Just wanting to hear thoughts and words of wisdom. Sticker price with latest and greatest electronics, ultrex type trolling motor and shallow anchors puts most 18.5 ft boats at $50k sticker before taxes. But it fits in my garage so no storage costs. I fish Lewisville to lake o the pines. Occasionally texoma. Rarely fish rayburn or Toledo. If it is blowing like crazy I am not fishing. I like warranties so used just seems like a problem waiting to happen if it is like current boat. Club tournament fish. What do you all think? Been watching all Ken Smith’s boat reviews.

My first boat was a used 18' Nitro 882 with 150hp Merc. I bought it to fish with my son and we were fair weather fishermen at that time. We fished the same areas you're talking about and it did everything we needed it to do. Fitting in the garage was important and so was budget at that time. Having a boat within your budget is a big part of the enjoyment. Not all boat manufacturers are created equal. Try to go for a ride before making a final decision if you can. Good luck with your hunt.

I fished out of an 18' Stratos with a 150 for many years. I was perfectly happy when I had it. I've owned 21' and 20' boats since that Stratos. For me personally, I like them in this order 21', 20', 18'. The longer boat rides better and has more room to fish. It's much roomier with a partner on board and all of their stuff.

An 18' fiberglass gets the job done, just not as well as the longer boats. If it fits in your garage and you don't have to pay for storage, that's a big plus to consider. I have a big shop so storage isn't a concern for me.

I wouldn't want to go back to an 18' boat given the choice. But, if it's the only thing that would fit in my garage, I would rather have the 18' boat in my garage than paying to store 21' somewhere else.

I would recommend finding a nice used 20ft boat you will thank me later...

I had a zx 190 and loved it!! Great boat

I’ve never purchased a brand new vehicle or boat; I’d rather spend the depreciation hit on other things.
Agree with looking for a 2-4 year old used 19-21 footer that you could find at the same price or less.

Prices of new boats are flat silly. Market is going to be saturated with used boats in the next few years. Many people buy boats and find out it's not for them. Bought my first and probably last boat in 1995, a 1989 champion 18'6" with a 175 merc. Boat is solid, and i will repower when the motor dies. Me and the son put in over 150 days on the water last year alone, and she is still going strong. It is a big unknown buying used, but you could prob pick up a used boat with low hours easily. Good boat with some upgrades is cheaper than a new boat. But your not going to get a loan as easily if you need to finance it.
A 20ft boat makes a difference in a big lake, and I agree you should ride in a boat before buying. I have fished out of hundreds of boats, and some are just wet rides. Crossing lake buchanon in a 17ft boat in 30mph winds trying to make it to the weigh in still hurts. But Im happy with my girl. Now if I played the lottery and won, that would be a decision to chew on. Funny comment I heard this week. I upgraded my trolling motor to an ultrex link from the original motor guide from 1989. I replaced the motor on the original motorguide, along with brushes three times since 2000 alone (Thank you Allstar Marine) Friend commented that the purchase was more than the value of my boat, and he is right.. Made me chuckle..bb Paid cash for the boat in 95' (10k), and was the best purchase I ever made. Electronics and graphs are pricey, but technology is amazing for the hobby, and a game changer.. New 12" graphs, and Trolling motor with batteries is easily over 10k now. It is official, Im getting old. Good luck.. If I start chewing a purchase over in my head for too long, it becomes a reality.. Keep us updated.. Don't settle, and keep your wife dry in the boat..

Prosise

50k is a big number for an 18’ boat.. I know new boat pricing has gone nuts but you can certainly get a little more bang for 50 G’s. Did a quick look on boat trader and there’s a 1 year old ZX190 on there for 36k. If you just want brand new only I get it, if not let someone else eat that big chunk of depreciation and get a more stable better riding 20-21’ boat.

I fish out of a 18’11” boat and I love the size. If I had all the money in the world I wouldn’t go bigger. I dont get out in the big wind for sure. I can load and launch by my self easy and that’s important to me. I had a friend with a 21’ boat. He would not go fishing unless he could get a buddy to go with him to help the load/ launch process. As I get older I see why. But for every day fishing, fitting into the garage and ease of going. My 18+ boat with a 150 does me a awesome job. Plus it doesn’t cost me over a 100 bucks in gas every time I go. Lol

For what you're describing there is nothing wrong with an 18.5. Buy new exactly how you like it and keep it for a decade+, or buy one a couple three years old and use the savings to rig it how you like. Either way is fine. Regular service history with steady use shouldn't be a huge worry or hard to find with used boats. May just have to wait a while for the right package to come available.

I fit my Ranger Z520 in a 20x20 residential garage, I get it in and out in no time at all. If i was you get the biggest boat you can fit and afford. Would also buy something 1-2 years old.

I fish out of a 19 , drive it in some stupid stuff only been a little nervous once

I fish out of a 18.5 TZX 190. I bought it in 2014 when it was 1 year old with 22 hours on the 175 engine. I paid $22K for it (which was a steal at the time). I added an Ultrex and upgraded the electronics. It'll hit 62 mph on plane. I've been on big water plenty of times, and with the utlrex it'll hold its own in waves that if they were any bigger I wouldn' want to fish anyway.

So what would a 21 footer do for me?

1. Not fit in my garage.
2. It would go 74 mph instead of 62 mph.
3. It would be slightly more comfortable in giant waves that I don't fish anyway.
4. If I were regularly fishing 3 guys out of the boat it would be more comfortable.
5. If I needed to roller skate up front it would better.
6. Maybe my only real gripe is rod storage which isn't the greatest truth be told in the smaller boats.

Anyway, yes if I won the lotto I'd upgrade to a 21 footer at some point. For me though the 18.5 footer works great and I have no plans to go to a bigger boat. It's a great value at 1/2 the cost of the 21 footers. The only thing that might change my mind would be if I decided to start tournament fishing with regularity and had no choice but to fish big water on big wind days.

If I had used this logic over the past 30 years I would be a wealthy man.

I fish out of a 186 Legend powered by a 200 merc. I mostly fish alone and it is easy to do the launching because of size. I can get it up to 70 with a three blade prop but mostly run a 4 blade for hole shot and cruise around 50 most of the time. It is 18 years old and have no desire for a newer one. I've been caught in bad weather a couple of times and it will handle it but you have to know what you are doing. If I know if it is going to be windy I stay home.