

'randy'....back in '96, we were faced with the same decision......(42" or 48")......and the one thing we have been saying since then is, "wish we'd gotten the 48."

'Wildfowler' is right about the speed thing and difference in draft.

The main reason we got the 1542 was we thought it would allow us to get in tight spots and shallow water.....'thought it would be easier to hide as opposed to the 48". In hindsight, there's really not that much difference in that respect. We now have a 1650 that will go anywhere the 1542 would....but more comfortably.

Here are the drawbacks we've encountered on the 1542.....

• It's a little narrow for fishing.....even with an open floor plan. Trying to walk around the pedastal seat on the front deck is 'tight'
• Ours is a .080" Weld-Bilt w/ 40hp Evinrude tiller and it can be a little 'squirrelly' at times.
• doesn't handle the chop as well as the wider hull
• it drafts more water than a 48" would.
• not quite enough room for 3 folks or 4 bags of decoys......comfortably. It's fine for 2.

Good luck!

[randy]

Thanks to everyone replying. Ya'll are making some great comments and advice. Please keep them coming. Thanks again.
Randy

[Bustin' Ducks]

War Eagle...drawback IMO..They are OVERPRICED!! Look good but they are proud....

[ducksunlimitedsucks]

If you are wanting to compare the prices between the War Eagle and the Express boats, War Eagle has them beat. Call your local dealers and compare the price. You can get a larger War Eagle boat compared to the price of an Express boat.
Always and I mean always get a larger boat than what you were looking at. At least 2 more feet.

[torch]

Randy, you can get a cutom made boat to your specifications almost 1/2 price of a War Eagle.