Ideas On A New Boat Under 20K

[art0205]

Hello everybody.

This is my first post. I have been looking into buying a new bass boat or skiff boat.

I would like to spend no more than 20k with taxes and all. I would be financing the boat.

I have a few boat that I been looking at

1) mako skiff pro 17 cc and mako pro skiff 16 cc

2) tracker team pro 175 txw

The 175 comes with 2 live wells and a trolling motor and a fish finder as well as more fishing room.

But I heard that the mako fiberglass boat are better handling more sturdy but none of the other toys.

So far I have only been to bass pro shops and seen the boats first hand.

I have been doing some research and seen that a lot of people have problems with tracker boats and that the quality on mako has gone down in the last few years.

I have also gone online and looked at some ranger boats but I can't find a price and they look more price as I see that they're smallest boat comes with a 75 hp engine and most of them come with a 115 hp.

Any input would be highly appreciate it as I would want to do as much research as possible until I buy my first boat.

I live in Broward county the only close dealership I seen is bass pro shops and a ranger in pompano beach but they're inventory saids zero.

Thanks again.

[slonezp]

A decked out ranger RT188will run $26k or more depending on the options. There are many people very happy with Tracker and a lot of not so happy. The bad I have heard is overheated welds and horrible customer service. Negative reviews I have read about the ProTeam is bass fisherman don't care for the front deck livewell/baitwell. The Rangers have had some porpoising issues which I believe have been resolved on the new boats

Keep your eyes open.There are some slightly used Rangers that have been put up for sale and you can save $3k-$5k off new 

[gulfcaptain]

I like the layout of the 175txw and option but considering I would want to fish in saltwater to this isn't an option for me as I have two younger boys to look out for too.  But looks solid.  Can also look on Craigs List, may find some used boats for half of what you're wanting to spend and get more boat as well. 

[art0205]

Thank you for your response slonezp

Where can I find the price for the rangers as I would like to do sone research on them as well, or only the dealer will be able to get me the prices?

Yeah also looking into a almost new boat will be a good idea.

Thank you

[art0205]

A decked out ranger RT188will run $26k or more depending on the options. There are many people very happy with Tracker and a lot of not so happy. The bad I have heard is overheated welds and horrible customer service. Negative reviews I have read about the ProTeam is bass fisherman don't care for the front deck livewell/baitwell. The Rangers have had some porpoising issues which I believe have been resolved on the new boats

Keep your eyes open.There are some slightly used Rangers that have been put up for sale and you can save $3k-$5k off new

Read above. I forgot to quote u. Thanks

[slonezp]

MSRP is on the Ranger aluminum website along with build a boat options if you go into the "optional features" menu. http://rangeraluminum.com/model.cfm?sid=7218#accessories  Sent you a PM 

[art0205]

MSRP is on the Ranger aluminum website along with build a boat options if you go into the "optional features" menu. http://rangeraluminum.com/model.cfm?sid=7218#accessories  Sent you a PM

Thanks I been looking at them.

[Chief 2]

I purchased a 2013 BT Pro Team 190 TX at the end of last year This is the second BT I have owned and I am very pleased with it. I have 2 friends that also have BT and love them. I wanted to get a 2014, but the wasted space of the front live well to me was to much of a trade off. I need the storage capacity. I don't think you can go wrong with a BT. There are a lot of good used boats out there also. Good luck with your search!

[Chris S]

Hello everybody.

This is my first post. I have been looking into buying a new bass boat or skiff boat.

I would like to spend no more than 20k with taxes and all. I would be financing the boat.

I have a few boat that I been looking at

1) mako skiff pro 17 cc and mako pro skiff 16 cc

2) tracker team pro 175 txw

The 175 comes with 2 live wells and a trolling motor and a fish finder as well as more fishing room.

But I heard that the mako fiberglass boat are better handling more sturdy but none of the other toys.

So far I have only been to bass pro shops and seen the boats first hand.

I have been doing some research and seen that a lot of people have problems with tracker boats and that the quality on mako has gone down in the last few years.

I have also gone online and looked at some ranger boats but I can't find a price and they look more price as I see that they're smallest boat comes with a 75 hp engine and most of them come with a 115 hp.

Any input would be highly appreciate it as I would want to do as much research as possible until I buy my first boat.

I live in Broward county the only close dealership I seen is bass pro shops and a ranger in pompano beach but they're inventory saids zero.

Thanks again.

Saltwater. Freshwater or Both??? IMO those skiffs will beat you to death!! I just looked for fun in your area on CL lots of nice boats forsale!!! This one caught my eye in Lakeland, i know its north of you but  2014 Triton X17 Bass Boat. 60hp Mercury, 24 volt trolling motor, depth finder. Hasn't even used a tank of fuel yet. Asking $16,000. 

[art0205]

I purchased a 2013 BT Pro Team 190 TX at the end of last year This is the second BT I have owned and I am very pleased with it. I have 2 friends that also have BT and love them. I wanted to get a 2014, but the wasted space of the front live well to me was to much of a trade off. I need the storage capacity. I don't think you can go wrong with a BT. There are a lot of good used boats out there also. Good luck with your search!

Thank you for your reply. I was looking online at that boat it look awesome. It's a bit bigger and more space than the 175 right?

The only thing I'm afraid of buying new it would be warranty. This would be my first boat n if something goes wrong I dont know how to fix anything. Will some used boat come with warranty still. If they do. I wouldn't mind buying one.

Thanks for the info

[art0205]

Saltwater. Freshwater or Both??? IMO those skiffs will beat you to death!! I just looked for fun in your area on CL lots of nice boats forsale!!! This one caught my eye in Lakeland, i know its north of you but 2014 Triton X17 Bass Boat. 60hp Mercury, 24 volt trolling motor, depth finder. Hasn't even used a tank of fuel yet. Asking $16,000.

Thanks for the answer.

Yeah I guess it would be for mostly freshwater but if I could go in the intercostal it would be a plus.

What do you mean by the skiff killing me. Lol. I don't know much about boat so if u could explain to me why I would appreciate it. I clicked on that craigslist and it says that the page it's wrong. However if that deal it's still on, that would be an awesome deal. Thank u again for your answer and hopefully more insight from u.

[art0205]

Saltwater. Freshwater or Both??? IMO those skiffs will beat you to death!! I just looked for fun in your area on CL lots of nice boats forsale!!! This one caught my eye in Lakeland, i know its north of you but 2014 Triton X17 Bass Boat. 60hp Mercury, 24 volt trolling motor, depth finder. Hasn't even used a tank of fuel yet. Asking $16,000.

I found the boat on craigslist

Thanks

[Chief 2]

Thank you for your reply. I was looking online at that boat it look awesome. It's a bit bigger and more space than the 175 right?

The only thing I'm afraid of buying new it would be warranty. This would be my first boat n if something goes wrong I dont know how to fix anything. Will some used boat come with warranty still. If they do. I wouldn't mind buying one.

Thanks for the info

Yes, the 190 TX has much more front deck space. From the console back each of the BT are about the same dimensions. I previously had a BT 185 PT with a 50hp. It was a great boat, but the 190PT with the 115 Optimax is by far a better fishing boat. I would call Bass Tracker direct and see if they can locate you one.

[Catt]

2014 Stratos 176 VLO 60 hp ETEC $18,695

I would put a 75 hp on it

[Chris S]

What do you mean by the skiff killing me. 

A Skiff is a flat bottom boat, you and the seat take all the beating while riding in the boat, kind of like driving your car with out shocks over multiple speed bumps. 

[Chris S]

I found the boat on craigslist

Thanks

yep thats it! That 60hp will sip gas and not drain the wallet!! 

[art0205]

One more thing if I buy a bass aluminum boat would it be ok to take it into the intercostal?

[art0205]

A Skiff is a flat bottom boat, you and the seat take all the beating while riding in the boat, kind of like driving your car with out shocks over multiple speed bumps.

Ok I see what you mean now. The mako skiff 17 cc has an inverted u hull. Would it still do this. Just wondering.

[Chris S]

Ok I see what you mean now. The mako skiff 17 cc has an inverted u hull. Would it still do this. Just wondering.

that hull would be much smoother that a flat bottom, u hull is similar to a pontoon boat causing it to ride higher in the water

[martintheduck]

So, I went through almost this same process you are talking of (about 2 years ago). I wanted a new boat and didn't want to spend more than $20k. I was looking at a Tracker 175. I was steered away from that boat by a friend who told me words of wisdom --- "No matter what you get, you will have it for a year and start wanting more." THAT was very true. I learned from doing research for around a year prior to buying, there are - sometimes - some MINT PERFECT condition boats that pop up for sale. Maybe I'll get one of those? I kept leaning towards a tracker 175 NEW but looked around on craigslist in the mean time. I went and looked at 3 or 4 used boats and non of them were in the kind of condition I was willing to buy.

 

 

NOW.... I just so happened to log onto craigslist one day and a man had posted an 2011 18ft Xpress w/ a Yamaha 150. It looked like it was pristine. So I called him and went to see it the next day. I pulled up, the man was about 65 years old and lived in an incredible home with nice cars. Insurance salesman. The boat was in his covered garage and not a scratch was on the thing. I looked like it had never seen water before! We took it for a test run at the nearby lake and I gave it the inspection. I mean MINT condition. I ended up buying that sucker for $19k. I spent less on the practically brand new Xpress than I would have on the actual new Tracker 175. I got substantially more boat for less money. I am SO very happy I held out for a perfect condition used boat to pop up. I got a better boat.

 

 

I encourage you to move very slow and keep your eyes peeled for some mint condition used boats. You can really save some money AND get into something much better.

[art0205]

So, I went through almost this same process you are talking of (about 2 years ago). I wanted a new boat and didn't want to spend more than $20k. I was looking at a Tracker 175. I was steered away from that boat by a friend who told me words of wisdom --- "No matter what you get, you will have it for a year and start wanting more." THAT was very true. I learned from doing research for around a year prior to buying, there are - sometimes - some MINT PERFECT condition boats that pop up for sale. Maybe I'll get one of those? I kept leaning towards a tracker 175 NEW but looked around on craigslist in the mean time. I went and looked at 3 or 4 used boats and non of them were in the kind of condition I was willing to buy.

 

 

NOW.... I just so happened to log onto craigslist one day and a man had posted an 2011 18ft Xpress w/ a Yamaha 150. It looked like it was pristine. So I called him and went to see it the next day. I pulled up, the man was about 65 years old and lived in an incredible home with nice cars. Insurance salesman. The boat was in his covered garage and not a scratch was on the thing. I looked like it had never seen water before! We took it for a test run at the nearby lake and I gave it the inspection. I mean MINT condition. I ended up buying that sucker for $19k. I spent less on the practically brand new Xpress than I would have on the actual new Tracker 175. I got substantially more boat for less money. I am SO very happy I held out for a perfect condition used boat to pop up. I got a better boat.

 

 

I encourage you to move very slow and keep your eyes peeled for some mint condition used boats. You can really save some money AND get into something much better.

Wow that's awesome. Let me ask you a question though. Did your boat came with any warranty? I think buying an almost brand new boat would be an excellent idea however I font know much about boat and if anything goes wrong I would have to fork out money. That's my only worry.

Other than that I'm considering that option as well

[martintheduck]

Wow that's awesome. Let me ask you a question though. Did your boat came with any warranty? I think buying an almost brand new boat would be an excellent idea however I font know much about boat and if anything goes wrong I would have to fork out money. That's my only worry.

Other than that I'm considering that option as well

 

Yes, motor came with a warranty. I know my Yamaha warranty is transferrable, not sure about other types. Even if you do have a warranty, a lot of things can happen which aren't covered. Also, before buying a used boat (regardless of condition) the proper protocol is to bring the boat to a certified technician to have it looked at. They will be able to tell you exactly what you're getting into. In my case, mechanic told me everything looked great and it was an A+ boat -- I bought it and have never had any problems that needed a warranty claim. 

[plural_of_fant]

I wouldn't put a tracker in saltwater. My friend used his tracker deep v 16 or 18' foot in Indian river bay in Delaware. The wood deck rotted in 5 years. Plus it was a very wet ride. My suggestion is if you want to swing both ways. Look for a saltwater center counsel. I'd rather take a saltwater boat into freshwater then the other way around. When going used always sea trial and have both hull and motor surveyed

[lmoore]

I wouldn't put a tracker in saltwater. My friend used his tracker deep v 16 or 18' foot in Indian river bay in Delaware. The wood deck rotted in 5 years. Plus it was a very wet ride. My suggestion is if you want to swing both ways. Look for a saltwater center counsel. I'd rather take a saltwater boat into freshwater then the other way around. When going used always sea trial and have both hull and motor surveyed

Did your friend store the boat outside? Saltwater will rot a boat more slowly than fresh, so I would assume 1) he got a boat which didn't have the deck properly sealed and it became waterlogged or 2) he kept it outside and rainwater was allowed to soak in over time.

I'm sure there are reasons not to use a freshwater boat in saltwater, but wood rot isn't one of them.

[J Francho]

20K will get you a sweet used Bullet.