Im looking to buy a new boat for crappie fishing this Feb-Mar. Budget is 25-28k all in. I've looked at G3 online, but other than that have no idea what to look at. What brand boat, motor, electronics and trolling motor should I be looking at? Not my first boat, grew up fishing out if a '79 Ranger until it gave up the ghost some 15yrs ago.

any boat can be used for crappie fishing.

It's hard to suggest what type of boat to get because it's so much personal preference. I fish out of a bass boat because I like bass boats. Is it the best boat for crappie fishing? Probably not, but it has lots of storage, comfortable and suites my needs. You fished out of a Ranger so you have experience with a heavy fiberglass boat. You might want to fish out of aluminum boat before buying one because there is a world of difference between it and a glass boat. I suggest take a pencil and paper and make of list of what you want in a boat and go from there. I assure you it's out there. I know this isn't much help but good luck in your search.

What you have to have is electronics good enough to find them, and a trolling motor big enough and with 'spot-loc' to hold your boat in place....then,...as stated above, I suggest take a pencil and paper and make of list of what you want in a boat and go from there.

I have a Ranger RT 188 that I love,..jim..

I have a G3. It's been good to us since 2007.

We use Lowrance products and just installed a Garmin 126SV and a Livescope LVS32. Haven't used either yet.
Going Monday.

My dream boat is one of those War Eagle boats. Not sure of their cost.

For Crappie Fishing I like metal instead of fiberglass.

For Motors Yamaha all the way.

We have the Minn Kota Ulterra for a trolling motor.

Obviously everyone has their personal preferences.

Good Luck!

Bigkraka check out this boat with video in the boat section here. 2016 RANGER RT188 CAMO PACKAGE
by camoriver

What lakes will you be fishing and how many people on the boat? Ranger still has a great reputation and makes glass and aluminum boats. The RB 190 model is a nice center console setup. I fished out of a G3 sportsman 2100 a few weeks ago and man that was a beautiful boat. Pricey but really well designed layout and features.

Also budget $5k to $7k for electronics and trolling motor unless the one you buy has exactly what you want (could easily spend even more on electronics).

And if buying new you really want to have a quality place to service your boats. You cant just take these things to any boat mechanic and expect great service and they are too dang complicated to work on them yourself.

Good info, thanks. I am leaning towards Yamaha outboard, Minn Kota with spot loc, and Lowrance graph with gps and downscan. Last guide trip our guide had Powerscope, holly [censored] that thing is amazing.

Really tough to suggest a brand of boat and motor. That's a lot of personal preference. I'd say make sure it's got power poles/talons, spot lock and side imaging or maybe live scope and you'll be good. Also make sure it's big enough to handle the water you'll be fishing. Fishing coves and creeks you can get away with a lot less boat than fishing open water on Cedar Creek or Fork or any of the big lakes.

Almost any boat will work for crappie so you may want to think about other species you may be after before you decide on a boat type. I catch lots of crappie with my 14' jon boat with a trolling motor. Personally, I prefer a center console for most of my fishing. You can get a lot more rod holders and it is more comfortable when more people are fishing with you. Oh and go with Yamaha.

Last boat I bought was 20' center console Xpress with hyper V. Got the 115 SHO 4 stroke Yamaha. Love this package. Many great suggestions have been made above, but the one thing I would add is I had mine rigged out with 2 seats up front. This is great so that your fishing partner is over the brush pile too.

Depends a lot on the kind of water you will be fishing. At the outset, I bought a beautiful ranger that my wife did not especially like and it did not handle rough water very well. Accidentally found a used 21' ft center console with a 150 yamaha that we like a lot better. Found it on a consignment lot and it was very low hours and have had no problem. Kind of a personal preference thing, but for us it is much better. Roomier, and at least seems safer on windy days.

Don't know if you prefer alum or fiberglass. To get the elec you want and new boat you'll most likely have to go with alum.
Take a look at the Xpress XP7. Wider beam than the XP17PFC and about $5K less with the 70 hp Yamaha. Leaves room to upgrade the electronics.
https://xpressboats.com/crappie/

If you want fiberglass in center console or bass type hull, look for good used.
Express and G3 also have center consoles in aluminum in that price range. Make sure a CC will back into whatever storage unit you plan to park it in. Most CCs require greater height that a normal garage door opening.

Does anyone have the Xpress x18pfc hyperlift crappie boat.? Or the 17 or 20 footer.. They look like nice boats for crappie fishing and you can get them without carpet

Fiberglass is going to be more stable to walk around in once out on the water. I fish off shore most of the year so fiberglass suits my needs. Wind and rough water are just a part of fishing.

Yamaha makes good motors. I like Minnkota trolling motors. The depth finders are a personal choice, but they are expensive so chose wisely.

Side scan is very important. Down scan, you can get from most any unit. I use some Hummingbird and some Lowrance stuff. Mount the transducers on the trolling motor. All the fish catching happens at the front of the boat.