Bass Boat hierarchy

[cart7t]

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/1262633170.html

Here's a 20 footer I've been pondering.  If I hadn't just sunk a bunch of money into rehabbing my boat this is definitely one I'd be looking at.  The 201's may have been the best riding 20 footers of all time.  Certainly the best all around handling.  

[Jig Man]

That 19' BC is a real good boat.  On of my buds has a 1994 Pantera.  I have ridden and driven it in all kinds of weather.  It is a good ride.  I agree that you need more than 67# of thrust on the tm.  

[tillerybass]

what new boat has the largest deck space with the most storage? I saw a picture of the new Ranger z521 and it looks nice.

[Bigs]

Well I went and saw the bass cat and fell in love. It was immaculate. So I agreeed to buy it for his asking price of ten grand. I had the cash on me ready to go. I was supposed to go back the next day to test drive it and complete the deal and now now the guy is stringin me along sayin the boat he was gonna buy sold so now he wants to find another 20 footer to replace this b4 he will sell it to me. So Im pretty salty about the whole thing. But Im gonna be patient and if it's meant to be then it will be mine b4 long, in the meantime Im gonna keep my options open for another bass cat or a champion.

[cart7t]

Did you you leave a deposit and get it in writing?

[Ellesar]

Ya Im gonna pass on the 20 foot javelin I found and concentrate on champions and bass cats. Seems like Rangers hold even more value cuz I cannot find many 20 foot rangers in my price range unless its early 90's. Im eye ballin a 2000 anniversary edition champion 202 for 15 grand. I'd have to sell my aluminum boat to make up for the extra money I'd be dippin into. Altho I do have the 15k , I just dont wanna part with it all. I'm hoping I can get it for 12,500-13,000 to make it worth it for me. Im curious tho, would you guys say an 18 and a half foot champion rides as nice as most other brand 19 and 20's? If so I know of a few for right around 10 grand that are brand new lookin. I just dont wanna set up test drives for boats unless my research tells me that it suits my style and needs.

I would say no to the 18 and a half foot champion. I don't think any 18 1/2 foot cookie cutter boat is going to ride as good as a 20 1/2 foot boat.

Depends on the driver... remember.

Obvioulsy I was implying that with equal drivers that was true, figured that was fairly obvious and went without saying. 8-)

[Bigs]

No I didnt leave a deposit cuz I didnt know this guy at all and I hadnt tasken it out on the water yet at that point. We shook hands and agreed it was sold to me pending the test drive the next day. I told him as long as it did well on the water then it was sold. We arranged a time for the next day for me to take it out and complete the deal and of course he faked out on me. A man's word should be good enough , the way my dad taught me when I was young ya know. I figure I had cash in the amount of his asking price so what could possibly go wrong? I think he might have sold it to someone else but I can find out very easy. He fishes the lake anna tourneys every friday night out of high point marina. So Im gonna go down and find him and see I don't understand is goin on. I wasted alot of time and energy as well as driving around for 2 days with 10 grand in my pocket. If I had gotten pulled over I could have been in for a real adventure with VA state police. If I find out he sold it to someone else after I was first to see it and first to offer him 10 grand , then theres gonna be some serious hell to pay for him. I dont take kindly to gettin jerked around, I have no time for games and Im a busy man. In the meantime Im also lookin at lund and lowe deep v hull aluminum fishing boats. Its hard to find the right one for the right price tho. So Im keepin my options open at this point. Just sux havin cash in hand for a boat and not b eing able to find the right one within a few hundred miles. Theres a lowe on ebay down in TN that I reaaalllyyyy like but its a hike down there, probably at least 7 hours from me.

[cart7t]

While being a man of his word would've been nice, you'd have had a lot more leverage with a committal to buy in writing along with a deposit down, including a date of delivery upon the water test of the boat on a prescribed date. Since there was no loan involved, your end of the deal is clear as stone.

I'm sure this guy is probably in the heart of his tournament schedules and doesn't want to be boatless but...... he did offer to sell. Press him for a clear cut date for a test run and final transfer of title if the test goes well.

[I Love BassResource]

I've been researching, driving, riding, reading, etc.. for the past several months.  My personal conclusion has been narrowed down to Basscat or Champion.

I'm leaning heavily towards a Puma FTD at the moment...

[Bigs]

Well no worries , I bought a boat tonight so its all good. I got a deal I couldnt pass up. The guy listed this tracker 2004 Pro Guide V-16 SC yesterday for 5500 and I stole it for 4900 so I'm happy. It's not exactly what I wanted however it's exactly what I needed right now. Its roomy, comfy , has a great fishing platform and best of all handles choppy water like a champ. I'll upgrade later on in a year or two. So for now I'm gonna focus on fishing rather then wasting months looking for a boat I dont really need anyways. With the money I saved , I'm gonna get some nice electronics and what not, a new prop , a few more sol's, fuego and a zillion or two.

[South FLA]

My list of top mass production boats.

1. Bass Cat/Champion

2. Ranger/Trinton (I own a Ranger)

3. Skeeter

4. Legend

5. Nitro/Tracker

Some models of some manufactures are better than others.

I really love Bass Cats though, they are awesome boats and Champion is the ultimate in luxury!

[retiredbosn]

I was a heavy weather cox'n in the Coast Guard, if you don't know what that means, it meant I went out in anything.  Especially stupid surfers trying to catch the perfect wave before a hurricane.  I have been out in a myriad of conditions and it is the driver more than the boat when it comes to ride.  I could safely run the RHIB (rigid hull inflatabe) in 6 footers, while others couldn't run it in a chop.  Boat handling skills are more important than anything else when it comes to a smooth ride.  Unfortunately I don't know of any boat handling schools, that would be a good small business option for someone.