Educated Opinions Needed!

[WillJ]

Hey guys! I'm looking in to purchasing my first boat, my folks have always kept a bass boat around but they never have really owned one that I thought would satisfy my personal wants, and that's mostly deck size (usually older model boats with the steps in center i dont know what you call that). I fish almost every day and I don't see anything really ever changing that, granted I'm healthy and alive. So with that being said I would like to have some insight from somebody who is dabbled and tried out some different things that would really know a reliable/reasonable decision. I plan on fishing tournaments often but I also want something that I can comfortably take to the river and catch a flathead from time to time. I will present what I sort of boat I had in mind and you guys tell me what you think or what you would do. I think around 95-98 (Triton, Ranger, Bullet, Pro Craft, Bumble Bee) 18-20'. Since I would be spending a smaller price for the boat I would then be able to splurge in top notch electronics. With all that though I still want to hear about aluminum, and the less of cost the better be as far as the boat im not trying to spend more than 8 or 9. Thanks for your time guys 

[Bluebasser86]

How big are the bodies of water you're planning on fishing? I've owned several boats from Lowe, Cajun, and Ranger, all have there pros and cons. Most of our lakes are small and you can easily get away with the lower end of what is allowed for a tournament boat. If you're in an area with huge lakes though, a 17' aluminum with a 75ph motor isn't going to cut it. 

[WillJ]

I would like to be as fit for most bodies of water as possible. If I wanted to run I want to be able to pleasurably. 

[Bluebasser86]

If it were me then, I'd buy the best boat you can afford and worry about the electronics later. 5K in electronics does you no good on a boat that doesn't run. 

[WillJ]

This is true, a non-running boat when I finally own one will break my heart. But like anything else I'm sure some of them have been maintained and babied but I guess it's hard to know since everybody is going to tell you that has been regardless if it really has. By the way how did you like your Lund and what model was it?

[slonezp]

Most boats are good at fishing a particular type of water and finding a good compromise is difficult. The main benefit of a bigger hp motor is time management during tourneys. Some trails have minimum and maximum hp requirements so, before you pull the trigger, do some research on the tourneys you plan on fishing. When buying a 20yo boat, you need to do a thorough inspection to make sure it's seaworthy. Not only having the motor checked out, but inspecting the transom and floor for rot. Not all boats are babied. This is especially true when you're looking at boats that are already on their 4th or 5th or 6th owner. My boat is on the water every weekend 9 months out of the year. I have 2 neighbors who's boats haven't left their driveways in the 10 years I've lived here.  Personally. if I had $8k to spend, I'd rather get a 10yo tin than a 20yo 'glass. A 10yo boat could very well be a 1 owner boat. I'd also rather buy a boat that was used and cared for rather than parked and forgot about. 

 

If you can come up with another $50k, I'll sell you my Lund.   It's the perfect compromise

[WillJ]

I'm not gonna necessarily be restricting my self to 8 or 9k but I'm definitely more on the conservative side when it comes to spending money, however I'm not gonna be tight and get junk. What you said though about the 10 year old aluminum thats the same price range as older fg. So with that being said what about larger aluminum? What difference would I really notice between the two aside from having more or less motor and when it come to an out board I want all I need but I dont need any more or less I want to be in shape to do what I want with my boat comfortably and go where I please. Lunds look so neat to the un-trained eye. 

[slonezp]

Main differences between tin and 'glass. 'Glass tend to have more storage options, a lower freeboard which mean's they blow around less in the wind, and tend to be a smoother ride. Tin, in most cases are more economical to own. They use less fuel because they are lighter which also means less fuel used in the tow vehicle. It also means less power required to get the same speeds. They have less draft which allows you to fish skinnier(shallower) water. They are more forgiving when bumping into docks and rocks. As of late, the tin bass boats have really stepped it up and the interior/storage options are more similar and sometimes even better than 'glass boats of the same size.

[WillJ]

Thanks that's the kind of info I was looking for. What would you guys recommend in aluminum outboard size, brand, length?

[slonezp]

Just start checking out the classifieds to see what's out there in the used market. Stay away from Fisher and Tracker around the time they acquired Fisher(late 90's early 2000's). As far as hp, each hull will have a maximum rating. Most bass type tins should be rated around 90-17ft, 115-18ft, 150-19ft. A deep v tin will probably have higher hp ratings. Xpress and Sea Ark have high performance hulls and are rated  for up to 200hp depending on the model. If you choose 'glass, I would shy away from anything with less than a 150.

[WillJ]

Just start checking out the classifieds to see what's out there in the used market. Stay away from Fisher and Tracker around the time they acquired Fisher(late 90's early 2000's). As far as hp, each hull will have a maximum rating. Most bass type tins should be rated around 90-17ft, 115-18ft, 150-19ft. A deep v tin will probably have higher hp ratings. Xpress and Sea Ark have high performance hulls and are rated  for up to 200hp depending on the model. If you choose 'glass, I would shy away from anything with less than a 150.

Alright, Thanks!

[Bluebasser86]

This is true, a non-running boat when I finally own one will break my heart. But like anything else I'm sure some of them have been maintained and babied but I guess it's hard to know since everybody is going to tell you that has been regardless if it really has. By the way how did you like your Lund and what model was it?

I had a Lowe, not a Lund. 

 

My Ranger was a 451V, loved the boat, hated the motor (Black Max). Never ran well, no matter how much money I sank into it. Basically had a several thousand dollar dock with a trolling motor on it. 

[WillJ]

I had a Lowe, not a Lund. 

 

My Ranger was a 451V, loved the boat, hated the motor (Black Max). Never ran well, no matter how much money I sank into it. Basically had a several thousand dollar dock with a trolling motor on it. 

my mistake, wrong four letter L word haha but yeah that would be so sickening to me to of craved a bass boat for so many years and then get some un reliable my gramps has got a black max and now he puts in where he fishes i thinks its been down twice since spring.