Boat for the money

[KYbass1276]

Alright guys here's what's going on I'm going to buy a boat in about a year from now so I'm doing my homework now so I will be ready I have budgeted $25 TO $30 thousand dollars for a boat I don't mind going up a couple more thousand say $33 but that is going to be my limit.  I want new not used and I want to get what I want the first time meaning I don't want to get a boat with less than 200hp. I want a fiberglass.  I would prefer a triton, but will consider skeeter or ranger as well I know there good boats as well. I have been shopping a little checking some out and so far what I have been shown for that amount isn't what I'm really looking for I have only been to one place and obviosly know I have to go to others as well but the one place I did look they showed me some boats and I beleve could be wrong here that they were tritons G3 series. they only showed one boat and They said it was triton but I didn't see triton written on it anywhere and they weren't particulary interested with me because I did say in a year I will be buying not now  My question is what do you think for the amount of money That I have budgeted will get me  I would like to stay with the three companys mentioned if possable

[cravenfish]

You are probably looking at a 18 or 19' boat in that price range. I'm not sure of the max. HP rating for that size boat. You may want to consider looking at the Bass Cats and the Stratos, there is alot of them on the water and with the Stratos you can cash in on their rewards program if you are going to fish tournaments. I had a Ranger 520 that cost me 34k four years ago, and last year I went to a 521 that was even more.You picked out the three most expensive boats that are on the water, but you should go and check out the other two I mentioned. Good Luck

[jb_from_texas]

first off, can you adopt me?  $25-30k is HUGE.  It should get you just about everything you want really.

I dont know if the Ranger web site does this but the Skeeter and Triton sites allow you to "build your own boat."  you can pick just about everything and truly make it your own.  Once you're done you can print it out and take it to a dealer.  they can price it for you then.

maybe design a "must have" version, then a "really want" version and then a "pimped out to the gills" version and get them priced.

But keep in mind these prices wont be good next year, but pretty close i would guess.

[Smib]

Take a good long look at Basscat.  They are #1 in customer satisfaction.  They don't poor a bunch of money in advertising which means your money is going into the boat and some advertising firm.  Next time you pick up a Bassmaster magazine take a look.  You'll see a one page ad in there for Basscat and that's it and it has been that way for years.

No, I don't work for them or have an interest in the company but I am a Basscat owner (97 Pantera II) and I love it.  I've been fishing for a long time and have fished in many brands and to me they are as good as they come.  

Don't let all the advertising dollars spent by Triton, Ranger and Skeeter get your mind all twisted.  They are all three great boats and Basscat is equal to them all.  Good luck.  Smib  

[Al Wolbach]

There are a good number of glass boats available on the market today.

Most bass anglers love their brand of boat and are very opinionated, and rightly so. I personally own a 20' Champion with a 225 Yamaha and have been very satisifed with it.

The advice I would offer is to talk with other bassers in your area about the different dealers in that area. The boat you choose is only as good as the dealer that stands behind it and maintains the boat regardless of the brand. This is especially true if you have routine maintaince performed at that dealership. No one wants to stop fishing for two weeks because their dealer didn't have a waterpump in stock or the time to change it, etc.(only an example).

This is overlooked by many customers because they wanted a Triton, Ranger or whatever brand. With the market the way it has been in recent years your dealership may not even be in business next year.

Just my opinion........Goog luck with your search and research.......Al