How Much Is A Bass Boat?

[pbizzle]

I'm actually starting this thread for my Dad because he doesn't want to make an account. How much is a bass boat? No frills, just your basic boat and a depth finder. So if we want to buy a used boat with enough room for two guys how much would it be? We wouldn't make any long runs, so the gas tank wouldn't have to be huge. All we need is enough to get out and fish.

[JeziHogg]

Are you guys looking for an actual flat deck bass boat? or just a boat in general? New/Used? If used a good option can be buying a 16 foot jon boat and making you own casting deck and wiring all the goodies on your own. Check out you tube.

[Brian Needham]

yeah, it could be 3k-60k or anywhere in between......

 

my personal opinion to get started: if it floats, its a bass boat.

[pbizzle]

Are you guys looking for an actual flat deck bass boat? or just a boat in general? New/Used? If used a good option can be buying a 16 foot jon boat and making you own casting deck and wiring all the goodies on your own. Check out you tube.

We don't mind if it's used. We would prefer a bass boat, but we would consider the jon boat option depending on what y'all say about it. Would it feel like a bass boat while you're fishing on it?

[Marty]

 

We don't mind if it's used. We would prefer a bass boat, but we would consider the jon boat option depending on what y'all say about it. Would it feel like a bass boat while you're fishing on it?

 

You could possibly modify a john boat with some bass boat-like features, but I don't know that it'd feel like a bass boat. They're just two completely different types of boats.

[keith71]

Look for deals at the end of the summer.I bought a 89  17ft tracker that needed a little tlc but ran like a top with a 60hp merc.  Needed a little carpet and some new seats. Im in it for less than 2k.

[slonezp]

80k or less

[pbizzle]

You could possibly modify a john boat with some bass boat-like features, but I don't know that it'd feel like a bass boat. They're just two completely different types of boats.

That's what I thought.

[pbizzle]

80k or less

Wow, really? 

[slonezp]

Wow, really? 

A new Ranger Z522 Comanche well equipped lists upwards of 80k 

 

You need to come up with a budget of what you are willing to spend, and your list of must haves and go from there.

[martintheduck]

A decked out jon boat isn't going to be too stable imo.

 

You can buy a new tracker 160 for around $8500 plus tax. Poke your head around craigslist and you'll get a feel for what's available.

 

Also - there are a lot of factors you want to consider before buying the boat - are you willing to put in work on it? Fiberglass or aluminum? What do you really NEED vs WANT? Price range? etc etc etc....

[Bluebasser86]

I bought my Lowe Roughneck (modified-V utility john, basically a no frills aluminum bass boat) brand new in 07 with a new 60 hp Mercury 4 stroke for about 12K. You can get used boats for a couple thousand but the problem with used is you may get a good boat or you may pay a couple thousand just to get thousands more worth of repairs. Just because it starts and runs well doesn't mean it's a good boat and motor either. My last boat I bought used and it started and ran well at first. Started having problems after the first couple trips. Turns out the drive shaft was so rusted and pitted out that it would have to be replaced, which was going to cost more than I paid for the thing in the first place. 

[Jig Man]

Before you start to think about money you should think about the size of the water that you will be fishing.  You may only need a jon but then again you may need a big boat.  Start there then decide what you want on the boat.  That should lead you to a more informative idea of what and how much.

[Sam]

Conduct your research on the different bass boats and motors on the market.

 

Then search out blogs on the top three you like for the input of others that own or have owned the boats and motors.

 

For instance, I like Mercury motors. Yamaha are OK and I run like the cops are chasing me if it is an Evinrude.

 

As for bass boats, you can go with a Tracker or upscale to a Ranger. Personal preference.

 

A word to the wise: If you are purchasing a used bass boat have the motor's compression checked out by a certified manufacturer's mechanic and the steering and other aspects of the boat by a mechanic from a shop that sells and services your boat's brand.

 

If you can find an individual selling the boat you can get a better deal than going through a boat dealer. The trade-off is that the boat dealer will make sure the boat is in good condition and with an individual it can be a crap shoot.

[Fishing Rhino]

Before you start to think about money you should think about the size of the water that you will be fishing.  You may only need a jon but then again you may need a big boat.  Start there then decide what you want on the boat.  That should lead you to a more informative idea of what and how much.

 

This is the best advice.  In order to make suggestions, we need more information, and it begins with the above.

[BuckMaxx]

If you watch craigslist that about the best place to get an idea on pricess for something that will fit your needs? I have about 6k in the boat in my pictures but I did pretty well on it. Its not the pretty fastest boat on the water. But its sure nice when you kick the snot outta the guys with big fancy 60 k boats.

[Walleye2Bass]

I have to agree with everyone, it just depends on how much you want to spend. I first would look at what kind of water you will be fishing, how much work you want to do yourself and what you are willing to put into the boat. My first boat was a fiberglass bought it used very cheap, after putting more money into it than I ever thought was possible I finally sold it. My next rig was a flat bottom aluminum, it was about $3,000. I put a new motor on it and kept it for 5 years. Sold it recently still running strong and in good condition. Newest boat is a 17' Xpress bass boat. Spent 18,000+ on it, new. All three of these along with working countless hours on my friends 21' Mastercraft has lead me to just one conclusion: boat just stands for "bust out another thousand..

[RyneB]

heres my story. When i got my career job i purchased a Tracker. It was fine for what i needed it for. Then the bait, boat, rod, and reel monkey got a hold of me. My tackle, and overall drive for bass fishing out grew my Tracker. I needed to upgrade. I decided to give the Tracker to my father, sell my fun car, and buy a bass boat. I found a near perfect 2001 Ranger R81 VS with a Mercury 150. The price was where i wanted it. I got a "good" condition 18 foot Ranger, added 2 Down Imaging units, 3 brand new Die Hard batteries, brand new 82lb thrust Motor Guide, all seats were wrapped in new vinyl when i purchased. No way i could get that kind of value out of a tin. I bought the Ranger with all the mentioned modifications for 10 grand. When i bought the Tracker brand new it was 12 grand. There is no comparison between the two. I wish i would have saved my money buying the tin, and bought a great used glass from the start. Having said that, i was just as good as a bass fisherman in my Tracker as i am my Ranger. Its just that the Ranger is more comfortable.

 

It all depends on the waters you fish, money your willing to spend, and how much you use the boat. Its really hard explain. I feel that once you have a tin out in rough water, then fish out of a glass in rough water. You are going to take the more expensive glass every single time over the tin. But, if your fishing smaller lakes that you need to get into shallow water and big water is not the issue, go tin.

 

Having said that, if my father wanted a new boat. A brand spanking new Ranger Z520C would be what i would tell him he needs. Then maybe someday it will be mine.

[Khong]

I'm actually starting this thread for my Dad because he doesn't want to make an account. How much is a bass boat? No frills, just your basic boat and a depth finder. So if we want to buy a used boat with enough room for two guys how much would it be? We wouldn't make any long runs, so the gas tank wouldn't have to be huge. All we need is enough to get out and fish.

 

You shouldn't be thinking about how much a boat cost but rather where you are going to fish it at.  Some lake/pond only allow you to have certain type of motor.  .  

 

A good choices and cheaper choice can be a Jon boat modification were you can take out the motor.  This has stability limitation on larger body of water though.

 

If you want a more stability, you can go with a motor mounted Bass boat.  Again, it will be depending on the lake you are fishing at and that limits you on motor size.

 

Find the lakes you want to fish then judge it carefully. 

 

Here's are thing to consider when you are buying a boat.  Anchor device, life jacket, lights, fire extinguisher, net, and paddle.   Next are trolling motor, fish finder, live well, and bilge pump.

[PotomacBassin]

Just go on CL and look around then search for used boats on the big used boat website..... THEN go to BPS website and custom build a brand new fiberglass bass boat.  They have a little tool that let's you start with the base model and add everything that you would want. It's all for fun. I think this will give you the best idea of how much everything that you want costs and where you can compromise; or pretty much eliminate the new boat option.  I recommend an aluminum boat for your first boat... possibly a jon boat.  Start out cheap and beat the crap out of it.... get all those dock dings out of the way with a boat where it doesn't matter.