I've wanted a bass boat for as long as I can remember and hopefully one day soon I will have one. I also know nothing about specific options I might need. I dont have a tremendous budget so I'd like to know what options are essential and which are not. Lets use a Nitro Z7 as an example. I think its a good size boat for me (18'8")and relatively inexpensive($24K). Alittle background about me: I'm a weekend warrior and do not do tournament fishing, which doesnt mean I wouldnt do it one day. I probably fish about 6-10 days a month. I do take it seriously though. I dont have huge bodies of water near by so I dont need a big HP motor to get me going too fast.
Now, the stock boat comes with with the following:
-Mercury 150 optimax(boat weighs 1,650)
-Motor Guide 24V 70lb thrust TM
-Lowrance Mark 5X fishfinder.

OPTIONS:
http://www.nitro.com/boat/features_options.cfm?boat=3445

I would get a bigger TM and also side scan graphs. 150 h.p. Is fine on a 18 foot boat.

Thanks. I was thinking the same.

The more the merrier on the TM and a 24 volt unit is plenty....I'd get a good cover for it too, even if you plan to store it indoors.

How about options for the trailer?

What options on the trailer? Brakes, spare tire,custom wheels. I think a spare is the only critical one depending on what you haul it with. They all have swing away tounges.

We stock lowrance lss1 side scan systems for $549.99 and all of the extension/network cables. Tracker Marine Austin Tx. 512 250 9000. We have 2 Z7's in stock.

sidescan (I prefer humminbird) and a 75 or 80# tm are about all you need, onboard charger (3 bank) makes it easier to take care of batteries, worth the money (minn kota 315 is plenty).

I have a 24volt 75# motor guide on a 20ft skeeter and it moves it great, but i do have some bad*** AGM batteries on it. Good electronics makes those slow days fun

What ever ya do dont get a tubeing trailer

2012 Z7 Nitro with Merc. 150 pro xs. $26030.00 plus tax. includes prep and freight. also includes, Mark-5x fishfinder,24v , 70lb. motor guide and it's my understanding that all Nitros will ship with the Minkota Fortrex soon.Removable port console ,Hydraulic steering, $1000.00 Bass Pro gift card. Powder coated trailer with swing away tongue. $26030.00

Includes onboard charger also.

I wouldn't worry about upgrading a 70# TM if you're fishing on small lakes. If I was going to spend money to upgrade, I'd spend every penny on SI/DI fishfinders. Put an HDS-8 at the bow and an HDS-10 at the dash or a 7 at the bow and an 8 at the dash (with an LSS-1 either way, or HB SI/DI if you like that better) or whatever you can afford. After that, if I wanted to make another upgrade, I'd add a power pole before I spent any money upgrading from a 70# trolling motor.

Unfortunately, both of those upgrades are multiple $1000s worth of stuff compared to the TM, which at most would be a $1000 upgrade, so it's not an apples to apples comparison. But a TM isn't where I'd spend my money. I've got a buddy with an 18' procraft and a 46# TM and he gets around just fine (he actually spends most of his time on the open water type fishing holding a spot in the wind). So just my $.02, but I think a 70 on that boat would be more than enough.

Thanks guys

I own a Z7, stock options are great. 70# TM handles mine just fine, even in rough water. The only upgrades I did myself was a spare on the trailer (a must). I added a second charger for the starting battery just to make life easier. Other than that.. she is ready to go out of the box.

sounds good

Amen. Tube frame trailers trap water/condensation inside the tubing and rust from inside out. Go with channel steel or aluminum.