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New boat suggestions #12378364 08/09/17 02:04 AM
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Bahala Offline OP
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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?


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Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12378504 08/09/17 03:48 AM
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stxrippinlips1 Offline
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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.


Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12378566 08/09/17 04:58 AM
Joined: Jun 2012
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A
Andrew Y'Barbo Offline
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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.

Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12378655 08/09/17 11:42 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 917
C130 Offline
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Originally Posted By: Bahala
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
Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12378678 08/09/17 12:15 PM
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Ken A. Online Content
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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! roflmao

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.


Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12378687 08/09/17 12:20 PM
Joined: Sep 2007
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bluebonnet2 Offline
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good morning,

check BBC boats for sale............some really good deals....just saying

good luck.
PURA VIDA.
bluebonnet2

Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12378693 08/09/17 12:23 PM
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,170
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snickers Offline
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Be smart buy a Ranger

Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12378745 08/09/17 01:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2013
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spacejunkie Online Content
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I would try to find something like this for fishing that lake. At the price they are asking if the transom is solid you have some extra money for upgrades if needed.

https://sanmarcos.craigslist.org/boa/d/2003-cobra-201dmercury-optimax/6204705589.html

Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12379145 08/09/17 05:07 PM
Joined: Aug 2017
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Bahala Offline OP
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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.


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Re: New boat suggestions [Re: snickers] #12379170 08/09/17 05:21 PM
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Huckleberry Offline
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Originally Posted By: snickers
Be smart buy a Ranger


rolleyes

Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12379171 08/09/17 05:21 PM
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buda13 Offline
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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!




Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12379225 08/09/17 06:10 PM
Joined: Nov 2013
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JMac-D Offline
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Get an older Ranger,Champion or Basscat.

Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12379244 08/09/17 06:24 PM
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fouzman Online Content
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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.
Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12379272 08/09/17 06:53 PM
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Tufhrse Offline
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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

Re: New boat suggestions [Re: Bahala] #12379305 08/09/17 07:28 PM
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Fishinfellow Online Content
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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... 2cents


Thats my money fish
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