Man..... I gotta get out on that thing! Great video Ron, we need to get together so I can slime that deck up with some reds..... Or Gaftops.... Most likely Gaftops....
great reviews of the mako pro skiff 17 I have been looking at buying one for a little while now and your videos have help a lot in that decision so thanks for the video's just subscribed.
@@CameramanRon Ya yours are some of the best ones out there on the mako pro skiff 17 so keep doing them as they really do help other's in deciding on that skiff for sure. going to be ordering mine soon!
you need to add another battery to your boat for a back up i put a 2 battery switch on my boat i do night fishing and i like to play the radio so i have a back up battery and a marine battery changer that is a most to keep your batterys up keep the lines tight and fish all day lol!
nice video 👍 do you think that this skiff could handle waters that have 60-100 feet of water?? I don’t think that’s considered inshore anymore at those depths
You can run twin 13 gallon stainless steel tanks and have 26 gallons and really extend the range. The plastic tanks tend to develop problems over time.
Storage is not great, on that boat, not enough seats either. Definitely could have put a couple flip up seats in the back. Fuel tank could be better integrated,, a great fishing boat though! Just missed out on a used one on craigslist!
Two things, I put two 9 gallon tanks and love it, I run the Chesapeake and Delaware bay and haven’t had an issue, also next time the boat is in the water and the live well isn’t working turn the pump on and back the boat up a little, for some reason they get air locked
How does she handle the chop on the Chesapeake Bay? I was unsure if the 17 would be enough boat, but the 19 hasn't been upgraded yet with the nice touches the new 17 now has so I'm tempted to pull the trigger on the 17CC. I'm on the Potomac River and will definitely get on the Chesapeake & Patuxent River as well.
Eric Kessler I’ve had mine in some pretty snotty weather out of Rock Hall and it’s handled it well, you just have to pick your days it’s not regulator! I’m more than satisfied with my 17 and the storage is awesome!
Great review. I have a question to see if you have the same issue. I have a 2020 Mako 21 LTS. The non skid deck is getting little pinpoint rust spots here and there. Does yours have any of those? If so how are you getting rid of them? Keep in mine, I clean the boat very thoroughly after each and every use. Rinse, scrub with soap, rinse with salt away and then usually rinse again. Just wondering if you are getting those spots as well. They are literally like the size of an ink pen dot if you were touching the tip to paper if that makes sense.
Hey Ron....I can't believe Mako is still using the same design front livewell as I bought on my 2018 15 footer. They should have figured out by now that it doesn't work. I have the exact same problem you are describing, making the livewell USELESS. It's an air lock problem due to the pump being mounted higher in the stern area than the plumbing raceway that the pipes run in. So when you lose the prime on the pump, you lose it for good until you clear the pipe of water between the livewell and the pump. The pump tries to pick up water but it can't because of the blockage in the line of the standing water which fills the entire circumference of the pipe. It's like sticking a stopper in the output side of the pump. Some refer to it as an air lock, it's actually more like a water lock. The standing water in the pipe must be able to travel through the tube to the TOP of the livewell where it sprays out, and that ain't happening once it loses the initial prime. After my trip to Bass Pro Shop to fix the issue I was told: "The system is working the way it should. You have the "good" pump on your boat. You need to be moving forward with the boat in drive in order to pick up water." What??!! I can't stop my boat and have the livewell work? Needless to say, that was a bunch of bunk and my livewell still doesn't work. It's a design problem period. Now I'm beyond my 1 year warranty and am screwed because I didn't feel like traveling all the way back to BPS to hear another excuse because they can't test in water to see the actual problem I described. Oh well, enough venting. I love the boat other than that. Just irks me because I'm using a 5 gallon bucket with a battery aerator instead of what I paid for and I tried to get it fixed. After I posted my misfortune in another video comment section, Mako (or BPS) reached out and said please use our customer contact page to contact customer service. Yep....."Brad we don't have a technical dept. to answer your questions. We rely on our on site mechanic professionals to diagnose problems. Have a nice day." Yeah....thanks a lot. (this after I explained I had already had it to those "professionals". Good review and video by the way. Thanks for posting it. Good luck, let us know if they fix the livewell.
The only solution I have found to make it work is to put the boat in reverse while the pump is running and it clears the line then it will aerate. Fortunately they put a huge live well in the back that works flawlessly so the front live well is becoming used for storage im afraid!
@@CameramanRon Thanks....I may try installing what they call a "self priming pump." Maybe try to mount it directly on the floor to keep it lower than the raceway. I wish I had the other livewell. Maybe I should think about having a marina install one back there and use the seat for storage like you do. Another incident I had with the livewell- I beached the bow of the boat so I could get out and walk the beach with my cast net looking for bait. I decided to try the livewell one last time instead of using my 5 gallon bucket like I had been. Turned it on and it started filling like it should. Great! All the water in the line had evaporated since last use, so it worked fine. I come back 15 minutes later with my bait and the whole deck is flooded! The outflow tube wasn't working for some reason! All the water just poured out from under the seat cushion. It took several minutes of running the bilge pump to get all the water out. That was the last straw with the dang thing. Crazy.
Hey Ron, I knew you would enjoy the boat. sounds like a air lock issue with the bait well. try this, in the bait well unscrew the nozzle for flow rate on the fill bulkhead and use your garden hose at home to direct a stream of water directly into the fill opening for 15 to 30 seconds. this should remove any trapped air in the system.
@@CameramanRon I have owned my pro skiff 19 for more than a year now, i have the same issue with the front bait well. I have to back up with the pump running to prim the front bait well. Sucks but this happens every time.
Very nice review, most informative review I have found yet. Congratulation! I too am looking at the Pro Skiff 17. I am still thinking about the 19cc, especially if they do the same updates to the hull and bow casting area and the nice storage. One worry I have about the 17CC is with the 75hp motor and the added 100lbs weight over the 60hp. I plan to order it with twin 9gal fuel tanks (108bls fuel) and only the aft bait well (150+ lbs water)... Do you find the with all that weight back there it has a hard time trimming the bow down to smooth out bow hop in the light choppy water? Thanks so much and stay healthy!
@@CameramanRon Brother, that's such good news!!! Thank you. Since Mako is not offering the 17CC with the 60hp Command Thrust option I now feel good going with the 75! That Mercury Command Thrust option basically takes the lower end & prop off your 75 & puts it on the 60hp which save 100lbs & still gives it the nice prop from your 75. Cheers!
I’m almost ready to pull the trigger on a boat. Looking back would you still go with the 17 ft or do you think the 19 ft would be better? I’m think 3 or 4 people fishing mostly.
How much does your boat and trailer weigh? I'm looking at the 17ft model, but have a Ford Escape that is only rated to 2000 lbs. What cars do you use to tow it?
What was your reason you went with 17 and not 19? After watching all you videos I am ready to get one. I am stuck between 17 and 19 but leaning more towards 17.
Honestly it simply came down to price.icouldnt justify spending that much more for two more feet that I really didn't need. the 75 hp motor was plenty for me and the length gets me everywhere I want to go. def can see the 19 benefiting some people though for sure!
How fast will that 75 push the Mako? I have the same engine on my Tracker 175 TWX and it feels like the weakest motor that I have ever owned. Takes all day to plane off with two people in the boat and will not rev past 4500 rpms . If I'm alone and no water in the tank, I can only run around 34.9. Any weith at all drops that to around 30mph.
We were on a lake in kentucky with four adults and it was running 33-35. when i am by myself in calm conditions it is usually y between 36 and 39. I have only hit 40 in it once. no issue getting up on plane whatsoever!
@@CameramanRon Thanks! I think I have a bad motor but the dealer says there is nothing wrong. Mine ran 41 mph the first week I had it but never again and will not rev past 4500rpms.
I've had boats that took on water through the self-draining scupper holes. Does the Mako Pro Skiff 17 take on any water through the scupper holes? How does it perform in rough water?
This boat actually does not have any self draining scupper plugs. The only time this boat takes any water on is through the bait wells if you don't keep them plugged but I would note that this is minimal and only brings water in to the wells. As far as rough water I have had it in 3 foot swells and it did ok. I def dont reccomend going out in water that is like a washing machine. Lol ultimately this will dwf depend on your experience and comfort level. I def take it into rougher water now than I did when I first got it. I've only been out one time where I had water come over the bow
Fantastic Review! I live in Gulf Breeze and I'm looking to replace my 07 Stratos 176 bass boat with something that will handle the bays, the sound, and the backwater areas of the local rivers for bass fishing! Is there anything you would add to the boat to make it better for fishing? Is a bimini top in your thoughts? On a side note, does your company film commercials? I'm looking for a company to create video content for my local business.
Thank you! We havnt really considered a bimini top because if its up, it takes away the rod holders because its only about six foot tall. If you fold it down it takes away the back casting deck. As far as add on, I would def add more rod holders and a trolling motor. The ipilot makes it so easy to stay in anchor mode or chase fish. And YES! WE DEF DO COMMERCIALS. you can check out our videos at heartcrossed.com!
You def need a ten hour service! All the fluids get changed in the engine. The biggest thing is to make sure there are no shavings or foreign objects in the engine from the build. Where did you buy your boat? I would def get a second opinion on that!
the tank has a float Guage on top. I fill my tank up everytime i come off the water with it, this keeps the tank full and reduces the chances of condensation build up.
@@CameramanRon compare the JLS'S to your mako pro skiff. The LS's are one of few self bailing skiffs on the market and they both come with a lot of standard options and a 10 year hull warranty. Its just something to look into. I saw both mako and Carolina Skiff at the miami show and Carolina skiff won out of the two.
@@tylankirkland1336 I like the JLS, but looking at 5k? more. They are finished off better. I would like to see an apple to apple comparison on the hull design in different wave conditions & shallows.
nice video 👍 do you think that this skiff could handle waters that have 60-100 feet of water?? I don’t think that’s considered inshore anymore at those depths
I’ve taken mine from haulover to government cut in Miami a couple times. Also to 600ft of water. The boat is a monster for its size if you drive it right. I love my mako 17
Man..... I gotta get out on that thing! Great video Ron, we need to get together so I can slime that deck up with some reds..... Or Gaftops.... Most likely Gaftops....
Up A Creek With Wood this time of the year I’ll take anything! Even gafftops
Instablaster...
We love your review so much you go in great detail and way you explain everything !!!
Thank you! I appreciate you watching!!
The famous Mako ..we are gonna miss seeing the adventures you had on it
CMR on ur channel watch list. Keep on keeping on.
Hey man, you do great reviews! This is a good, informative video and you should keep it up! Subscribed.
Thank you!
Nice boat Ron !!
Thanks!
great reviews of the mako pro skiff 17 I have been looking at buying one for a little while now and your videos have help a lot in that decision so thanks for the video's just subscribed.
Thank you! I def enjoy doing the boat reviews, glad to hear they helped you out in your decision making!
@@CameramanRon Ya yours are some of the best ones out there on the mako pro skiff 17 so keep doing them as they really do help other's in deciding on that skiff for sure. going to be ordering mine soon!
you need to add another battery to your boat for a back up i put a 2 battery switch on my boat i do night fishing and i like to play the radio so i have a back up battery and a marine battery changer that is a most to keep your batterys up keep the lines tight and fish all day lol!
nice video 👍 do you think that this skiff could handle waters that have 60-100 feet of water?? I don’t think that’s considered inshore anymore at those depths
Just picked up this boat a week ago. I love this boat!
We have been nothing but happy with it so far!
You can run twin 13 gallon stainless steel tanks and have 26 gallons and really extend the range. The plastic tanks tend to develop problems over time.
Storage is not great, on that boat, not enough seats either. Definitely could have put a couple flip up seats in the back. Fuel tank could be better integrated,, a great fishing boat though! Just missed out on a used one on craigslist!
Thanks great review and answered so many questions
thanks for watching!!
It’ll do the job! 👍🏻
Great video
Thank you!!
Need an update with some highlights of the Mako. I wish I had got a 17 foot instead of my 16 footer so I could get a full seat.
Two things, I put two 9 gallon tanks and love it, I run the Chesapeake and Delaware bay and haven’t had an issue, also next time the boat is in the water and the live well isn’t working turn the pump on and back the boat up a little, for some reason they get air locked
That def seems to work on the airlock. It def seems like it is going to be a persistent issue. Def going to upgrade the gas tanks next!
Crossroads Media 👍 good luck
How does she handle the chop on the Chesapeake Bay?
I was unsure if the 17 would be enough boat, but the 19 hasn't been upgraded yet with the nice touches the new 17 now has so I'm tempted to pull the trigger on the 17CC.
I'm on the Potomac River and will definitely get on the Chesapeake & Patuxent River as well.
Eric Kessler I’ve had mine in some pretty snotty weather out of Rock Hall and it’s handled it well, you just have to pick your days it’s not regulator! I’m more than satisfied with my 17 and the storage is awesome!
Eric Kessler look me up on IG I’ve got a lot of info on there about my boat
Great review. I have a question to see if you have the same issue. I have a 2020 Mako 21 LTS. The non skid deck is getting little pinpoint rust spots here and there. Does yours have any of those? If so how are you getting rid of them? Keep in mine, I clean the boat very thoroughly after each and every use. Rinse, scrub with soap, rinse with salt away and then usually rinse again. Just wondering if you are getting those spots as well. They are literally like the size of an ink pen dot if you were touching the tip to paper if that makes sense.
The only rust I have noticed on mine is around the bqck handle and the anchor cleats
I definitely like that boat! That boat appears to run pretty darn fast on only a 70 hp.
Hey Ron....I can't believe Mako is still using the same design front livewell as I bought on my 2018 15 footer. They should have figured out by now that it doesn't work. I have the exact same problem you are describing, making the livewell USELESS. It's an air lock problem due to the pump being mounted higher in the stern area than the plumbing raceway that the pipes run in. So when you lose the prime on the pump, you lose it for good until you clear the pipe of water between the livewell and the pump. The pump tries to pick up water but it can't because of the blockage in the line of the standing water which fills the entire circumference of the pipe. It's like sticking a stopper in the output side of the pump. Some refer to it as an air lock, it's actually more like a water lock. The standing water in the pipe must be able to travel through the tube to the TOP of the livewell where it sprays out, and that ain't happening once it loses the initial prime.
After my trip to Bass Pro Shop to fix the issue I was told: "The system is working the way it should. You have the "good" pump on your boat. You need to be moving forward with the boat in drive in order to pick up water."
What??!! I can't stop my boat and have the livewell work? Needless to say, that was a bunch of bunk and my livewell still doesn't work. It's a design problem period. Now I'm beyond my 1 year warranty and am screwed because I didn't feel like traveling all the way back to BPS to hear another excuse because they can't test in water to see the actual problem I described.
Oh well, enough venting. I love the boat other than that. Just irks me because I'm using a 5 gallon bucket with a battery aerator instead of what I paid for and I tried to get it fixed. After I posted my misfortune in another video comment section, Mako (or BPS) reached out and said please use our customer contact page to contact customer service. Yep....."Brad we don't have a technical dept. to answer your questions. We rely on our on site mechanic professionals to diagnose problems. Have a nice day." Yeah....thanks a lot. (this after I explained I had already had it to those "professionals".
Good review and video by the way. Thanks for posting it. Good luck, let us know if they fix the livewell.
The only solution I have found to make it work is to put the boat in reverse while the pump is running and it clears the line then it will aerate. Fortunately they put a huge live well in the back that works flawlessly so the front live well is becoming used for storage im afraid!
@@CameramanRon Thanks....I may try installing what they call a "self priming pump." Maybe try to mount it directly on the floor to keep it lower than the raceway. I wish I had the other livewell. Maybe I should think about having a marina install one back there and use the seat for storage like you do.
Another incident I had with the livewell- I beached the bow of the boat so I could get out and walk the beach with my cast net looking for bait. I decided to try the livewell one last time instead of using my 5 gallon bucket like I had been. Turned it on and it started filling like it should. Great! All the water in the line had evaporated since last use, so it worked fine. I come back 15 minutes later with my bait and the whole deck is flooded! The outflow tube wasn't working for some reason! All the water just poured out from under the seat cushion. It took several minutes of running the bilge pump to get all the water out. That was the last straw with the dang thing. Crazy.
Fantastic review !!!
thank you!!
Hey Ron, I knew you would enjoy the boat. sounds like a air lock issue with the bait well. try this, in the bait well unscrew the nozzle for flow rate on the fill bulkhead and use your garden hose at home to direct a stream of water directly into the fill opening for 15 to 30 seconds. this should remove any trapped air in the system.
Angler Issues thank you for the info! I will try that!!!
@@CameramanRon I have owned my pro skiff 19 for more than a year now, i have the same issue with the front bait well. I have to back up with the pump running to prim the front bait well. Sucks but this happens every time.
I use mine as a catch of the day cooler
Very nice review, most informative review I have found yet. Congratulation!
I too am looking at the Pro Skiff 17. I am still thinking about the 19cc, especially if they do the same updates to the hull and bow casting area and the nice storage. One worry I have about the 17CC is with the 75hp motor and the added 100lbs weight over the 60hp. I plan to order it with twin 9gal fuel tanks (108bls fuel) and only the aft bait well (150+ lbs water)...
Do you find the with all that weight back there it has a hard time trimming the bow down to smooth out bow hop in the light choppy water?
Thanks so much and stay healthy!
Not at all I have had two people back there and had no issue getting it on plane at all.
@@CameramanRon Brother, that's such good news!!! Thank you. Since Mako is not offering the 17CC with the 60hp Command Thrust option I now feel good going with the 75!
That Mercury Command Thrust option basically takes the lower end & prop off your 75 & puts it on the 60hp which save 100lbs & still gives it the nice prop from your 75.
Cheers!
I’m almost ready to pull the trigger on a boat. Looking back would you still go with the 17 ft or do you think the 19 ft would be better? I’m think 3 or 4 people fishing mostly.
The 17 is def plenty for me. I fish 4 people a lot and have never ran out of room. But the 19 is gonna give you a little more platform room
Crossroads Media Thanks for the response and all your informative videos. I think I’ve watched them all
How much does your boat and trailer weigh? I'm looking at the 17ft model, but have a Ford Escape that is only rated to 2000 lbs. What cars do you use to tow it?
dry weight is 2050 lbs. I tow it with a 2020 ford flex with no issies what so ever.
@@CameramanRon what's your towing capacity on the flex?
What was your reason you went with 17 and not 19? After watching all you videos I am ready to get one. I am stuck between 17 and 19 but leaning more towards 17.
Honestly it simply came down to price.icouldnt justify spending that much more for
two more feet that I really didn't need. the 75 hp motor was plenty for me and the length gets me everywhere I want to go. def can see the 19 benefiting some people though for sure!
How fast will that 75 push the Mako? I have the same engine on my Tracker 175 TWX and it feels like the weakest motor that I have ever owned. Takes all day to plane off with two people in the boat and will not rev past 4500 rpms . If I'm alone and no water in the tank, I can only run around 34.9. Any weith at all drops that to around 30mph.
We were on a lake in kentucky with four adults and it was running 33-35. when i am by myself in calm conditions it is usually y between 36 and 39. I have only hit 40 in it once. no issue getting up on plane whatsoever!
@@CameramanRon Thanks! I think I have a bad motor but the dealer says there is nothing wrong. Mine ran 41 mph the first week I had it but never again and will not rev past 4500rpms.
Nice video
Appreciate it!!
@@CameramanRon no problem.
I've had boats that took on water through the self-draining scupper holes. Does the Mako Pro Skiff 17 take on any water through the scupper holes? How does it perform in rough water?
This boat actually does not have any self draining scupper plugs. The only time this boat takes any water on is through the bait wells if you don't keep them plugged but I would note that this is minimal and only brings water in to the wells. As far as rough water I have had it in 3 foot swells and it did ok. I def dont reccomend going out in water that is like a washing machine. Lol ultimately this will dwf depend on your experience and comfort level. I def take it into rougher water now than I did when I first got it. I've only been out one time where I had water come over the bow
Crossroads Media About how much does that boat cost?
@@texasnative right around 20,000 before any upgrades.
I would like to see a video of the boat with 6 people in it and how they are seated when underway.
Duncan Smith we can def do that!! You seat two on front deck one on front seat one on captains seat and two on rear deck.
What’s the total package width including the trailer?
Did they find out problem with front baitwell?
No the only resolution they can give me is that it is an airlock issue.
Fantastic Review! I live in Gulf Breeze and I'm looking to replace my 07 Stratos 176 bass boat with something that will handle the bays, the sound, and the backwater areas of the local rivers for bass fishing! Is there anything you would add to the boat to make it better for fishing? Is a bimini top in your thoughts? On a side note, does your company film commercials? I'm looking for a company to create video content for my local business.
Thank you! We havnt really considered a bimini top because if its up, it takes away the rod holders because its only about six foot tall. If you fold it down it takes away the back casting deck. As far as add on, I would def add more rod holders and a trolling motor. The ipilot makes it so easy to stay in anchor mode or chase fish. And YES! WE DEF DO COMMERCIALS. you can check out our videos at heartcrossed.com!
I have the 15 and I was told that there was no 10 hour service. I would be curious to hear what you have done.
You def need a ten hour service! All the fluids get changed in the engine. The biggest thing is to make sure there are no shavings or foreign objects in the engine from the build. Where did you buy your boat? I would def get a second opinion on that!
Hey how do you know when to fill up the tank since it doesn’t have a gas meter???
the tank has a float Guage on top. I fill my tank up everytime i come off the water with it, this keeps the tank full and reduces the chances of condensation build up.
Mercury VesselView I love it
Is it hard to turn left
I havnt had any issues with it turning left at all.
@@CameramanRon is it hydraulic steering?
@@castmastersoutdoors7762 no mine does not have the hauldraulic steering.
Would this make a good river and lake boat?
Most certainly!! I take it on the blackwater River regularly here!!
Have a fix for the front live well.
Remove the boxscreen from the rear and screw on a round metal screen. Eliminating the airlock and filling while driving.
Should a got a carolina skiff JLS's or one of their LS's.
Why is that?
@@CameramanRon compare the JLS'S to your mako pro skiff. The LS's are one of few self bailing skiffs on the market and they both come with a lot of standard options and a 10 year hull warranty. Its just something to look into. I saw both mako and Carolina Skiff at the miami show and Carolina skiff won out of the two.
@@tylankirkland1336 I like the JLS, but looking at 5k? more. They are finished off better. I would like to see an apple to apple comparison on the hull design in different wave conditions & shallows.
In 2019 I looked at both and the Carolina skiff looked cheaply made
motor toter does its job but just is inconvenient for flushing motor
nice video 👍 do you think that this skiff could handle waters that have 60-100 feet of water?? I don’t think that’s considered inshore anymore at those depths
It depends on conditions,I've had mine in 100 footplus depths on good calm days!
Crossroads Media thanks for the reply!!
Of course!
I’ve taken mine from haulover to government cut in Miami a couple times. Also to 600ft of water. The boat is a monster for its size if you drive it right. I love my mako 17
@@npcdd1652 yes indeed! I absolutely love mine!!