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BOAT HELP!
#12285079
06/08/17 09:32 PM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514
i-Fish
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514 |
Looking to get my first boat! Got my eyes on a nice Nitro Z7..
BUT! I've totally given Ranger and Tracker aluminums a look and I like what I see. Anybody here have experiences with both glass and aluminum? What did you gain or lose from one to the other (outside of the obvious). Doing all the homework I can to make the best decision possible. Will be fishing at least once a week so I'll get good use out of it.
If you can't find em wind em.
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: i-Fish]
#12285101
06/08/17 09:48 PM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737
GIG'EM AGGIES
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737 |
You'll get more for the money with the Z7. Tracker's are ok but really rock back and forth while on the deck and not a dry ride at all. Ranger's are Ranger's but you gotta pay for it.
I am a Senager. (Senior teenager) I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 50 years later. I get an allowance every month. I have PU truck and a bass boat, I am blessed. Conscience never acquits, it either accuses or excuses.
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: i-Fish]
#12285230
06/08/17 11:21 PM
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 294
wlgorman
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 294 |
Got a friend with a Bass tracker, 19ft, 2014 w 115 merc. It will run about 55. Smooth ride for aluminum. Havent been on REALLY rough water with him but the ride has been comfortable and dry. Stable while fishing, good deck layout. Seems like a solid alum boat.
That being said, most any fiberglass boat will be better I think. If you're buying new you can get a heck of a fiberglass boat thats a couple of years old for the price of a new bass tracker that I think youll be happier with in the long run.
I dont have any input on your other options, though.
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: i-Fish]
#12285238
06/08/17 11:24 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,893
5Redman8
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,893 |
Forget aluminum.....rough ride....and get blown around on the water to where you have to stay on the trolling motor and positioning is difficult
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: i-Fish]
#12285249
06/08/17 11:35 PM
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 582
FXfromTx
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 582 |
I don't know about Ranger Aluminum boats, but I would be careful with the bass trackers. They're nice looking boats but don't seem to hold their value very well. And no matter what the guy at Bass Pro tries to tell you they aren't all metal. There is quite a bit of plywood in one of those boats, or at least there was two years ago when I looked at a new one at BPS. All you have to do is open up a couple lids and you will find wood in the deck. They do use good marine grade plywood but it will rot, that's all there is to it. I helped a neighbor replace the deck in his 2002(I think) model. Pain in the..... and it doesn't ride near like any of the fiberglass boats I've owned, nor is it as stable while fishing. Glass boats seem a lot wider and more roomy to me too. I've owned a 16 foot bass boat too, it even seemed more roomy than his Bass Tracker.
Last edited by FXfromTx; 06/08/17 11:36 PM.
"The fishing was good; it was the catching that was bad."
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: i-Fish]
#12285290
06/09/17 12:10 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 7,661
bradnitro175
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 7,661 |
Best thing you can do is ride and fish out of both especially if your buying brand new
BIG FAT BASS LIVES MATTER
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: GIG'EM AGGIES]
#12285291
06/09/17 12:10 AM
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Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737
GIG'EM AGGIES
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 7,737 |
You'll get more for the money with the Z7. Tracker's are ok but really rock back and forth while on the deck and not a dry ride at all. Ranger's are Ranger's but you gotta pay for it. When I mentioned Ranger I was referring to glass Ranger not aluminum.
I am a Senager. (Senior teenager) I have everything that I wanted as a teenager, only 50 years later. I get an allowance every month. I have PU truck and a bass boat, I am blessed. Conscience never acquits, it either accuses or excuses.
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: GIG'EM AGGIES]
#12285347
06/09/17 12:56 AM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514
i-Fish
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514 |
You'll get more for the money with the Z7. Tracker's are ok but really rock back and forth while on the deck and not a dry ride at all. Ranger's are Ranger's but you gotta pay for it. When I mentioned Ranger I was referring to glass Ranger not aluminum. Ok, Thanks.
If you can't find em wind em.
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: bradnitro175]
#12285351
06/09/17 12:58 AM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514
i-Fish
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514 |
Best thing you can do is ride and fish out of both especially if your buying brand new Is that an option? Can you test a new boat?
If you can't find em wind em.
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: i-Fish]
#12285497
06/09/17 02:29 AM
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 416
H2ODawg67
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 416 |
You better test it spending that kind of money. If they don't let you test it I would go to a dealer that does.
Formerly H2ODawg
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: i-Fish]
#12285500
06/09/17 02:31 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 7,661
bradnitro175
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 7,661 |
I meant find someone with an aluminum and someone with a fiberglass. Nitro not so much, but there is a big difference between aluminum and glass on the water
BIG FAT BASS LIVES MATTER
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: i-Fish]
#12285517
06/09/17 02:40 AM
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,473
K.D.
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 15,473 |
How do you fish? What kind of water? If you like to fish shallow, fish only small lakes or limit yourself to singular branches of large lakes an aluminum boat with a 90-150 can be great fun and easy to fish from. Lots of lakes in North and East Texas that fish great with an aluminum boat.
If you like to fish bigger water, don't want to be limited on range and will fish this same water regardless of weather or wind, you'll appreciate the benefits of a glass boat.
I have owned both. I was much more selective in where and when I fished with the aluminum boat.
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: bradnitro175]
#12285960
06/09/17 01:41 PM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514
i-Fish
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514 |
I meant find someone with an aluminum and someone with a fiberglass. Nitro not so much, but there is a big difference between aluminum and glass on the water My buddy has a 17' glass Ranger but he's the only friend I have that fishes so I would have to get lucky to ride and fish on aluminum. I like the glass and know that 18' is going to be even better on windy days on the chop.
If you can't find em wind em.
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: K.D.]
#12285975
06/09/17 01:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514
i-Fish
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,514 |
How do you fish? What kind of water? If you like to fish shallow, fish only small lakes or limit yourself to singular branches of large lakes an aluminum boat with a 90-150 can be great fun and easy to fish from. Lots of lakes in North and East Texas that fish great with an aluminum boat.
If you like to fish bigger water, don't want to be limited on range and will fish this same water regardless of weather or wind, you'll appreciate the benefits of a glass boat.
I have owned both. I was much more selective in where and when I fished with the aluminum boat.
Something to think about, yea. With this being my first boat I can only speculate as to how I would like to fish. I envision moving fast on the TM trying to find a pattern so if that means I gotta get out of that creek arm to hit main points or offshore then so be it. I've only been on Joe Pool with my buddy and it's usually been up to 20mph or more which was a struggle. That's a 17' boat though whereas I'll be in an 18' which will help. But JP is a small lake so I have no clue what a lake like Rayburn or Fork will fish.
If you can't find em wind em.
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Re: BOAT HELP!
[Re: i-Fish]
#12290254
06/12/17 06:42 PM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 314
1-more-cast
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 314 |
I'm going to sell my 2008 Legend Alpha 211 with a 250 Merc Pro XS. Double console but have the console off right now. Very good condition. Asking $35,000 but I am negotiable. I got a sponsorship by Legend when I was fishing the Women's BASS but that was only a couple yrs and then I fished some of the regional Media Outdoors tournaments. Had health problems so haven't been able to fish much in the last several yrs. For more info call my boyfriend Steve at 903-563-9238 because I can't take calls at work. I have pics I can send. Karol Whitehurst
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