Boat Rankings

[Sam]

With all the bass boats on the market today, what are your opinions about which ones are the top of the line and which ones are at the bottom of the list.

I think the rankings can parallel automobiles.  We know that Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, Hummer, Range Rover and Caddilac are at the top of the list while Saturn and Kia models are at the bottom.

I also saw my first Bullet up close and personal and that is a beautiful boat but I have no idea where it would fit into a listing of bass boats from top to bottom.

Thanks to all for your input.

[mcbass]

Well, I've only owned one bassboat, but I can tell you about it.

2000 Triton 186 Single Console w/ 150 Merc efi.

-At the end of the first year, both seats were ripped at seams from normal use. Junk.

-Compartment "Locks" were a joke. I learned this when I accidentally opened a "locked" compartment. They are flimsey, plastic crap.

-After year 2, I noticed some stress cracks on the transom. To be fair, I had really driven it rough that fall in some really big weather (live in Maine), and the dealer sent pics of the damage to the factory rep, who said they would gladly repair the hull, but it had to be shipped to the factory to do so!! I didn't take them up on it.

-Chrome gas gap thingy flew off during above fall! Was a PERKO, replaced it no problem.

These are the only issues I've had with the boat, it is awesome, especially if you haven't owned one prior. Buy BIG, because I was ready for a larger/faster one within 6 months. It handles great, and I get 61 easily GPS with low fuel and empty livewells...alone..no jackplate. I hit 63.3 once under optimum conditions. SLight chop, cool, very dry air...

The motor has NEVER, EVER given me even a slight issue. Actually...I had to replace the cover to the onboard oil resevoir because I over-tightened it..but that is it. I'll never own anything but MERC, just because of the experience I've had with this one.

Regards,

M.C. Bass

[KU_Bassmaster.]

This is a touchy subject. It's hard to get a fair answer although mcbass gave as fair assement of his boat as you can get. Great review!!! It's hard to get an unbiased opinion because most guys will say that whatever they have is "THE BEST". It's like a Ford/Chevy thing. Although the guys on this board are a bunch of good guys and seem to give more truthful and fair assements of products more than other message boards. This question was posed on another messeage board I visit and it turned into a Skeeter/Ranger war of words. My opinion is that all the main boat companies put out a quality product.

I'll try and find the link a boat dealer on another site gave that listed JD Power&Associates rankings.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Here it is:

http://www.jdpower.com/cc/boats/ratings/bass/index.jsp

[Ben]

KU hit the nail on the head.  Everybody thinks what the have is the best there is.   If it satifies their needs and they are happy with it, they have a right to feel that way.  That's why there are so many different flavors of ice cream.  If there was truely a "BEST" of anything, best quality, best price etc, that satisfied everyone, there would only be one kind made.

I think any of the top name boats are quality boats, just depends on what you're looking for.  Some ride better, some make a better fishing platform, some are faster, some try to make a happy medium between all three.  They all have one thing in common, they are expensive, some a lot more so than others.

[AceHigh]

Look at new boat prices, holdeover (prior year, new boats) prices, and used prices. Look at goegraphical availability. I have owned over a dozen bass boats and here's my take on fiberglass:

1) Ranger

2) Triton

3) Skeeter

4) Allison

5) Nitro

6) Procraft

After that it falls off fast, mainly because of the local or regional nature of many manufacturers.

On aluminum, my guess is:

1) G3 (Skeeter),

2) Tracker

3) Fisher

4) Lowe

5) Lund

6) Polar Kraft

I have owned or fished in many good boats that are no longer in business, and I happen to place a lot of importance now on how long the comapny has been around.

I once had a Venture that I loved and have no idea why they folded.

I always had excellent luck with Mercury outboards, but then I never had any trouble with Evinrudes or Johnsons.  Never had any in the shop.

Because of numerous stories of how Mercuy's Optimax outboards were all in the shop, I bought a Yamaha with my last rig and I have had several minor mechanical problems with it and it has never run like it should.  Plus, it was sold to me during a period when Yamaha offered an extra two years of warranty or a $1,000 savings bond - I never got either despite contacting the dealer and Yamaha repeatedly.  I'll never buy another Yamaha.

Right now it looks like I'll keep my present boat (a G3 HP190) and add hydraulic steering and a Mercury outboard if and when I have any more problems with the Yamaha.

[Pa Angler]

For those who don't know it Tracker, Fisher, Nitro and Pro Craft are all owned by Tracker Marine.

I own a Tracker Targa 17SC aluminum Deep V with a 90ELPTO Merc and love it.

Chow

The Pa Angler

[Wabassin]

Best ride:Ranger

Best use of space:Triton

Best speed: Stroker (100+)

Best big water capabilitys:Nitro

Best Overall Speed, space, ride, and handling:Skeeter

[BASSMAN1301599783]

Thats funny. The boat JD power & associates gave thair best rating to, nobody has even mentioned. I have never heard of a "BassCat".

[Sam]

I have seen a few Bass Cats but know nothing about them.

I guess Ranger, Nitro, Skeeter, Triton and others do more advertising and we know about them.

I will consider the Ranger, Triton, Skeeter and Bass Cat.

Sure love the Bullet but it is just too expensive and too fast for me.

Thanks to all for your input.  You guys are the greatest!

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I have always known of Bass Cat's.  I just didn't know they were rated so highly.  I visit another message board and those guys rave about them.  Apparently their warranty/customer service is unmatched which should be very important when you are spending $30,000+ on a boat.

[DDbasser]

Sam,

I just bought my first fiberglass boat back in April.

I originally bought a 1999 Javelin, but the motor went out on it twice in 4 weeks.

I bought it used from a reputable dealer and they warranted it the first time, the second time they offered to put a new power head on the motor or sell me a different boat.

I bought a 2001 Triton TR-186 dual console with a 150 johnson on it and I love it.

Now after all that heres my point, I took 4 boats out to the lake before I bought one, and it's a lot of personal preference.

When you get ready to buy do it just like you would a car, drive before you buy.    

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

As far as liking what you have, it's not always the case. I've owned Mercs, Yamaha's,evinrude,johnsons and Honda motors. Never had a suzuki but my buddy does. Force,... never.

Anyway, the merc was my favorite. 225 offshore,zero problems. All the others were great motors except for the evinrude. I think I had a lemon. Everything from power heads to lower leg problems. Yamaha and Honda speak for themselves. Flawless. The honda4 got stolen or I would still have it.

I liked the merc best I think for personal taste reasons because it was a bit older and a very "aggressive" motor.

sidenote-all saltwater use, no fresh.

[gamblerOH]

I cant let this go any longer without getting my 2 cents in. I have to give the rate a Gambler at the top when it comes to speed, handling and appearance. They are fast boats, not 100 mph fast but 80 mph fast, which is gonna beat 99% of the other boats out there. They handle better than anyyhing i've driven and their finishes are the best out there. Now for my dislikes. They have small back decks, their storage is minimal  and their livewells are  a little on the small side. Its a tradeoff that I was willing to make because I love the speed and handling along with the fact that Gambler uses top of the line components, no cheap latches,locks or upholstery. My boat is almost 5 years old and does not have a stress crack anywhere. If you are willing to pay 45g's for a boat then give Gambler a look. If I were buying a new one today I would get the single console, my dual console takes up a lot of space, besides who cares if the passenger gets cold doing 75 down the lake at 6 am. ;D