Beginning the purchasing process

[nocluefisher]

Just drove the nitro. Was a nice ride, rough water and the boat handled it well from my limited experience. Supposed to test drive a crestliner vt18 tomorrow.

[BigAngus752]

My wife wants the "laying out" deck space too.  If you decide to go with aluminum you will not find a bigger deck that a Tracker 195.  The thing is 18 1/2 feet long and has a 98in beam!  It's like an aircraft carrier!  Get the Tournament edition and you get the 24v TM, 150hp Merc, hydraulic steering, and a Hook5 on the console and another Hook5 on the bow.  

[nocluefisher]

Just finished driving the crestliner vt18 with a 115 on it. What a nice riding boat, and as a novice boater I really felt comfortable driving it. The nitro had me a little intimidated. The deal on the Nitro has changed a little as well. Now there is no BPS gift card, only the VIP card for 20% off. I really do not like bait and switches. I can have the VT 18 for 21500, with a helix 5 side scan at bow and lowrance elite ti5 on console. Decisions decisions.

[Further North]

That's a whole bunch less than the Nitro...and you seem to like it better...

 

The price difference could net you electronics a whole lot better than a Helix 5....that's a tiny screen...bump that to a pair of Helix 9s, or 10s...or comparable Lowrance or Garmin units.

 

...No way I'd mix Humminbird and Lowrance on the same boat the way you've got it written above, pick the brand you like best and go with all the same.  Upgrade the trolling motor from whatever bottom feeder they quoted to a 24 volt unit, and decent charger, maybe a Talon...

[nocluefisher]

The crestliner does come with a 24 volt motor guide trolling motor and a charger, And I would eventually do all lowrance electronics. The nitro is an amazing boat, just have a hard time with salesman who are less than honest. My wife likes the prettier boat (nitro) more but she was looking forward to helping me spend $1000 at bass pro shops.

[Further North]

19 minutes ago, nocluefisher said:

The crestliner does come with a 24 volt motor guide trolling motor and a charger, And I would eventually do all lowrance electronics. The nitro is an amazing boat, just have a hard time with salesman who are less than honest. My wife likes the prettier boat (nitro) more but she was looking forward to helping me spend $1000 at bass pro shops.

 

Which Motor Guide trolling motor?

 

They make good stuff, as does Lowrance...but those 5" screens are gonna drive you nuts if you get serious about fishing...and you'd have more than $10K to spend on the upgrade...

 

I'm a Humminbird guy, but the key there is to go with the brand you like the most.  Ignore anyone who tells you one brand is better than the other...it's like Ford/Chevy...brand blindness does no one any good.  They are all very good, it's best to focus on what you like.

 

Most of the "standard" electronics and trolling motors provided by dealers is bottom of the price-list equipment that they charge top dollar for...for instance, locally I'll see a $40,000 boat with a MinnKota PowerDrive stuck on it, with a 5" or maybe a 7" screen fish finder...

 

IMO, when you're spending that kind of money, spend a little extra and get good electronics and a great trolling motor, not the budget models. 

 

For example: You'll spend way more time on that trolling motor than on the big motor by several orders of magnitude...spend your money where you'll spend your time.

 

Just my opinion.

[nocluefisher]

The motor guide is the. X3/70lb. I appreciate your input. That 5 inch helix is definitely small, I would definitely be upgrading in the off season. 

[GetBent]

I have a Phoenix 618 that I really like. Look for a used one. Lots of people get it and upgrade after a couple of years. Just another option. 

[Further North]

14 hours ago, nocluefisher said:

The motor guide is the. X3/70lb. I appreciate your input. That 5 inch helix is definitely small, I would definitely be upgrading in the off season. 

That's a decent trolling motor, but there are better ones...

 

...the X5 is a step up, not sure of the cost difference.

 

I've seen a lot of people max out on the cost of a boat, and shortchange themselves on the electronics...and regreat it almosr right away.

 

Have fun with the hunt!

[nocluefisher]

My hunt should be over. I am buying the nitro z18. Waiting for call back from marina. Either way I am not maxing myself out on the boat, the payment will not put a dent in our disposable income. Comes with maxxum 70lb TM that I will upgrade next year if I am not satisfied with it,and I will upgrade electronics at some point. I am only a weekend angler so I am only concerned with getting on the water right now. In the end I am buying the boat I can grow into. The crestliner was great, but I would want to upgrade within a couple of years. My wife said buy the one you want to keep for a while, because you are not trading it in in a couple of years. Who am I to argue with her?

[Further North]

8 hours ago, nocluefisher said:

My wife said buy the one you want to keep for a while, because you are not trading it in in a couple of years. Who am I to argue with her?

Smart woman. 

[nocluefisher]

I am now the owner of a 2016 nitro z18. I feel I got a really good deal, can't wait to start breaking it in tomorrow.

[TOXIC]

Enjoy.  

[boostr]

Awesome, slime the the crap out of it.

[PECo]

The Nitro Z18 is a sweet boat. A couple of buddies of mine just got them. I haven't seen a better new boat value for the money.

 

Did you get a single or double axle trailer? If you're only planning to trailer short distances, I think that the ease of trailering a single axle trailer makes it a better choice.

 

Which motor did you get? If you got the Mercury 115 four-stroke, I'd suggest that you look into getting a Mercury VesselView Mobile. It would give you accurate real-time date from the motor, which helps with managing the break-in process.

[nocluefisher]

I have a single axle and a has a mercury 150. The 115 comes on the z17. It is a 2016 leftover so I got it for over 4K below MSRP.

[stk44]

On 6/24/2017 at 3:20 PM, nocluefisher said:

My hunt should be over. I am buying the nitro z18. Waiting for call back from marina. Either way I am not maxing myself out on the boat, the payment will not put a dent in our disposable income. Comes with maxxum 70lb TM that I will upgrade next year if I am not satisfied with it,and I will upgrade electronics at some point. I am only a weekend angler so I am only concerned with getting on the water right now. In the end I am buying the boat I can grow into. The crestliner was great, but I would want to upgrade within a couple of years. My wife said buy the one you want to keep for a while, because you are not trading it in in a couple of years. Who am I to argue with her?

 

Congrats! I have my new 2 year plan to get my bass boat. I was planning to get a Z18 but I want to check out comparable stratus' , bass cats, tritons and rangers(highest end of my price range) 

In a perfect world, Nitro would be the best for me, so I could afford my fancy electronics and trolling motor. 

 

Keep me updated with how you like it! 

[nocluefisher]

First weekend with the boat was great. Caught some fish, did a lot of driving to break the motor in. My wife had a good time, she caught more fish than me. The maxxum moved the boat around fine.

[frosty]

14 hours ago, nocluefisher said:

she caught more fish than me

You're a goner now  congrats on the new boat!

[A-Jay]

On ‎6‎/‎30‎/‎2017 at 9:36 AM, nocluefisher said:

I am now the owner of a 2016 nitro z18. I feel I got a really good deal, can't wait to start breaking it in tomorrow.

 

15 hours ago, nocluefisher said:

First weekend with the boat was great. Caught some fish, did a lot of driving to break the motor in. My wife had a good time, she caught more fish than me. The maxxum moved the boat around fine.

 

Congrats on the new rig ~

But where's the obligatory new boat Pics ?

Way to leave us hanging.

Congrats

A-Jay

[nocluefisher]

Took my father out for the first time today. We had a good time, and caught some fish. I am really getting comfortable with the boat, I am very happy I did not settle on the aluminum, this boat is a blast to drive. Can't wait to get my lowrance elite 7ti installed. For some reason I cannot load pictures any more.

[adrenalnjunky]

7 hours ago, nocluefisher said:

Took my father out for the first time today. We had a good time, and caught some fish. I am really getting comfortable with the boat, I am very happy I did not settle on the aluminum, this boat is a blast to drive. Can't wait to get my lowrance elite 7ti installed. For some reason I cannot load pictures any more.

Sounds good!

 

If you're trying to use photobucket - they cut off all their user's ability to post picture on 3rd party websites. 

[frosty]

6 hours ago, adrenalnjunky said:

Sounds good!

 

If you're trying to use photobucket - they cut off all their user's ability to post picture on 3rd party websites. 

What? When did this happen???

[Fishing Rhino]

When you say that it will be docked at a family camp on the water, does that mean it will be in the water for several days at a time?

 

If so, make sure you have an automatic bilge pump.  Nor likely but even new boats can develop leaks.  Fittings, hoses, etc., can and do fail.  Even a small leak at a hose fitting can put a lot of water in the hull over time.

 

The other downside to leaving it in the water is that it will accumulate scum at the waterline and can be a bit of a pain to clean it off.

[nocluefisher]

I will leave it docked occasionally for a couple of days, but be trailering it a majority of the time.  I don't have an auto bilge currently, so I will update that.