Hey all.

Getting back into bass fishing with the possibility of getting stationed in California, and I always wanted to own my own boat one day as a kid, being limited to the banks. I just recently paid cash for a Silverado, I'm debt free with some money in the bank and plan to buy this boat with CASH. No financing. What do you think $10k could fetch me as far as bass boats go, which motors should I look for and stay away from? Rangers vs. Skeeters vs. Nitros?

This will be used for casual fishing on the weekend for me and my wife, or a friend whom I bring fishing. I don't care about getting across the water at 80 mph, just a nice boat for the money. Thanks in advance for your input!!

I'd think some sort of aluminum rig.gunna have to weed through a bunch of boats for fiberglass

For just a little more than your budget, you can find a great boat. I found a Skeeter TZX190 with a 150 4 stroke Yamaha for not much more than your budget. It also only had 42 hours on the boat and motor.

You gotta stay vigilant with the search and have cash in hand when it shows up.

He�s right 10000 fiberglass boats that aren�t junk or old and problematic are hard to find. Also watch out if it has a tube trailer they can rust out .
You could get a tracker not to old for that just sayin. Their ain�t no shame in starting out with what you can afford just get one go fish.
J D

I�d wait until you find out where you will be

The boat best for you in Texas (wind, stumps, more wind, more stumps) might be different than your needs in California (very deep lakes, delta, and coastal waters)

Be vigilant and do not get in a hurry. Have it checked out. Bet you find something older but good!

I think if you know what to look for, there ARE good fiberglass boats out there for 10K. Being a college kid I have never had a lot of money to spend on a boat, but looking hard, I've found a couple boats I've been fortunate enough to fish from. Now, there are a bunch of boats out there that are junk and can burn you. BUT, with knowing what to properly look for, there are definitely 20+ foot boats out there with 200+ horsepower for less than 10 grand. I promise you there is. Or don't always get stuck in the deal of having to have a 20 foot boat. My first boat was 18 foot with a 175 and it was AWESOME. Usually will be a 90s model boat for the price range you are looking in. With that said in those year ranges, any Mercury EFI is a good motor in my book, especially the 2.5s. Absolutely can't go wrong there. The Yamaha OX66 motors were good ones, as well as the Pro V motors though they are carb motors. Also the Johnson Fast Strike/Evinrude intruder motors are decent ones but are carb, but I'm not particularly an OMC man, don't like the venom/vindicator motors. I'd personally be looking for something with a Mercury 2.5 on it followed closely by a Yamaha.

Best thing to do if you're after this forums advice is find a couple you like, take a couple of pics with as much info about the boat as you can get and then post it. Too many variables to just ask about a bass boat. Like one of the posters said, find out where you're going to end up and what type of lakes you're going to be fishing and that will help decide how big a boat will fit your needs. Don't expect much other than a mechanically sound and safe boat. A real looker she probably won't be.

If you�re going to be in NorCal the motor might not matter but you would probably want a 17� boat or bigger since those lakes are pretty big and you�ve also got the delta. But if you�ll be in SoCal, there are some lakes that only allow 4 stroke or DFI motors. And all of the SoCal lakes are tiny. You won�t need very much boat for those lakes. But it will need to be watertight. No livewells that don�t drain completely or anything like that or you�ll have to mop all of the water out by hand before you can get on some of those lakes. Some lakes won�t let you launch your boat at all if they find some water in your bilge or livewell. Very strict rules with some of those lakes around here.

I agree, used glass boats are stupid high right now. Pretty much any glass boat in that price range will be a 1990's model or earlier, and remember most glass boat companies still used wood to build the transom and stringers back then, you want to find something with composite not wood.

Forgot one more thing. If you�re absolutely sure you�ll want to stick with bass fishing and not get into saltwater fishing I would definitely go ahead and buy a boat in Texas. It�s very very hard to find a nice boat for a reasonable price here in California. Extremely limited supply and all of the boats are waaaaay overpriced. By anywhere from two to five thousand dollars. Really. You�ll find yourself amazed at how much [censored] is priced in the 5k-10k range.

Don�t buy anything until a Mechanic checks it out for you, just because it runs good doesn�t mean their are no problems, compression check is crucial but a complete check over is what you really need.

Right at your 10k mark!!!!

Yeeeeep I found or really my friend THAT I MET ON TFF found me a 96' Champion 202 ONE OWNER in pretty close to mint condition ON THE TFF. We all estimated with around 40-80 hours, now no telling how many she has now The boat had been kept inside, carpet like new, gelcoat like new, not a single stress crack, boat is like new condition. After I bought it for right at your 10k mark, I received all the original information in a File with cover letter printed with my name stating the contents, all the original custom order forms and all factory papers and brochures on and on, etc, all untouched and unwrinkled. I was stunned. I will be the first to say I got lucky. My friend text me and said "I found your boat" and he was right. I first called and talked to him(lucky) then text him my cash in hand and he sent me on my way to meet at his house. He told me when I got there that he couldn't get cell range inside his house and that I caught him in the lawn out back. So as I was hooking up my new to me boat to go meet my mechanic friend and lake test the boat, he showed me his phone and it looked like a bomb hit it with messages and calls. Literally pages of calls and text, no joke, he's on tff just ask him(lost) it was a crazy boat and deal, I was literally in the perfect place at the right second, like catching a giant bass!!! My boat is insane, trailer is c channel steel like new condition. She does have a 2.5 efi 200, Came with two lowrance X75s barely used with cases. I myself and friends still cannot believe how lucky I got that day. Never been one to win anything, but felt like I won a freaking Olympic sprint race that day!!! OK sorry Ill stop bragging there.. Thanks Justin! Thanks Jake!!!!!

So like all have said. You can get a VERY nice boat, and even a 20' boat if you want, could even get one with a nice four stroke or a 200+ hp merc/yam, all within or right around that 10k mark. Ive actually owned like 5-6 like new, used boats. Buying a boat is a wonderful thing, its your life if you know what I mean, TAKE YOUR TIME, get one thats a stand out, you'll find one trust us. I personally think you want between 19-20 and as some say get biggest you can afford if on a budget. I like my 20 for sure after almost getting tossed out of a 19 this weekend on rough water heading to weigh in QUICK, but I also like the jet ski feel sometimes.. lol. Waiting on "just the right one" is hard to do when you have money to buy a boat, ha!!! Good luck, can't wait to hear the next 10k find!!!

WHATEVER!!!!

You were never in any real danger!!! I was in complete control. Hah ha ha ha. Bwah ha

Pedal to the metal in the "Skeeter ****er Beeter"!

Interesting input. I appreciate it all