New or used bass boat 20-25K, large lake

[JohnCal]

Buying new or used bass boat in next year.  No experience with them.  Will be kept on lift at lake.  No need for trailer other than to get it there.   Pretty large lake with a lot of boat traffic.  Speed isn’t my biggest priority but a stable platform.   So many choices.  Tin, fiberglass, pad hull, v hull, size, etc.   Alot to learn and reading a lot. Fish mostly by myself or with son.   Bass fishing mostly.  If you were me under these circumstances, what boat , new or used , would you be targeting?   Thanks so much for all of your guidance.  

[Jig Man]

Are you familiar with this lake?  Have you fished it very often?  First I will ask you what size is the lake, is it in hilly country or wide flat country?  Is it an impounded river with lots turns?

 

Those items would play a large part in my selection of a boat.  You will need a trailer to take the boat for service.   If you choose glass your listed budget will put you into the used market.

 

 

 

[JohnCal]

Lake is mixed wide open very wide then down to narrower rivers with bends.  Probably be in both areas.  I was hoping to get the boat serviced on Smith Mountain Lake.  Good point as I imagine I’ll have to have a dealer on lake that services this boat, unless out of warranty then I guess most places would do?   Thanks

[Shimano_1]

I guess it would depend on how rough the water can get and if you plan on fishing in it if it is rough. The ranger/triton tins as well as the bass tracker are fantastic platforms especially for someone fishing solo and can be had new for your price range. Not sure how it is elsewhere but around here it's almost impossible right now to find a decent deal on a used boat. Theyre simply not available so many people are buying since the rona hit. I traded in a big fiberglass boat for mine a cple years ago and have been quite pleased with it. Although, if I lived on ky lake or somewhere that gets pretty nasty I'd be running a glass rig myself. 

[WRB]

Docks with boat lift are not inexpensive, factor the cost into your budget.

On the water boat repairs or engine service cost a premium if available, no different then having your auto serviced at home. Trailering the boat for repair is a good option.

Bass fishing boats tend to have lower freeboard (distance from water surface to boat gunnel) for ease of fishing. Higher freeboard the safer the boat is in higher waves to keep water out of the boat.

Aluminum is lighter weight and less expensive then fiberglass boats.

Used boats and engines offer a better $$ value but...always at some risk like a used car.

Tom

[Deephaven]

Depends on what you mean by large lake.  Either way, I would buy a glass boat assuming that by your definition of large means waves.  As for which one, that depends on how much you will use it.  Going to be early 2000's for a big glass boat in that price range.  Lots of ones that are just fine.  Sold my 521 with well over 1200 hours and it had zero issues.  

 

Looking at something like that though it'd be good to know your level and desire for working on it.  Lots of older boats will need electronics, batteries, maybe an udpated trolling motor, live well pumps and such.  Hell any boat needs that sort of service and I am way too cheap to pay anyone to do it.

[JohnCal]

Thanks everyone.  A lot to think about.   I guess the size of the lake is a big question right now.  Not sure how big the chop will be out there.  More research needed.  

[JohnCal]

How many hours are too many hours on the motor when buying a used boat in my price range. Just trying to generally understand the life of a motor in what range I should try and find one in.  I’ll make sure to get it checked out by mechanic but just trying to determine how many hours are too many hours. Thanks again for all your help

[Deephaven]

Hours at WOT are 10x worse than hours at cruise which are 10x worse than hours at idle.  A boat with 800 hours of nearly all idle and trolling I would have more faith on than one at 200 hours of WOT.

 

The old wives tail will say you rebuild at 1000 hours, but that has zero bearing outside of the reality that 1000 hours at WOT and it will need it.

 

Look at the price of a powerhead replacement for what you look at as well.  Will tell you the worst case.  I can easily grab a fresh block for my 150 etec for $3k.  Smaller boats in general are cheaper in every aspect, but have less tackle storage, fishing space, and don't do as well on bigger water.

[JohnCal]

This is a big help.  Good points on the type of use the motor had.  So even if I get a motor that needs replacement I can just pay the 3k or whatever the cost is vs needing a brand new motor.  Sorry still learning.  Thanks

[TOXIC]

If you are considering Smith Mountain in the summertime, then my suggestion would be the biggest glass boat you can get in your price range or a center console.  Smith Mountain gets really rough and busy in the summer months.  Next consideration is getting a motor that can be serviced close by.  

[JohnCal]

Good advice.   Thanks.  I know that the lake gets crazy and choppy.   

[Alex from GA]

I agree with TOXIC in getting the largest glass boat if you're on a crowded lake during the summer, especially on weekends.  I fish Lake Lanier and with all the water toys it's really rough all summer.

[JohnCal]

Thanks Alex.  I think I’m down to a Ranger 520/521 or a Triton.  Still looking at Triton models to better understand my options.