How Do You Evaluate Boats When Purchasing?

[brianb40]

I'm sure most of you might respond with, "It's all about your preferences." But I'm really stuck with how to evaluate two boats I am considering. I am downsizing a little to fit a new garage after moving. The lakes/rivers I fish most of the time are idle only or TM only. Other lakes I drive to that are larger (500-1000 acres) are about an hour away so they are fished less often. I also like to take a trip once or twice a year to a "big lake" (past include KY Lake, Guntersville) Both boats, Trackers, are almost the exact same price and have low hours.

 

Boat 1 - 2016 190 tx, Helix 9 at bow and console, MotorGuide x3, Mercury 115 FS

Newer boat, nice electronics, 24v TM for better performance on TM lakes, bigger HP

 

Boat 2 - 2014 175 txw, Garmin 73sv at console and bow, Ultrex, Mercury 75 HP

Already run 93sv and 73sv on current boat, so very familiar with (and love), LOVE the idea of being able to upgrade from my Maxxum to an Ultrex

 

I guess my dilemma is I love the electronics and TM of Boat 2, but are those features that much better than the bigger boat (better ride, more storage) and bigger motor with adequate electronics and TM?

 

Thoughts?

[A-Jay]

53 minutes ago, brianb40 said:

I'm sure most of you might respond with, "It's all about your preferences." But I'm really stuck with how to evaluate two boats I am considering. I am downsizing a little to fit a new garage after moving.

 

The lakes/rivers I fish most of the time are idle only or TM only.

Other lakes I drive to that are larger (500-1000 acres) are about an hour away so they are fished less often.

I also like to take a trip once or twice a year to a "big lake" (past include KY Lake, Guntersville) 

 

 

Both boats, Trackers, are almost the exact same price and have low hours.

 

Boat 1 - 2016 190 tx, Helix 9 at bow and console, MotorGuide x3, Mercury 115 FS

Newer boat, nice electronics, 24v TM for better performance on TM lakes, bigger HP

 

Boat 2 - 2014 175 txw, Garmin 73sv at console and bow, Ultrex, Mercury 75 HP

Already run 93sv and 73sv on current boat, so very familiar with (and love), LOVE the idea of being able to upgrade from my Maxxum to an Ultrex

 

I guess my dilemma is I love the electronics and TM of Boat 2, but are those features that much better than the bigger boat (better ride, more storage) and bigger motor with adequate electronics and TM?

 

Thoughts?

Seems like you may be asking this one rig to be three boats. 

Good on idle only water could be OK on mid size lakes but could experience limitations on 'big water'.

Easy to see that the reverse could be a concern as well.

I say it starts & ends with hull.  

It's the only aspect that can't really be altered.

Perhaps select the platform that suits your needs the best

where you plan on spending the most time. 

Here's a few things to consider:

Size & shaft lengths on the two trolling motors.

Brand, type, condition of the batteries.

Brand, type & capabilities of the on board charger.

Condition of the trailer and everything associated with that. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

[NYBasser]

I would definitely go with the bigger boat just due to the fact that it will give you a little more space to work with. You can always upgrade the trolling motor to an ultrex down the road.

[Way2slow]

What you are wanting to do is why I have several boats.  For fishing ponds and small waters I have a 1436 Jon that I can put a 12V TM for ponds, a 4hp Mercury for some of the rivers that a just barely larger than some creeks, a 9.9 Johnson for some lakes that have hp limits and a 25hp Mercury for larger rivers and the backwaters when I don't feel like messing with a 20' Javelin. 

For the big waters, I have a 20' with a big gitty up go motor on it.

Now, as for what size or type bass boat, that's where a whole lot of time in different boats is valuable.  How much storage it has, and what type is critical for me.  Then how it rides and how it fishes.  Some boats just make a lousy fishing platform after you have used them a while.  Performance is next, I personally don't care for a bass boat that won't run at least 45-50 mph and has a good hole shot.  Can't stand a boat that has to struggle to get on plane.

I also have a 17' Grumman canoe, and a 1232 Jon I use to haul in the bed of my truck for areas that don't have very good access and have to drag a boat to get to them.

So, to answer your question from my experience, you can't get one boat that will reasonably do everything you want.

[brianb40]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Seems like you may be asking this one rig to be three boats. 

Good on idle only water could be OK on mid size lakes but could experience limitations on 'big water'.

Easy to see that the reverse could be a concern as well.

I say it starts & ends with hull.  

It's the only aspect that can't really be altered.

Perhaps select the platform that suits your needs the best

where you plan on spending the most time. 

Here's a few things to consider:

Size & shaft lengths on the two trolling motors.

Brand, type, condition of the batteries.

Brand, type & capabilities of the on board charger.

Condition of the trailer and everything associated with that. 

Good Luck

A-Jay

Thanks A-Jay. And you're right. I want the best of three worlds. Electronics and TMs can be upgraded, but you can't make a boat bigger. I guess I have to decide what is most important not just right now, but in the future as well. Thanks for the input.

2 hours ago, NYBasser said:

I would definitely go with the bigger boat just due to the fact that it will give you a little more space to work with. You can always upgrade the trolling motor to an ultrex down the road.

Thanks for the input. I appreciate it!

2 hours ago, Way2slow said:

What you are wanting to do is why I have several boats.  For fishing ponds and small waters I have a 1436 Jon that I can put a 12V TM for ponds, a 4hp Mercury for some of the rivers that a just barely larger than some creeks, a 9.9 Johnson for some lakes that have hp limits and a 25hp Mercury for larger rivers and the backwaters when I don't feel like messing with a 20' Javelin. 

For the big waters, I have a 20' with a big gitty up go motor on it.

Now, as for what size or type bass boat, that's where a whole lot of time in different boats is valuable.  How much storage it has, and what type is critical for me.  Then how it rides and how it fishes.  Some boats just make a lousy fishing platform after you have used them a while.  Performance is next, I personally don't care for a bass boat that won't run at least 45-50 mph and has a good hole shot.  Can't stand a boat that has to struggle to get on plane.

I also have a 17' Grumman canoe, and a 1232 Jon I use to haul in the bed of my truck for areas that don't have very good access and have to drag a boat to get to them.

So, to answer your question from my experience, you can't get one boat that will reasonably do everything you want.

This would be awesome, but for right now, one boat will have to check the most boxes. Maybe someday the wife will allow a fleet.

[slonezp]

I've got your perfect boat and you're in luck, it's for sale.

 

[GaryH]

3 hours ago, NYBasser said:

I would definitely go with the bigger boat just due to the fact that it will give you a little more space to work with. You can always upgrade the trolling motor to an ultrex down the road.

I second that.. No matter how much you water a boat it won't grow

[Logan S]

You always upgrade electronics and in a few years the 'better' electronics will be starting to age anyway.  Can't upgrade a hull.  

 

My advice is always get the biggest you can afford and store.  Like many here have said already too.

[brianb40]

1 hour ago, slonezp said:

I've got your perfect boat and you're in luck, it's for sale.

 

Thanks for sharing. You've got an awful nice boat there. It's just not quite in my price range. Unfortunately, since we just build a house, I have "orders" not to spend more than I get for the sale of my boat. 

[DanielG]

I start off with.... will it float? (sorry, ?

[slonezp]

16 hours ago, brianb40 said:

Thanks for sharing. You've got an awful nice boat there. It's just not quite in my price range. Unfortunately, since we just build a house, I have "orders" not to spend more than I get for the sale of my boat. 

Can't put a price on happiness...

[Jig Man]

Couldn’t you swap the electronics from your boat to the one that has birds, and go for the bigger boat.