Allison
Blazer
Bass cat
Ballistic
Bullet
Charger
Champion used
Gambler
Nitro
Phoenix
Pro Gator
Ranger
Stratos used
Skeeter
Triton

I am sure I missed several more.

And it doesnt have to be a 20' go fast boat. Gerald Swindle/Rick Clunn have fished major tournaments from 17' aluminum bass boats and a couple of others currently fish from 20' aluminum boats.

Go to Bass Boat Central and they have separate forums for every semi-major brand of bass boat. You have plenty of time. Hang out read what current owners say or don't say. Go to the Boat Mfg websites and see what they say, look like, price, etc. Then compare that to your experiences as a BFL non-boater. That way when the time comes, you are able to have your own opinion based on your likes and dislikes. And at the very least, you will be better equipped to sort through the answers on this post. Because at this stage, these answers will confuse you more than they will help you. I seem to enjoy changing boats about as much as like fishing so I have been in a lot of different brands over the years. They all are built with different intentions (trolling motor down and fishing, riding fast, riding smooth, light, heavy, wide, not as wide, as much profit as possible, profit with quality in mind) There's no such thing as a perfect boat that does everything better than everybody because many design characteristics conflict with performance. Mfg's have to choose what is more important to their company so buyers have to choose what brand best matches what is important to them.

go to the champion owners facebook page, post what you want for length/price and you will get responses. there are a few for sale right now.

My personal choice for a budget friendly tournament rig would be the new Bass Cat Pantera Classic, 19'6" 200hp and 70 mph loaded for under 50 grand.


You don't HAVE to have a 20 ft to tournament fish. Lot of guys fish in 18-19 foot boats. I'm just not a believer that there's a big safety difference between a 19 ft and 20 ft when the lake gets rough. Now if we are talking about a 17 ft tin rig vs a 21 ft heavy glass boat then yes definitely a big difference.

All of them are expensive though, and the tin boats are steadily climbing into the price range of some glass boats.

Don't waste your time, look within your budget.

Pat, good answer! If I was in the market for a Bass boat...I would be looking at Storm...

Have you looked at Triton

Just looked at a Vexus VX20 at a local boat show....only $95,000.

If I had your money I'd order 2.

Ha! I was scared they were going to hand me a bill just for looking at it.

Ha! I was scared they were going to hand me a bill just for looking at it.