So I am going to be buying my first glass boat later this summer. I am going to be buying a used boat probably no more than 10 - 12 years old. I have been in Tritons, Skeeters, Stratos, Javelin, Gambler, and a few others over the years. I thought I would ask you guys what you like about your boats.

Here is what I would like in my boat:
Long casting deck
Lots of storage
Good looking of course hahaha
Nice riding and driving boat is probably the most important to me.
I also want something that is not goin to be falling apart like gauges and hangles falling off.

I am leaning toward a used Champion or maybe a Stratos. I like the way the Stratos boats look.

You guys have had different boats over the years, What do you like for a boat and what would you recommend?
What are some of the mistakes you have made buying a boat and which boat would you never buy again? What has been your favorite boat and why?

Ranger 518 PAID IN FULL no monthly payments. Me and my son spent many a day on the boat and I swear I think I can remember every fish me caught out of it when I'm sitting in it re-doing tackle for the next day

Paid for.

I have had several Glass boats including some of the ones you listed, and i can not tell you How much i love my 21xrd Bullet. Do not let some of those guys out there tell you they are not good boats. You need to look at them seriuosly. Grea fishing platform Rides great in the big Stuff, it is 21'10" in length and put a 250 Merc on it all the other cookie cutters will not be able to stay with you.

Reliable equipment (engine, batteries, trolling motor, pumps, etc) There's nothing more annoying than starting a tournament wondering if something in your boat will make it to the end of the day.

You might want to throw BassCat on your list. They treat the owners of used boats as well as new owners. If you have any problems you'll get excellent cooperation and help from other owners and the company.

I like to have the motor looked at by a profesional. Make sure the boat is structurally sound. Older boats will likly have a lot of wood in its structure -- make sure there is no rot or water penatration in especially the stringers and transom. Rot can get to the point that the boat is useless and not worth repairing.

Also, sheck at the wiring. Trouble shooting electrical problems can be a nightmare.

+1 more on the Paid for!

93 Ranger 375V 150 Evinrooooood!

Just like an old fishing buddy told me one time..."An early 90's Ranger is like the 57 T-bird of bass boats." LOL

cost less than 10K to have the performance of the newer ones

Big enough for two to fish comfortably and small enough for one. Unless you're in a situation where the boat fund money is 100% discretionary or are a guide, top amateur or a pro angler the giant boats and mega HP represents 10s of thousands of dollars of overkill. It's like buying a Ferrari to go to and from work. 90% don't have the skills to make the big boats a practical decision but they sure look impressive riding down the lake.

I have a 2000 Skeeter. Loves the way it handles and the storage. I think I will be a Skeeter owner for many years to come. The one mistake I say I made was my last boat was a fish n ski. It did not have the storage I needed for all my stuff. It was a good little boat, just didn't fit my needs like I thought it would.

paid for

I run a '99 518 Ranger. Got a heck of deal from a buyer whom paid cash and had buyer regret, it was less than 3 months old and I got 14K off what he paid.

The boat still looks great, fishes like a dream, has plenty of storage, it's probably one of the best fishing platfrom I have been in.

My biggest question right off the bat about any bassboat is �What is the maximum length of rod that can be stored in the rod locker?� This is especially important for boats less than 19 feet in length.

Another question is where are you going to store your boat. Some garages aren�t long enough for even a 19 foot boat. Also, will the trailer be a one axle, or tandem axle? If you have to do tight maneuvering to get your boat into, and/or out of its storage spot then a single axle is much to be preferred.

The truth of the matter for me is that the easier it is to hook-up and go, and un-hook and button �er up the more I�m going to use that boat.

TFP

Having it paid for is a great thing, but thinking that isn't what the question is asking. Functionality wise, get all the Trolling Motor you can, 36 volt if possible. Get all the electronics you can, side finders, color, GPS it is all good.

Having a boat that will do 80 is great, but if your T-Motor runs out of juice 4 hours in or can't hold in a breeze, then you have nothing but a glorified Walleye rig. Go anchor someplace, drift in the breeze or fish differently because of the wind. Electronics wise, if you don't know what you are fishing or can't find the fish, that rig that goes 80 is just a Yahoo boat. Fun to go Yahooing sometimes, unless you like to catch fish.

So if you have to cut down on the length of the boat or the size of the motor to get a bigger T-Motor and better electronics, that is what I would do.

+1 on all of this.