Ballistic 204 Part 2 - Great Bass Boat Search of 2021 - Video 32

This is part 2 of the long awaited review of the Ballistic 204, here in part 2 we let the Mercury 300R stretch it's legs, this is the 32nd video in the Great Bass Boat Search of 2021 where we spend a day in different bass boats as I try to decide what I'm going to fish out of going forward.This video series overall is titled Before You Buy a Bass Boat Watch this, this is the 15th boat in the series where we walk through spending the day in a bunch of different bass boat models through the fall of 2020 and into 2021 looking for my next boat. If you didn't see the first 30 videos you can go back and watch them first, (reviewed Bass Cat Puma Hybrid, a Charger 210 Elite, a Ranger 521C & 520L and a Caymas CX21 , a Vexus VX20 a Bullet 21 SDC, a Phoenix 921 ProXP, a Blazer 650 Pro Tour, a Phoenix 21 PHX, a Skeeter FXR, a Bass Cat Lynx and the Falcon F215).
In video 3 we will grade the boat as we have with all the others, scoring all for fishability, Performance, Amenities, Fit & Finish and then a 5th catch all that includes feedback from friends that own them, trailer, options, feedback from fiberglass shops in Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas asking them what they see as the best 3 boats, based upon construction, currently being built (since they see how we beat them up). And then we ask them which they see the most non-impact damage to the hulls with (least well built). Then for tournament anglers we include a 6th 20 point category looking to see who has the best contingency prize package available.
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See also Shopping for a New Bass boat, Bass boat shopping, Shopping for a new bass boat 2020, which bass boat is right for me, what to know before you buy a bass boat, thinking about buying a new bass boat, buying your first bass boat, buying a new bass boat, best bass boat for the money, what to look for in a bass boat, bass boat walk through, what to look for in a new bass boat, bass boat comparisons, bass boat champion, Ranger walk through, buying a new bass boat tips and tricks, consumer digest bass boat, best value bass boat, best bass boat 2020, best bass boat 2021, top 5 bass boats.
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[@bjames307]

Like everything about the channel except this boat search that seems to never end.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Man it’s a lot of boats... I’m exhausted!

[@Farmboy-lv7fw]

Brad M then you shouldn’t have watched

[@kendalllunsford775]

That looked like a handfull.........but a lot of fun...!!! Great stuff Ken

[@55mlapoint]

It certainly takes seat time if you plan to push a bass boat past 77 m.p.h. safely, as the boat get's on pad, you have to drive it which takes patience and time

[@kendalllunsford775]

@@55mlapoint I cant imagine......... 70 is about the fastest Ive driven a boat......... Looked like Ken had a chime walk going...... I know you can drive through it........ but no mistakes at that speed.... lol......... Patience and small adjustments Im sure....... Absolutely a beautiful boat.... !!!

[@nolanmanley5359]

If the load was better balanced in that boat wit would have driven a LOT easier. Tippy test showed it's not loaded right for speed. Damn nice rig though. :)

[@Kdavis8377]

@@nolanmanley5359 probably. Also a sporty instead of a torquemaster on a 300 is probably the way to go to stretch it’s legs. I’ve been in a Ballsitic 204 going 80 with a 300 and sporty and the boat seemed very stable and the driver never really had to drive it. My .204 with a 250 has never walked as much as it looked like in the video. I would have pooped my pants😂

[@55mlapoint]

@@nolanmanley5359 Agree, I meant to rebalance after having a large co-angler in there, but if you have it balanced for a co-angler, then the co-angler should be in the boat at the same time for the tippy test to be honest, or remove everything out of the boat and do the tippy test...

[@timroyall6513]

That smile when you realized it still had more left, maybe a Ballistic in your future Mr. Ken? Of course without the 300 so you can still fish tournaments!

[@jib0726]

That boat will run what he was doing with a 250 and still have a couple mile per hour in her.

[@KenSmithFishing]

It’s definitely a nice boat....

[@KenSmithFishing]

Jason I don’t think so, Lee L’s boat loaded with a 250 is reportedly a 75-76 mph boat, I don’t think there’s much more in it loaded with livewells full and 2 guys

[@55mlapoint]

@@KenSmithFishing I forgot to mention, Lee L is running the .223, a friend of mine with a .204 had his loaded and got it to 80.1 with a 250 so safe to say high 70's to 80 is possible

[@jib0726]

@@KenSmithFishing call Brian at Duck River Marine in Columbia, TN. That boat with a 300r can run mid 80's all day loaded with a 30p Bravo. I know a .204 that had a 250 torqumaster without polls that was an 81-82mph boat, but they changed over to a 300r with a 30p Bravo. Jim Fowler had two .223's that were running low to high 90's with racing props. Lee running 76 with a 250 loaded is telling.

[@Ace-sx2ij]

Ken, although I am not thinking this is THE winner. Ots a great boat. Where is the score?

[@KenSmithFishing]

not quite!

[@leeadams5941]

I like most people wish they would install adjustable seats...it would be simple to do...love this boat and the video with the exception of the background music, would rather listen to the wind, waves, and the motor.

[@KenSmithFishing]

agreed, we quit the music thing

[@volcomsk8992]

Without adjustable seats, he looked very uncomfortable in the drivers seat especially for long runs. Beautiful boat and probably the highest quality bass boat you can get, I just couldn’t ever see myself in one.

[@55mlapoint]

Since this boat's so new, I've quite honestly just been going out and driving and keep forgetting to re-adjust the Hot foot. I can pull it back at least another four inches, problem solved,!

[@volcomsk8992]

@@55mlapoint Gotcha. That makes a lot more sense lol.

[@Kdavis8377]

Mines running a 250 proXS and Bravo 27P. Freaking love it.

[@brib_brib_brib_bri]

Kevin, what kind of speed and hole-shot are you seeing with the 250?

[@Kdavis8377]

@@brib_brib_brib_bri 46 Gallons of gas, all gear and livewells half full is 80.4mph. That’s about as fast as a torquemaster wants to take you. My holeshot is very fast. I’ve never timed it but it gets on pad about as fast as you can say “holeshot”. Prolly 2-3 seconds tops. If you wanna see some videos of guys driving these boats, join our Facebook page. Ballistic Boat Owners. 400R doing 108 and a .223 300R with a sporty lower and Max 5 prop running 95+.

[@DavidMccallister65]

What are you leaning toward Ken!?? The Caymas??? 😎

[@KenSmithFishing]

The Caymas scored well but it’s not in my top 3, I’m trying to make a decision as it’s time to do something!

[@BSmith-qt7ev]

If it scored well....why isn't in your top 3?

[@cliff7634]

Did you ever find out why it listed so far to one side?

[@williamriley2528]

300 Horsepower... Freakin' Insane...!

[@bobenweave9804]

The first time, that I've seen, helm seat height come up. Why not with some of the others?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Bob it’s just the first one that seemed to standout from the others. I did talk in the Caymas about how low you sit and a couple others about ability to see out in front of you

[@bobenweave9804]

@@KenSmithFishing I think it deserves it's own category! I'm glad you are mentioning it!

[@vhf2582]

How was the ride in that water? Also, what was the top speed?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Reported top speed with this set up is 84.5, I drove it 79.9

[@rowdybroomstick1216]

Have you ever given any thought too how close one boat is to the water verse's other boats that seem as if their three feet above the water while standing on the front deck? I've noticed that bass cat's , especially the lynx seem like their entirely to far from the water when attempting to lip or grab a poorly hooked fish. I ask this because I don't think I've ever heard anyone pose this question during a boat review ever and too me it's very important. I don't want to have to lay down on my chest to reach the water!

[@carlhoskins6088]

Have you looked at or will you look at a nitro.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Carl it is next on the list, having a baby last week slowed us down as I stayed around the house the last several weeks Sarah was pregnant.

[@dbassking209]

Speed doesn't win you tournaments but a RANGER will...

[@KenSmithFishing]

uuuhhhhh......

[@jamssosv]

for guys that tournament fish, is that 300 allowed?

[@KenSmithFishing]

Some yes but many no

[@jamssosv]

@@KenSmithFishing thanks. That would be a fun ride for sure on a calm morning first boat out of the gate

[@55mlapoint]

@@jamssosv I've had the CEO of Ballistic drive my boat in honest 2 foot chop at 84.5 MPH, and it was honestly a very surprisingly smooth ride other than my Costa's vibrating like crazy from the wind :) It's honestly an amazing riding boat, but it takes a lot of time behind the seat to drive a boat at that speed especially in decent chop

[@denaliking6426]

hmm, looks like the boat was rocking alot and steering wheel too...........doesn't look like a smooth ride to me, maybe it was the person driving causing it

[@NytronX]

Any luck reviewing the Vexus VX21? Would love to see rough water footage of it running.

[@againstmywill23]

Been waiting on that for a while too.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Me too guys, I will get it done, just been hard connecting with a guy that guides full time, I may circle back to Willie and see if he’ll meet me at Texoma on an ugly day

[@rowdybroomstick1216]

The question I asked under vhf sub wasn't directed at this boat review it's directed at any boat that ride's way to high when standing on the front deck. I prefer close to the water.

[@KenSmithFishing]

ahhh got ya

[@josht8071]

Test an allison and a progator.

[@georgeadcock2347]

If I was in to this type of bass boat I would rather have Allison. Go all the way or go home. Lol

[@Kdavis8377]

Allison is a beast but there’s no comparison to fishability, lol. Ballistic is the best of both worlds.

[@tracymills8505]

It will run with Allison

[@jib0726]

The deck space in the Ballistic is quite a bit more roomy than an Ally.

[@bobenweave9804]

Gross, some people like to fish out of their boats too.

[@mikeharris130]

Neither BassCat you tested had a 29 pitch prop.

[@KenSmithFishing]

Mike I meant to say Blazer...too much late night editing sorry

[@kyleswearingen9347]

not a fan of the consoles or front deck layout