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New boat suggestions
#12378364
08/09/17 02:04 AM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 213
Bahala
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 213 |
I posted this earlier in the freshwater forum, but I see this forum gets a lot more traffic, so I thought I would post here as well.
I have been wanting a boat for a long time but have never bought one. I now have a teenaged son that is CRAZY about bass fishing. He even wants to join the angler's club when he goes to HS this year. Anyway, I'm looking at boats for he and I to use primarily on Conroe and to participate in HS club tournaments. I'm hoping to find something under $25k, but might stretch that for the right deal. I haven spent any real time on a bass boat since the 90s! Any suggestions on what to look for?
Marine Electronics and Accessories Sales, Installs, and Repair. We are authorized re-sellers for Garmin, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Ionic Lithium Batteries, and many more. Give us a call at 936-247-3800.
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12378504
08/09/17 03:48 AM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 147
stxrippinlips1
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 147 |
I would go with something that isn't going to be a financial burden first and foremost. I have owned now 2 boats, and the have both been used. I would search around for the best deal, and what fits your needs. I started with a 2000 17ft triton that was lightly used by an older gentleman that was a great deal. Now I have a skeeter fx20 that was used also. I would go this route and save your money on a new boat, to tell you the truth the bass boat industry is out of control, as far as pricing of their boats. I could not see myself spending 70k plus for a bass boat, it is down right ridiculous in my opinion! You can find a way better deal looking for a light used boat for a far better price. I would buy one from an owner directly also, just like used cars you do not want to buy a used boat from a marine stealership! Just do some research and you can find one, trust me.
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12378566
08/09/17 04:58 AM
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,390
Andrew Y'Barbo
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,390 |
I would definitely suggest a big aluminum boat. Every now and they you can find a year old 19' G3 in your price range. Definitely stick with G3 or xpress. I've seen to many people fall into the tracker trap. They depreciate faster than the rest.
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12378655
08/09/17 11:42 AM
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 917
C130
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 917 |
I posted this earlier in the freshwater forum, but I see this forum gets a lot more traffic, so I thought I would post here as well.
I have been wanting a boat for a long time but have never bought one. I now have a teenaged son that is CRAZY about bass fishing. He even wants to join the angler's club when he goes to HS this year. Anyway, I'm looking at boats for he and I to use primarily on Conroe and to participate in HS club tournaments. I'm hoping to find something under $25k, but might stretch that for the right deal. I haven spent any real time on a bass boat since the 90s! Any suggestions on what to look for? What high school team is he joining? I oversee the Magnolia Anglers and know we have a few parents interested in boats. My son and I fish Conroe a lot and it gets rough a lot. My suggestion is to get a 20 foot plus boat, minimum of 19 feet. I bought an 18 foot boat and didn't keep it long. The extra length is nice with three people in the boat and it improved the ride. But, any boat is great and will do the job. The 18 foot Bass Cat I bought was an 08 and literally looked like it came off the showroom floor. There wasn't a single scratch on the entire boat. 80 hours and had never been stored outside, gave around $19,000.
Bass Cat Eyra
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12378678
08/09/17 12:15 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,504
Ken A.
Groovy
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Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,504 |
Agree with C130. Buy the biggest boat you can comfortably afford. There is a huge difference in the way a 19' boat fishes with 3 aboard versus a 17 footer. Same goes for the 19 versus a 21. Stick with one of the major brands and have the outboard checked over thoroughly before you commit. The bottom line is all boats are money pits. It is all about how far you want to get off in that pit. The cash outlay doesn't stop when you buy the boat. There are other things to consider like storage, insurance, maintenance, two vehicle. I had a buddy that was about to pull the trigger on a new bass boat at a boat show without realizing his Toyota Camry wouldn't pull it! Don't get me wrong. If any of my boys wanted to fish HS or Collegiate, I would buy whatever I could afford and encourage them every day. Good luck in your search. $25K will buy a nice rig if you look around.
Last edited by Ken A.; 08/09/17 12:19 PM.
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12378687
08/09/17 12:20 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 613
bluebonnet2
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 613 |
good morning,
check BBC boats for sale............some really good deals....just saying
good luck. PURA VIDA. bluebonnet2
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12378693
08/09/17 12:23 PM
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,170
snickers
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,170 |
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12379145
08/09/17 05:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 213
Bahala
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 213 |
Thank you all for the suggestions! Fortunately I have the tow vehicle covered and I definitely want to stay budget minded. I don't want to be paying for a boat I cant afford to run.
C130 - we are in Montgomery.
Marine Electronics and Accessories Sales, Installs, and Repair. We are authorized re-sellers for Garmin, Humminbird, Lowrance, Minn Kota, Ionic Lithium Batteries, and many more. Give us a call at 936-247-3800.
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12379171
08/09/17 05:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,103
buda13
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,103 |
Hammer used boat sites daily, shockingly Craigslist has some legit good deals come up every now and then. You should be able to get a top of the line 20-21' boat around 8-10 years old in your price range no problem. Also, the better deals IMO seem to start showing up in about September when everyone's tournament seasons are coming to an end. I bought my current boat last September, paid under $20k for a 10 year old Skeeter ZX225.... those deals are out there just keep looking!
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12379225
08/09/17 06:10 PM
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,867
JMac-D
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,867 |
Get an older Ranger,Champion or Basscat.
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12379244
08/09/17 06:24 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,006
fouzman
Methuselah
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Methuselah
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 50,006 |
I would not buy an aluminum boat for Conroe. Like C130 said, get the biggest boat you can afford. I just sold my 21' Skeeter FX to a friend who has fished Conroe forever. He was running a 20' FX but wanted a bigger boat. I've owned four 20' Skeeters and the difference in ride between those and the 21' were very noticeable in rough water and windy conditions. You'll find the same with all brands. Good luck on your search and don't settle. Get a nice, pre-owned glass boat powered by either Mercury or Yamaha, within your budget, and you'll be happy.
"Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out" - Zachary Troy Schrah - a young man with vision far beyond his years.
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12379272
08/09/17 06:53 PM
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Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 28
Tufhrse
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 28 |
Don't rule out the newer aluminum boats. Ranger make a great 19'4" with a 150 Merc. Boat runs great (57), even with the lousy Conroe waves. They will going to many lakes, and will not have any trouble with the larger Rangers, or even the Trackers. Check out the floor plan on the RT198P. Same as the Ranger 21. You tube has good video's. Don't let the old school thinking on Aluminum fool ya. Glass is always a good deal also.Good luck on your boat
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Re: New boat suggestions
[Re: Bahala]
#12379305
08/09/17 07:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,177
Fishinfellow
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 5,177 |
I'll be one of the outliers and vote Triton. I had an '01 Triton TR21 that drove pretty good and I'm in a '13 Triton 19SE now. Any boat in "showroom condition" is probably going to fetch a premium but from my boat searches I've found triton to be more affordable. BUT you will have to learn how to drive it...
Thats my money fish Kris Winhold
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