bassinfla82 Posted April 7, 2009 Posted April 7, 2009 I have a 2008 Z-9 250 optimax powered... however its not practical other then on the weekends.. Im looking for a ALUM bass boat to use to fish during the week when I dont feel like towing and burning 40+ worth of gas a day on the 2-3 days a week I fish when its just me and I dont need that big of a boat. I'm looking at a new Tracker TX190 with a merc 90 on it, and a Xpress bass boat. what does everyone think about ALUM boats and what kind... What im looking for is a boat thats 17-19 feet and will run around 40-50MPH and most important FISH WELL... and be under 18,000 NEW.. I have never fished out of an ALUM boat other then a old 16 foot super wide jon boat I had when I was like 15... other then that its been all glass tourny rigs.. I dont want to buy another boat but it cost to much to tow and run the Z-9 on little short week day trips. please give me some ideas I need a new ALUM rig with in a month. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted April 7, 2009 Super User Posted April 7, 2009 Hands down, the finest aluminum boat I've ever fished off was a 19' Xpress w/ 225 ProMax. Cut through 3' Lake O. chop like a much bigger boat. Quote
Hoover Posted April 7, 2009 Posted April 7, 2009 I have the Tracker TX 190 with a 90 Optimax. The boat runs well but is too narrow for me. There isn't a whole lot of room up front at the business end of the boat. I prefer a wider beam for fishing. You may want to consider that. Quote
Super User skunked_again Posted April 7, 2009 Super User Posted April 7, 2009 get you a cheap boat like a Ranger 188 VX with a 150 hp motor. 8-) 8-) 8-) Quote
jamarkwe Posted April 7, 2009 Posted April 7, 2009 It would seem to be cheaper to spend $40+ a week in gas than to buy a $15,000 boat and still spend $40 a week on gas... Quote
Derek Chance Posted April 7, 2009 Posted April 7, 2009 G3, Xpress are sweet, but I think the Bass Tracker is the most boat for the money. Only thing is they seem soooo underpowered. for the casual fishing though this would be my choice due to what I need it for and the price. Quote
bassinfla82 Posted April 7, 2009 Author Posted April 7, 2009 It would seem to be cheaper to spend $40+ a week in gas than to buy a $15,000 boat and still spend $40 a week on gas... by the time I count loading and unloading time, extra gas to tow it.. outboard oil and gas and just all around time... not to say being able to get places I wont take my glass boat.. I say 15k is a value.. If I was doing it because I couldnt afford the gas to run the big rig I surely wouldnt be buying another boat nor would I have a 760.00 a month bass boat payment for the next 2 years.. I really wasnt asking for comments telling me why I shouldnt I have a wife for that... I've never been in a ALUM rig and wanted advice of people who have fished them or own one...and one more thing it cost me about 40.00 a day to take it out for my little mid week play days not 40 a week. total fuel+oil is more like 200ish a week. 4 miles a gallon adds up REAL fast. Quote
bassinfla82 Posted April 7, 2009 Author Posted April 7, 2009 I have the Tracker TX 190 with a 90 Optimax. The boat runs well but is too narrow for me. There isn't a whole lot of room up front at the business end of the boat. I prefer a wider beam for fishing. You may want to consider that. How is fuel mileage on that rig and how fast is it with just you and a MED load in the boat? high 40's? and I was standing on one at a dealer last week and the deck does feel REALLY tiny compared to what im used to but I always take the seat down on all boats I dont sit when I fish so that makes it feel bigger. Is it a real stable boat and how does it ride? and does it get out of the hole and on plane easy? Quote
jamarkwe Posted April 7, 2009 Posted April 7, 2009 well excuse the hell out of me.... big dog... I never said you should or shouldn't do anything... Quote
Super User Catt Posted April 8, 2009 Super User Posted April 8, 2009 Xpress Hyper-Lift® Series is the absolute best riding aluminum bass boat on the market; have a look at the H51 or H18 for an entry level or the Xclusive Series. Quote
Ellesar Posted April 9, 2009 Posted April 9, 2009 It would seem to be cheaper to spend $40+ a week in gas than to buy a $15,000 boat and still spend $40 a week on gas... by the time I count loading and unloading time, extra gas to tow it.. outboard oil and gas and just all around time... not to say being able to get places I wont take my glass boat.. I say 15k is a value.. If I was doing it because I couldnt afford the gas to run the big rig I surely wouldnt be buying another boat nor would I have a 760.00 a month bass boat payment for the next 2 years.. I really wasnt asking for comments telling me why I shouldnt I have a wife for that... I've never been in a ALUM rig and wanted advice of people who have fished them or own one...and one more thing it cost me about 40.00 a day to take it out for my little mid week play days not 40 a week. total fuel+oil is more like 200ish a week. 4 miles a gallon adds up REAL fast. So your not doing it because you can't afford it, but the costs add up to $200.00 a week "REAL fast" and that's an issue? I don't think anyone said you should or shouldn't be doing anything. Funny thing about asking for opinions, someone might just express their opinion. Quote
Hoover Posted April 10, 2009 Posted April 10, 2009 I have the Tracker TX 190 with a 90 Optimax. The boat runs well but is too narrow for me. There isn't a whole lot of room up front at the business end of the boat. I prefer a wider beam for fishing. You may want to consider that. How is fuel mileage on that rig and how fast is it with just you and a MED load in the boat? high 40's? and I was standing on one at a dealer last week and the deck does feel REALLY tiny compared to what im used to but I always take the seat down on all boats I dont sit when I fish so that makes it feel bigger. Is it a real stable boat and how does it ride? and does it get out of the hole and on plane easy? With the 90hp Opti, it gets on plane quickly. To be honest, because of below water line stumps in my lake, I don't remember going WOT. I don't have GPS but I would imagine it can get well into the 40s. The ride is good and you stay dry. Remember, it is aluminum so it is far lighter than fiberglass. Moreover, it is a reliable boat. However, finish quality on upholstery, etc., could be better. BTW, I bought mine new in '06. I hope this helps. Tom Quote
bassinfla82 Posted April 11, 2009 Author Posted April 11, 2009 It would seem to be cheaper to spend $40+ a week in gas than to buy a $15,000 boat and still spend $40 a week on gas... by the time I count loading and unloading time, extra gas to tow it.. outboard oil and gas and just all around time... not to say being able to get places I wont take my glass boat.. I say 15k is a value.. If I was doing it because I couldnt afford the gas to run the big rig I surely wouldnt be buying another boat nor would I have a 760.00 a month bass boat payment for the next 2 years.. I really wasnt asking for comments telling me why I shouldnt I have a wife for that... I've never been in a ALUM rig and wanted advice of people who have fished them or own one...and one more thing it cost me about 40.00 a day to take it out for my little mid week play days not 40 a week. total fuel+oil is more like 200ish a week. 4 miles a gallon adds up REAL fast. So your not doing it because you can't afford it, but the costs add up to $200.00 a week "REAL fast" and that's an issue? I don't think anyone said you should or shouldn't be doing anything. Funny thing about asking for opinions, someone might just express their opinion. Funny thing is I am asking opinions about boats not my bank account. I have my reasons for buying another boat. I didnt ask why shouldnt I buy another boat. anyhow thanks everyone that replied with remarks ON BOATS right now im pretty sure im gonna go with a TX190 with a 115EFI four stroke on it.. Im not a 4stroke kinda dude but I wanna give one a try. we have a Merc 25 big foot on are old jon boat we use for duck hunting and its been great for a long time and I love how quite it is.. boy its a handful to take it off or put it on lol Next question what kinda fuel mileage do you think it would get with a 115 4stroke on it? or should I just go with the package deal with the 90 and do you think that 115 will jump it on plane real fast? Quote
bassinfla82 Posted April 11, 2009 Author Posted April 11, 2009 I have the Tracker TX 190 with a 90 Optimax. The boat runs well but is too narrow for me. There isn't a whole lot of room up front at the business end of the boat. I prefer a wider beam for fishing. You may want to consider that. How is fuel mileage on that rig and how fast is it with just you and a MED load in the boat? high 40's? and I was standing on one at a dealer last week and the deck does feel REALLY tiny compared to what im used to but I always take the seat down on all boats I dont sit when I fish so that makes it feel bigger. Is it a real stable boat and how does it ride? and does it get out of the hole and on plane easy? With the 90hp Opti, it gets on plane quickly. To be honest, because of below water line stumps in my lake, I don't remember going WOT. I don't have GPS but I would imagine it can get well into the 40s. The ride is good and you stay dry. Remember, it is aluminum so it is far lighter than fiberglass. Moreover, it is a reliable boat. However, finish quality on upholstery, etc., could be better. BTW, I bought mine new in '06. I hope this helps. Tom thanks for the INFO! ill let you know what I end up with. Quote
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