If you were to buy a new boat - same brand or not?

[Glenn]

Hypothetical situation...You currently own a bass boat and for whatever reason, you intend to buy a new 2005 model Boat. You are obviously faced with a very difficult decision. Do you buy a different rig of the same brand without any question? Or, Do you buy a different brand altogether?

Looking for an honest opinion here...this not a platform to bash ANY Brands out there.

As for me, I love my '03 Ranger 520 Camanche and the subsequent service. I have no reason to look elsewhere.

[JT Bagwell]

My next purchase will be the same brand as the one I currently own. My boat is fast and it handles very well. Right now I run a Triton TR20 with a Mercury Optimax on the back.

The only problem I am having right now is deciding whether or not I want to stay with a TR20 or go up a little in length.

For the most part nothing will change. I will still have a Minn Kota trolling motor, Lowrance electronics and a Mercury outboard.

JT Bagwell

[bassaholic]

Well since I have an Astro and they don't make bass boats any more I would have to go with a Comanche series ranger probably and a little longer. Since the General will not authorize the purchase of a 40k hobbie I am taking donations..... ;D

[AUTgrPilot]

I currently have a 2003 Triton TR-186 w/ a 175 Optimax.  I'm extremely happy with both.  This is my first boat so I would do a few things different.

1.  I would have stepped up one model and got the TR-19 (now the TR-196).  There's an extra storage compartment, and a few other features.

2.  I would have chosen a different dealer.  I'm extremely happy with Triton, I just picked a bad dealer.

[SquidMonkey]

I look at this way, Its not the boat that catches fish. so it doesn't matter what kind of boat you have but the fish you catch.

However if I had the money to burn I would probably buy a new 20 ft Skeeter.

[njvbass]

I look at this way, Its not the boat that catches fish. so it doesn't matter what kind of boat you have but the fish you catch.

However if I had the money to burn I would probably buy a new 20 ft Skeeter.

Are you backlash from hook-one.If so what happened to your club. I was thinking about joining and then it seemed very unorganized. No big deal.Anways i agree with your statement,having what I call awanna be bass boat. You know the old cooler for livewell. I guess come to think of it The only thing I really can't do on it is 70 mph!

[duncast48TN]

I currently have a Triton 17o Mag II aluminum bass boat. Motorguide 46 lb 12v. Lowrence elect. Its my first bass boat so i dont have anything to compare to. I have a 75 HP merc. I really like it but I wish I had gotten a bigger one now. i will stick woth triton though. Stick woth what you like.I like the Triton186 Magnum'

[Trivib1]

I have a 19 foot champion  with 200 horse MECR. I would have to say campaign is the boat for me.

[Bassin_Nutt]

I have a 1988 Winner glass bassboat with a 50 merc.  I might consider a 90 if I were to upgrade.

[Fatdaddy150]

:'( Nope I currently have a BassTracker 3 a 1983 model with a 40 hp Mercury. I like the boat but it is time to step up to a 18'-19' fiberglass model. Since Trcker doesn't make a fiberglass boat I'd buy a different make. Nitro on the other hand is part on the Tracker brand and This is one of my favorite rigs??? So if you consider Nitro and Tracker the same I guess I'd buy the same brand. Hope I didn't confuse you!!

Tight Lines,

Fatdaddy151

[Fatdaddy150]

Well since I have an Astro and they don't make bass boats any more I would have to go with a Comanche series ranger probably and a little longer. Since the General will not authorize the purchase of a 40k hobbie I am taking donations..... ;D

 :'(Exactly if the boss would let me I would but a brand new Ranger 520 VX with a Mercury optimax 225!!! But the boss says I can't buy a boat that costs half as much as our house!!!

[fOul_hOOk]

I'm with BASSAHOLIC.  A 2005 Cajun might be tough for me to find.  If they were still in business, I'd have them on the top of my list though.  Love my Cajun.

[L.D.]

Currently use a 2004 Triton 1756 Jet with a 90/65 Merc on it. Works well in the shallow river can't see me changeing anytime soon

L.D.

[shutout31]

I drive a Nitro and would not hesitate to buy another one. My first boat was a Ranger and although i liked it alot the price of a new one would prevent me from buying one. If the liitle woman told me to go buy a new boat today it would be a Nitro 929 w/ a Merc 250.

[John Cullum]

I would change brands. I will be ordering a Stroker with a 250 H.O. next Nov.  Stroker makes a sweat boat for a far price. Most of the boat companies still in business make a nice product. This months Bass and Walleye Boats mag. has the Top 50 and they feature some pretty nice rides in there.

I will be staying with an Evinrude, Motorguide. I may change my eletronics to BottomLine from Lowrance.

[reellittlephish]

FatDaddy151,  I see you're in Indiana.  Out here in the west, Nevada and CA in the sun and on big water, those Nitros don't hold up so well.  Upholstery cracks on everyone I've seen and appointments are a little cheap.  For that 12K you can do better buying used from private party if you do the research.  check your other posting about bass boats.

[Mainer]

My boat fits my needs perfectly.  I would not change a thing, but I bet 90% of you guys would laugh at it !  

I don't fish in big water (much) and I fish just for pleasure not money, so I am not in a hurry when I fish.  My boat is a 14' aluminum with a 25 hp Merc.  side console controls with a Motor Guide trolling motor.  Very dependable and economic, I love it.

[Fatdaddy150]

My boat fits my needs perfectly. I would not change a thing, but I bet 90% of you guys would laugh at it !

I don't fish in big water (much) and I fish just for pleasure not money, so I am not in a hurry when I fish. My boat is a 14' aluminum with a 25 hp Merc. side console controls with a Motor Guide trolling motor. Very dependable and economic, I love it.

It's not the boat that catches fish but the fisherman!!! I ain't laughin!!!  We all share a common passion for bass fishin wether we have a $50,000.00 boat and $20,000.00 in equipment, or fish from the bank and only have one rod and reel. It's still great just goin Bassin!!!

Tight Lines,

Fatdaddy151

[rocketman]

I believe I would change unless someone made it worthwhile not to.  I an looking at Bass Cat now.

[Maineiac]

I think maybe at this point I might well stay with the same make. I fish tin and have a Tracker Pro Deep V 17 with a 40 Merc I bought new in 95. We are looking at one more boat before I retire and I have found a Tracker Targa I like pretty well. The way I use a boat and the places I like to go almost precludes a glass boat. Will stick with Mercury, Motor-Guide, and probably Hummingbird. My problem is that if it swims up here I probably like to fish for it so a boat that can chase bass one day and troll for Togue the next then maybe do some striper fishing in the rivers. I start as soon as I can push the boat through the ice in the spring and don't stop until I can't push it through in the fall. Fish a bunch of small unimproved beach ramps off tote roads in the middle of nowhere and want to haul with my Cherokee for 4 wheel drive and the very necessary short turning radius. But these days even good aluminum rigs set up properly aren't inexpensive.

[AUTgrPilot]

Okay, I'll ask the stupid question.  What's Togue??  Can't say I've heard of that.  A Northern thing??

[Bassin101]

Mainer, I'm like you I guess.  but I just started bassin 1 1/2 yr ago.  I fish reservoir lakes in AZ. So, I bought a completely reconstructed  Alum.1982 Sea Nymph 16' deep V with a 90hp Evinrude.  It has a beam of about 84" (former Great Lakes boat) and it carries my kayak too.  

[earthworm77]

My first boat was a Tracker TX17 with a 45HP Merc. Great boat thatI picked up for a song. I would definately get another and now that they have that revolution hull, they look even better.

[Ranger_461VS]

I have a Ranger now and I love it. If I had to switch brands it would probably be a Skeeter.

[reellittlephish]

Have the 17 ft. Skeeter now and really like it.  If upgrade might look at newer Skeeter maybe SX or TZX series.  Need new towing vehicle before that can happen.  Also looking at Legend - apparently they go fast and light for the size and handle/perform well. Maybe I could afford a used Legend or Skeeter in year or so.  Would not buy a new boat in any case.