Ok I have decided to start looking for a upgrade in boats. I have a 17' Tracker now and its time to spend some money and get myself a good glass boat. I know that I want at least a 18-19' glass boat that I can bass fish with, but with so many to pick from its hard to really focus on one style/brand. So I thought why not ask the guys and gals what they like about theirs. Now I don't want to start a fight about one brand is better then the rest. what I would like to hear is the size,brand, style, and motor that you have and what are the things you like the most about it as well as what you hate or wish were different. Anything you care to share from the way the livewell works to how easy it is to load on the trailer. How do you like the stouage? the layout? the way it rides at top speed? how easy is it to use in high winds or rough water? Thank you so much and i can't wait to read what i get back.

You can tell by my name witch brand I prefer. I will say that a Ranger loads it self up very easily. In over ten years of owing three Rangers I have never had any problems with any of the three besides a live well pump needing replaced. Most of all if you are buying a used boat you have to get a Mercury Optimax! I am on my second one with no trouble. My fishing partner has a hpdi on his boat and it uses almost twice the fuel as my Opti does.

it is a champion, nuff said.

Alot of others will give their opinions/experiece with the many brands of boats, so I will stick with one small part of you question- ease of loading on the trailer. My advice is to get a trailer with bunk guide-ons. If the boat you decide on does not come with them ask for them or put them on afterwards.

I wish my good ole 18 ft Ranger was a 20 footer so that I could learn more about working 1-1/2 to 2 ft waves.

The Triton I have right now is the easiest loading boat I've ever had. Good rough water ride, stable to fish from, no complaints.

First glass boat though so I don't have a lot to compare it too other than riding back seat in others.

I just got my first "real" boat last June. I had used a small alum boat for a long time. Really, I can't think of anything I don't like about it other than it takes more gas than my 10HP to run around on. Needs carpet and buffed out, but I have been most happy with it. It is a 97 Sprint with a 90HP Evinrude, 16.5 ft. long.

Its only 17' long and much too narrow. Rides over crappy stuff fine, rocks like all heck when trying to fish of the deck. My next boat will be as wide as a Nitro.

I'm on my third Stratos and like them a lot. They are always ranked high in customer satisfaction. That being said, the Basscat has been number one in customer satisfaction for five years running with Ranger boats being number two, so I don't thing you can go wrong with any of the boats I've mentioned.

I have a Triton also. It's older but it is built like a tank. Live well system is awesome. Fishing platform is like a dance floor HUGE!! and very stable. Sea star hydraulic steering is a must. Loads easy on the tandem trailer. Handles rough water good and I stay dry. Motor is the older efi but is solid an strong. Starts right up every time. USES GAS though. It is my first boat and I will probablly stay with Tritons. I wish it was a Tr22 LOL. It chine walks over 70 mph But I am still learning to drive it because this is only the third year to even have a boat. Would like to have hydraulic jack plate one day but don't really need it. I don't like the trolling motor because I think it is under powered but back in 1999 that was the so called beast at 67 lbs of thrust. But it gets the job done. I will get a more powerful one some day. Like to have an optimax one day. What ever you do don't get a boat that is under powered

forgot to mention Plenty of storage. I don't even use it all to it's capacity in other words I have room to spare.

Wish it was a 24' instead of a 19'.

1999 Cobra 201d 225 Merc EFI
Like - Paid for, handles rough water, big deck, lots of storage, yada yada

Dislike - DRINKS oil and gas!

Like that it's paid for, sips gas, runs shallow, and that it fits in my garage.

Dislike that it fits in my garage, in other words, I need a bigger garage so I can get a bigger boat!

I've got 2005 Triton TR-186 w/Mercury Optimax 150. I love it. Handles rough water pretty well for a 18.5ft boat. The Optimax sips fuel. Its easy to tow. Loads easy. The only thing I dislike about this boat are the rod lockers. They will BARELY hold a 7ft rod and anything over 7ft just wont fit.

I have a Nitro Z8. I love how wide and stable it is. Great deck for fishing. Handles rough water well. Tons of storage. I think they are sharp looking also.

I don't like the the little things like the cheaper guages, All the box handles are cheap also (love the new skeeter design box latches). Just the little things on the boat that seem to not be as nice as some of the high end boats. Fit and finish on interior parts I guess is what I'm getting at.