Bass boat operating costs (?) 2025
dman reply :
Next spring im going to be getting my 1st boat. I'm tired of fishing from shore and having very limited options. I want to get out on some of the bigger lakes and have some fun too. I was just reading another thread "what kind of boat do you have?" And saw a lot of posts mention operating costs with Bass boats. I dont know anyone with one to get an idea about this but am very curious. I am going to go "Brand New" mainly because I just dont know about boats right now as far as mechanicals and fixing things that will go wrong with a used boat. I wont mind learning as i go along when problems become more common as it gets older since I will have been learning all along. What kind of costs are you guys talking about? Repairs? Gas? Here are 2 boats im looking at. I'm thinkin the tracker would be good enough but then I start thinkin if im spending that much I might as well spend a little more and get a boat to hang out on, Swim, go tubing and that sort of thing as well (the Nitro). Are these too much for a first boat for someone that knows nothing about them and would they have high operating costs?
http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/index.cfm?boat=2111
http://www.nitroboats.com/boat/index.cfm?boat=2124
AJ reply :
A boat is nothing more than a hole to throw your money in. Boat payment-$270, $75 everytime I go to the lake for gas and oil, just spent $400 for engine maint. $300 for new depthfinder (they dont last forever),$300 for new batteries every couple of years. When I back down the ramp at 5:00am I forget about all of that.
NBR reply :
AJ's experience and mine are much different. I was in Canada this summer for two weeks and after the initial fill gave me 42 gallons of fuel I filled up once and had plenty left over after the two weeks. If you are going tubing you burn lots of fuel probably into the $75 a day range.
My TM batteries last in the 3 to 5 year range depending on the care I have given them.
I do routine winterizing my self and have the engine tuned every 2 or 3 years at about $200 a pop.
You say you want to get on some of the bigger lakes. How big? When I think basic Tracker I think flat bottom and they will beat you to death in rough water.
Catt reply :
Both Nitro & Tracker are excellent boats but both have the same problem they are tremendously under powered. Take the 750 Nitro it is rated for a maximum of 135 hp, the largest outboard you can get from Nitro is a 90 hp, that's 45 hp under rated which is ½ of the 90 hp.; At least with the Tracker you can get max hp.
flechero reply :
Cost vary widely by boat and lots of other stuff but at least consider these things as a starting point...
loan pmts
insurance
gas for boat and truck
routine annual or semi annual outboard maintenance (tune up, impeller, etc.)
annual boat tregistration
annual trailer registration/tires/etc.
And then after it's a few years old you will start having additional costs of replacing things here and there as AJ pointed out. I just did a bunch of re-wiring... that's fun. I am the original owner of a 94' Champion and I have had to replace trolling motors, graphs, lots of switches, batteries, on board chargers, trailer lights, re-wiring, etc. But without boat payments, it's no problem. 
I still consider my boat a bargin.... the first 8-9 years it was wet over 200 days/yr. Even now as a married guy it's 100+ days a year and if you do the math, it's been less than beer money over the last 14 years. The key is to get one you like and KEEP it a while, otherwise you spend you life working on boats or making payments on boats. Neither is fun.
cart7t reply :
Flech covered most of the costs involved in boat ownership.
Frankly, I've bought boats new with a loan, bought used boats and had a loan and finally bought used boats without a loan.
Buying used with either a quick to pay down loan (2 years or less) or paying cash straight up is the way to go.
Here's a few things to keep in mind. My boat and motor are a '86 boat and a '87 motor. Other than normal repair stuff like switches, carpeting, replacement of electronics, battery replacement every 3-5 years, trailer tires, motor spark plugs, etc. I've had little problem with either that required massive amounts of money to repair.
A new boat has a limited warranty on the workings of the boat. While you're not having to pay for maintenance items like Flech and I are, you are paying for it with the interest on the loan. If you pay the boat off in 5 or 6 years, you're then at the stage where stuff on the boat will have to start to be replaced, IE: pumps, switches, electronics, etc.
Boats depreciate fast. There are lots of 2-4 year old boats out there that you can get for thousands less than new that still have like new characteristics about them. That's where I'd be looking.
ljmax reply :
The expense of having a bass boat is much less than the enjoyment you'll get out of it if you use it. If you buy a boat and use it a few times then just let it sit that's when the expense becomes an issue.
I'd recommend you buy a used boat and use it for a year or so. If you find you use it frequently then buy the exact boat you want. By the way if you look around there are some great deals this time of year on bass boats so you may be able to get something you'll keep far longer than a year. I know where there is a 99 Bass Boat with a 2000 Johnson 90 with less than 100 hours for $5K and if you want to know where PM me. Good luck.
CGH reply :
QuoteThe expense of having a bass boat is much less than the enjoyment you'll get out of it if you use it. If you buy a boat and use it a few times then just let it sit that's when the expense becomes an issue.I'd recommend you buy a used boat and use it for a year or so. If you find you use it frequently then buy the exact boat you want.
Good luck.
I second this 100% All my boats are at storage facilities and that just add to the cost of ownership but I love them to death and would not get rid of any one of them unless it was because i just got a replacement
Olebiker reply :
QuoteBoth Nitro & Tracker are excellent boats but both have the same problem they are tremendously under powered. Take the 750 Nitro it is rated for a maximum of 135 hp, the largest outboard you can get from Nitro is a 90 hp, that's 45 hp under rated which is ½ of the 90 hp.; At least with the Tracker you can get max hp.
That's only important if you are tournament fishing. You might be too young to remember back when the maximum allowable horsepower in BASS tournaments was 85 hp. Those guys caught a lot of fish without having to run 60 mph.
dman reply :
QuoteQuoteBoth Nitro & Tracker are excellent boats but both have the same problem they are tremendously under powered. Take the 750 Nitro it is rated for a maximum of 135 hp, the largest outboard you can get from Nitro is a 90 hp, that's 45 hp under rated which is ½ of the 90 hp.; At least with the Tracker you can get max hp.That's only important if you are tournament fishing. You might be too young to remember back when the maximum allowable horsepower in BASS tournaments was 85 hp. Those guys caught a lot of fish without having to run 60 mph.
Thats another part. I would definately want to fish tournaments! I only fished in one (small) tournament. We used a small boat with just a trolling motor (we were against bass boats). We didnt win, not even close. But i had a whole lot of fun just trying to compete and was saying to myself "one day i gotta get myself a nice boat so i can do this more often!" Its one of the reasons I like the Nitro better for the idea of doing tournaments, plus little bit more of fun recreational time. But i just dont know if more power brings more problemsexpences.
cart7t reply :
QuoteBut i just dont know if more power brings more problemsexpences.
Most of todays engines are well made and if taken care of, will last a long time before something catastrophic happens. As for the expenses? You'll have to run that 90hp full bore in order to achieve the same speed that a 135 would do at a lower throttle setting. Hence, a 135 would be running in it's gas saving power band to achieve the same speed as the 90 which is running in it's extreme gas sucking power band. You'll save money with the higher horsepower and always have the extra speed if you need it.
Catt reply :
Olebiker, you and I are the same age so not only do I remember those days I was tournament fishing then. Boat performance has nothing to do with tournament fishing; it has to do with getting the best bang for your buck. An under powered boat will not only cost you more it will get you in trouble in rough water by lacking the power to needed operate properly.
RobDar reply :
BOAT =
Bring
Out
Another
Thousand
There are alot of questions that need answering when choosing a boat.
1. What kind of fishing you normally do and for what species
2. Where you normally fish...what kind of water you will fish...small inland lakes? big water lakes? coastal waters? Rivers?
3. What are your expectations from your boat? speed? # of fisherman? yadda yadda
4. Do you want strickly a fishing boat or a boat you may want to pull the kids on a tube or whatever as well?
5. How much time and effort do you want to put into maintaining your boat?
6. What are your boating skills?
7. your maintianance skills?
After those questions are answered you need to know what dealers are local and what their reputations are. You had Tracker boats shown on your post. There is really nothing wrong with them. They have some little quality quirks you do not see in other boats...but unless you are buying at somewhere like Bass Pro...be watchful of dealers reputation. I personally feel that Tracker will let anyone with a pen and the licensing fee sell their boats. We have a few Tracker dealers around here that are some real doozies man! real winners! and Tracker will do nothing for the people they have screwed over. ( but there are a few real good Tracker dealers near me as well)
I believe in buying local and also feel you get the best service from a Marina that you also bought the boat from.
DO NOT GO WITH THE PACKAGED MOTORS on these little boats! For the most part they are under powered! The motor has to work HARD to do its thing. It is like my boss buying a 6 cyllinder work truck. She wanted to save gas. We got worse gas milage in the 6 cylinder than we did the 8 cylinders with more equipment in them because the motor has to work harder to do the same amount of work.
My father in laws 185 special edition has a 50 on it and it struggles to get up on plane. It will NOT get up on plane with 3 people in it.
I have driven the 175 and the 190....the 190 does well with its package 90 horse. The 175 feels a little sluggish and underpowered with its packaged 50 horse.
With all that said...
you sound like you are going to keep the boat a good long while. The alum's are good first boats...good learning boats. They are also good for small inland lakes and rivers, but not the best choice for big waters. People say that the fibers are better financial decisions because they have better resale...and that is partly true...it is true for boats like Rangers, Triton, Bass Cat etc...not so much for the Nitro's because the market is kind of flooded with these boats.
Before I went with the Pro 175...I would wait and save a downpayment and upgrade to the 190...here is why...
1. it is a little bigger and you will be able to handle somewhat bigger water in a little bigger boat
2. it will take 135 HP motor...which means you can put a 115 HP motor on it. What is nice about the 115 mercury is that the motor is the same physical displacement and weight as the 90 Horse...but is a 115. So you can upgrade motor size without loosing HP advantage to the weight of the larger motor. ( MERC is the only manufactuer this works with) Yes it does not make hardly any difference in top end speed...but I have driven the boat both ways and the hole shot on the 115 is better...as well as this will increase interest and value should you decide to sell. The difference in mileage between the 75 horse, the 90 horse and the 115 is very small. So small that unless you have a tendency to make LOOOOONG run to your fishing spot...you will likely never notice it.
rondef reply :
I just bought a used boat at the end of June, I purchased a 1998 Lowed 1605 bass boat with a 1998 Evinrude 25hp motor, Bill Dance trolling motor and a bimini top. This boat has been a lot of fun this summer and I have been able to launch every where I want to go. I purchased this strictly for fishing, not for any other reason. I would recommend you buy a used boat first use it for a year or two and then buy the boat you really want. The only problem with a boat like mine is the tournament thing, I can't enter it in tournaments, to that I say big deal, I am fishing because I love to fish and don't need to enter tournamemnts to have a good time bass fishing. Just my opinion.
Olebiker reply :
QuoteOlebiker, you and I are the same age so not only do I remember those days I was tournament fishing then. Boat performance has nothing to do with tournament fishing; it has to do with getting the best bang for your buck. An under powered boat will not only cost you more it will get you in trouble in rough water by lacking the power to needed operate properly.
Let's say we both buy a boat that is rated for a maximum 115 hp and I put a 90 on mine while you put the 115 on yours. I can run maybe 50 mph while you can run 60 mph. Just because my boat does not have the maximum size engine it is approved for does not make it underpowered. It may be underpowered if I am trying to run 60 mph.
How would my boat be any less safe than yours?
RobDar reply :
QuoteQuoteOlebiker, you and I are the same age so not only do I remember those days I was tournament fishing then. Boat performance has nothing to do with tournament fishing; it has to do with getting the best bang for your buck. An under powered boat will not only cost you more it will get you in trouble in rough water by lacking the power to needed operate properly.Let's say we both buy a boat that is rated for a maximum 115 hp and I put a 90 on mine while you put the 115 on yours. I can run maybe 50 mph while you can run 60 mph. Just because my boat does not have the maximum size engine it is approved for does not make it underpowered. It may be underpowered if I am trying to run 60 mph.
How would my boat be any less safe than yours?
by under powered I do not think they mean if you do not have the max HP you are underpowered. It is more that many of the package boat deals...the Tracker 175 with a 50 Horse as an example is underpowered.
Many of the package boats come with too small of a motor in the package. Lowe, Tracker, Polar Kraft, several of the manufacuers do this. You do not always need the MAX HP...but you want to make sure the motor is enough to give you a comfortable and efficient ride.
perhaps you should go and take a few test rides. If you take out the same boat with a small motor and one with a well sized motor...it will quickly become clear which you prefer and which you need for your usage.
I agree with guys who says that you will hear guys complain about too little power, but never about too much power...that is true...but it seems like you are a little like me....looking for a good compromise. A good compromise is possible and very do-able.
dman reply :
this is great stuff guys, I really appreciate all your input and will take it all with me when i go to the dealer!
clooney reply :
If your gonna tournament fish once or twice a month you will have to consider gas costs. I'll pretty much use almost a full tank each tournament wich runs around $60-$90 depending on the price per gallon. However, if you plan on practicing a few times a month like myself , that can triple or quadruple your monthly costs on gas and oil. I go out about 4 times a month total which runs about $300/mo. x 6 or 7 months= about $2000 a yr. not including broken trolling motor, batteries, tires, tune-ups or anything else that may break...it s all worth it if you can afford it...Good luck!!!
Catt reply :
NITRO® 750 SC
Weight (approx) 1350 lbs
Fuel Capacity 30 gallons; weight added 190.5 lbs
2 adult men average: 360
Total so far: 1900.5
Added tackle weight: another couple hundred lbs
So we are looking at over 2,000 pounds or 1 ton easily; now add winds of 25-30 mph with gusts, swells of 3 to 4 foot high, severe lighting flashing every few minutes all of which are real time scenarios. Now you tell me which would you prefer under powered/under performance, adequately powered/ adequate performance, or the best power/best performance available?
Even when not fishing tournaments proper power/performance will still out weigh the additional cost associated under powered/under performance. I have a close friend who owns a NITRO® 750 SC with a 90 hp, he lives in Oklahoma which is often very windy; his only complaint about the boat is he wished it had more power.
Olebiker reply :
QuoteSo we are looking at over 2,000 pounds or 1 ton easily; now add winds of 25-30 mph with gusts, swells of 3 to 4 foot high, severe lighting flashing every few minutes all of which are real time scenarios. Now you tell me which would you prefer under powered/under performance, adequately powered/ adequate performance, or the best power/best performance available?
I would question the sanity of anyone who would go out when the weather was forecast to be that bad. I have fished on Corps of Engineers reservoirs, mostly in Kentucky and Tennessee, for more than forty years and have never been caught in anything like that.
Catt reply :
I've been caught in it while fun & tournament fishing
Ever wonder how much water an 18' Champion can hold and it still float? I can answer that
Ever wonder if a Skeeter can take 6' waves like their video shows? I can answer that
Even been in water so rough you simply beach the boat & get out? I can answer that
I guess Kentucky and Tennessee has fair weather year round 
Tin reply :
AJ said it best, a boat is nothing but a hole you throw money into. And remember the boat usually doesnt have the issues, its the outboard that costs you. If you do small waters that dont get to choppy go tin , any thing else, ranger or bass cat, with a merc of course.
George Welcome reply :
First reason to have a particular boat and power combo: Because you like it
Second reason to have a particular boat and power combo: Because you like it
Don't take advice on boat and power combo - find a dealer that offers test drives and choose the one that meets your current and future needs.
The bigger the boat, the safer it is.
The bigger the motor, the safer it is.
The bigger the boat and motor the more costly it is.
As for getting caught out in storms: if you fish you will see some very nasty storms before you get back to the dock on the bigger lakes. Boat size and motor will determine if you get back wet up to your armpits, or toasty warm dry. Seven to eight miles away from the dock is a long way to go if you don't have the equipment to meet poor conditions.
RobDar reply :
QuoteNITRO® 750 SCWeight (approx) 1350 lbs
Fuel Capacity 30 gallons; weight added 190.5 lbs
2 adult men average: 360
Total so far: 1900.5
Added tackle weight: another couple hundred lbs
So we are looking at over 2,000 pounds or 1 ton easily; now add winds of 25-30 mph with gusts, swells of 3 to 4 foot high, severe lighting flashing every few minutes all of which are real time scenarios. Now you tell me which would you prefer under powered/under performance, adequately powered/ adequate performance, or the best power/best performance available?
Even when not fishing tournaments proper power/performance will still out weigh the additional cost associated under powered/under performance. I have a close friend who owns a NITRO® 750 SC with a 90 hp, he lives in Oklahoma which is often very windy; his only complaint about the boat is he wished it had more power.
...and I will bet that you just cannot get enough of Home Improvement reruns huh Catt! ;D
more power...grunt! grunt! grunt! ;D
A guy we fish with has the 640 with a 90 and even though Trackers site says approx 46 MPH with a 90...he gets about 40 at best. Maybe 42 with the wind at his back. ( and the 640 is 300 lbs lighter) All of Trackers performance estimates are a bit generous. I think they hired horse jockeys to drive them when they tested them! ;D
The 750 runs okay with the 90 once it gets up and going, but is a bit slow getting there. ( the 750 with a 90 is exactly what my father in law used to run) This is another boat where I may opt for the 115 for wee bit more power at the same weight and a fuel comsumption in the same physical displacement class.
I am told that swapping out for a four blade prop improves the hole shot but I do not know anyone who uses a four so I cannot really say.
tkite16 reply :
I just bought my first boat in July . Its a 1986 Bass Tracker 1710 fiberglass with a 90 hp Mercury motor. I'm glad I bought an older boat for my first boat and I would recommend it to anyone because of the dumb things Ive done already.
1) Fishing from the front of the boat is a whole different ballgame than fishing from the back. Ive ran up on countless stumps and stuck the trolling motor in mud more than a few tines . I also drug the bottom of the boat over rocks trying to take a four pound bass off the hook in wind that pushed the boat into the shore before I realized what happened.
I figure everyone is gonna make mistakes ,might as well be in a cheap boat.
2) As far as costs go . I paid 250 in sales tax ,225 for boat insurance,150 so i could use it on the county lakes in my area and about 100 to register boat and motor with the staTE. Also I spend at least $50 for gas and oil in boat
3) I believe whatever you get yer gonna want more. I have spent well over $1000 gutting boat and redoing it.
4) As I found out last week ,It will break down. Floating in the middle of table rock lake waiting for someone who will pull you in is no fun. When he told me $85 per hour for labor to fix stator I almost threw up.
So I'm sitting here today while my company and union try to work out our strike and my boat is in the shop :'(.
Life sucks!!!!!
Olebiker reply :
QuoteI guess Kentucky and Tennessee has fair weather year round
No, but we had the Weather Channel to tell us when bad weather was imminent and we got off the water before that. :
Trust me, if SWMBO would permit me to buy a bigger boat with more power, I would do it, but I am not going to quit fishing just because my old Bass Tracker only has a fifty on it.
related Bass Boats Canoes Kayaks topic
most viewed Bass Boats Canoes Kayaks topic
© 2025 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.