New Bass Boat????? 2025
bigbill reply :
My wife suggested i get a new bass boat since i like fishing so much. I'm thinking next spring to buy one. I told her how much it may cost for all the bells and whistles. I'd be happy with a big row boat but she said "bass boat". I'm not sure what brand yet? I'm just browsing now.
Grey Wolf reply :
Have fun browsing.
slonezp reply :
Does your wife have a sister? 
I've been browsing myself and there is alot to take in. I've ordered catalogs from the manufactures. It' much easier to compare boats when you have all the info in front of you than going from website to website. You can get alot of info from BR
bigbill reply :
I may need a new truck because my jeep wrangler may not be able to tow it.
I really got into bass fishing in the mid 90's. I would go bass fishing time to time but we mainly went after trout every spring and we would hit the lake a few times for bass. My tackle room has more stuff than the local bait shops. I was that good at bass fishing when my health got bad. I had to give up getting a bass boat back then. My bucket list is almsot complete with one thing right now left is to bass fish. My main goal is to break the state record for LMB. I've seen these fish and i know there out there.
IRA's do come in handy.... :
bandsr4me20 reply :
I think the perfect size bass boat is an 18 foot with a 150. That goes plenty fast and will pretty much go on any lake.
Syppy reply :
QuoteMy wife suggested i get a new bass boat since i like fishing so much. I'm thinking next spring to buy one. I told her how much it may cost for all the bells and whistles. I'd be happy with a big row boat but she said "bass boat". I'm not sure what brand yet? I'm just browsing now.
lol, kind of reminds me a of a quote I saw the other day about catfishing... :"Give a man a Catfish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to Catfish and you get rid of him on weekends. ." This is just bass instead, eh?
Honestly, if you've got a truck, and not looking for something monstrous, I did a LOT of shopping and settled on a little Pelican Bass Raider. It was very inexpensive and works great for me because I can load it in the back of my ranger with little to no troubles at all.
The down-side is that it's really more for small waters (I don't know if you're looking at big lake fishing or puddle jumping like me), but it's so much more stable than any of the jon-boats I've been in and it sits up in the water enough to get good casts even while sitting down. Don't have to contend with the sides or have fantabulous balance to move back and forth on it.
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
Ranger triton basscat nitro. Top if the line right there.and make sure its powered by a Mercury ;D. We just sold our ranger fish n ski and we too are looking for a full on bass boat
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
QuoteI think the perfect size bass boat is an 18 foot with a 150. That goes plenty fast and will pretty much go on any lake.
Diddo. Some people just find it better to have 225s on the back and all that, and it is nice,but even a bass tracker with a 50 horse will do awesome ;D as long as the 50 horse is a mercury
Catt reply :
I would look at a used boat that is 4-5 years old
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
The way the economy is right now, finding a used boat like Catt said is probably the smartest choice. You can find some very well maintained notable branded boats for very few bucks right now. Craigslist, etc etc. I know people who have picked up some good used boats from iBoats as well.
Just search around for a while. When you find something you like, try to get all of the associated paperwork for the boat (maintenance records). Try to get it out on the water for a test drive if at all possible. Make sure you have it checked out by a qualified marine mechanic as well. You don't want to drop a few grand on a boat with a private seller to find out that you need to have a major engine overhaul done.
=Matt 5.0= reply :
QuoteRanger, Triton, Basscat nitro Stratos, Champion, Legend...Top of the line right there...and make sure its powered by an Mercury Evinrude ;D. We just sold our Ranger fish n ski and we too are looking for a full on bass boat
Fixed it for ya.
boneil reply :
browsing can be very fun until you start adding up all the costs with the accessories. And after you think you figured out the cost then add a few thousand.
SoFlaBassAddict reply :
Quotebrowsing can be very fun until you start adding up all the costs with the accessories. And after you think you figured out the cost then add a few thousand.
BOAT:
Break
Out
Another
Thousand
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
QuoteQuoteRanger, Triton, Basscat nitro Stratos, Champion, Legend...Top of the line right there...and make sure its powered by an Mercury Evinrude ;D. We just sold our Ranger fish n ski and we too are looking for a full on bass boatFixed it for ya.
U are right about the nitro only the z 9s are top of the line. But the evinrude thing no mercury dominates all
bandsr4me20 reply :
QuoteQuotebrowsing can be very fun until you start adding up all the costs with the accessories. And after you think you figured out the cost then add a few thousand.BOAT:
Break
Out
Another
Thousand
^^^this^^^ We just had something happen to our motor. We think it is a piston that went bad but not sure. That is going to cost 1600-2000 dollars to fix. Make sure you have enough money fix the boat you buy in case something happens.
basspro96 reply :
If its your first bass boat...Don't get anything fancy..I would look for a Ranger or a Triton. Yes they are a little more expensive but hold there value if maintained well. The ride is awesome! Those are if you want the Cadillac so to speak of boats. If you want speed and still have a nice ride. Bullet is the way to go
TBendBassin reply :
QuoteIf its your first bass boat...Don't get anything fancy..I would look for a Ranger or a Triton. Yes they are a little more expensive but hold there value if maintained well. The ride is awesome! Those are if you want the Cadillac so to speak of boats. If you want speed and still have a nice ride. Bullet is the way to go
a ranger is very fancy?
it took a nitro then a skeeter before i got my ranger comanche and theres no turning back
done reply :
Before you decide, cause there is a LOT of variables.
1. What do you want out of the boat?
What features/options do you want and prioritize them. Good examples, how many folks do you want to take, how much weight (yourself and those mostly likely to come along), what types of fishing (bass only? other?)
2. What budget (roughly) you got?
3. What type of water you going in?
Salt water/Fresh, large lakes, small pond, river, heavy traffic, low, rocky, current, etc
4. Another thought, tow vehicle
Every hull type, size, etc has its strengths and weaknesses. For my needs I went with a Tracker pt 175 txw. It was the right length for me. My trailblazer would easily tow it. It also came with a entry level TM, charger, and graph. The Motor (60 hp) can push it roughly 45 mph with just me in it, the price was right. The only huge downside for me, the light boat does not play well with winds. I can slowly upgrade the TM and electronics at my leisure.
if you can throw out some answers to those 3 big questions, there guys here will give ya some GREAT choices.
cart7t reply :
QuoteQuoteRanger, Triton, Basscat nitro Stratos, Champion, Legend...Top of the line right there...and make sure its powered by an Mercury Evinrude ;D. We just sold our Ranger fish n ski and we too are looking for a full on bass boatFixed it for ya.
There is no Champion anymore. :'(
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteRanger, Triton, Basscat nitro Stratos, Champion, Legend...Top of the line right there...and make sure its powered by an Mercury Evinrude ;D. We just sold our Ranger fish n ski and we too are looking for a full on bass boatFixed it for ya.
There is no Champion anymore. :'(
Yup there aint. But theres stiiiiiiill RANGER ;D im glad they let go champion instead of ranger
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
QuoteIf its your first bass boat...Don't get anything fancy..I would look for a Ranger or a Triton. Yes they are a little more expensive but hold there value if maintained well. The ride is awesome! Those are if you want the Cadillac so to speak of boats. If you want speed and still have a nice ride. Bullet is the way to go
Yea lol what do you mean dont get anything fancy Triton and Ranger and Basscat are the top 3 bass boats
=Matt 5.0= reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteRanger, Triton, Basscat nitro Stratos, Champion, Legend...Top of the line right there...and make sure its powered by an Mercury Evinrude ;D. We just sold our Ranger fish n ski and we too are looking for a full on bass boatFixed it for ya.
There is no Champion anymore. :'(
Crazy eh? I love my Stratos tho.
fishfordollars reply :
You will probably get a better deal if you buy in the late fall and/or winter.
jfowler reply :
Ranger z118 150 optimax pro xs, all a fella needs
etommy28 reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteRanger, Triton, Basscat nitro Stratos, Champion, Legend...Top of the line right there...and make sure its powered by an Mercury Evinrude ;D. We just sold our Ranger fish n ski and we too are looking for a full on bass boatFixed it for ya.
U are right about the nitro only the z 9s are top of the line. But the evinrude thing no mercury dominates all
Merc's are good as long as its not a XR6(which is what im stuck wit right now) for that reason I would go with(and like to have) either and evenrude or yamaha.
fishn hard reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteRanger, Triton, Basscat nitro Stratos, Champion, Legend...Top of the line right there...and make sure its powered by an Mercury Evinrude ;D. We just sold our Ranger fish n ski and we too are looking for a full on bass boatFixed it for ya.
U are right about the nitro only the z 9s are top of the line. But the evinrude thing no mercury dominates all
Merc's are good as long as its not a XR6(which is what im stuck wit right now) for that reason I would go with(and like to have) either and evenrude or yamaha.
Whats wrong with the XR6
GLADES reply :
You might want to check out the Allison brand.
If I had the bucks, I would choose between Bass Cat, Allison, and Ranger. Take them all for a ride and see what is right for you.
Put the largest motor rated for the boat so you will not have any regrets later.
Mercury, Evinrude, and Yamaha make a great motors. You can't go wrong with any of them IMHO.
GLADES reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteRanger, Triton, Basscat nitro Stratos, Champion, Legend...Top of the line right there...and make sure its powered by an Mercury Evinrude ;D. We just sold our Ranger fish n ski and we too are looking for a full on bass boatFixed it for ya.
U are right about the nitro only the z 9s are top of the line. But the evinrude thing no mercury dominates all
Merc's are good as long as its not a XR6(which is what im stuck wit right now) for that reason I would go with(and like to have) either and evenrude or yamaha.
Whats wrong with the XR6
If you ever decide to repower to a Rude or Yamahaha, I can take that pathetic xr6 off your hands
CAdeltaLipRipper reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteQuoteRanger, Triton, Basscat nitro Stratos, Champion, Legend...Top of the line right there...and make sure its powered by an Mercury Evinrude ;D. We just sold our Ranger fish n ski and we too are looking for a full on bass boatFixed it for ya.
U are right about the nitro only the z 9s are top of the line. But the evinrude thing no mercury dominates all
Merc's are good as long as its not a XR6(which is what im stuck wit right now) for that reason I would go with(and like to have) either and evenrude or yamaha.
Thats why u get a PRO XS SON ;D.All mercurys optimaxes are the top.I dont know about their 4 strokes,but their line of optimax are BA 
Tpayneful reply :
Fish for dollars is correct.....
Buy the boat in the fall or winter and you will get your best deal. You will pay thousands more in the spring.
Go to Evinirude, Mercury and Yamaha's website and look at the performance bulletins for the outboard and boat that you are considering.
You will be surprised about boat size, outboard size and horsepower. My Stratos 294XL Evo (19' 6") boat with a 200 HO Evinrude Etec gets the same gas mileage at 55MPH that the 285XL (18' 6") boat with a 150 HO Etec gets at 25MPH. 25MPH is where the 285XL gets its best gas mileage of 4.1 MPG. I spend a lot more time going 55 than I do 25.
I seriously considered gas mileage when I made my purchase because I will not forget $4 a gallon gas prices.
South FLA reply :
Buying new is not a "smart option"
Motor brands all have certain issues, just surf brand specific user forums and they can usually tell you what particular models to avoid, that being said I am Yamaha fan. Also, make sure you do a compression test of the motor and it never hurts to check lower unit oil for contamination. Also, try to by a boat with its max recommended HP rating on it.
Make sure you look at accessories, are they in good shape, up to date? If you save on a stripped down boat just to add brand new accessories are you really getting a good value?
As far as brand, many options to choose from. Good thing about a major cookie cutter or high quality niche manufacturer is that they are still around to provide you with support. Basscat, Ranger, Triton, and Skeeter are all great boats so you can't go wrong, you'll be glad you are on the water. Also, forgot to mention the trailer, make sure the trailer is in good working order especially hubs, tires and suspension. It can get pricey repairing a trailer.
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