Aluminum Bass Boat

[Quarry Man]

I think I might be ready to buy my first bass boat soon. It is my third boat. I started with a 10' JB, now I have a 14' Semi V, and now Im looking for something bigger. I split the costs of the 14' er with my grandfather. A few trips back, i had just caught a nice bass, when it shook out of my hands and fell on the floor. The commotion caused my grandfather to fall over. thankfully he was ok. That made me realize that a 14' boat is too small for 2' people, one of which is standing, and the other being older. I just started a new job, along with my old one, so i have a flow of cash now. I get paid through commission in a way, so it is up to me by my work level how much i get paid. Being in high school, I can't afford a 70K bass boat right now. I hope to be able to down the road, but that is not for sure. I recently fished out of my friends Ranger RT188 and it was really nice. They explained to me  that aluminum is cheaper to keep running, because it is lighter, so less gas is used.

 

I don't really have a budget, but it needs to be reasonable. I also want to pay to off slowly, but not over too long of a period. Maybe 6-8 years? not sure if that is too long but I'm open to suggestions. It seems now is a good time to buy. I am not experienced with boating, so having something new might be a good option, less to worry about for now. If i got an older boat, it may be nicer, but i will easily get lost when I'm maintaining it, and it will cost more to pay a mechanic. 

 

I like the Tracker Pro Team 175 TXW. I also fish a lot of electric only lakes, so i may want to upgrade my trolling motor, i have a 55 lb power drive on the 14' but i was looking at an 80 lb ultrex. because i wouldn't need power poles.

 

Any help at all is great.

[CroakHunter]

I would go to a bank and ask them what they'd loan you, then come back and ask for suggestions on something in that price range. Boats/watercrafts are some of the highest interest loans around. Just be prepared for a good payment even if you only borrow 10k.

[tander]

Do what I did. I applied for a personal loan. My bank would only finance 80% of the value of the boat. I need to finance all of it so I asked about a personal loan. They said they are harder to get but she filled out the paper work and submitted it. She called back to say that it was approved. It helps to have a good credit score.

[slonezp]

Being in high school, it will be difficult for you to get a loan without a co-signer. If you have any plans of going to college, don't strap yourself down with a loan. There are used tracker bass boats for sale all the time. A thorough boat and motor inspection before purchasing will let you know if it's a good buy or not.

[Catt]

See above ?

[IndianaOutdoors]

6 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Being in high school, it will be difficult for you to get a loan without a co-signer. If you have any plans of going to college, don't strap yourself down with a loan. There are used tracker bass boats for sale all the time. A thorough boat and motor inspection before purchasing will let you know if it's a good buy or not.

I agree.  Plenty of good used trackers on the market.  Learn top do the maintenance yourself and save some money.  Even a new boat needs maintenance.

[slonezp]

Take a look at the boats in this thread. Decent, inexpensive bass boats are available

 

[Crappiebasser]

Just my opinion but I would never go in debt for a boat. Nobody has 100% job security and a boat payment can only hurt you if you fall on hard times. 

[Russ E]

If you plan on going to college, I would think long and hard before getting tied up in a  boat loan.

Unfortunately many young adults get buried in student loans for the first 10-20 years after graduating.

adding a boat loan may not be the best bet if that is your path.

[Quarry Man]

I would be splitting the costs with my grandparents, so maybe i should save up the 7500 or so first. If i work hard, I should be able to get that in under a year. I looked at the Ranger 1T 178 online and that looks awesome. Might give that a look in store.

[Russ E]

3 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

I would be splitting the costs with my grandparents, so maybe i should save up the 7500 or so first. If i work hard, I should be able to get that in under a year. I looked at the Ranger 1T 178 online and that looks awesome. Might give that a look in store.

congratulations, sounds like you are on your way to a new bass boat.

I was looking at the rt 178 before I decided on a fiberglass boat. Nice setup.

if you get the RT 178c. there are multiple seat pedestal mounts on the front deck, so more than one person can sit up there at a time. there is also a livewell up front.

[Quarry Man]

38 minutes ago, Weedwhacker said:

congratulations, sounds like you are on your way to a new bass boat.

I was looking at the rt 178 before I decided on a fiberglass boat. Nice setup.

if you get the RT 178c. there are multiple seat pedestal mounts on the front deck, so more than one person can sit up there at a time. there is also a livewell up front.

Thats perfect. I like to tournament fish in my small electric only lake. being able to fit three in calm water is great. and during trout season its even better!. i also like the live well, but not the placement it will slow the boat down when on plane.

[Further North]

In the big picture, I would worry a lot less about slowing the boat down on plane and focus on my overall fishing...and the impact on my financial health. 

 

I'm looking hard at leaving the workforce 10 to 15 years earlier than most people because we paid attention to long term financial impacts 30 years ago.  Just sayin'.

[Quarry Man]

3 minutes ago, Further North said:

In the big picture, I would worry a lot less about slowing the boat down on plane and focus on my overall fishing...and the impact on my financial health. 

 

I'm looking hard at leaving the workforce 10 to 15 years earlier than most people because we paid attention to long term financial impacts 30 years ago.  Just sayin'.

 

I agree, while i would prefer it in the back, it is by no means a deal breaker for me. I would hardly use tho OB and when i do, 1-2 mph is nbd.

[Russ E]

57 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

 

I agree, while i would prefer it in the back, it is by no means a deal breaker for me. I would hardly use tho OB and when i do, 1-2 mph is nbd.

On the rt 178c there are 2 livewells one in front and one in back. you can use either one.

only thing with this setup is, you do lose some storage space.

If you could save the money to buy a boat without financing, you would be way ahead of most people your age.

generally Rangers have a decent resale, so in a financial pinch you could sell it.

[Quarry Man]

2 minutes ago, Weedwhacker said:

On the rt 178c there are 2 livewells one in front and one in back. you can use either one.

only thing with this setup is, you do lose some storage space.

If you could save the money to buy a boat without financing, you would be way ahead of most people your age.

generally Rangers have a decent resale, so in a financial pinch you could sell it.

 

I gently ran the idea by my parents about a loan, they informed me that having loans can become a nuisance, especially when added to college loans. the idea of buying without finances sounds more logical, and maybe by then ill have changed my mind. I also like the idea of good resale value, as i likely won't keep the boat forever.

[Further North]

2 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

 

I agree, while i would prefer it in the back, it is by no means a deal breaker for me. I would hardly use tho OB and when i do, 1-2 mph is nbd.

Good...the insane rush (IMO) to go fast and get to the next spot .03976 seconds before the other guy is over-rated...but I'm not a tournament fisherman, never will be...and no, I don't have a problem with tournament fishermen, they have contributed more knowledge to our sport than just about everyone else since about 1980.

 

Speed, for me, is mostly a way to spend money on gas that'd be better applied to baits and gear...

[Quarry Man]

How about electronics. i fish in a deep lake that has schooling trout, so at least a down image is necessary. i have never used on before so I'm open to all advice no matter how simple. thanks

46 minutes ago, Further North said:

Good...the insane rush (IMO) to go fast and get to the next spot .03976 seconds before the other guy is over-rated...but I'm not a tournament fisherman, never will be...and no, I don't have a problem with tournament fishermen, they have contributed more knowledge to our sport than just about everyone else since about 1980.

 

Speed, for me, is mostly a way to spend money on gas that'd be better applied to baits and gear...

i am a tournament angler, but not really big ones, i just started fishing last year. might want to do it in college, so having the option is good. i agree with the speed thing you said though. it doesn't make a difference and ill never really use the outboard, but when i do, ill need the 75. also aluminum is lighter so less gas.

[Further North]

7 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

How about electronics. i fish in a deep lake that has schooling trout, so at least a down image is necessary. i have never used on before so I'm open to all advice no matter how simple. thanks

I'd go with SI, DI and regular imaging...but I'm 55 and have a relatively unlimited budget...at your age I'd focus on the basics and learning techniques so that you could be 10x where I am in 35 years...

 

9 minutes ago, Quarry Man said:

I am a tournament angler, but not really big ones, i just started fishing last year. might want to do it in college, so having the option is good. i agree with the speed thing you said though. it doesn't make a difference and ill never really use the outboard, but when i do, ill need the 75. also aluminum is lighter so less gas.

Good plan.  Your money and time is best spent in other areas right now, IMO.

[Quarry Man]

Just now, Further North said:

I'd go with SI, DI and regular imaging...but I'm 55 and have a relatively unlimited budget...at your age I'd focus on the basics and learning techniques so that you could be 10x where I am in 35 years...

 

Good plan.  Your money and time is best spent in other areas right now, IMO.

like new rods and reels and baits lol, i am so tight with spending money. I haven bought a thing in so long. i go on sprees and then i run out and barely catch fish. Im not sure if you knew, but i started a new job, so hopefully ill be able to afford it this spring. PS is winterizing a boat motor hard or expensive?

[Further North]

Just now, Quarry Man said:

PS is winterizing a boat motor hard or expensive?

Depends on the motor and how comfortable you are with doing it yourself.

 

I live in NW Wisconsin, but fish until there's ice on the lake and get back on the water as soon as it's gone...so most years, less than 4 months...so I don't bother with winterizing...

 

But I'm a nut about maintenance, kinda counterbalances....

[slonezp]

2 hours ago, Quarry Man said:

 

I gently ran the idea by my parents about a loan, they informed me that having loans can become a nuisance, especially when added to college loans. the idea of buying without finances sounds more logical, and maybe by then ill have changed my mind. I also like the idea of good resale value, as i likely won't keep the boat forever.

I vaguely remember reading this somewhere before.......

[Quarry Man]

yeah that sounds good with the electronics. i like to sight fish in clear water so its not totally necessary. maybe on offshore lakes and for smallmouth.

15 minutes ago, slonezp said:

I vaguely remember reading this somewhere before.......

If your referring to the last time i got excited and made a million threads, its not happening again don't worry.

[MrPeanut]

It sounds like you have a solid financial plan to get money saved up, which is better than most your age, honestly.  As somebody who is about to be (finally) done with student loans 9 years after I graduated college, I would say you might want to consider either saving up to pay in full, or waiting to see which school you end up going to and what loan(s) if any are needed for college.  Get the education part squared away first, and then with what's left get a plan on the boat purchase.    If you need to apply for student loans, it will be easier to get approved and for a lower interest rate if you don't already have outstanding loan balances for a boat.

[Quarry Man]

3 hours ago, MrPeanut said:

It sounds like you have a solid financial plan to get money saved up, which is better than most your age, honestly.  As somebody who is about to be (finally) done with student loans 9 years after I graduated college, I would say you might want to consider either saving up to pay in full, or waiting to see which school you end up going to and what loan(s) if any are needed for college.  Get the education part squared away first, and then with what's left get a plan on the boat purchase.    If you need to apply for student loans, it will be easier to get approved and for a lower interest rate if you don't already have outstanding loan balances for a boat.

 

good point! i like my situation a lot, because I'm not really at risk to lose money, only time, and its woth the experience anyways.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE RT178 AND THE 178C?