Junk Fisherman Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 19 hours ago, Gotfishyfingers? said: 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.. Agreed. I'd shop for a used fiberglass boat. You'll get a lot more boat and it's a much better economical decision as well. Just make sure you educate yourself as to what to look for in a used boat and how to get the engine inspected. Quote
carlm01 Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 Check out Lunds they're a quality boat ................. Good Luck Quote
Josh_Bovaird Posted March 17, 2016 Posted March 17, 2016 have you guys used www.searchtempest.com to search craigslist? Its so much easier you can go in a mile radius instead of town. Quote
Super User J._Bricker Posted March 17, 2016 Super User Posted March 17, 2016 17 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. Diesellnc, as mentioned, take your time and research the boat brands and models you're interested in buying. In looking boats attached to the two links, the Triton has a lien held by his bank that the seller doesn't know the amount....? Quote
DieselInc Posted March 17, 2016 Author Posted March 17, 2016 Hey guys, i went to cabelas today...they had a stratos for 19,900 he was willing to take 1000 off but it only had a 60hp on it...going to check out a ranger tomorrow at a local dealer.....trying to find the best way to keep it under 20 with being able to add all the upgrades..research and look i guess....ive got some work to do haha. Quote
GetBent Posted March 18, 2016 Posted March 18, 2016 Don't get a smaller motor to fit your budget. You will regret it. 2 Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted March 18, 2016 Super User Posted March 18, 2016 Hey Jeff. I do not know how others do it, but do a yahoo search for Photobucket. Set up a free account. I did this for another board The Bass College. Once I upload my pictures to my account I can look in my library. I open one tab like this reply, write the body of text and then select the little box down below "Insert other media". Then choose "insert image from URL. I then open another tab in my browser, go to Photobucket, select my library, then scroll down to the picture I want. Below each picture is four links for that picture (e-mail, direct, HTML, and IMG.) I highlight the "direct" address and chose copy. Go back here and paste that link inside the the box and click insert. I know it sounds complicated but it is not. Also I use that account to add pictures here, on The Bass College, Ebay almost any website. It becomes simple. if you want to add more then just click over to the other tab, highlight another link and do it again. Dieselinc Here is a picture of the boat with the Merc 25 hp I originally set the boat up to fish a hp restricted lake. But a boat like mine needs very little upgrades and should easily fit in your budget with a 50 to 75 hp engine. Here the boat sits on Dale Hollow, a 60 mile long lake in Tennessee/ Kentucky. I added two gps/fish finders, an electric anchor, upgraded to 24 volt 70 pound MK, added a 2 bank charger and a few other goodies. A package like this would still fit in your budget if purchased new. Good Luck shopping. Quote
Gotfishyfingers? Posted March 18, 2016 Posted March 18, 2016 2 hours ago, GetBent said: Don't get a smaller motor to fit your budget. You will regret it. x2 Quote
DieselInc Posted March 18, 2016 Author Posted March 18, 2016 5 hours ago, GetBent said: Don't get a smaller motor to fit your budget. You will regret it. Ive been driving my uncles ranger with a 250 on it...trust me i wont. That stratos was a sweet boat today the main reason i didnt go for it was the motor. My buddy put me on to a Nitro z6 last years model with a 115 on it with 1200 bucks in upgrades already no hours on it and the guy said he could let it go for 20k even...gonna take a look at that one. 4 hours ago, fishnkamp said: Hey Jeff. I do not know how others do it, but do a yahoo search for Photobucket. Set up a free account. I did this for another board The Bass College. Once I upload my pictures to my account I can look in my library. I open one tab like this reply, write the body of text and then select the little box down below "Insert other media". Then choose "insert image from URL. I then open another tab in my browser, go to Photobucket, select my library, then scroll down to the picture I want. Below each picture is four links for that picture (e-mail, direct, HTML, and IMG.) I highlight the "direct" address and chose copy. Go back here and paste that link inside the the box and click insert. I know it sounds complicated but it is not. Also I use that account to add pictures here, on The Bass College, Ebay almost any website. It becomes simple. if you want to add more then just click over to the other tab, highlight another link and do it again. Dieselinc Here is a picture of the boat with the Merc 25 hp I originally set the boat up to fish a hp restricted lake. But a boat like mine needs very little upgrades and should easily fit in your budget with a 50 to 75 hp engine. Here the boat sits on Dale Hollow, a 60 mile long lake in Tennessee/ Kentucky. I added two gps/fish finders, an electric anchor, upgraded to 24 volt 70 pound MK, added a 2 bank charger and a few other goodies. A package like this would still fit in your budget if purchased new. Good Luck shopping. Nice boat...i took a look at a few lowes today...they looked solid.So many boats/brands to look at i dont know where to start lol. Everywhere i went everyones trying to say i can get into a fiberglass for the same price and i should strongly consider that....The fiberglass really have a sweet look to them.We will see what happens haha. Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted March 18, 2016 Super User Posted March 18, 2016 Something to consider if you fish stumpy lakes like I frequently do. My Lowe will bounce off or run up on a stump that would put a hold in many different fiberglass boats. Even if you run up on a stump, it is easier to back off one than it is to deal with cracked fiberglass. If you are playing with fiberglass around stumps, be very careful and don't have an attention lapse. That can get costly. Quote
DieselInc Posted March 19, 2016 Author Posted March 19, 2016 So just a little update.I have been calling/seeing boats all week.Went to Basspro to look at trackers, was unimpressed with the pricing considering they seem to be considered a lower quality boat and ended up with it costing more than other boats i checked out with less options(60hp 21,875).They did say they offered 5 years on the motor which wasnt bad.Went to cabelas and looked at a Lowe stinger 175 but the price that they said they couldnt budge on was 21,500 with a 60hp.Found a G3 Eagle sportsman with a 70hp vinyl deck upgrade upgraded 70 thrust troller and garmin fishfinder for 19,700 with all that but its an hour drive which isnt so bad.Found an Xpress xp7 with a 70hp with sports package and vinyl deck upgrade as well as 70 thrust troller and upgraded lowrance elite 7 for 19,329 which i really like.Only problem is its 4 hours away.Dealer said they could drive it to me and meet me half way but im concerned with the closest dealer/marine technician being over 4 hours away.What do you guys think? Quote
DieselInc Posted March 19, 2016 Author Posted March 19, 2016 Also found this....https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/boa/5497009285.html Guy has someone who put a deposit on it but he said he said its not final and i can take a look. Quote
Slade House Posted March 19, 2016 Posted March 19, 2016 I own a tracker 175 , go with the xpress , trust me go with the xpress . best place to buy boats is in texas Quote
Junk Fisherman Posted March 19, 2016 Posted March 19, 2016 I completely understand having a budget but you need to think big picture. How long are you going to have this boat? Are you going to be satisfied with it in 3 years? Spending a couple thousand more now, while it's over your budget, might make you much happier with the boat longer. I have seen so many people get a boat and then want to upgrade in a couple years. They then take a big hit in depreciation when they sell and end up losing thousands in the upgrade. I speak from experience on this one. In my early 20s I bought both a truck and boat that I could easily afford and pay off but within a couple years, I was wanting more. I wish I had spent more on both. In your case, it might be best to either increase your budget or save and wait a year so you can get to an 18' 115 HP such as a Ranger RT188. You can get that boat in the mid to upper 20s and be set for a long time. I think there's a good chance you get some 17' 60 HP boat because it fits your budget now but in a couple years, you'll be wanting more. That boat is big step down from the glass Basscat you have been using. Just some words of advice from someone who has gone through it before. Good luck with your purchase. 1 Quote
Super User Further North Posted March 19, 2016 Super User Posted March 19, 2016 Regarding "...someone elses problems...": Good way to start thinking about it, and to be on the look out for. That said, there's lots of reasons why boats get sold; not getting used (that's how I got mine), upgrade to bigger/better, some kind of problem in the family. You can pretty well tell by how the seller acts how well a boat has been treated...but caution is always a good thing. Have the boat checked out. Mine was one of those "too good to be true" deals...until I had it inspected at a marina of my choosing...and I found out it was exactly what the seller said it was: Virtually unused, 8 years old, stored in a garage it's entire life. Doo your "Due Diligence" Don't be afraid to check out the seller on line once you hove their name. Check Facebook, look for lawsuits, anything you can think of. It'll al give you insigt to the seller's character and help you get an idea how he treats his stuff. I bought three in a row like that, sold two of them, and the folks that bought them didn't get any problems either. On that Stratos: I went from a Lund PRO-V 1800 to a Crestliner 1750...and it was just a little bit too small for me. An 18+ ft. boat seems to be the sweet spot for me...20 is probably too big, 17 too small...My 1750 had a Suzuki 140 on it...it performed well...not sure a 115 would get it done for me...a friend has that same boat in an 18 footer...his has a 150...perfect for that size. Quote
Super User gim Posted March 19, 2016 Super User Posted March 19, 2016 Based on the boats you've mentioned at this point, that xpress seems like the best option. 4 hours is a long ways to get service though. Is there a local marine service you could take it to instead if they allowed you to? Quote
DieselInc Posted March 19, 2016 Author Posted March 19, 2016 30 minutes ago, gimruis said: Based on the boats you've mentioned at this point, that xpress seems like the best option. 4 hours is a long ways to get service though. Is there a local marine service you could take it to instead if they allowed you to? They said any Yamaha dealer could service it, Quote
Super User Redlinerobert Posted March 19, 2016 Super User Posted March 19, 2016 $20k I imagine will buy you a lot of aluminum boat, but like others have said look for a deal and I'm sure something will come up. Quote
DieselInc Posted March 21, 2016 Author Posted March 21, 2016 Got a quote on a 16 ranger RT178C with a 75hp 70 thrust min kota vinyl deck upgraded fishfinder,and trailer for 19,200.Going to see it tomorrow!! 1 Quote
livemusic Posted March 21, 2016 Posted March 21, 2016 I would be very wary of buying 'only' a 16' boat. IMO, that is too short. As for me, I have come to the conclusion that 19' is about right for me. I have a 17' and it works, but I would prefer more length for storage, for floor space and I guess it would give a better ride in chop. Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 21, 2016 Super User Posted March 21, 2016 6 hours ago, DieselInc said: Got a quote on a 16 ranger RT178C with a 75hp 70 thrust min kota vinyl deck upgraded fishfinder,and trailer for 19,200.Going to see it tomorrow!! That's good deal! 17' 8" with 92" with a 75 hp will handle anything you will want to fish. Don't let anyone fool ya, if it's rough for this size boat ya don't need to be on the water! Quote
DieselInc Posted March 22, 2016 Author Posted March 22, 2016 On 3/21/2016 at 8:57 AM, Catt said: That's good deal! 17' 8" with 92" with a 75 hp will handle anything you will want to fish. Don't let anyone fool ya, if it's rough for this size boat ya don't need to be on the water! Quote Narrowed it down to the G3 Sportsman 17 and the Ranger RT178....Thoughts on the 2 brands? Most have said i cant go wrong with either. Interested in your opinions. Quote
Super User Catt Posted March 22, 2016 Super User Posted March 22, 2016 43 minutes ago, DieselInc said: Narrowed it down to the G3 Sportsman 17 and the Ranger RT178....Thoughts on the 2 brands? Most have said i cant go wrong with either. Interested in your opinions. RT178 has 8' rod storage Unless they changed the G3 has wooden decks For the price Ranger quoted I would go with that. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted March 22, 2016 Super User Posted March 22, 2016 2 hours ago, DieselInc said: Narrowed it down to the G3 Sportsman 17 and the Ranger RT178....Thoughts on the 2 brands? Most have said i cant go wrong with either. Interested in your opinions. The G3 sits real low in the stern...real low 1 Quote
livemusic Posted March 23, 2016 Posted March 23, 2016 12 hours ago, slonezp said: The G3 sits real low in the stern...real low Why does that matter? (I don't know the answer, curious.) Quote
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