I plan to fish Erie this spring in my X70. Kentucky Lake is the biggest water I've been on with it so far. These guys made some critical errors but at least their X19 didn't sink.

Lil' video's>>> http://www.photodex.com/sharin...alb=0
http://s38.photobucket.com/alb...1.flv
http://s38.photobucket.com/alb...8.flv

I added another bilge pump to mine and now have two 750's. One that comes on auto and my switch cuts on both. Never needed to use both, but they are there!!

Sponsored by MWDS. Concealment and deception products for the warfighter. NO, I didn't get a free bag of worms, rod/reel, shirt, or hat to say that! See your local Pro Staff reps for that stuff.
Captain Mike (USCG Master 100 GRT)

The story is in the link on the first post..

Lil' video's>>> http://www.photodex.com/sharin...alb=0
http://s38.photobucket.com/alb...1.flv
http://s38.photobucket.com/alb...8.flv

Sponsored by MWDS. Concealment and deception products for the warfighter. NO, I didn't get a free bag of worms, rod/reel, shirt, or hat to say that! See your local Pro Staff reps for that stuff.
Captain Mike (USCG Master 100 GRT)

Quote, originally posted by mikesxpress »

I stopped at "bilge did not work". The rest of the read would have just confirmed that your stuff should work or you need to stay at home...

but it would work if not shorted? thats the way i read it ...

1997 Hydra sports 175
1997 150 hp fast strike
no jack plate
60.2 mph gps
5000-5100 rpm

I havent bass fished big water but i hunt in rough stuff and to me I wonder why they put drift socks to stern? is this common for when you fish big water?

1997 Hydra sports 175
1997 150 hp fast strike
no jack plate
60.2 mph gps
5000-5100 rpm

1997 Hydra sports 175
1997 150 hp fast strike
no jack plate
60.2 mph gps
5000-5100 rpm

210,
The use of the drift sock is normally off the stern and the bow if you use a 2nd one and can gain directional control via one one each side and the size of the socks or their opening. If it's bad enough that your getting deck wash every time a swell comes, your ass needs to be on the trailer! Have you ever fished at Erie?

I have both my pumps exiting via sep. hoses at the inside face of the splash well. They both shoot the water over the transom at the jackplate. Only thing discharging into the well is the livewell pump out.

Sponsored by MWDS. Concealment and deception products for the warfighter. NO, I didn't get a free bag of worms, rod/reel, shirt, or hat to say that! See your local Pro Staff reps for that stuff.
Captain Mike (USCG Master 100 GRT)

If you read the story that's exactly what they said happened. Seems a little unbelievable to me, too. I'm going to bet there was a fair amount of water in that bilge before the big wave hit. The story makes it clear that they did not have an auto bilge pump switch in that boat. I've never understood why they don't come stock from the factory with those. That was one of the first mods I did to my boat. A float switch is cheap and easy to install. They had the drift socks out. The stern was riding low in rough water. All those waves were washing over the transom tray and they were too busy fishing to pump it out. Then the big wave hit and flooded the battery compartment. I don't see any way one wave could flood that whole compartment if it didn't have a good bit of water in it already.

I am not sure on the boat as I know nothing about them but are they a good big water boat or was that another factor in this mishap...I agree a auto bilge would be great help but sometimes mother nature is nothing to play with

1997 Hydra sports 175
1997 150 hp fast strike
no jack plate
60.2 mph gps
5000-5100 rpm

Oh yeah, they're good big water boats. The X-19 is 19' long with a 95" beam and built like a battleship. The fact that it survived the ordeal without capsizing or sinking is testament to what a good big water boat it really is.

I was fishing a T out of Sandusky Ohio out of my 19 foot Xpress and got into a conversation about Xpress boats with my partner who was from Ohio. I mentioned the picture above and he said he new the guys this happened to. He said the ship was passing by the Xpress and created a huge wake that went over the back of the Xpress and filled it instantly. Apparently if the guy had turned the boat around and faced into the waves he would not have filled with water.

Last year I was fishing a T in Illinois and the tournament director told me he had a lot of respect for Xpress boats after seeing one on lake Erie running with and out running the 21 foot boats (He had a Ranger).in 4 - 6 foot rollers. I asked him what T he was fishing and when he told me I raised my hand and said that I was the one he saw on lake Erie.

I bought the boat to fish shallow and go where most boats won't go but have been pleasantly surprised at how well it handles big water.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Xpress _ X19 / 150 Vmax / 6" set back / 6" hydraulic lift _Minn Kota Maxxum_recessed pedal _ Hot Foot _ more to be added.

this makes a lot of sense!! everyone learns from mistakes.. main thing is they were saved

1997 Hydra sports 175
1997 150 hp fast strike
no jack plate
60.2 mph gps
5000-5100 rpm