In the market for a new boat

[mackkie]

I just went to a large boat dealer to check out boats.  I live in the New England area and want to fish the big waters all around new england.  My brother and i just checked out the nitro 750 and the nitro 482.  They seemed like nice boats in our price range so we are considering buying one.  

After doing some homework on bass boats for about a month, my only question is ive heard from some people that nitro boats are junk and from others that they are just fine.  Before we go purchase our first boat, i just wanted to make sure that nitro's are a quality boat or if we should look into other options.

Thanks.

[jdw174]

I don't have a dog in this hunt, cuz I don't own, nor have I ridden in a Nitro.  That said, here's what I've gathered from reading comments from others who have:

Older Nitros appeared to be built with somewhat less care than major brands.  I've never heard of one falling apart, but apparently their customer service left a lot to be desired.  Current Nitros I haven't heard a whole lot of bad about.  I do know that if $$ were no object and I were in the market for a new boat, the new Nitro Z9 would definitely be in the top 5 of my must see list.

[cart7t]

They are what they are.

[mackkie]

They are what they are.

and what are they, exactly? A boat i should stay away from? A decent boat with a good price?

Since both my brother and i have never owned a boat before, would it be a better idea to buy a used boat instead of a new one?  

[Jig Man]

I haven't checked the NADA guides lately but Nitro used to be the fastest depreciating boat on the market.

[tipptruck1]

Jig man they still are. I also havent rode in a nirto or owned one. But Iam sure you want a 150. And for that price you can get a used ranger or any other 20 foot bass boats. Plus them bigger boats hold there vaule better. But if you dont want to buy used check out the rangers vs series. There boats range from 21,000 to 32,000. I know this Iam looking for a new ranger for in a couple of years. But don't be afraid to look around at other brands.

[hootersdoug]

I have to side with the buying a used boat.  You can get a heck of a lot more boat for less money.  Look for a newer one that is still under warrenty if you are concerned about repairs, but you can get a great deal if you check with some of the local fishing tourney trails or clubs.  The added plus is that used boats have a lot of the bells and whistles that a new one dosent.  

KVD fishes out of a Nitro, dosen't he????

[cart7t]

They are what they are.

and what are they, exactly? A boat i should stay away from? A decent boat with a good price?

Since both my brother and i have never owned a boat before, would it be a better idea to buy a used boat instead of a new one?  

Since it's your first boat, I'd suggest used.  There are tons of really nice boats out there at really great prices on the used market right now.  Since you really don't know exactly what you're wanting you're better off spending less money on used and if you don't like it, sell it in a few years and get something more in line with what your fishing needs dictate.  New boats really depreciate fast, you'll take a big hit if you try and sell within the first few years and that big financial hit will probably force you to hold onto the boat longer than you might want to.

[Jig Man]

KVD fishes out of a Nitro, dosen't he????

So does Stacy King, but those guys get them for free.   I'd fish from a Nitro if they were free and I didn't have to eat the depreciation.

[fishinginphilly]

all this talk about the worst part of a nitro boat..what kinda can people recomend..iam also gonna be in the market for a new boat but this will be my second boat..i want something in the 18 ft range..bass boat type..so far i looked at triton and wasnt very impressed in apeal aspect of them .

[Jig Man]

all this talk about the worst part of a nitro boat..what kinda can people recomend..iam also gonna be in the market for a new boat but this will be my second boat..i want something in the 18 ft range..bass boat type..so far i looked at triton and wasnt very impressed in apeal aspect of them .

Champion, Bass Cat, or Ranger in that order

[mackkie]

When buying a boat from a dealer, whether new or used, should these be treated like a car? i.e. you can talk down the price during negoations or is it more like you pay the price you see.  If you can negoatiate the price of a 16-18k boat, what % can you get off typically?

Thanks

[cart7t]

If you're talking about a advertised price boat like a Nitro or the Stratos 176, not usually.  Normally those are "what you see is what you get" prices.  Where you can dicker is on non-package boat deals.  Of course, that all goes out the door if you've got a motivated dealer who needs to move a boat.  Try checking local dealerships for any last years models that are sitting around or boats sitting around that were ordered but the deal fell through at the last minute.  I've known of a couple dealers who special ordered boats, then rigged them and the buyer couldn't follow through on the deal.  The dealer was basically stuck with the boat and was offering a good deal to sell it.  Granted, you probably won't get the color you want and the options are pre-selected but the dollars saved make up for it.

[Jig Man]

When buying a boat from a dealer, whether new or used, should these be treated like a car? i.e. you can talk down the price during negoations or is it more like you pay the price you see. If you can negoatiate the price of a 16-18k boat, what % can you get off typically?

Thanks

It takes around a 20% profit to keep a dealership's doors open.  The best time to buy a boat is in the dog days of summer.  Customers are scarce then and boat deals are easier.  Never buy one close to boat show time.

The best deals can be made on NEW NONCURRENT units.  They have been setting around while the interest payments keep on rolling.  Many of them can be purchased at or below cost.  When dealing for the boat it is good to keep an option you want secret; like a depthfinder or trolling motor upgrade.  When the deal is as good as you can get it, spring the option on them as a deal breaker.  If it is not outrageous, you will probably get it thrown in.

[RobDar]

buy the boat that will do the job and fit your budget...

go out and actually compare the boats. ( I notice a big difference in the fit anf finish between some brands)

Choose the boat that fits your needs and offers the options you want in the package you can afford.

People do not like Nitro because it is built by Tracker.

I would choose by the dealer reputation.

Boats are like cars...everyone has an opinion. Chevy guys hate Dodge...Dodge guys hate Ford...and so on and so on...

My brother in law told me to NEVER buy a DODGE..especially if you plan to do any work with it...

My Dodge has been my best investment of all time! His Chevy has had the motor replaced. Is Dodge better? I could say that...seems like I have the proof doesn't it?....but I know there are just too many variables...from personal preference to what day of the week the thing was built.

It is all a bunch of malarkey if you ask me.

[RobDar]

I will say as well Tracker has alot of complaints against them on the Better Business Bureau. MOST of that is because there are like 6 Tracker made boats for every boat of another manufactuer on the water..so simple statistics says they SHOULD HAVE the most complaints since they have the most boats on the water...so that does not really mean anything.

...but I look at what the complaints were about. After actually buying the boat nearly EVERYTHING concerning that boat is left to the dealer. The manufacturers kind of wash their hands of the responsibility. There are alot of "unsatisfactory completions" against Tracker Dealers. Tracker does not do enough to screen their dealers and really make no requirements of them. You could open a Tracker dealership tommorow. This is how they took over the market.

If I were to buy a Tracker product it would be from somewhere like Bass Pro or other large corporate entity that takes their reputation and customer service seriously.

[New Bass Man]

Let me say upfront...I don't own a boat but I'm interested in buying one also.

So when I started my search, I found that JD Powers actually rated the boats I was interested in.

The information is at: http://www.jdpower.com/boats/bass/

Bass Cat won out.  Who knew?

[cart7t]

Tracker/Nitro is the only boat company I know of that had a standalone website for people to voice their gripes on whether due to service after the sale or workmanship/design problems.

[RobDar]

Let me say upfront...I don't own a boat but I'm interested in buying one also.

So when I started my search, I found that JD Powers actually rated the boats I was interested in.

The information is at: http://www.jdpower.com/boats/bass/

Bass Cat won out. Who knew?

Oh I knew ( well suspected)...the bass cats are fine boats...but, the are expensive as well. I wonder why JD Power tested so few manufacturers.

[booneangler]

are they fiberglass or a diferent material.

[bob101]

Let me say upfront...I don't own a boat but I'm interested in buying one also.

So when I started my search, I found that JD Powers actually rated the boats I was interested in.

The information is at: http://www.jdpower.com/boats/bass/

Bass Cat won out. Who knew?

Oh I knew ( well suspected)...the bass cats are fine boats...but, the are expensive as well. I wonder why JD Power tested so few manufacturers.

JD power only test companies/products that the manafacture pay to have included in the test.

[cart7t]

Basscat is one of the last of the family owned boat companies out there.

They are very well made.

[fishinginphilly]

any 1 know anything about the stratos boats?  

http://www.stratosboats.com/modelIntro.cfm?mid=5013

[rvrnr64]

I'm gonna throw something out there just for the heck of it. I'm gonna buy a new boat in a couple of years to replace my Porta-Bote which is nowhere near bass boats standards but I can put this thing in the water pretty much anywhere I want. That being said, I fish rivers that aren't always very deep. As a matter of fact the New River where I fish can be only inches deep. I am currently looking into a Compeaus Sport Jon. According to their website this thing can jump land and not be phased by it and it'll also run in about 4" of water. Of course that's just me, I have to be different.