Getting A New Boat

[etommy28]

Im getting a new boat, I just dont know what yet, so I would love to hear what yall think is best and give me some reasons why.....

Thank.

[Sam]

Avoid Skeeter.

Avoid Yamaha motors.

Go with a Mercury motor.

Just a suggestion.

[RyneB]

You want glass or aluminum? I have a 2002 Tracker (aluminum) and a 2000 Ranger (glass). Both have mercurys. I take great care of the 150 on my Ranger, but never service or maintain the 40 Mercury on the Tracker. Both outboards perform flawlessly. I like my Tracker for what it is. I fished out of it for 11 years, then i bought my used 2000 Ranger and they are 2 totally different boats. I got the Ranger for $10,000 with do Down Imaging units installed. I paid $11,000 brand new for the Tracker. So if i had to do it over again, i would get a nice, well maintaned used glass boat over a new aluminum if prices are similar. If you dont mind saying your price range, it is kind of hard to understand what youre looking for. Some of the best bass fisherman i know have a 9.9 on a Jon boat. My adivce is get the best of what you want to afford. I caught just as much fish in my tracker as i do my ranger. The ranger just gets me there faster and i can store A LOT more gear. To me, storage was my biggest necessity.

[Fishing Rhino]

What experience you have in boat handling should factor into your decision. A used aluminum boat is preferable for someone with limited boat handling experience, simply because it is more forgiving should you bump a rock. They take less maintenance than a glass boat since the small diggers and grime that inevitably accumulates are not as obvious. They tow easier, are better on fuel, and the fish you seek do not care if your boat is wood, fiberglass/plastic, or metal. The downside is the aluminum boat will blow around more than fiberglass, and the ride in a chop will be rougher.

It also depends on what you want/need for storage and amenities. Keep in mind that in nasty weather even the largest bass boats get small in a hurry. Chances are the weather that will keep you on the trailer with a 17 foot aluminum boat will keep you on the trailer with a 19 foot or larger glass rig. If it's too rough to venture forth in the 17 footer, it won't be much fun fishing in the bigger glass boat if you do go out.

[win222]

Avoid Skeeter.

Avoid Yamaha motors.

Go with a Mercury motor.

Just a suggestion.

Dont listen to him, and whatever you do, avoid Mercury motors, especially if buying used, Yamaha are bulltet proof, and will never let you down!

[Sam]

Guys in club are having problems with the Skeeter electrical systems and the Yamaha motors.

One guy who just purchased the biggest new Skeeter he could find with the Yamaha 250 earlier this year and he has had more problems than you can shake a stick.

It doesn't matter to me. Get whatever boat and motor you like. You asked and I gave you my input from the info I was given by the guys.

Whatever you get be sure to post a picture.

[BrianinMD]

Would depend on the type of water you will be on, experience level, tow vehicle, budget...

If you give some details the guys will be better able to help.

[etommy28]

let add some things, I have had a blazer and Triton, one merc. and 2 yamahas, I blew the merc. and never had an issue with a yamaha. I can tow anything and Im going to get a boat along the lines of a xs 20 or ranger 520.

[BrianinMD]

Ranger 520 for the win

[Sam]

Dont listen to him, and whatever you do, avoid Mercury motors, especially if buying used, Yamaha are bulltet proof, and will never let you down!

Win222, etommy and guys, I was at Bass Pro Shops today and visited with a young man who used to be on this site. He is a master of the James River and always does very well in James River tournaments.

So I asked him if he had been out in his boat and he said that for the past two years he has had major motor problems. He had taken the motor to the various repair shops and he is now taking the boat and motor to a gentleman who works out of his garage to see if he can fix the motor's problem.

The motor? Yamaha.

Of course you can have problems with one specific brand. That can be expected with the abuse we do to our motors. However, when a number of guys state that they have had problems with one brand you need to be careful with your selection.

I wish there was a Consumer Reports that would give us the good, the bad and the ugly about boats, motors, rods, reels, line, etc. via independent and impartial testing.

Until that happens a word to the wise is sufficient.

[tritonguy]

You hear about more Mercury motors blowing up because there are more Mercurys on the water. I have owned both and never had any issues with either but I am anal about maintenance. In my group of fishing buddies 2 motors were blown up this year, 1 Yamaha and 1 Mercury so it's a draw. Or does it mean they should have bought an Evinrude?

[jessejames11]

Im currently in the market for a cheap used 12'-16' footer of any make,model or material. Im in love with an old 85 bassmaster 152v thats in great shape for $3000, but Im concerned about the bill for storing that since I wouldnt want to keep that outside. Of course the economic used 14' aluminums are looking like a pretty good option right now. I've seen a couple on craigslist for around 800-1000 that have a 5-15 hp and a trolling motor included..not bad. Im typically an advocate of spending the money to begin with instead of upgrading in a year, but Im just about to finish college and not exactly ready to purchase a brand new ranger or anything...besides, I owe myself a graduation present and Im young and have a little time to head to the lake.

[popperpitcher]

Im getting a new boat, I just dont know what yet, so I would love to hear what yall think is best and give me some reasons why.....

Thank.

Your question leaves a lot to the imagination! To choose a boat there are a lot of questions to be answered!

Where will you be fishing?

What tow vehicle?

What species will you be fishing for?

Budget?

Saltwater?

Etc.?

Etc.?

Etc.?

In Florida I would think there would be a variety of fishing possibilities.

For recreational fishing, I'm not keen on a big high power bass boat from the standpoint of cost to buy and operate/maintain. Might be something to consider for a graduate.

Would a used Gheenoe be a good boat for down there?

[S Hovanec]

Too many variables. Get what you can afford, tow and manage. As for the great motor debate that's taking place above.......There's only one motor that you WON'T see on a guide's boat on a a particular river I fish and that's a Merc. Majority are running Yamaha, there's a couple Evinriudes and Honda is making a pretty good surge now.

[win222]

Just a few days after I said Yamaha is the best, mine started having problems, lol. But really Iv'e owned many brands, and this motor has had the least issues of them all.

[unageo09]

Buying new or used? Sometimes you can get a good deal on a used boat but other times you are buying someone else's problems. Take it to a trusted boat mechanic and have it checked out and then ask to take it for a test run. If its fairly new used boat it may still have some warranty left on the motor. I bought the top of the line Mercury protection plan that last 7 years and is transferable to the next owner if I ever sell. However, you know what they say boat stands for. Bust Out Another Thousand. Enjoy your new purchase whatever it is.