Buying 1st Aluminum Boat (20k Budget)....Help

[DieselInc]

Hey, I have been fishing since a little kid and have always used a kayak or a canoe to get around the local ponds to fish.I am now finished college and have saved up some cash to get my 1st "REAL" boat. With buying a new house and student loans my budget for a boat is 20k. All i can seem to find is Tracker 175s for under that price but i have heard that they arent the greatest boats and have horrible service and lots of problems.I looked up ranger,skeeter and a few others and either they are way more money or i cant seem to find pricing. Are there any other boats under 20k that offer more bang for the buck?If anyone has any info or knowledge of other boats that would be better I would greatly appreciate it.

[Bluebasser86]

Does it have to be new? Mine was 3 years old with 8 hours on it when I bought it, for about half of retail, which was a few thousand under your max price range. It's a fiberglass boat though if you're dead set on tin. 

[livemusic]

There are plenty of boats under $20k, brand new. If you want larger or something higher end, you will need to buy used. This is a 'project' that you will need to take your time. As in... search, search, search, read, read, read. For used, Craigslist is an easy source, just be careful, there are some scams. If I were you, buying a first boat, I would probably buy used to get your feet wet with owning a boat. And I would spend less than $10k, there are tons of boats less than that. To allow you to get your feet wet. If it doesn't work, sell it, get another. In a few years, you could buy new.

Bear in mind that once you buy one, you will have additional expenditures to make it your own liking, and the extra could be pretty significant money, so, allow for it.

I have missed out on a couple of good used buys lately on Craigslist that I delayed on making a deal. Good deals are out there but you need to take your time. As in, months.

[DieselInc]

4 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

Does it have to be new? Mine was 3 years old with 8 hours on it when I bought it, for about half of retail, which was a few thousand under your max price range. It's a fiberglass boat though if you're dead set on tin. 

It doesnt have to be aluminum i just found them cheaper.I have been driving my uncles bass cat for the past 5 years so i am pretty used to driving/maintaining a boat thanks to him and I have looked on craigslist but in my area (Mass) I cant seem to find anything.All the boats seem old.I would definitely not be opposed to the kind of deal you got as long as the boat was in great shape with low hours.

5 minutes ago, livemusic said:

There are plenty of boats under $20k, brand new. If you want larger or something higher end, you will need to buy used. This is a 'project' that you will need to take your time. As in... search, search, search, read, read, read. For used, Craigslist is an easy source, just be careful, there are some scams. If I were you, buying a first boat, I would probably buy used to get your feet wet with owning a boat. And I would spend less than $10k, there are tons of boats less than that. To allow you to get your feet wet. If it doesn't work, sell it, get another. In a few years, you could buy new.

Bear in mind that once you buy one, you will have additional expenditures to make it your own liking, and the extra could be pretty significant money, so, allow for it.

I have missed out on a couple of good used buys lately on Craigslist that I delayed on making a deal. Good deals are out there but you need to take your time. As in, months.

I have been looking on CL but NOTHING in my area.I plan on taking my time, Thanks

[livemusic]

You are in Massachusetts... hmmm. I see. In my area, CL is loaded with boats, from junk to very high end bassboats and everything between.

[Master Bait'r]

Heck for $20k you can set your sights a little higher!  

Check the Western Mass pages, I remember seeing a sick '04 bass cat for like 18k.  

[Catt]

2016 Xpress Hyper Lift Seriet H17

length: 17' bottom: 67" beam: 88"

max hp: 90 hp

H17 boat, Yamaha F70LA, trailer

MSRP $18,975

Brand new & you to rig your way!

 

[Gotfishyfingers?]

For 20k, I would be buying a much better boat than a tracker 175. Unless your dead set on Aluminum, i would look into a fiberglass like others suggested..

[Fishes in trees]

Granted, it was number of years ago, but I paid way less for my LOWE wf 180 new.   Don't be afraid to go national in your search.   A few years ago a buddy of mine had a mid-life crisis that could only be resolved by purchasing a new 20'Express.   He found a dealer in Tenesse who was considerably less expensive than any dealer here in Missouri - including the road trip and motel stay.   With your other obligations, you'll be in this boat for a while, so buy one you like.   I don't hate trackers - I think they are ok boats - but I think that there are better boats out there for a similar amount.  I am assuming that you have or have access to indoor storage.   Storing any boat outside with a tarp over it isn't a good idea.

[DieselInc]

6 hours ago, Catt said:

2016 Xpress Hyper Lift Seriet H17

length: 17' bottom: 67" beam: 88"

max hp: 90 hp

H17 boat, Yamaha F70LA, trailer

MSRP $18,975

Brand new & you to rig your way!

 

I am unfamiliar with xpress boats. Are they a good brand...90hp is much better than a 60hp that the tracker comes with....im gonna have to look into that....thanks.....and to all others who asked if i am set on alum....NO i am not i just have a budget right now...sucks but it is what it is.I have looked on CL in my area and cant find anything...so i am taking my time on my search...thanks everyone for your input.

[Gotfishyfingers?]

Have you checked out Ebay or Boat trader?

[Catt]

43 minutes ago, DieselInc said:

I am unfamiliar with xpress boats. Are they a good brand...90hp is much better than a 60hp that the tracker comes with....im gonna have to look into that....thanks.....and to all others who asked if i am set on alum....NO i am not i just have a budget right now...sucks but it is what it is.I have looked on CL in my area and cant find anything...so i am taking my time on my search...thanks everyone for your input.

Xpress Hype Lift Hulls will run with fiberglass hulls.

[Jeff Browning]

I too was on a budget, wanted soemthing decent, that I could resell when I wanted to upgrade and here is what I did....

Bought a 2008 175TXW w/ 50 hp for $7000, fished it for a year to see how much I'd really use it; got hooked on the sport!!

Upgraded to a Humminbird 1199 si (bow) $1299, 899 si (console) $500, 70# trolling motor $600, Humminbird 360 transom mount $900, added the other battery for 24v, adjusted the motor and had all componenets installed for about $800 for a total of ~ $4300.

My plan was to upgrade to a new or slightly used bigger boat, but I fish mostly by myself and will start tournamants this year with a co-angler (local club) but when I compared apples to apples...sure I could have upgraded to the 75hp Merc for another $8000...

My point is, that if you buy a used/new boat and you want to change anything you're into more money.  So get what you want or think you want when you buy it and/or leave room in the budget for gadgets which you will most likely want at some point.  I had the old black and white depth finders...

If I could figure put how to load pics I'd show her off a little.  But it says I can only upload 153k...

My .02

Jeff

 

[FlipSide]

Look for a used Xpress X-19 if you want more HP and to still have the durability of a tin

[Further North]

I bought this (2005 Crestlner CMV 1850)

http://s189.photobucket.com/user/groznak/library/2005%20Crestliner%20CMV?sort=3&page=1

...two seasons ago with 3 1/2 hours on the motor for $16,250.

I had my own electronics, so that helped...swapped them with the old stuff on the boat and hit the water.

Boats like this and the one BLuebasser86 bought are out there, you just have to put your time in and look for them...and when you find them, be ready to plop cash on the table fast...they won't last long.

Regarding Craigslist in Massachusetts...if it's anything like NW WI where I live, the boat sales ads will perk up considerably in the next month or so and stay that way through at least early fall.  Gotta get the ice thinning a little more before folks start getting a hankering for a new rig and look to sell their existing rig.

[DieselInc]

3 hours ago, Gotfishyfingers? said:

Have you checked out Ebay or Boat trader?

im wary of ebay. I checked out boattrader but it was all trackers at the local bass pro pretty much. Gonna check out the xpress site now.

[Further North]

Xpress are great boats...Almost bought one right before I found my CMV.

[DieselInc]

I just checked the xpress website and the closest dealer is 4 hours away...FML

[gim]

What about a Crestliner VT17 or a Lowe Stinger 175?  They're both under $17k brand new so you'd have a couple thousand for upgrades.  I don't know how much a G3 is but they also make smaller tin bass boats under $20k.

[DieselInc]

8 minutes ago, gimruis said:

What about a Crestliner VT17 or a Lowe Stinger 175?  They're both under $17k brand new so you'd have a couple thousand for upgrades.  I don't know how much a G3 is but they also make smaller tin bass boats under $20k.

Are they comparable in size to the tracker 175txw...ill have to look into them.Thanks

[gim]

Yes, they are.  Similar size motors, options, etc.

[fishnkamp]

Hey I did about 5 minutes of looking on Craigslist Massachusetts.  There are about 5 different boards under craigslist Mass.  In that time I found a nice 2002 Triton for $11000. It has a  Yamaha VMAX150 on it.  Here is the link 

 http://worcester.craigslist.org/boa/5492801532.html

I also found a 2004 Bass Cat Cougar FTD dual console ( passenger console removable) with a Merc Opti 225Hp  for $18000.  That boat looked awesome. Here is the link  http://westernmass.craigslist.org/boa/5483019868.html.  It was on the Western Mass board, it says it is Agawam/Feeding Hills.

To find the perfect boat for your needs may require a little research. You may have to look within a 1 to 2 hour circle around you. Also if you want to look new check out Lowe and Triton aluminum boats. I run a 2010 Lowe Stinger 170 and fish on tidal Chesapeake bay, lakes in VA, MD. Tennessee and Kentucky. These two boat companies can probably give you a floor plan that works for you.  Here is a picture of my present boat.   It is the 11th boat I have owned during 40 years of fishing.  This Lowe and a 20 foot  ProKraft with a 200 hp Merc EFI were the only two ordered new.  This boat is 17 foot 6 inches long and has a 75 Merc outboard.  It runs around 40 mph and has almost as much storage as my 20 footer did.

[Cgolf]

We went the new boat route a few years back, instead of potentially buying someone else's money pit. To fit our budget we went with a 16ft alumacraft and couldn't be happier. I do agree that setting aside money for extras is important. Upgraded depth finders including on the bow, I had to bump up to an 80lb trolling motor along with an onboard charger.

I did make a custom front deck giving up one seat position, but the boat fishes way better now, but might be a bit tight for some guys taste. 

[DieselInc]

3 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

Hey I did about 5 minutes of looking on Craigslist Massachusetts.  There are about 5 different boards under craigslist Mass.  In that time I found a nice 2002 Triton for $11000. It has a  Yamaha VMAX150 on it.  Here is the link 

 http://worcester.craigslist.org/boa/5492801532.html

I also found a 2004 Bass Cat Cougar FTD dual console ( passenger console removable) with a Merc Opti 225Hp  for $18000.  That boat looked awesome. Here is the link  http://westernmass.craigslist.org/boa/5483019868.html.  It was on the Western Mass board, it says it is Agawam/Feeding Hills.

To find the perfect boat for your needs may require a little research. You may have to look within a 1 to 2 hour circle around you. Also if you want to look new check out Lowe and Triton aluminum boats. I run a 2010 Lowe Stinger 170 and fish on tidal Chesapeake bay, lakes in VA, MD. Tennessee and Kentucky. These two boat companies can probably give you a floor plan that works for you.  Here is a picture of my present boat.   It is the 11th boat I have owned during 40 years of fishing.  This Lowe and a 20 foot  ProKraft with a 200 hp Merc EFI were the only two ordered new.  This boat is 17 foot 6 inches long and has a 75 Merc outboard.  It runs around 40 mph and has almost as much storage as my 20 footer did.

Thanks bud, i saw those but they looked older and like cgolf said i am weary about buying someone elses problems.I am going to go to the local cabelas and check out their selection of Lowe, Ranger and Alumacraft. I had already planned to upgrade the deck, trolling motor, batteries and fishfinder  so being able to work all that within the budget is gonna be the tough part.I appreciate all the feeback guys.Helping me out alot.

[Jeff Browning]

When it comes to updrages...be patient, I got the 1199 on sale online, the 899 at Cebela's (in store) the manager said he'd honor the prior sale price (it never hurts to ask) and the 360 from Field and Stream (on sale too).  Sometimes the brick and moartar stores have awesome sales too.

How the heck are youo guys posting pics?

If I was looking to upgrade I'd love the BCB in the ad.  Those are nice boats!!