jjs Posted June 25, 2018 Report Share Posted June 25, 2018 Hello! Just put an order in for a Hewes Redfisher 18 with f150 sho. expecting delivery mid August. Went with the Hewes over Maverick given input from others about the local conditions and use.... We are in the South Carolina low country and this will be first saltwater boat. Very much interested in any thoughts or insights you all may have regarding the boat/motor and how to set this boat up? Mainly going to use as a flats fishing boats and occasionally sand bar trip with up to 4 folks. I did order a PP 8' blade. 1) GPS/FF choice? Dealer says I could flush mount 9" screen. 2) Minn Kota Ulterra or other choice? 3) Prop choice on f150 sho? 4) Other?? Appreciate your help and/or insight. Thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted June 25, 2018 Report Share Posted June 25, 2018 That has to be very exciting . I would say do not buy anything less than a 7 inch screen for your gps. On the trolling motor I have Min Kota and have been pleased with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted June 25, 2018 Report Share Posted June 25, 2018 You made a great call based on what you described. The redfisher is a great all around boat! I am just north of you in Wilmington and my Maverick MA (similar to the redfisher) is ideal for up here. Gets skinny in the marshes, handles the nasty river tides, gets outside on calm days, comfortable platform for all of the fishing I do. Get some pics posted! For GPS/FF, so much is personal choice, but I would heartily recommend side scan capability, game changer. For TM, the GPS TMs are life changing. the new Ipilots have MUCH better anchor lock accuracy than the old ones and are now comparable to the Mototguide XI5s. The rest is just preference for which brand, and there are 10k threads about which to choose. The ulterras are impressive if bending over and deploying is hard on you physically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjs Posted June 26, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Thanks so much....really appreciate the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 23 hours ago, jjs said: 1) GPS/FF choice? Dealer says I could flush mount 9" screen. 2) Minn Kota Ulterra or other choice? 3) Prop choice on f150 sho? 4) Other?? GPS - Simrad - Garmin's mapping has gone down hill in my opinion - do not flush mount MK Ulterra - yes , 80lb, 60" shaft, Deka series 27's will last you all day Prop-call Marcus at Powertech Powerpole - get two mounted, it will change your way of fishing or get a stick it anchor to stop the sway in a current. SW washdown system is nice to have DC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolezone Posted June 26, 2018 Report Share Posted June 26, 2018 Hate to put your mind into a quandary but I've got a 2008 18' Redfisher with a Yamaha 150 Vmax on it. I wish I had found the same boat with a Yamaha 115. My boat "squats" quite a bit and sits low even while idling along looking for fish. Also, with Trim/tilt, Jack Plate and Trim Tabs to coordinate, it can be work to find the perfect cruising position. The extra 8-10mph the 150hp affords (62 vs 52-54 for the 115hp) isn't worth it in my opinion. Either way, you're buying an awesome hull that will last you 25+ years if you take care of it. And btw...I got a Motorguide Xi5 GPS trolling motor and it is THE BOMB! I've never had anything so perfect for my needs on the water and you're an expert instantly being so easy to operate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjs Posted June 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 On 6/26/2018 at 7:41 AM, Wanaflatsfish said: GPS - Simrad - Garmin's mapping has gone down hill in my opinion - do not flush mount MK Ulterra - yes , 80lb, 60" shaft, Deka series 27's will last you all day Prop-call Marcus at Powertech Powerpole - get two mounted, it will change your way of fishing or get a stick it anchor to stop the sway in a current. SW washdown system is nice to have DC Thanks for the information. What are the disadvantage to flush mount? What Simrad model would you recommend? Currently have 27 series batteries spec. but some say 31s? Thanks for the help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjs Posted June 27, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 16 hours ago, Nolezone said: Hate to put your mind into a quandary but I've got a 2008 18' Redfisher with a Yamaha 150 Vmax on it. I wish I had found the same boat with a Yamaha 115. My boat "squats" quite a bit and sits low even while idling along looking for fish. Also, with Trim/tilt, Jack Plate and Trim Tabs to coordinate, it can be work to find the perfect cruising position. The extra 8-10mph the 150hp affords (62 vs 52-54 for the 115hp) isn't worth it in my opinion. Either way, you're buying an awesome hull that will last you 25+ years if you take care of it. And btw...I got a Motorguide Xi5 GPS trolling motor and it is THE BOMB! I've never had anything so perfect for my needs on the water and you're an expert instantly being so easy to operate. I have heard that from a few folks as well as other who disagree....wonder if the newer models (post 2013?) act differently with the 150? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted June 27, 2018 Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 5 hours ago, jjs said: Thanks for the information. What are the disadvantage to flush mount? What Simrad model would you recommend? Currently have 27 series batteries spec. but some say 31s? Thanks for the help. Two major disadvantages to flushmount: 1) you cant view it from the bow of the boat - I have my FF on a ram mount and frequently find that I spin it around 2) Obviously, you will eventually deal with replacments that are not an exact match but starboard would help clean that up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishmanjj Posted June 27, 2018 Report Share Posted June 27, 2018 Here is a pic of my friend's 18 RF with 150 SHO.... it is exceptionally fast and handles like a sports car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 10 hours ago, jjs said: What are the disadvantage to flush mount? What Simrad model would you recommend? Currently have 27 series batteries spec. but some say 31s? You need to be straight on to see in the sun....Simrad - depending if you are going to be using the FMT chip and are in florida....you need to use the EVO2 9NSS or EVO3...they are pricey, the other XO models work well. Series 31? No, not necessary for a RF18....just get DEKAS....they work well for the series 27. Get a good charger and charge immediately upon return dc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 jjs, Congrats on your purchase of a new RF 18, and welcome to the group! I have a RF 16 and enjoy it a lot. I like having the extra power of the VF115 SHO, even if it squats a bit more than it would with a VF90 SHO. If I had a RF 18, I would go with a VF150 SHO like you did. Your boat will cruise at a good clip, and the motor won't be working hard at all. Fuel economy will probably be better too. And, face it... sometimes you just want to blow the doors off the other guys boat beside you! I would not install a jack plate on your Redfisher unless you absolutely need to. There have been some difficulties reported when a JP was added (prop blowout, stern squat, etc.) PM me if you have to add a JP and I will try to help you avoid the mistakes I made. My JP is now setup to work well with the Redfisher design. - wasn't easy. Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjs Posted June 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 10 hours ago, fishmanjj said: Here is a pic of my friend's 18 RF with 150 SHO.... it is exceptionally fast and handles like a sports car. Very nice looking flats boat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjs Posted June 28, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 7 hours ago, Wanaflatsfish said: You need to be straight on to see in the sun....Simrad - depending if you are going to be using the FMT chip and are in florida....you need to use the EVO2 9NSS or EVO3...they are pricey, the other XO models work well. Series 31? No, not necessary for a RF18....just get DEKAS....they work well for the series 27. Get a good charger and charge immediately upon return dc I am in South Carolina. Took a looking at Simrad and Garmin yesterday...need to spend more time to see how they operate for me but the EV03 screen was much better to my eye. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drummer Posted June 28, 2018 Report Share Posted June 28, 2018 You picked a great boat! I am certain it will serve you and your family well. I fish that area often in my Hewes LT18, which is very similar to your RF, and love it. I would not flush mount anything. You should have room on top of your console for bracket mounts. If you flush mount, you're locked in to that size unit. Bracket mounts give you flexibility. Quote Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flying tiger Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 If not too late to change make sure you get the Seastar steering over the Baystar for the 150 SHO. I have the 150 SHO and the boat came with the Baystar and the Torque stearing issue is no fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnd Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 Congratulations. Lots of good advice from this group agree..don’t flush mount gps on a skiff. The ability to twist it so you can see screen while standing on the bow or tilt when on platform is why. I use Garmin and Simrad..at this point most are very good and it’s personal preference TM: early versions of Ulterra had issues, no longer hearing complaints. I don’t mind deploying (I’m cheap). Either way the new spot lock on MK is so much better. Yep, Marcus the Funky Monkey for your prop choice. Explain to him what is important to you. Expensive & priceless. enjoy & welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 On 6/26/2018 at 7:41 AM, Wanaflatsfish said: GPS - Simrad - Garmin's mapping has gone down hill in my opinion - do not flush mount I bought a Lowrance HDS-9 Carbon (similar graphics to Simrad, same parent company), and I was all set to top-mount on a swivel base, so that I could view the screen from the bow. I am very tall, but so is the Redfisher console. A 9" GPS/FF on top of my console blocks too much of my view when running. If anyone has a solution, I am all ears. Otherwise, I think flush mounting is better in my case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeviam Posted July 19, 2018 Report Share Posted July 19, 2018 10 minutes ago, geeviam said: I bought a Lowrance HDS-9 Carbon (similar graphics to Simrad, same parent company), and I was all set to top-mount on a swivel base, so that I could view the screen from the bow. I am very tall, but so is the Redfisher console. A 9" GPS/FF on top of my console blocks too much of my view when running. If anyone has a solution, I am all ears. Otherwise, I think flush mounting is better in my case. P.S. The mount I was going to use was the Johnny Ray swivel mount. Maybe if there is a collapsible arm mount that would allow the unit to be lowered toward the driver, below the top level of the console, it might work. Any ideas are welcome. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdemott Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 On 6/28/2018 at 8:03 AM, Drummer said: You picked a great boat! I am certain it will serve you and your family well. I fish that area often in my Hewes LT18, which is very similar to your RF, and love it. I would not flush mount anything. You should have room on top of your console for bracket mounts. If you flush mount, you're locked in to that size unit. Bracket mounts give you flexibility. Good looking dog also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjs Posted July 20, 2018 Author Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Really appreciate all the insight and suggestions posted here as well as the private messages! Should be about a month away from delivery. As far as the boat goes, I think my order includes most options available with a few exceptions....I will be going ahead with the MK Ulterra RT, 60" but struggling with Chartplotter/Fish Finder choice...Simrad, Garmin? buttons or not?, who has best maps for my area - low country South Carolina, etc. I also need to consider some sun shade? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VsteveV Posted July 20, 2018 Report Share Posted July 20, 2018 Be careful with that 60" TM... I have the 48" on my 07' and I think its a good fit. I measured out the 54" and I felt that the head would stick out way too much. Heck... I have gotten hung up on the trailer guides a few times already, and I just noticed that the head is cracked not to mention worring about when your tied up to a dock. 60" seems overkill IMHO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djohnson5198 Posted July 22, 2018 Report Share Posted July 22, 2018 I'd definitely go Simrad on the GPS, very user friendly and great map options. I've ran G07 on my previous Redfisher and currently have NSS9 Evo 3. The slinder G07/G09 units look amazing but having those "real" buttons on the NSS in rough water are a huge plus. Makes operations considerably easier while under way. I've had both bracket mount and flush mount as well. I never spun the bracket around as I had no point in viewing a depth finder while fishing in less than 2ft of water. I'd honestly recommend saving the money on the transducer and spending the extra coin on your map card for the GPS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Headhunter Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 The cup holders are really cool. Where did you have them made? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JEM Posted July 23, 2018 Report Share Posted July 23, 2018 Multiple suppliers have them. Just google marine lighted cup holders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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