One of the best features of a sleek aluminum bass boat such as G3’s Sportsman 1710 PFX is it is easy to trailer with most midsize family SUVs. It runs swiftly on lower horsepower too. Both features save cash while delivering a ton of fun. The 1710 PFX fishes like an 18-footer, and G3 promotes it as a multispecies rig. We think it would make a great buddy tournament competitor too, whether you chase crappie, bass, walleye, pike or muskie. Its sleek lines and shallow draft make it ideal for treacherous rivers. In calmer weather, we’d chase walleye and pike on big waters. The 1710 PFX is spirited, planing in 3.9 seconds and reaching 30 mph in 6 seconds. With a top speed of just over 40 mph, it’s plenty fast, especially when you pass just about every fuel dock. The best-cruise mileage of 8.6 mpg at 4,000 rpm and 29 mph means you won’t need to stop often to refuel and can run all weekend on one tank.
G3 employs an all-welded hull made from 0.100-gauge aluminum. The hull is rigid and sure-footed as a result. We tested it on varying conditions, from 2-inch wind chop to rough wakeboard and ski-boat wakes, and the 1710 responded affirmatively with a solid, unrattled ride. Heavy helm input delivered sharp turns, with some moderate banking and a little side-slipping to make it fun. G3 offers a variety of paint and graphics packages. Ours was a crisp, high-gloss white with an offsetting textured gray vinyl interior—easy to clean and keep tidy. It’s also available in charcoal and midnight-blue schemes. For the waterfowler, there are two mossy-oak camo choices: Shadow Grass and Breakup, enticing options for the fall hunter.
A 19-gallon bow livewell and a 33-gallon stern livewell ensure your team catch will remain healthy on the way back to the dock. Locking dry-storage compartments feature rain-seal-molded lips around the openings to keep contents dry. The console features an in-dash Humminbird Helix 5.
The 1710 is compact, but its wide beam offers good stability, and its trim weight on a custom trailer makes it easily trailerable with the family vehicle.
High Points
- The 33-square-foot bow casting deck means plenty of room to fish.
- Fit-and-finish is excellent, especially at this price point.
- Built-in three-bank battery charger (two batteries is standard) is mounted for easy access.
How We Tested
- Engine: Yamaha F90 four-stroke
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha 131/2″ x 16″ 3-blade aluminum
- Gear Ratio: 2.33:1 Fuel Load: 21 gal. Crew Weight: 250 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $37,995 (as tested) |
| LOA: | 17’10” |
| Beam: | 7’8″ |
| Dry Weight: | 1,080 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 4/650 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 21 gal. |
| Livewell Capacity: | 19 gal. (bow); 33 gal. (stern) |
G3 Boats – Lebanon, Missouri; g3boats.com
