Even more remarkable was its stability. Many bass boats begin to chine walk, or rock from port to starboard, an experience that also yaws the stem back and forth, creating an uncomfortable handling experience difficult to correct. We had none of that belly-wrenching experience as the Z18 glided along on its pad. And how did it turn? Oh my. Nudging back on the throttle just a bit, we eased down to 50 mph and cranked the steering wheel…
Even more remarkable was its stability. Many bass boats begin to chine walk, or rock from port to starboard, an experience that also yaws the stem back and forth, creating an uncomfortable handling experience difficult to correct. We had none of that belly-wrenching experience as the Z18 glided along on its pad. And how did it turn? Oh my. Nudging back on the throttle just a bit, we eased down to 50 mph and cranked the steering wheel to starboard, then to port. The boat turned crisply, heeling slightly to center in arcs that showed off a hull so perfectly balanced, a coffee cup could stay put on the casting deck. We proved it was also stable at rest by walking back and forth; the boat settled only slightly with the shift in weight. A recessed pedal pocket eases any back or leg strain while operating the electric motor. There is room for an optional 12-inch sonar/GPS display at the bow; a Lowrance Mark-5x Pro fish finder is standard.