Best Boat Brand

[Cranjus McBasketball]

Not one person listed Nitro as a viable option.  I for one like my Nitro.  It has been a great boat since I got it back in 2007.  I have the 591 which is an 18 footer.  It was $25000 before options and finished around $28000 out the door.  With a budget of $30000-$45000 you could find yourself in a Z20 or Z19 easy.  You could also opt for a Z18 with all of the options available.  I realize most people think Nitro as junk, but I have been very happy with mine.  Just another option to look at.

[Frisbie385]

2 hours ago, MrOneUpper said:

Not one person listed Nitro as a viable option.  I for one like my Nitro.  It has been a great boat since I got it back in 2007.  I have the 591 which is an 18 footer.  It was $25000 before options and finished around $28000 out the door.  With a budget of $30000-$45000 you could find yourself in a Z20 or Z19 easy.  You could also opt for a Z18 with all of the options available.  I realize most people think Nitro as junk, but I have been very happy with mine.  Just another option to look at.

I was wondering if anyone would mention a Nitro. I just purchased a 13 Z7 last year and have been extremely happy with it.

[Redlinerobert]

Best is subjective. 

 

I'm a Ranger boat guy.  Going on my third boat now.  Amazing boat and all, but what I really wanted was a Sterling. 

 

Due to the fact that there are zero Sterling dealers in CA, and that Ranger is an hour drive, I'm going to stick with Ranger primarily for the service.  Make that your priority. 

[RoLo]

On 3/30/2017 at 10:25 AM, 3dees said:

after 35 years of glass I went with a tin six years ago. I fish rivers often and I will take my tin to places I would never attempt with glass. I have a Crestliner PT18 coming and it's a perfect boat for me. a bit expensive for a tin, but far less than glass. only you can determine if a boat is right for you.

 

 

I can certainly relate to that 

 

[Fishing Rhino]

5 hours ago, Frisbie385 said:

I was wondering if anyone would mention a Nitro. I just purchased a 13 Z7 last year and have been extremely happy with it.

The thing on any package that is going to require the most service and maintenance is the propulsion system, the outboard.  And the most repairs as well, unless you run your boat into a jetty.  No matter what brand, the boat will need repair.

 

I too am perfectly happy with my 2011 Nitro Z-8, bought new off the BPS floor for 28,000 dollars give or take a few bucks.  It was a leftover.  It had three options, trailer brakes, belt buckles for the tie downs, and a custom Nitro cover.

 

Best for the money, I'll say the Nitro.  Best boat period, regardless of price, I'd go with those already listed.  Their hardware is a step above that on Nitros, but you get what you pay for.  You'll also get some nice touches on the top boats that you won't find on a Nitro.  But then again, they come with a cost.

 

I've got the basic 200 HP Merc Optimax Pro XS.  The boat is rated for 250.  The top speed on mine recorded on the GPS is 62.8 mph.  Just me, light fuel load.  Speed limit on Mass state waters is 45 mph.  Even when I go out of state I do not routinely exceed 45 mph. If you are into tournaments and want to minimize your travel time, and maximize your travel time, then max horsepower is a priority.   

 

I have a philosophy, and it goes like this.  A boat is nothing more than a platform on the water to get you to where the fish are.  The second part is, that the man in the boat is more important than the boat he is in.

 

[AriAngler]

On 3/29/2017 at 10:45 AM, 12poundbass said:

I'm with ya on that. 

I saw you could pick up a pretty loaded Ranger for around $75k! 

Yeah cuz thats not expensive. 

A better deal is a Triton 19TRX Patriot comes loaded with all kinds of pro features. I'll been in one they are nice and at a $49,995 price for what you get it's a sweet ass deal.

[AriAngler]

On 3/31/2017 at 10:33 AM, Frisbie385 said:

I was wondering if anyone would mention a Nitro. I just purchased a 13 Z7 last year and have been extremely happy with it.

Nitro's are not bad, regardless of what some say negatively about them. They have won many CSI awards. They are reasonably priced and look and ride nice and from what I heard from owners on the most part are satisfied with them.