I have only financed one boat in my life and it was pre owned and around $10,000. Have had plenty of boats and would kind of like to get a brand new small fishing boat. Don't need any kind of dual purpose boat (my dad has all kinds of pleasure boats) just a straight up crappie boat. My 10 year old son has big dreams of being a tournament crappie fisherman. I thought if I get a brand new boat by the time he's old enough I'll just give it to him.

So here is my main questions.

What do you think about G3 vs Tracker. The G3 really looks nice.

If you buy a new boat, they all have options for each boat. But none of them will let me mix and match when I am online. For example I want Garmin Electronics but they only have choices for a bird or a lowrance.

Who do you think makes the best Aluminum boat?

On a brand new boat with good credit, what terms will they let you finance it? I know with cars we are pretty much stuck on 75 months max.

Am I crazy for not just finding a pre owned fiberglass boat if I am looking to drop 45k on an aluminum boat?

No matter what I should go for the biggest motor option available right?

Is it worth another $2,000 for dual axels on an aluminum boat?

I sent some pics to the wife of some boats and her response was it looks really nice, so I feel like i need to jump on it.

1st question is easy. G3 all the way.

When I get to building it I'm not sure which engine would be best.

The 1910 model is currently what I am looking at.

For another 5k I can go up to the 21ft model and add my own graphs. I have an HDS12 I have only used once, put livescope up front.

Honestly, what I would do, if I really wanted to buy brand new.

I’d just buy a bare bones straight from the factory hull, motor, wired console/bilge,live well, and trailer.
No carpet, no graphs, no paint job, no trolling motor, no bells and whistles.

Then you’d have fun projects to do with your son.
1. Paint the outside of your boat with your son
2. Sea Dek or something similar project with your son
3. 48volt Spot lock trolling motor install and two batteries…
4. Garmin livescope and garmin graphs install….
5. Rod holders, drink/cup holders, etc etc etc

More than half the fun of a boat are all the projects.

I'd get a used 21' bass boat.

Around these parts, Crestliner and Lund dominate with Lund having best resale. I have seen both brands with different brands of Electronics and trolling motors on them. I would guess your G3 dealer could help with whatever electronics and TM you want.

Dual axles ride better and give more piece of mind if you have a flat. Also track better.
I don't have an aluminum but have fished in a few. Did not care for the rough water ride at all. Wind would blow it all over the place when fishing causing more use of the trolling motor...didn't care for it.
Always go for the biggest legal motor option on a boat.
Either order with no electronics if offered at a lower price and have the Garmins installed locally or buy with the electronics and sell them after the Garmins are installed.

Your new aluminum is going to lose value while used fiberglass boats are increasing in value. The bass boat will have a superior ride and performance.

Yes, I’ve never bought a brand new vehicle, boat, or kayak.

With your background in the auto industry, with patience, you will find a great deal—might take a ten months of checking Craigslist (search tempest) once a week.

https://texasfishingforum.com/forum...r-zx250-with-2002-yamaha-250-ox66#UNREAD
For half the money you could get twice the boat.

I leave the house everyday and 8 and get home around 7 Monday-Sat. Just doesn't leave a lot of time to do the work myself. I really do want Sea Deck for sure.

Take a trip to sartin marine in yantis, talk to them.

They carry express boats, very good tin boats and they are a garmin dealer.

If you want specific electronics just buy a bare bones one and have what you want installed on it. As far as terms, my Credit union allows up to 12 years I think, go ahead and get a dual axle. That’s my biggest company about my blue wave is it’s a single axle and it pulls like chit! Dual axle trailers are so much better!

The boat I regret NOT buying 10 yrs ago was a G3 1860 CC DLX I saw up at the Hurst Fun & Sun. Fell in love with that boat for some reason and just never pulled the trigger. Went back one day and it was gone.

Good luck with the new endeavor though. And if you're wanting to rig out a crappie boat, I would absolutely run with the G3.