Bass boats are fine if it’s just you and a buddy, but when the whole family wants to wet a line, you’ll need more room. That’s when a boat like Voyager’s VF18 Sport Fish makes sense. Roomy and stable, it’s also economical to own and operate. We think it’s a good option for anyone who enjoys angling but also needs a good all-around platform for on-water fun.
By consigning the lounge seating and Bimini structure to the center of the boat, the VF18 leaves plenty of unobstructed casting room on the fore and aft corners. Swiveling fishing chairs occupy these corners — a fairly standard arrangement for fishing ‘toons — but Voyager does a better-than-average job of giving anglers the tools they need. For example, the standard package includes rod racks port and starboard, a stern livewell and a built-in tackle center. The boat is also pre-wired for a second battery and trolling motor and can be ordered with vinyl flooring. And though it’s a compact model, it rides on Voyager’s proprietary foam-filled, U-shaped pontoons. This pontoon shape not only rides high when heavily loaded, but also provides a wide surface for attaching cross members, resulting in a rigid deck at rest and under way.
When powered by an economical 75 hp Honda four-stroke, the VF18 is a 25 mph boat. Slow by bass-boat standards, perhaps, but this boat is made to get you down the lake without guzzling gas. At 15 mph, fuel burn will be less than three gallons per hour, providing an operating range of more than 100 miles. The boat’s 8-foot beam and modest weight make it easy to tow and store, and the price tag will leave something for bait and tackle.
Extra Points
• Central lounge area increases boat’s general-purpose appeal and provides dry storage.
• Stern fishing deck is fitted with livewell and built-in tackle center.
• Available trolling motor and second battery can transform the boat into a stealthy casting platform.
• Overall size and weight make this one of the easiest pontoon boats to tow, for those who live off the water.
Test Drive * Test Engine: Honda 75 HP 4-stroke * Test Prop: 13.75″ X 13″ stainless steel * Test Load: People (450 LB.) Fuel (16 GAL.) * Top Speed: 26.2 MPH @ 5,650 RPM * Time to 20 MPH: 7.9 sec. * Most Economical Cruise Speed: 15.5 MPH @ 3,800 RPM, 2.6 GPH Vital Stats * Length Overall: 18’6″ * Beam: 8′ * Dry Weight: 1,450 * Seating/Weight Capacity: 8/1,425 LB. * Fuel Capacity: 29 GAL. * Max HP: 90 * MSRP: See Local Dealer * NMMA Certified: Yes
