Very nice video Ron. As far as the bent axle issue, I used to work for Cabela’s on the Left coast as a boat sales person. We would, on occasion, receive boats on trailers and one of them would have a bent axle. Now here is the fun part, the manufacture would blame it on the shipper saying that they secured the load wrong and they caused the axle to bend and the shipper would blame it on the manufacture for loading a trailer with a bent axle. So your trailer axle could have already been bent when you bought the boat and it was just missed upon inspection. BTW, I have nothing against Bpro or Cabela’s or Tracker Marine Boat Center. Just something to ponder. Keep up the great videos.
That is a very real possibility, I never thought about that but the tension from being strapped down def could bend the axle. It literally was about as sturdy as a fence post. Lol
Rust. Use CLR. It’s available almost everywhere. Grocery, hardware, home improvement stores. It’s nice to have around for unclogging home faucet screens, etc. Great review, I’m about to pull the trigger on one myself. I appreciate the tip on the trailer axle. Thanks.
When your looking for stainless steel hardware bring a magnet , if the magnet sticks to it, it's poor quality stainless steel. If it does not sticks it high quality stainless steel
Informative and well done ...When you shop SS bolts ,nuts , screws,always carry a Magnet with you...if metal is attracted to magnet its not Quality SS..and will rust...If you forget magnet look around for magnet display and borrow one for test...
Thanks for the video Ron! I think the Mako 17 is gonna be my next new boat buy. The reviews help a lot. I’m regards to the transducer and static when under way; I have two Humminbird Helix 5’s. One on my pontoon and one on my 14’ skiff. Both work great under way and I have yet to have an issue. You may just have to play with the positioning of the transducer a bit. I’m certainly not an expert but I believe the slightest movement can make a big difference. Thanks again for the video!!
I have a simrad go7 that is awesome. side scan, downscan, chirp, nav also will read instruments if motor suports it, will controll trolling motor if it is gps nav, can send and receive texts with bluetooth connection to your phone. I just wish I had bought the 9'' screen. All touch screen. Properly set up you can watch fish in real time on sidescan.
I still have my Helix 5 for the gps spots, so it is pretty much a navigation tool. I also have a Lowrance Elite TI2 7 inch which also has other waypoints on it.
Nicely done video, great editing and camera shots. Your rust stains: oxalic acid found in many cleaners such as Hull Cleaner or some bathroom cleaners, but don't let it sit more than a couple minutes, then rinse thoroughly, keep it away from aluminum. Like you said, I would go with a flush mount pole holder in the back. Great looking boat.
If you mount the transducer inside the hull it should give you readings while traveling. My bass tracker has the transducer where you have yours since I can’t shoot the beam thru the aluminum hull and I have the same issue .👍
As far as keeping up with maintenance on your Mercury motor, there is a box/plug that goes on your motor that keep up with all of your hours and maintenance for your motor. its call Vesselview. About $250. it also bluetooths to your phone.
Bro! I have a truck im restoring that has a slightly tweaked frame and your fix for the bent axle is the exact set up i can do to fix my frame! (Hopefully) lol... Awesome Review! Very informative and calling it what if is without pointing fingers or sugar coating it 👍🏽
Truly appreciate your channel and the review on this Mako. Like you I'm about purchase my first ever boat (up in Michigan now but moving to FL in next 6 yrs of so). I'd love to get this boat for Michigan and eventually Florida. Any advice or additional information regarding the front live well problem experienced? Any advice on electronics to use/leverage (I know to each his own). Ron - again - your channel is great and you are my lost brother out there:-) Kevin-Michigan
Honestly man as far as electronics go I’m on the hunt for something different than the hummingbird. I have not been very happy with it. The front live well issue is still an issue and honestly I bought a bubble bucket to use for live bait.
To deal with the not reading depth at speed Have you tried lowering your transducer a bit. I have a simrad that was doing the same thing. Lowered the transducer mount (has slots in the bracket to adjust) and now works like a champ at full speed.
There is a product to deal with that rust on your boat. It's called FSR made by Davis. Its a blue gel and definitely will take the rust away. I have used it before. Just follow the directions.
Hey Ron, owning a Mako myself ( 2019 pro skiff 17 ) I have the same issue with the fore live well also but I don’t use it for live bait so point mute, I did however install flush mount rod holders on the rear deck facing outward and had to trim about 3 to 4 inches off the bottom of them to allow the fuel tanks clearance for removal. So I drilled the rod holder and added a pin for my gimbal butt rods when trolling. And I too would by this boat again.
Great review! I’ve been looking for something similar. Mako makes a sharp boat, but as you say, they need to make a stronger axle on the trailer. Because the boat goes nowhere without the trailer unless your willing to put it on your back! Ha
Love the boat !!!! It looks like it would be a beast in the bays, and rivers. We would probably get one as well if we weren’t stuck in the butthole of Montana. Lol. Great video Ron!!
I have the 2018 15' and that livewell still pisses me off. The 15' doesn't have a rear livewell or it wouldn't be such a big deal to me. Just terrible design engineering on that portion of this boat, otherwise I'm happy also. Great video for prospective buyers, Ron. My Transducer was mounted by BP a little closer to center than yours. I can't go anymore than 4-5 mph before losing the signal either. Just a deal with skimming transom mount transducers I hear. Turbulence/bubbles/loss of contact with water all come into play.
Hello Cameraman Ron, I have followed all of your reviews and I am pretty much sold on this boat. What is keeping me from pulling the trigger is I live in the Pacific Northwest, the protected waters of northern Washington and I have never seen one of these here or read a review from here they all seem to be from where there is shallow water fishing. Have you any thoughts how these would manage around here, usually not much more than 2 foot chop but likely a lot more that you would see I don't know. I would be using it for some island hopping crabbing and fishing.
Man I was thinking it was just me I have the same fish finder and you are right that thing doesn't work right when you are moving i run that one and a cheaper hummingbird and the cheap one works great
I have pretty much already decided to change over to a Lowrance this spring. Hineatly the helix 5 almost seems like it is designed more for a kayak in my opinion.
To tell you the truth I see a lot of people on here with they on kayaks before I got it at basspro the guy to my the are good units but he forgot to say only if you are moving slow as a 🐌 😆
@@ractaurine even when I'm anchored it does not mark fish in deeper water. I have fished above a sunken shrimp boat where I can see the fish swimming right under the finder and it isn't marking them. Lol
Im seriously thinking about to buy a Mako 17” . Your video cleared out some doubts that I had from this boat. My only question at this is about how shallow this boat can perform? Hope you can answer my question.
Lol through trial and error this past winter we learned the mako can get in extremely shallow water. It will draft in 18 inches of water and can run wide open in three feet.
Cameraman Ron I’m thinking of buying the 2022 15foot Mako skiff tnx for the video and all the helpful tips I was curious so I see you got the 17 foot mako skiff and have the 4 blade spitfire on that 75hp mercury and you say it goes to a top speed of 40mph? You ever thought of switching to a 3 blade prop? I’m not sure but I might consider the 17 footer now just kinda of expensive the 2023 model is listing with all the options 35k a little past my price point I wanted to stay under the 30k mark I also noticed on the newer models they have a flip seat backrest now which is nice
Great review on the boat. I've leaned more towards getting a larger center console around a 20 footer, something with higher gunnels for running the bays, and taking off shore a few miles. Are you happy with your boats capabilities or would you like to have something with a little more range, and be able to run out for some bottom fishing?
I am getting a 2023 with dual 9gal tanks. I am thinking of putting 6” access holes in the rear deck so I can refuel them without having to unstrap and slide out the fuel tanks. It looks like 9 gal tanks would be a tight fit. I don’t have the bot yet but thought it might be a good modification. Cameraman Ron what are your thoughts? Cheers.
I agree that this boat is worth buying again, but for around the same price point are there any other boats that should also be on this list? Carolina Skiff?
I found out that the helix work great on my new wellcraft 162 but on my bayliner element it doesn't work like it should and from looking at the back of your boat it is all most made like the bayliner and I think it's how the m shape is made making to many bubbles around the transducer I really don't think it's going to be much you can do the finder is find it the boat
Great video can you tell me exactly what mount you have for the cup holders? I am looking for something similar to hold pliers and tools with. If you can recommend which one you would get that would rock.
@@CameramanRon is that the one mounted on your stainless steel grab bar? I’m looking at the one to the right of the center console with the white looking cup holders on the bar. Thanks!
Do you feel like your boat will handle Pensacola Bay safely if it gets a little rough out there? Would you consider taking off shore a few miles on calm days?
Hey Ron, I've been watching your videos lately since I recently bought a used Pro Skiff 17, can you please tell me what 12 gallon gas tank you upgraded to?
Did you ever get the transducer issue worked out? I'm planning to install mine this weekend and I'm getting mixed testimonies from the Mako discussion FB group.
How does the boat handle choppy days out on the bay? like 1 -1.5' seas? I can't afford a new V hull, but I have been really considering this boat because of the price
Im loving my 2021 pro skiff 17. Thanks for the reviews! I installed courtesy lights, fusion radio and minn kota with lithium batteries. Any other suggestions?
@@CameramanRon I also fabricated a custom hatch for the opening under the steering wheel and put speakers in. 6 speakers, 2 tweeters total. The lithium batteries are sweet too!
@@CameramanRon Yep. I looked at the Carolina skiff and the price tag! I am also looking at the G3 bay boats that have a similar price tag to the Mako, but aluminum construction. Hmmm... Well, mostly I am trying to justify buying a boat. I am not local, but I do own property down there. So I get to spend 40+ days a year down there. I love to surf fish but over half my time down there is in the winter. You know how that goes. After watching the fishing that you, Brant, and Matthew did over the winter, I have the fever for a boat. Thanks!
Very nice video Ron. As far as the bent axle issue, I used to work for Cabela’s on the Left coast as a boat sales person. We would, on occasion, receive boats on trailers and one of them would have a bent axle. Now here is the fun part, the manufacture would blame it on the shipper saying that they secured the load wrong and they caused the axle to bend and the shipper would blame it on the manufacture for loading a trailer with a bent axle. So your trailer axle could have already been bent when you bought the boat and it was just missed upon inspection. BTW, I have nothing against Bpro or Cabela’s or Tracker Marine Boat Center. Just something to ponder. Keep up the great videos.
That is a very real possibility, I never thought about that but the tension from being strapped down def could bend the axle. It literally was about as sturdy as a fence post. Lol
So when you take delivery of your boat and trailer, how do you check for a bent axle?
I have the 2020 Mako 17 Pro Skiff, and I 100% agree with everything you stated. I also love my Mako and would buy again in a heartbeat. #tightlines
Rust. Use CLR. It’s available almost everywhere. Grocery, hardware, home improvement stores. It’s nice to have around for unclogging home faucet screens, etc.
Great review, I’m about to pull the trigger on one myself.
I appreciate the tip on the trailer axle.
Thanks.
I’ll have to pick some of that up! You will enjoy it, it’s a great boat!
Oxalic acid will take rust off
When your looking for stainless steel hardware bring a magnet , if the magnet sticks to it, it's poor quality stainless steel. If it does not sticks it high quality stainless steel
Informative and well done ...When you shop SS bolts ,nuts , screws,always carry a Magnet with you...if metal is attracted to magnet its not Quality SS..and will rust...If you forget magnet look around for magnet display and borrow one for test...
That is great advice
Great video. I was actually looking at contacting Scott's Marine about the 2021 model tomorrow and thought I'd hit youtube for some reviews first.
You'll love that windshield when it's raining and you're running. I thought the Same thing about mine until I got in that situation.
Thanks for the video Ron! I think the Mako 17 is gonna be my next new boat buy. The reviews help a lot.
I’m regards to the transducer and static when under way; I have two Humminbird Helix 5’s. One on my pontoon and one on my 14’ skiff. Both work great under way and I have yet to have an issue. You may just have to play with the positioning of the transducer a bit. I’m certainly not an expert but I believe the slightest movement can make a big difference. Thanks again for the video!!
I def need to try and level it
I have a simrad go7 that is awesome. side scan, downscan, chirp, nav also will read instruments if motor suports it, will controll trolling motor if it is gps nav, can send and receive texts with bluetooth connection to your phone. I just wish I had bought the 9'' screen. All touch screen. Properly set up you can watch fish in real time on sidescan.
I still have my Helix 5 for the gps spots, so it is pretty much a navigation tool. I also have a Lowrance Elite TI2 7 inch which also has other waypoints on it.
Yeah I have def not been overly impressed with its finding ability! Lol
Nicely done video, great editing and camera shots. Your rust stains: oxalic acid found in many cleaners such as Hull Cleaner or some bathroom cleaners, but don't let it sit more than a couple minutes, then rinse thoroughly, keep it away from aluminum. Like you said, I would go with a flush mount pole holder in the back. Great looking boat.
Thanks for the info, I’ll def give it a go!
Thanks Ron! We are considering getting one next year ourselves so this was really helpful.
If you mount the transducer inside the hull it should give you readings while traveling. My bass tracker has the transducer where you have yours since I can’t shoot the beam thru the aluminum hull and I have the same issue .👍
As far as keeping up with maintenance on your Mercury motor, there is a box/plug that goes on your motor that keep up with all of your hours and maintenance for your motor. its call Vesselview. About $250. it also bluetooths to your phone.
We’re getting one installed on our next service
The cup holder can be a rod holder to. Unscrew the bottom the the holder and the rod handle fits down there. I love my robocup
It’s great!!
Bro! I have a truck im restoring that has a slightly tweaked frame and your fix for the bent axle is the exact set up i can do to fix my frame! (Hopefully) lol... Awesome Review! Very informative and calling it what if is without pointing fingers or sugar coating it 👍🏽
Truly appreciate your channel and the review on this Mako. Like you I'm about purchase my first ever boat (up in Michigan now but moving to FL in next 6 yrs of so). I'd love to get this boat for Michigan and eventually Florida. Any advice or additional information regarding the front live well problem experienced? Any advice on electronics to use/leverage (I know to each his own). Ron - again - your channel is great and you are my lost brother out there:-) Kevin-Michigan
Honestly man as far as electronics go I’m on the hunt for something different than the hummingbird. I have not been very happy with it. The front live well issue is still an issue and honestly I bought a bubble bucket to use for live bait.
To deal with the not reading depth at speed Have you tried lowering your transducer a bit. I have a simrad that was doing the same thing. Lowered the transducer mount (has slots in the bracket to adjust) and now works like a champ at full speed.
I havnt but I’ll def give it a go!
Great video. I was looking at carolina skiff j16 but I see to many water in haul comments. I am looking for first boat. I saw these at bass pro.
There is a product to deal with that rust on your boat. It's called FSR made by Davis. Its a blue gel and definitely will take the rust away. I have used it before. Just follow the directions.
Good stuff thinking about the 22 15
Hey Ron, owning a Mako myself ( 2019 pro skiff 17 ) I have the same issue with the fore live well also but I don’t use it for live bait so point mute, I did however install flush mount rod holders on the rear deck facing outward and had to trim about 3 to 4 inches off the bottom of them to allow the fuel tanks clearance for removal. So I drilled the rod holder and added a pin for my gimbal butt rods when trolling. And I too would by this boat again.
Thanks for the tip!! I think I'm def going to put in the flush mount rod holders.
Great review! I’ve been looking for something similar. Mako makes a sharp boat, but as you say, they need to make a stronger axle on the trailer. Because the boat goes nowhere without the trailer unless your willing to put it on your back! Ha
Agreed, we were getting ready to leave for a tampa fishing trip which is why I had to fix the axle myself.
@@CameramanRon definitely want things in tip top shape before heading out! Be safe
Dude.. ya got to level that transducer!!
That may be a problem, I have no idea how to level it? This is my rookies showing
I would really like to see how they wired your trolling motor in. That would really help me. Thank you.
Unfortunately they did it all behind a panel and through the lower hull so I can’t really get a camera to show it
Aluminum brighter will take rust stains off but it will take the wax off of the boat if it goes down the side
Love the boat !!!! It looks like it would be a beast in the bays, and rivers. We would probably get one as well if we weren’t stuck in the butthole of Montana. Lol. Great video Ron!!
I have the 2018 15' and that livewell still pisses me off. The 15' doesn't have a rear livewell or it wouldn't be such a big deal to me. Just terrible design engineering on that portion of this boat, otherwise I'm happy also. Great video for prospective buyers, Ron. My Transducer was mounted by BP a little closer to center than yours. I can't go anymore than 4-5 mph before losing the signal either. Just a deal with skimming transom mount transducers I hear. Turbulence/bubbles/loss of contact with water all come into play.
Thats kind of what I figured on the transducer! Appreciate you watching!
Hello Cameraman Ron, I have followed all of your reviews and I am pretty much sold on this boat. What is keeping me from pulling the trigger is I live in the Pacific Northwest, the protected waters of northern Washington and I have never seen one of these here or read a review from here they all seem to be from where there is shallow water fishing. Have you any thoughts how these would manage around here, usually not much more than 2 foot chop but likely a lot more that you would see I don't know. I would be using it for some island hopping crabbing and fishing.
ROLLS trailers are the best for the money too. I had one for a 17ft trihull I had.
Great information
Awesome vid. Definitely explain things well!
Man I was thinking it was just me I have the same fish finder and you are right that thing doesn't work right when you are moving i run that one and a cheaper hummingbird and the cheap one works great
I have pretty much already decided to change over to a Lowrance this spring. Hineatly the helix 5 almost seems like it is designed more for a kayak in my opinion.
To tell you the truth I see a lot of people on here with they on kayaks before I got it at basspro the guy to my the are good units but he forgot to say only if you are moving slow as a 🐌 😆
@@ractaurine even when I'm anchored it does not mark fish in deeper water. I have fished above a sunken shrimp boat where I can see the fish swimming right under the finder and it isn't marking them. Lol
To tell you the truth I really have not look to see if it marks fish i mostly go off of the cheap one🤣
thanks for doing this!
No problem! We love that boat and def do not mind showcasing it!
great review for the pro skiff 17!
Ron, I’m looking at adding some yak attack rails to my boat, how did you install these? Thanks
Im seriously thinking about to buy a Mako 17” . Your video cleared out some doubts that I had from this boat. My only question at this is about how shallow this boat can perform? Hope you can answer my question.
Lol through trial and error this past winter we learned the mako can get in extremely shallow water. It will draft in 18 inches of water and can run wide open in three feet.
We have had it in less than 1ft of water.
Cameraman Ron I’m thinking of buying the 2022 15foot Mako skiff tnx for the video and all the helpful tips I was curious so I see you got the 17 foot mako skiff and have the 4 blade spitfire on that 75hp mercury and you say it goes to a top speed of 40mph? You ever thought of switching to a 3 blade prop? I’m not sure but I might consider the 17 footer now just kinda of expensive the 2023 model is listing with all the options 35k a little past my price point I wanted to stay under the 30k mark I also noticed on the newer models they have a flip seat backrest now which is nice
Great review on the boat. I've leaned more towards getting a larger center console around a 20 footer, something with higher gunnels for running the bays, and taking off shore a few miles. Are you happy with your boats capabilities or would you like to have something with a little more range, and be able to run out for some bottom fishing?
I am getting a 2023 with dual 9gal tanks. I am thinking of putting 6” access holes in the rear deck so I can refuel them without having to unstrap and slide out the fuel tanks. It looks like 9 gal tanks would be a tight fit. I don’t have the bot yet but thought it might be a good modification.
Cameraman Ron what are your thoughts? Cheers.
I agree that this boat is worth buying again, but for around the same price point are there any other boats that should also be on this list? Carolina Skiff?
Carolina skiffs are def great boats. Honestly very similar between the two
The transducer need to be tilted slightly forward and you can go as fast as you want .looks like yours is slightly tilted back
Has doubling the size of the fuel tank effected the how the boats balances for side to side?
No not at all.
I found out that the helix work great on my new wellcraft 162 but on my bayliner element it doesn't work like it should and from looking at the back of your boat it is all most made like the bayliner and I think it's how the m shape is made making to many bubbles around the transducer I really don't think it's going to be much you can do the finder is find it the boat
GREAT video !!!!!!!
Great video can you tell me exactly what mount you have for the cup holders? I am looking for something similar to hold pliers and tools with. If you can recommend which one you would get that would rock.
I used the yakattack 12inch gear track.
@@CameramanRon is that the one mounted on your stainless steel grab bar? I’m looking at the one to the right of the center console with the white looking cup holders on the bar. Thanks!
I am considering buying a 2023 17 skiff pro. This was super helpful. How many Anglers do you comfortably fit? Thanks in advance
Pretty comfortable with three fishing
Great video brother
Thanks man, I appreciate thwt!
GOOD JOB ....THANKS !
Good stuff...thanks !
Bar keepers friend will take the rust off and a sponge that you use for dishes with non abrasive scrubby
Thanks for the tip!
Do you feel like your boat will handle Pensacola Bay safely if it gets a little rough out there? Would you consider taking off shore a few miles on calm days?
Hey Ron, I've been watching your videos lately since I recently bought a used Pro Skiff 17, can you please tell me what 12 gallon gas tank you upgraded to?
It is the low profile 12 gallon tank from west marine and I put a universal quick release on it to match the fuel line. Thanks for watching!!
Thank you
Is this the boat that you and Brant fished out of so often?
Yep for sure!
Did you ever get the transducer issue worked out? I'm planning to install mine this weekend and I'm getting mixed testimonies from the Mako discussion FB group.
No I have tried several things and it just do well reading depth while underway.
How does the boat handle choppy days out on the bay? like 1 -1.5' seas? I can't afford a new V hull, but I have been really considering this boat because of the price
Not sure if you tried it. Try using toothpaste to clean the rust stains. I've had rust stains on cultured marble and toothpaste took it off.
75 is still the max on a mps17.
CLR will take care of those rust stains just make sure and dilute it.
Im loving my 2021 pro skiff 17. Thanks for the reviews! I installed courtesy lights, fusion radio and minn kota with lithium batteries. Any other suggestions?
What size tank did yours come with?
@@CameramanRon I ordered it with dual 9gal tanks.
@@CameramanRon I also fabricated a custom hatch for the opening under the steering wheel and put speakers in. 6 speakers, 2 tweeters total. The lithium batteries are sweet too!
@@matthewhrabovsky1834 I would love to see a picture of that!
Just let me know how you want to receive the pics of it, facebook, email, me uploading a video?
Love the vids
Try Wink Rust Stain remover!
Thanks for the tip, I should have changed them out already. I will dwf give it a try!
Does the livewell will fill with water even though you have the pump off and plug on?
Can I borrow it or rent it for a week? could help u out with a second opinion
I have a 2013 17 skiff I have a 60 horse 4stroke I'm running a 4 blade 14 aluminum prop not happy what prop would u run
I have a 4 blade spitfire stainless steel and it has been great!
@@CameramanRon what's the pitch
@@stephenkaufman4930 I’m honestly not sure in that.
@@CameramanRon if you look on your prop it should be stamped something like 13x15.
So did you ever consider any other boats/skiffs when you boat your Mako?
I looked at the Carolina skiff a lot too. Honestly it just boiled down to price for me. The mako was less and the features were fairly similar.
@@CameramanRon Yep. I looked at the Carolina skiff and the price tag! I am also looking at the G3 bay boats that have a similar price tag to the Mako, but aluminum construction. Hmmm... Well, mostly I am trying to justify buying a boat. I am not local, but I do own property down there. So I get to spend 40+ days a year down there. I love to surf fish but over half my time down there is in the winter. You know how that goes. After watching the fishing that you, Brant, and Matthew did over the winter, I have the fever for a boat. Thanks!
@@keithramey4723 I def love the mako man! Best money I’ve ever spent.
What's the beam of your boat, I got a 18ft wellcraft and it seems so much bigger than your mako
Use toilet bowl cleaner for rust stains, Just spray it on let it set for a couple minutes then wipe off.
How does it perform offshore?
Does the front storage have a drain?
Yes it drains automatically
Just too bad I am finding my single dipped galvanized trailer is rusting out fast.
Yeah their trailers are def something left to be desired that’s for sure
Toilet bowl cleaner like "the works" will take that rust off fast and easy.
It would be awesome if it was self bailing.
Not first!
Still glad your here man!
Would Bama buy it?
Never use that installer again. Thats one of the worst places to install a transducer
I dont even know where else they would have put it
The axel is made by Tie Down Engineering. Not good Ron.
My god man, use some anti corrosion products on that boat, the amount of rust on that thing is ridiculous.
Sounds like the transducer is in dirty water