All boat manufactures combined sell less today then what Triton alone sold back when they first got going.New 20 ft boats now run $60K plus. Pushed the average person out. If tournaments were still regulated by 150 the new boats would be closer to $35k range. More people can afford this range and they want equalto others.This would also put a 3 year old boat for sale about $25k apposed to where today 2 years later it is 50k for the 20 ft boat. Most people want the nicest new best rig out and I am the same. I just wonder if the market would be a lot different because affordabilty would be much better plus the next guy aint out doing them so they got to move up to bigger because the 150 hp limit.I was just thinking about that theory and wonder what others think.

I'll bet if you check the divorce rate, it's pretty close to the rise in boat cost.

Just because many of us can't afford the boat of our dreams doesn't mean that nobody can. There's a few being sold, here and there.
Using the latest technology for designing/building/rigging a 21 ft bassboat makes all the sense in the world, for safety and productivity.
In 1990 I bought a new tournament-legal Ranger, and the speed in which it became obsolete was dazzling. I took care of it, and I still use it, and I still feel handicapped....

you can't fix stupid

I've always assumed the major tournament organizations were convinced by the outboard motor manufacturers to raise the tournament horsepower limits.

That opened a larger market for bigger engines and more profit margin. More big boats and price tags followed.

The big tournament organizations will not bite the hand(s) that feed them...

Well my question is IF they would of left the rating alone looking back now would they be all better off selling more boats instaed of a lot less? I really think they are. I believe if they would of left that then most would of stayed with the 150 even in local tournaments and they all would be selling more boats toay because they wouldnt of priced so many out plus the one that do buy these 20 ft boats then either lose more money or it cost them a lot more per year to run. Then the next guy needs 50k to buy used. Heck 5 year old 20 ft boats are selling for 35k. Its like the housing bumble.

I imagine if the boat manufactures would quit paying pros and giving them free or discounted boats it would help too. As stupid as boat prices have gotten they are still selling plenty. I was at a skeeter dealership the other day crying about the price of a $48k ZX 20 and the salesman pointed to one of the sold boats and said that one sold for $84,000 with the options he added. Freaking nuts! I can see $35k but after that its just insanity.

Maybe they'd be better off now or not. Who knows? It's a done deal now so trying to extrapolate from what might have been is guess-work.

I would like a bigger roomier boat myself. But for me the value vs price equation just does not work for new 20ft boats at current prices. And as you point out even for late model used 20ft boats prices are steep.

For recreational bass fishing I just can't justify the dollars even though I could pay cash for one I can't see the value in them.

But I suppose there are enough folks with enough money or can get a note to buy them that are OK with current prices to keep the industry going. Otherwise the bass boat industry would be changing their business models in order to survive.

Yeah. That's true.

the main driving force to raise the hp from 150 the pros an wana be pros could not sell a 20 ft boat with a 150 so once again they changed rules over money. remember how many good deals on boats there were back in the early 90 s20 ft boats w 150s they couldnt give away.

Yep. I do know the pro's want to run the bigger boats due to comfort and ride. Plus the bigger water they have to fish sometimes.It is just crazy to know it is a $60k plus boat.

why does everyone think "bigger/newer" is better? I have an 82 champion 184/96 johnson fast strike (210hp dyno)/all the best of the best goodies including brand new 998/898hd units and all total I have about 15,000.00 tied up in a boat that will fish as good and sometimes better than a big ole shiny 65,000.00 super rig.
sorry but just like trucks, I do not need the newest prettiest to be just as good as anyone else, it just escapes me how some can sink over 100k in a boat and pickup.

BUT,BUT.....Hop when you have that big boat and big 4Wheel drive and your tournament shirt with 15 $1000.00 rod andreel combo's that makes you a reel bass man!!!! Don't you know nuttin??????

Yes but they pay for it all in tournament winnings don't ya know!