Hey guys,

I am recently retired and am looking for a boat to bass fish. In past years I have had a few bass rigs but am looking for advice, especially from experience.

Prior rigs
2004 Bass Cat Cougar
20016 Lowe Skorpion (16ish foot tin rig with a 50hp 4 stroke)

Here's the thing. I am retired but in my very early 50's. My dad is 76 and has stage 4 cancer. He's in treatment and doing really well but the big thing is I want to fish with him. I grew up on Grapevine and Lewisville and have so many great memories fishing there with him. I will also pull the boat to other lakes to fish on my own.

1) I am looking for stability - It needs to fish pretty stable because my dads balance (he's pretty athletic and still works out) is not what it used to be
2) Speed is not a concern for me - I would like to to run at least near 30mph (I had a 70mph glass rig.... it's not important to me right now). I don't wanna crawl and would like to be able to get off a lake if weather gets crappy or dad's not feeling great.
3) I am going to have to store it outside but covered- I have used the dry storage at Lewsville like Pier 121 (love the private ramp access on weekends) All aluminum is really appealing to me as leaving a nice, glass boat outside, even under cover and covered is probably not ideal
4) I would like a single console - I have had a dual console and its tougher for my dad to get around on and I just don't appreciate them (not to mention pop always stumbles and grabs the plexi windshields and snaps them lol)

I am thinking around $10-12k (less is ok too, I've seen some nice 17ish foot tin rigs in the $7500 range). I am looking at a nicer boat for more money but I'm just not sure how we are going to fish it so a used rig I can buy, fish a season, take really good care of it and turn it into another boat if my needs change for a couple thousand feels right.

So I am open to suggestions. I have walked on Tracker, G3, Ranger (all Aluminum). I would consider a decent used glass rig but at that price point I know it's going to be tough/impossible to find something that does not have some rot/issues that is worth owning (I know it can be done, just hard and time is kinda of the essence). I am looking to fish some this fall and hit the spawn next spring and then summer fish as well.

I hope this was not too much and really appreciate any adivce, experiences, boat offers for sale (lol).

I am in Carrollton, Texas and am willing to drive a bit for a good boat but not crazy (Tyler yes, Tennessee not soo much)

Appreciate it

go find a pontoon with a good motor.....put a 36 volt spot lock TM on it.....put live scope on it....two front seats, go fishing and sit right beside him....stable, one level, multispecies capable

Thanks, good point. My dad and I talked about that. He thinks a bass boat would be better overall because he knows I will be fishing it without him as well as with him. Put him in back on a big pole char and he says he's good to go. Just getting up for a drink and a pee, loading unlading is when stability will count. He's been on boats all his life and mine, just time is catching up to him (aw hell ,all of us..)

Thanks

A good center console boat may fit your needs nicely. Price will be far less than a bass boat.

get dad a good 35# inflatable vest and make him wear it, mine stays on while I am on the water, I'm late 60s.

if you want stable in a tin boat 18' or so would be my minimum length with a 150 on back. you don't have to put your foot in it every time but it is good to have if you need to make a run.
watch the classifieds on here as there are some good boats that come up off and on.

Thanks,

I think that is where we are heading. I am checking on a Ranger 188 with a 115 and some others. the marina I am thinking of basing it out of has a great area to get him to step pretty evenly on the boat. I would launch, he pulls the truck out with the trailer and parks it, walks over to the low rise dock and can step nearly even height onto the boat.

I am pretty excited to get this going. Thanks for the info.

Another thing you might wanna consider is an aluminum deep v. I have a G3 V172 and it is a stable boat. The full windshield makes the cold morning rides a little more bearable and it won't break off as easily as the fiberglass windshield on a normal console. They cut the waves good, so ride in waves is smoother. Taller sides make it harder to fall out of or step out on accident. It runs about 35-40 with a 90hp with 2 people and full tank of gas. You can find them longer with bigger motors if you want. I can get into a foot and half of water easily, so it doesn't draft too deep. Draw back is it will catch wind in open water if spotlocked, but my ulterra holds us steady enough to anchor fish on deep holes. I put a ladder on the front that my wife uses to get into the boat and back it off the trailer. I back it in the water and park the truck. She picks me up and never has to make any big steps or jumps.

I bought a 22 ft. Bay boat 15 years ago for this same reason and now don’t have that reason and while it definitely will not compete with a bass boat for bass fishing platform it does hold its own and outperforms in all other types of fishing. Good luck with decisions

My retirement boat...............Purchased a 2021 G3 Bay 17 new for 17K....very stable... easy to launch by yourself.

I bought mine 4 years ago after owning a Ranger for 30 years. I have no problem fishing shallow in it. It draws about 2" more water then the Ranger and handles the rough water a whole lot better. My regret is not switching sooner.

This might help you if you're still looking. I have 1992 16' Deckboat I'm about to sell at a cheap price. Not glamourous but 88 HP Johnson runs great and boat floats and fishes fine. Needs a new trolling motor and fish finder. Clear title on boat, motor, and trailer. Bimini top is new and tires on trailer are new. Let me know if you're interested. Lots of fishing rods and tackle to go with it as well. I'll post this in classifieds as well.

Really nice boat list by ...hope it helps.

https://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/14124556/2009-triton-tc-17-crappie-boat

Hey DG1964….. I am interested in your boat. More information please. Trailer included?