New Action Craft 1820 or Maverick HPX-V 18

General Boats and Motors
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I didn’t like the 1820 as much as the 1720 or 1890 because it is narrower and has a smallet cockpit. The 1820’s gunnels are also skinner than either of the above boats. I have owned them all and believe that the 1890 is the top of the line do everything boat. It rides like a tank and gets very shallow. In my situation I had the 1820 with a Merc 150 OptiMax and then my next boat was the much bigger 1890 also with a Merc 150 OptiMax. I found that the 1890 actually got shallower than the 1820. The weight of the engine caused the 1820 to squat in the stern. That 1890 is a really nice boat, a Cadilac. I like the 1720 better because the kevlar version is so light and performs so well for ou waters. And yes, the finish on the FlatsMaster line is much nicer than the Coastlines. I have fished the 17’ Sterling and was not impressed. The Ranger is alright but not nearly as nice as the Action Crafts and Mavericks. I think that new HPX like Ben’s with Yamaha F115 would be awesome if you got the $$. Good luck.

quote:
Originally posted by Pot Likker

Nice looking boat captian Waits, thanks for your response and information. To be honest, I am looking to buy a new boat and would like a boat alittle bigger. Can anyone with Action Craft experience tell me why the 1820 is not considered as good as the 1720 or 1890 models! I have read this several times at different sites while reseaching Action Crafts. Also, I looked at the 1802 coastline this weekend at the boat show and was not impressed at all the the craftsmanship and quality. Is there a big diffence between the coastline and flatsmaster models. I hope so. I asked while I was there and did not get much information. Thanks for all your help.

Capt. J.R. Waits
Fish Call Charters
www.fishcall.com
(843) 509-7337

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The fit and finish of an Action Craft Flatsmaster is exceptional. Never had any problems with that and I like the grid pattern. I certainly wouldn’t say any other companies fit and finish is better, just different. Craftsmanship of all the A/Cs lines, including Coastlines, is strong. Of the eight A/Cs I’ve had I haven’t seen anything shoddily done or fall apart. Both are very solid boats that last. Certainly Coastlines are more basic with a simple finish, but that is why they offer them at a lower price point.

Next. 1802 Coastline/1820 Action Craft hull designs just do not perform as well. When choppy boat has a tendency to throw water in your face and they poll like slugs. I found the same problem with the 1602 Coastline/1620 Action Craft hull design- wet and poll like slugs. However, the dimensions(beamier per length) of the 1720 and 1890 seem to make these boats perform better (drier and float higher). And, side console 1720 is easily as roomy as a center console 1820/1802.

Finally, the new Maverick 18 HPX fit and finish is also top notch but a totally different look then the A/C line of boats. This boat is very stable, certainly not tippy like the smaller HPXs. Hull design is what makes this 18 stand out as best in breed. No other flats boat, this size, does as much. Highlights: Super fast(over 50mphs w/F115 or mid 60s w/F150), handles rough water well, floats shallow, and polls nimble. And yes, with a 90hp this boat would go super shallow and probably still do in low 40s mphs.

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Spottailkid and Fishcall, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge about those boats. Finally, I got all my questions answered. I really appreciate everyone’s comments and responses.