Whats the better choice in your opinion a brand new bass tracker 190tx for $20,995 or a used bigger boat for about the same price?

Also whats the gas price difference in a 115 outboard and a 250 motor?

Coming from a tracker pro team 165 with a 25hp motor looking to upgrade.

I avoid buying new since boats, cars, etc. are depreciating assets and the first couple of years are a killer. The downside is that you could have to pay for the past sins of previous owners so diligence into what you are buying is important. If it were me, and I had a $21K budget, I would be looking for a used bass boat around 20 foot with at least a 225. No doubt a 225 or 250 will consume more fuel than a 115.

I've got a 200 2-stroke, and I don't think it is two bad. I can get 3 trips or more out of 50 gallons depending on how much running around I do. However, I had a jet boat at one time with a 460 in it, and it would burn through both tanks in a day.

used

I would look for a newer 19' with a 200. I had an 09 BassCat PII with a 200, it had awesome fuel economy and ran like a scalded dog. I loved that boat!

Brian

The big decision you need to make is whether you want a glass or aluminum boat. If you pick aluminum be sure to check out some of the other brands before you go tracker, you might like one of them better or you might not

Used

I would get at least a 19' with 200.

Thats an educated decision that has to be made by you based on a combination of your wants and desires combined with your financial responsibilities and position. Not offense but what difference does it matter what someone else would do?

Used can be a real money saver if you have a lot of time to look. The trouble I have run into in the past looking at used boats is my definition of good condition is not the same as the sellers definition. If you're looking for a specific used boat then be ready for the long haul because you have really narrowed your choices down. I've bought used boats in the past with good luck however, after looking to upgrade last year and not being able to find what I wanted, I bought a new one. Financially used boats make better sense because you're not paying profit but having years of warranty from bow to stern is comforting too. Good luck whichever way you go.

used

I was debating this exact same thing about a year or so ago. I was in the market for a bigger boat because I was just fishing out of a little Jon Boat. The appeal of a new boat was pulling me that way, I was actually looking at the new Ranger aluminum boats. I ended up deciding to go with a used fiberglass boat and after fishing out of it for a year or so, I am so glad that's the choice I made.

Rough water is hard in aluminum boat and before I had spent much time on the water I just figured when someone is talking about rough water they are talking about those real bad storms or something. Not the case, the water gets rough any time the wind hits 15-20mph and in Texas that's very common. I thought a regular size bass boat was going to be too much boat for me, but I really love my boat and could not imagine not having it. Mine is small by today's standards, 18 1/2, but its damn near the perfect size for me. I wouldn't trade it for a brand new aluminum today even though the newer aluminum boat would be worth more money.

And there are some good deals on used boats in the price range you mentioned.

Several factors affect what you would consider the "ideal" boat in that situation. Do you intend to frequent big lakes that are often windy? Do you intend to be on lakes with no stumps or lakes where you're bouncing from one stump to the next? Do you intend to keep this boat until it falls apart or is it a stepping stone to the next rig a couple years down the road?

The opinion of the "best" option can be very different between the guy that goes out every couple of months when the weather is nice and the guy that goes out every weekend and has to fight wind, big waves, etc.

I fish every weekend with tournaments every few weekends. I would use that 20k on a mid-2000's model 18.5 or 19 ft fiberglass boat with a 175 or 200 hp. That boat will be faster, more stable and more comfortable in bad weather than the tracker you mentioned. However, it will also be more expensive to run and tow, sit deeper in the water, harder to get over stumps, and easier to damage the hull than the tracker.

Pros and cons of both. Obviously depreciation is a huge thing when buying a new boat, but ask yourself this. Are you going to keep the boat for the long haul? maybe 10+ years? If so, buying new you get bitching rights and warranty, while used... not so much

Used, no question.

I found myself in nearly the same situation 3 years ago with a Tracker 175 (60 hp). Loved the boat, but was tired of fighting the wind all the time (which would still be the case with a Tracker 190) and I simply couldn't enjoy fishing any �big water� when it wasn't calm conditions.

Decided to make the leap to a fiberglass boat and chose a Nitro Z-7 (150 hp) based on similar comments made here already (2 years old, in-warranty, documented maintenance). An additional requirement was that it fit in my garage (just like the Tracker 175) so that I wouldn't spend money on storage. The Z-7 fit the bill as it is a 18� 8� boat with a sing-away tongue and just fits in a standard garage.

Found one about an hour away and paid $17,500 for it. Has totally changed my life when it comes to enjoying fishing! Does everything I need and is an absolute dream to fish from. Couldn't imagine finding anything better for the price.