new aluminum boat suggestions please

[whitearrow]

ok fellas I'm in the market for a good aluminum boat for me and my 2 sons,13yo and 7 yo,that will be stable to fish standing is my most important thing. I want to keep the price to $12,000ish so looking for a 16' upgraded jon type wide boat that is a lot of bang for my buck. in my research I like the xpress,lowe roughneck, and even the new ranger aluminum boats. I do want side console and want it rigged for mostly bass fishing with some panfish thrown in occasionally. like I said with 2 young boys my utmost important option is stability so I'm guessing a wide boat is in order and want engine from 25-40hp and want a evinrude 2 stroke. can y'all give me some suggestions please cause I've only had jon 14' pond type boats and never this much boat so I'm pretty new to this bigger boat deal. i'vs been fishing all my life just never could justify this big and expensive of a boat but with my 2 boys and their new found love for bass fishing its now worth it to me to spend some coin on something nicer than pond boats that are tippy and unstable.

 

thanks,

Big Ed

 

[JLBBass]

you should be able to get a nice used 16 ft'er with the 25-40 hp on it for the $12,000 or less price tag.

If you do find something, make sure you lake test it. Don't be afraid of a 4 stroke if it's just a few years old. I've been a 2 stroke guy my whole life, but these 4 strokes are great motors!

[whitearrow]

thanks polarkraft. I'd really like a new one but might have to bump my price range up some. I personally like the les moving parts and fast holeshot,like imma be using that just fishin lakes with my 2 boys but, with the 2 stroke. I'm I wayyy off course with an xpress xplorer series or a rigged out Lowe roughneck with a 25hp evinrude??? how does that work because xpress boats come with Yamaha engines and I think Lowe bots come with mercs? can I tell the dealer I want an evinrude or am I stuck with the package deal type thing??? also how much wiggle room is there in buying boats??

thanks,

Big Ed

[Fuzz]

Look at the heritage tracker.

It’s not a John boat but a lot of bang for the buck 

[RenegadeBassin]

12 minutes ago, Fuzz said:

Look at the heritage tracker.

It’s not a John boat but a lot of bang for the buck 

Good value but if you can't find one for sale locally you are going to have to wait a looong time to get it. 

[JLBBass]

15 minutes ago, Fuzz said:

Look at the heritage tracker.

It’s not a John boat but a lot of bang for the buck 

if he's looking for a wide beam as he stated, then that boat is not a good choice.

[Jig Man]

I'm pretty sure that Brunswick owns Lowe so a Merc is all you can get.

[whitearrow]

looking at the xpress xplorer xp160 type look. I know its quite a bit more $ than I originally said but just that type look. is there anything comparable for cheaper to the xpress???

thanks,

Big Ed

[RenegadeBassin]

Check out the Lund Predator, they have a few different size and console options, however you would have to get a mercury or honda

[JLBBass]

going to be hard to buy new for under $12,000

[slolane]

Tracker panfish 16 is pretty close to what you are looking for but has a Merc 25 fourstroke on it.

https://www.trackerboats.com/boat/specs.cfm?boat=4277

[whitearrow]

ok fellas say I up the price to $15k. what would a Lund predator 1660 sc,crestliner 1660 retieiver sc and xpress xplorer xp 160 cost in out the door prices?? I don't have any of these dealers close so I gotta travel some to find the answers. I just thought one of y'all might have a clue.

thanks and please keep the thoughts and suggestion coming,

Big Ed

[RenegadeBassin]

You should try the build a boat feature on all those websites so you can set it up exactly how you want it and see what the cost would be, then you can add or remove things to fit your price range.

 

xpress unfortunately does not have that feature, but you could google "xpress xplorer xp 160 for sale" and boats.com will probably come up with some prices.

[slonezp]

7 hours ago, Jig Man said:

I'm pretty sure that Brunswick owns Lowe so a Merc is all you can get.

BUT can be bought unrigged and you can use whatever brand motor you want.

Not a jon boat but the Lund Fury XL and the Lund Rebel are right in your price range.

[RHuff]

I got my 17’ Triton Aluminum with an 89 inch beam and a 50HP Mercury for $5,200 from a friend that wanted to sell it for pay off. It didn’t have 10 hours running time on the motor. The thing looked like it came off the show room. I wrote him a check for it on the spot. There are HELL of a deals out there you just gotta find the right one.

[fishnkamp]

You might find a boat like this works well for all 3 of you to sit comfortably as well as fish.

This is a good looking 2014 Lowe Fishing Machine series boat  It would run you around $10,500 or a bt less if you bargain with him.  This style boat might work well. The higher sides and deep V would give yo a stable ride and sinc the kids would be down in the boat they would be safer.

https://gulfport.craigslist.org/boa/d/2014-lowe-bass-boat/6518973512.html

 

 

[PECo]

Safer? The illusion of it, perhaps.

 

If your goal is to have a stable fishing platform for three, you really can’t beat a fiberglass bass boat. While a high gunnel might make you feel safer, it’s much easier to pull fish over the side of a boat with a lower gunnel. Your kids aren’t THAT clumsy, are they?

[fishnkamp]

PECo yes 7 year olds are that clumsy!  The higher sides do provide safety.  The ideal suggestion would be a Lund but the OP has a lot of requirements and a minimal budget. A good used Lund would be best but they are almost impossible to find in his budget.

[Megastink]

I bought a Crestliner Storm 1600 with a 20hp last year. I live near lakes with HP restrictions, hence the small outboard. I love my Crestliner. 8’ rod locker, 16gal livewell. Cost me around 14k after all the upgrades and labor. It’s a great rig for me. I’d look for a used Storm 1700 with a 40. 

[slolane]

I picked up a 2018 Tracker pro 170 with 40 but its a merc engine.

https://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=4279

[bagofdonuts]

just rode in a new triton 17 footer. it was a nice ride and very wide. you may be able to find a new 2017 model that's been on the lot for a while for around 17K. they're worth a look.

[whitearrow]

ok fellas I've researched til my eyes are bleeding or at least they feel like they are and I've come to the conclusion that I'm probably going with a alumacraft boat of some sort with a side console of 16-17'. whether that be a 165/175 prowler or a mv1650/1756 I know I want the spray in liner option vs carpet. what are y'alls on alumacraft boats?

thanks,

Big Ed

[RenegadeBassin]

From what I hear Alumacraft makes a nice boat 

[DoahSmalies]

Take a look at Tracker Pro 170. Comes with 40 Merc 4 stroke for $13k and change. 

[PECo]

3 hours ago, whitearrow said:

what are y'alls on alumacraft boats?

Alumacraft makes nice boats.

 

It looks like the 165 Prowler and MV 1650 don’t have a lockable rod storage compartment. For that reason alone, I’d focus on the 175 Prowler and MV 1756.