Jeremy_D Posted February 25, 2016 Posted February 25, 2016 Growing up broke we delt with being our own mechanics and fought to keep our junk running. We did well with cars but struggled with our boats. Fast forward last year I bought a $3000 tiller thinking Id be good for a couple of years. I soon regretted the tiller, I took it in for a good spring tune up so I could fish this summer and not fight with a boat. Of course the carbs needed $500 worth of work and over the winter an electrical part went out. Long story short $900 to fix a boat Im not really happy with anyway. So Ive decided I want to go brand new. Im not a tournament guy if I do we use my buddies boat. I panfish/walleye/catfish just as much as bass fish. Just a weekend warrior but I want something reliable and nice. Looking to spend between $15,000 to $25,000 AT MOST. Just looking for suggestions. Going to look at a Tracker 175 TXW tomorrow. Im not in a huge hurry yet the season is right around the corner. So many choices wanna make sure I make the right one. Quote
ethan-333 Posted February 25, 2016 Posted February 25, 2016 i know you said new.. but i would definitely look in the used area as well. you can get some extremely nice boats. set up with electronics and all the works in that price range. the tracker you said is a nice boat though. fished out of a tracker many times. good luck! Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted February 25, 2016 Global Moderator Posted February 25, 2016 I second the gently used suggestion. I spent a lot of time looking for mine, but finally found it, barely past the break in for about half price of new. I did have to add my own electronics, but not a big deal when I got such a huge break on the price. Quote
Junk Fisherman Posted February 25, 2016 Posted February 25, 2016 If you are a multispecies guy with a budget under 25K, I'd look at the Crestliner Fish Hawk 1750. The Ranger 1780 will be out of your price range but that is a sweet boat. Quote
RangerDanger Posted February 25, 2016 Posted February 25, 2016 If your looking at the tracker might as well look at the Ranger RT and the Lowe. You will want to make some upgrades to the starting price, specifically you'll want to upgrade to a 24V trolling motor and charger. Quote
Super User BrianinMD Posted February 25, 2016 Super User Posted February 25, 2016 Look for a nice 2-3 year old boat, a lot cheaper. give you some room to add some electronics, trolling motor or other upgrades to make it exactly what you want. Quote
Firefish Alumacraft Posted February 25, 2016 Posted February 25, 2016 I would look into a Alumacraft Classic or Competitor line. Classic run up to a 90hp and Competitor goes to 150hp, Both avail with Tiller/single console/ double Con or windshield. a 2015-2016 Classic would put u OTD right about 18-20k with a 75hp/ trolling motor Quote
FluffChucker Posted February 27, 2016 Posted February 27, 2016 A fantastic multi species boat would be the Tuffy x-170 and it would fall into the lower portion of your budget completely rigged up. Worth taking a look around for one. I bought a brand new 2013 model last year with a 50hp Merc tiller and it cost me $13,000. Granted it was a year old at the time, but it had spent it's time sitting on a showroom floor. I believe by the time I put electronics, a trolling motor, and paid taxes on it I had spent somewhere in the ballpark of about $18,000 or so. Perhaps less. I'd tell you that it's biggest downside is it's small storage capacity and 7' rod locker. But for a sub $20,000 BRAND NEW boat, it's hard to beat this one. It's not as nice as a brand new Ranger, but it's also 1/6 the price of one. For my money, it's a fantastic multi-species boat. Quote
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