Older Bigger Or Newer Smaller?

[mattk22]

So, as soon as I sell my Harley V-rod I am buying my first glass boat. The big question is get something 2000-2004 in a Ranger or Triton or like with a 150hp-200hp 18-20 ft. Or I am looking at a 2008-2010 Stratos 186 XT with a 115hp. The older boats have more engine and have a few more amenities. the Stratos have newer motors, less hours, less amenities, and less hp. What do you guys think? I want to start to get more serious about fishing and start doing weekend tournaments locally, and then regionaly. I know to really compete in bigger regional events on big lakes a 200+ hp motor is what you need. But, I am thinking by the time i get to the level where i really need that I will be ready to upgrade again. Any thoughts by you guys would be much appreciated.

[Wayne P.]

IMHO, whether or not you are competing and all the boats go by you like you are sitting still, you will wish you went bigger.

Additionally the longer boats are better when the water is not smooth--boat wakes, waves, etc.

[BKeith]

I still remember back in the mid 80's when I steped up from a 17' 6" to a 18' 4" stratos. Thought how in the world did I ever fish out of those 17' boats and couldn't see why someone would want one bigger. In the mid 90's I steped up to a 20' and realized just how nice it was for two people to have enough room. Now I think about how cramped it would be if I ever went back to a smaller boat.

As you go bigger in boats, to cost of fishing goes up substantialy. They cost more to maintain and haul, and a lot more to feed them when running down the lake. When one of those big motors break, you can sometimes buy a new, smaller motor for what you spend to repair that big motor. One thing for sure, you will learn to spend a lot more time fishing and a whole lot less running.

Now, with all that said, buy as big as you can afford. A 20', 3,500 pound boat with a 250 on it is not going to catch any more fish than a 14' jon with a 9.9, and you can fish all year with that jon for what a couple of trips cost with that 20' boat, but is sure is nice to have to room and comfort that 20' boat has.

Also forgot to mention, new is always better than old. All the early DFI motors had serious problems and still should be motors you might want to stay away from. The early Ficht's/Rams before about 2003 (some will say 2000 but it was about 2003 before they got most of the bugs worked out of them), the early Opti-Max's have the nickname Opti-Pop and the early Yamaha's had their share of problems. I think most all motors from about 2005 on offer you a lot more reliability than the ones made from the late 90's till then. Even certain specific models had their share of problems but not going to begin to start trying to list those individual models. I would have to lean toward the biggest boat you can buy that's a 2005 or newer. That's not saying what ever you buy won't jump up and bite you but the newer ones have less of a tendency to do that. Just be sure to have it checked out.

[Marty]

I think you need to decide what you want as far as size and power. Don't buy something new that's smaller than you want just for the sake of getting something new. When you decide what you want, if you don't want to pay the price for a new one, then look for a quality used rig.

[Stingray23]

How about bigger, newer?

[jkarol24]

Whatever you do, don't get a bigger boat with a smaller motor to save $$. An under powered bass boat should be illegal...

[Fishing Rhino]

Anything from a tube to an offshore salt water fishing boat is nothing but a platform on the water to get you to where the fish are. It's up to you to determine what best suits your wants, needs, and budget. All boats are compromises when you factor in purchase price and operating expenses. You state as much with the newer smaller, or larger older.

Stability, storage, speed, style, etc., are but a few of the things you need to consider. A smaller boat will cost less to buy and operate. On the other hand, a smaller boat will not be as stable when you move around on it. A smaller boat will not have the storage space of a larger model. You may like the layout of one boat better than another.

You need to get out on a variety of boats to find what you like best.

[tnriverluver]

20 foot boat with at least 200 hp. My vote goes to Stratos or Triton. This size boat makes it where you can fish small skinny water or very large waters without any issues. I could take my 201 pro Stratos into just about any water I could get my 14 ft flatbottom into but couldn't or wouldn't take that flatbottom out on many of the large wind blown lakes that Stratos handled with ease. Fuel bill was a whole other issue however

[mattk22]

I was definitely thinking 2005 or newer, that seems to be the spot where I can afford a nice boat and still not have it be too old. That is good that it is also the year the motors started to be better. With that age boat, i am probably looking under 20', i need to keep my cost below $15, I think most quality shape 20's will be out of that price range. I would like to have 150 hp, but think i could settle for 115hp. What do you guys think are good brands (and models) to look at or stay away from in that range? I know Nitro doesn't get a ton of love. Seems to be a lot of Rangers for sale around here, but I am willing to travel to find what I want.

[ww2farmer]

I have fished out of a varity of boats, including my own. Smaller glass boats with small motors are useless are, in my situation, not a big enough upgrade for the ammount of $$ over my aluminum bass boat. Big boats are nice, but cost alot to get, and alot to keep up, need an almost equaliy expensive truck to tow, and just because you have the biggest, fastest, nicest boat on the lake don't mean squat. I have won and cashed just as much, if not more, as guys in bigger/faster boats with often the smallest slowest boat in the field. If I ever upgrade to a glass boat it will be a mid sized boat with a 150-175. To me, that seems to be the best "bang for the buck" in a glass boat. Another poster is right, underpowerd boats suck, mine is underpowered, but it still gets the job done.

[tstone]

Sounds like a 18' with a 150 would fit the bill pretty well for what you're doing and your price range.

[FD.]

I started fishing in a 17'6" aluminum, next was a 21' glass and now a 20'6" glass. The most important question is WHERE are you going to fish. Bigger water means you need more boat for comfort and safety. Smaller water suggests less boat with ease of loading and less cost. I fish big lakes that can get rough and dangerous in a matter of minutes so you will never find me in a small boat again.

[Fishing Rhino]

For fishing tournaments, everything else being equal, faster is better, for one simple reason. Less time motoring from spot to spot, allowing a fisherman to make more casts.

Faster doesn't make you a better fisherman, but it does allow you to reduce travelling time, during which you never catch a fish.

Speed is an important factor in fishing tournaments, with time constraints. Maybe not the most important, but important all the same.

[Bass Dude]

Whatever you do, don't get a bigger boat with a smaller motor to save $$. An under powered bass boat should be illegal...

Agreed!!!!!

Underpowered boats are useless. An 18 footer should have at least a 150. I would always get the most power that is allowed for your hull. An 18 with 115 will be very underpowered. If you run into weather, or you get a little too shallow at need to 4wheel it out of an area....you'll wish you had that extra power. Same goes for your trolling motor too.

[mattk22]

i am looking at two boats right now, a 2004 Champion 187 with a 175 Optimax and a 03 Stratos 185 with a Vmax 150. Any thoughts on those two engines or boats? both are a really good price. at the moment i am leaning towards the Stratos, it is a really good buy with lots of extras. thoughts would be appreciated. especially on the engines.

[BKeith]

Not knowing anything about either boat. Just going by boat and motor alone, I would lean toward the Stratos. I think the Champion has a little deeper V hull and might ride a little better in realy rough water, but I'm partial to Stratos. I also think I would have to lean toward the Yama over the Merc also.

[mattk22]

i can get the stratos for $9500, it is in nice shape, with a Lowrance HDS 10 and 5, has to sell is moving and can't take with. the champion looks fantastic, looks about 2 years old for a 10 year old boat., it is $11000

[mattk22]

I got the Stratos, great boat and motor, great buy. Even got it cheaper then mentioned above. Now just gotta get out on the lake! man is it wider then my bass tracker, lol.