I am starting the search for a new to me bass boat and I wanted to hear some opinions on a few diff brands. Will be shopping for a boat in the 13-16k range. Want to hear from owners of skeeter, ranger, basscat, triton, and cobra. I will be looking for a 20+ footer signal or dual console. From Craigslist it looks like the year range for that price and size would be between 2000-2005. What are the owners pros and cons for these boat types.


Tabla guys!

P.S.

Would like it to be a Mercury or Yamaha motor. Not a big fan of Johnson/Evinrude.

I can tell you I've ran a Yamaha for the last 11 years with zero issues. Got a "new to me boat" with a Mercury Optimax and took it out for the first time today and the lower unit went out.

This was the second lower unit on this boat. So, whatever boat you get, you might want to go with Yamaha for the motor.

Love my 2000 ranger 520 vx, with a mercury . 225 optimax.The ride, storage, and quality is pretty good IMO , its not the fastest does 66 gps. I've had 1 1/2years, paid 14,500 for it, and it only had 81 hrs on it when i bought it, theres deals out there, just be patient when looking. Ill take it over one of those new Nitros any day , Lol

all the brands you mentioned have good reps and good resale values,the year models you are looking at means you are buying a well equipped,up to date rig,you just need to find what brand you like (get up in it and on the deck, imagine your gear stowed in it, what looks good to you, trust your instincts) and the best buy/value for your $ - double consoles are great for team or partner fishing especially in bad weather but they do eat up a little space, trolling motors & electronics can always be changed/upgraded, 1 thing to consider if you tourny fish, does a boat manufacturer sponsor the trail you normally fish, you may pick up some $ just from the rig you fish out of, don't pass up a good Champion or Charger if you run across one .....good luck

Go on the BassCat Owner's Board. Maybe some of the others support the owners of their older boats as much as BCB, but I would be surprised.

Very doubtful.

Like everyone is saying go with what "YOU" really want, but make sure to check out everything (both Motor and Boat)before you buy. One thing to remember some advice that an old timer gave me a long time ago: "Those fish your after, don't give a damn what that boat looks like". So just keep that in mind. Good Luck with your new boat.

Lol. My 89 is nothing look at but it gets me around the lake. Sometimes lol. Thanks for the info guys. I'll go check out the owners forums and read up a little there.

I just sold my first new to me boat and had great service out of it. It was an 04 Ranger 521VX, single console' HDS 8 and 7, PP's, hydro wave, with 250 Pro XS, 200 hours. Paid $20K for it. I had no issues at all with it and was a great boat. Used it for 1 1/2 years and just recently sold it for $17k and kept the poles and Hydrowave for the new rig. The new one has dual consoles which I highly recommend for whomever is with you and resale value. It wast a speed demon either at about 65 or so mph with a tourney load.

Like some of the others have said just be patient and you will find a nicely equipped boat that you can run a couple of years without taking a beating as long as you stay with Ranger, Skeeter, Legend, Cat, etc. for resale purposes.

My coin flip would be between a cobra and a skeeter. Two great boats with great reputations. Never owned a skeeter but have enjoyed fishing out if one on ocassion. I have owned a cobra and they are awesome! Fast, great handling, huge deck ( it's like an air craft carrier. Me and my partner slept on ours one spring bc we didn't have money for a room at the hotel.), and a great ride even in ruff water. Hope this helps.

My wife and I love her 96 Ranger V488 with Mecury 200 on it. We cam8e close to trading it this spring, but instead had it redone, electronics, HB 1198,858, power pole, Hyd. Jack plate, padded deck front and back with new carpet, and a remanufactured powerhead, so we now have a basically new boat for 12K, with all the bells and whistles. The boat keeps you dry going across the lake, maybe not the fastest but a good solid ride.

Partial to cobra as I have one, front deck is huge, have the extension in mine, ride is good, storage is good. It is a 201 dc 2001. Paid less than your range 2 years ago.

Pretty open question. YOU need to decide what kind of "fishing boat" you want. Do you want one that goes 80? Where do you place your rough water priority? Engine preference? I've fished out of a lot of boats, demo'd many different brands and spent quite a few hours looking at many more. I do every time I buy a new boat.

That said, I'm partial to Ranger. There's a reason why folks compare all the others to Ranger. There's faster boats and prettier boats. But IMO there's nothing that comes close to fishing as well as a Ranger, has as good of resale as a Ranger or has the product support that Ranger provides.

I've owned 3 previously and plan on ordering my 4th, a 2014 this summer.

Best of luck. But no matter what you do, have the engine gone over with a fine tooth comb by a certified technician.

I would ask myself a few questions to determine what kind of boat you want.

1). How big of lake are you going to be fishing?
2). Is it just you or will there be a partner(s) most of the time?
3). As said above, make note of incentives if you are going to fish tournaments.
4). How much room do you have to store it?