buying a new boat...what if? 2025
00 mod reply :
If you were planning on buying a new boat within the coming year, and you were in this predicament? What would you do?
Fish for primarily Bass, but sometimes bream/crappie
mostly smaller waters(<200 acres), but would love to venture out to some bigger lakes( 1000+)
want enough room for 2 people to fish comfortably and have a console. want to be able to let the other half have enough room to layout once she gets tired of fishing, and also room to bring the dog (75 lbs)
plenty of storage, and live-well, even though I rarely keep fish. leaning towards fiberglass over aluminum but would consider both!
**hold resale value and or trade in value as I'm likely to get hooked and want that d**n Ranger before too long**
situation 1.
You had $10,000 to spend and want it to go straight to the lake
situation 2.
You had a couple thousand bucks and wouldn't mind financing a new boat up to around $18000
Let me know what you would do and what you would consider.
Jeff
slonezp reply :
My experience is, I purchased a new 17ft Mirrocraft in 2005. An aluminum v hull fish&ski. Well, if I take the ol' lady and kids out more than 2-3x per year that's alot. I try to fish almost every weekend from ice out to 1st ice. Next boat will be definitly a 'glass bass boat. The sacrifice I made to accomadate the "others" really impacts my ease of fishing. (Not worth it) I sacrificed rod and tackle storage, and control of the boat in the wind to accomadate a few outings a year.
It really depends on your needs. If you know the wife will be with you most of the time, get a dual console. An 18ft with a 150hp should satisfy all of your needs. ( She can lay out on the rear deck) If it's more fishing than pleasure get a bass boat. If you're going to be pulling tubes and skis more than fishing, I'd get a fish&ski.
mainebassin650 reply :
I like my glass boat, but when I'm ready for a new one I'm going to a Lowe 180w (aluminum).
I've fished a few tournaments out of one and fell in love. It's actually a crappie/walleye boat, but it has tons of storage and the livewell layouts are amazing!
They usually come with 150hp Merc's or Yami's. Just an awesome layout and extremely stable.
Here's a pic of the deck. They come is a single console as well.
Jig Man reply :
Start by going to boat dealerships and this winter boat shows. Look them all over and decide what you like. Then in your price range search the local market for a good used boat in your price range.
TopDog reply :
QuoteI like my glass boat, but when I'm ready for a new one I'm going to a Lowe 180w (aluminum).I've fished a few tournaments out of one and fell in love. It's actually a crappie/walleye boat, but it has tons of storage and the livewell layouts are amazing!
They usually come with 150hp Merc's or Yami's. Just an awesome layout and extremely stable.
Here's a pic of the deck. They come is a single console as well.
I don't think they make that boat anymore unless I missed it. You got a link?
done reply :
What dealers (brand wise) do you have within an hour of your house?
Personally, i would try to stay with a brand that has local representation. Stuff breaks, and it helps to not have to drive a LONG way to get it fixed. This is assuming you are looking brand new with a warranty.
00 mod reply :
well definitely no fish/ski combo boat.....learned my lesson with that with my dads fish/ski hydrasport....
Looking new at:
stratos 176xt but for 15 can only get yamaha 50ltr
nitro x-5 (hopefully get a last years model clearance)
tracker 190tx or tournament v18
g3 eagle 180
lowe stinger modv 170
and used:
would love to find a great deal on a used Ranger!!!
Nice_Bass reply :
Just put a down payment on a new boat not 10 minutes....god it feels so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Went with the tracker 175 with a 75 optimax.
mainebassin650 reply :
QuoteQuoteI like my glass boat, but when I'm ready for a new one I'm going to a Lowe 180w (aluminum).I've fished a few tournaments out of one and fell in love. It's actually a crappie/walleye boat, but it has tons of storage and the livewell layouts are amazing!
They usually come with 150hp Merc's or Yami's. Just an awesome layout and extremely stable.
Here's a pic of the deck. They come is a single console as well.
I don't think they make that boat anymore unless I missed it. You got a link?
No, they don't make them anymore unfortunately :'(
They replaced them with the Stinger series, which is basically the same style hull design, but they bumped down the max HP rating too.
Nola reply :
00mod, PM sent
MattinOK reply :
QuoteJust put a down payment on a new boat not 10 minutes....god it feels so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Went with the tracker 175 with a 75 optimax.
Do the several thousand dollars of interest feel awesome?
Nice_Bass reply :
QuoteQuoteJust put a down payment on a new boat not 10 minutes....god it feels so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Went with the tracker 175 with a 75 optimax.
Do the several thousand dollars of interest feel awesome?
Down payment on a boat=reserve the hull, have them proceed with the upgrades, pay in full once boat is complete.
And no, several thousand dollars interest would be a drop in the bucket for doing what you love in the event i was not paying cash....
Have you ever bought a house or boat, or car????? :-?
Some day soon man,...you will do the same.
kbkindle reply :
when you have that kind of money and love to bass fish dont short change your self and go for some thing cheaper than you would be proud of. dont make the mistake of going less that what you would be happy with so you can keep the boat you decied on . (DO IT RIGHT) the first time and you can have the boat that makes you happy then it will last a lot of years :
done reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteJust put a down payment on a new boat not 10 minutes....god it feels so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Went with the tracker 175 with a 75 optimax.
Do the several thousand dollars of interest feel awesome?
Down payment on a boat=reserve the hull, have them proceed with the upgrades, pay in full once boat is complete.
And no, several thousand dollars interest would be a drop in the bucket for doing what you love in the event i was not paying cash....
Have you ever bought a house or boat, or car????? :-?
Some day soon man,...you will do the same.
You pulled the trigger on her eh? You will have to post back when you get it and say what ya think. I love my 175
heyitskirby reply :
Wait a year before buying. Granted this advice can always change...but I bought a Nitro X-4 because of the price and now the X-5 is the same price with a larger motor.
Always consider whether or not you plan on tournament fishing, though. While I would love a bigger motor, I also don't tournament fish. Which means I'm in no hurry to get anywhere.
And just because...consider how many bodies of water there are around you that you can put a larger boat in. I have recently wish I had a SMALLER motor/boat due to the fact that there are good bass lakes around me with motor restrictions.
jfowler reply :
if i was looking into a x-5 i would go with the z-7 alot more boat for 4 grand more ,you will wish you had gone larger after a couple trips ( a boat gets smaller with more stuff in it esp. a 75 pound dog. I would got to some of trackers independent dealers you could prob pick up a z-7 with a 150 for close to what the x-5 is at bass pro.
just my .02
Nice_Bass reply :
Quotewhen you have that kind of money and love to bass fish dont short change your self and go for some thing cheaper than you would be proud of. dont make the mistake of going less that what you would be happy with so you can keep the boat you decied on . (DO IT RIGHT) the first time and you can have the boat that makes you happy then it will last a lot of years :
I agree. The fiance and I set a price though, the rest is going to our wedding, so really I had a limit. I think it is a great boat. Also, alot of the lakes i fish it will be just right for.
Mstarr, i will post full rig pics soon as she gets in! I can not wait, i know i am going to love it too!
K.Fox reply :
Good for you!!!! Thats exciting!
Long Mike reply :
I thought long and hard about the boat I was about to purchase. First of all, I wanted a late-model used boat. Then wanted a boat that I could fish in the stumps without too much fear of damaging the hull. Next I wanted a boat that was wide and stable. Then I wanted a boat that could handle the rough water on big lakes. Then I wanted lots of storage space for rods and gear. Then I wanted a boat that had a good speed, but not warp speed. Then I wanted a boat that would really attract the honeys. I succeeded in satisfying all my requirements but the last one. I bought a 2004 TV-18 with a Merc 150. I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that the honeys aren't really attracted to bass boats piloted by old men.
Owasco reply :
QuoteI thought long and hard about the boat I was about to purchase. First of all, I wanted a late-model used boat. Then wanted a boat that I could fish in the stumps without too much fear of damaging the hull. Next I wanted a boat that was wide and stable. Then I wanted a boat that could handle the rough water on big lakes. Then I wanted lots of storage space for rods and gear. Then I wanted a boat that had a good speed, but not warp speed. Then I wanted a boat that would really attract the honeys. I succeeded in satisfying all my requirements but the last one. I bought a 2004 TV-18 with a Merc 150. I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that the honeys aren't really attracted to bass boats piloted by old men.
Ha! Post of the Month!
Hot Rod reply :
QuoteI've reluctantly come to the conclusion that the honeys aren't really attracted to bass boats piloted by old men.
I guess that depends on how high ones standards are and how one defines "honeys" ;D
But seriously, hope you enjoy the boat! Remember when purchasing the boat to save enough $ for the fuel/oil/maintenance not to mention some cash to throw at the dreaded "bait monkey".
bryand82487 reply :
Get the best your willing to afford if your certain that fishing is going to be a life long passion and not just a phase. If you do decide to go with a boat around $18,000 then check this one out. It's near us and I'm sure you could talk them down.
http://www.fishingworld.com/vdealers/tn/bandBOutdoors/Details.tmpl?SKU=129260326180777165&RID=78769
BassThumb reply :
There are a ton of really nice used boats out there, if you're willing to go that route then look into these, the Stratos 275 Pro XL with 91" beam. I think going with used fiberglass would be your best bet with a budget of $10k. I bought this exact one directly from a dealership in MS after I spotted it on Ebay and the bidding didn't meet the reserve. The dealership lined up a guy to drive it right to my driveway for $500 extra. The 275/285 are great boats and are head and shoulders better than the Stratos 176/186. I paid a little over $8K for it. If you're budget is $10K, make sure you save a nice chunk for new tires, winch, and boating tools and accessories.
http://www.classifiedads.com/boats-ad3391627.htm
If you're looking for a used Ranger, keep an eye on Ebay and if you find the one you want, contact the seller or dealership and offer a fair price, they may take it and end the auction. Many, many boat auctions never reach their reserves. The dealer I bought my boat from said they would have gladly ended the auction if I had made a back door offer for $8K. They were just tired of the nickle and dimers who were offering $1115 for boats worth much more. There are a lot of nice glass boats that come and go on Ebay in the $8-9 range.
fishn hard reply :
Jeff how far are you from Knoxville? take a trip over to the Allison factory and talk to Darius Allison and take trip through the facility and see how there built Tell Darius how much money you have and ill bet that he can hook you up with a nice used boat and then go rite down the road and look at the Bullets these boats are well built and there resale is great and the Allison is not made with fiberglass
Chaz Hickcox reply :
QuoteIf you were planning on buying a new boat within the coming year, and you were in this predicament? What would you do?Fish for primarily Bass, but sometimes bream/crappie
mostly smaller waters(<200 acres), but would love to venture out to some bigger lakes( 1000+)
want enough room for 2 people to fish comfortably and have a console. want to be able to let the other half have enough room to layout once she gets tired of fishing, and also room to bring the dog (75 lbs)
plenty of storage, and live-well, even though I rarely keep fish. leaning towards fiberglass over aluminum but would consider both!
**hold resale value and or trade in value as I'm likely to get hooked and want that d**n Ranger before too long**
situation 1.
You had $10,000 to spend and want it to go straight to the lake
situation 2.
You had a couple thousand bucks and wouldn't mind financing a new boat up to around $18000
Let me know what you would do and what you would consider.
Jeff
BASS CAT SABRE!!!!!!
http://www.basscat.com/sabreftd.html
Check out the forum on the website. There is no better family of boats to own or be a part of. I would say do what I did and get a Pantera IV, I got my '04 for $18K. But that's a bit more boat than should be on small water like you explain. If you're looking for a loan go to reclending.com and once they call you back ask for Todd. He did mine and was awesome to deal with, not to mention he's a fellow Jarhead too.
Pa Angler reply :
I have ordered a new boat a Nitro Z-7 and I fish mostly water in less than 12'. I fish for Pike, Walleye and Bass although Walleye is a night thing for me. The things a look at are length of the boat but big enough to take on rough water. I fish a lot of backwater and small creeks off the main lake, Ample power in both outboard and trolling motors, storage capacity and upgraded eletronics.
Tight Lines
Pa Angler
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