Ready to buy a boat

[paleus]

I know this is about the worst time to buy a boat, but I'm ready to get into something bigger than my 15' jon boat. 

 

It's hard to resist the prices on the Trackers. I've been seeing 175TFs for under $20k.

 

I've also been looking at Vexus, the avx181, but they're harder to find and nearly $10k more than a Tracker. 

 

I don't really like the Rangers in this size, they seem overpriced for what they are. 

 

I would like 3 seat bases up front for crappie fishing and fishing with my kids.

 

I've heard bad things about the Trackers, but they do seem like a good deal. I'll be upgrading the trolling motor and electronics anyways, probably going to go all Garmin. 

 

Any advice is appreciated. 

[Jig Man]

Typically Trackers are built for first time cost conscious buyers.  Therefore they have smaller outboards, weaker trolling motors and cheaper electronics.  Have you looked at G3 or Xpress?

[Captain Phil]

Trackers are decent boats for the money.  They come as a package and their quality has improved in the last ten years.  If the package they offer fits your needs, it's hard to fault them.   Before I purchased my last aluminum boat, I looked at all of them.  I was going to add my own electronics, so construction was my main criteria.  I'm not into fancy stripes and pretty doodads.  I wanted a boat that could take some abuse.  I settled on a Lowe Roughneck. One look at the thickness of the Lowe stringers sold me.  I fished that boat in fresh and salt water.  It sat outside most of the time.  I sold it to my son who fished it as well.  When he sold it, people were lined up to buy it.  

[paleus]

I have looked at Xpress. Seems like the Vexus are more well equipped for the price. 

[paleus]

Basically, I'm just torn between spending $30k on a "better" boat (whether that's Vexus, Xpress, Ranger, or whatever) or saving money and getting a Tracker for $20k. 

 

Just not sure I can see the difference in value or justify paying that much more when I still will want to upgrade the electronics on it. 

 

I actually really like the layout on the 175TF, except for the 7' rod locker. But overall, I like the Vexus more. Just conflicted on the money side of things. 

[claya]

Take a look at the Triton TX line of boats. It's the same boat as the Ranger built in the same factory just finished differently. The prices are reasonable on those.

[Captain Phil]

Keep this in mind.  The higher the price, the greater the first year depreciation.   Why not buy a used boat?  Many people buy a boat and don't use it. Especially now.  As soon as this Covid thing is over, I suspect the market will be flooded with unused boats.   When most people make a large purchase, they don't think about the day they will sell it.  In time, everything gets sold.

[Deephaven]

7 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

When most people make a large purchase, they don't think about the day they will sell it.  In time, everything gets sold.

I don't understand.  To me cost is very simple.  Buying price + repairs - selling price.  That is what I have to determine if I can stomach.  Boats classically lose 50% or more of their value in 7 years after that the rate GREATLY reduces.  The repair cost of course can go up, but more than time use is what causes the needs for repairs.

[gim]

22 minutes ago, Captain Phil said:

When most people make a large purchase, they don't think about the day they will sell it.

 

Resale value is definitely something to consider if you plan to upgrade down the road.  And a Tracker will not have as much of it as the other brands mentioned by the OP.

[paleus]

I've thought about used, but just haven't seen much out there. Probably because of the time of year. And looking at shiny new ones, the used ones don't look so great, feature and finish wise.

 

I did just find a 2014 Lowe Stinger 175 nearby. It's got a 60 merc on it, but it has a lot of other nice features. I like the layout. I've heard good things about Lowe. They don't have the price listed, but it should be around $15k, which is half of what I'm looking at for a Vexus. That is enticing. 

[Deephaven]

5 minutes ago, paleus said:

I've thought about used, but just haven't seen much out there. Probably because of the time of year.

The bigger reason is Covid.  Time of year is also terrible (at least in the Great White North).  If you want a boat this year you are going to over pay....but you get a boat which has a ton of value IMO.

[TnRiver46]

I’m excited for ya! I love boats 

[padon]

that used lowe might be a good option. the thing with the trackers is they arent bad boats structurally but as mentioned they usually have bae minimum as far as horse power, trolling motor electronics etc. thats how they keep the price down.i really like the xpress boats. if i was in the market the x21 would be my next boat.

[paleus]

Well, the Lowe had already sold when I called about it... dangit.

[Mizzoumn]

23 hours ago, paleus said:

Well, the Lowe had already sold when I called about it... dangit.

I recently went through a similar boat search and I would suggest checking out the Lund Renegade 1775 and the Crestliner XFC 179. Both are a step above the tracker (imo) but below Ranger and Vexus. 

 

I went with one model size bigger in the Crestliner 189 with a 115. Based on the pricing I saw, I would think you could get the Crestliner 179 with a 90 HP for low 20's or the Lund for about $1.5-2k more. You might run into a problem of finding one available with how backed up the factories are. 

[NYBasser]

Another thing you may want to consider when buying a new boat is where you are going to service your boat if any warranty related issues come up. I definitely feel like dealing with Tracker/Bass Pro is going to be more of a headache then dealing with a Vexus/Lund/Crestliner dealer etc.

[paleus]

2 minutes ago, NYBasser said:

Another thing you may want to consider when buying a new boat is where you are going to service your boat if any warranty related issues come up. I definitely feel like dealing with Tracker/Bass Pro is going to be more of a headache then dealing with a Vexus/Lund/Crestliner dealer etc.

 

We have a local non-BPS Tracker dealer, if I go that way. I'm leaning hard towards Vexus, unless I find something used that I like. 

[RW]

I have a Vexux 1880. Love everything about it except it has a center rod locker. When rods are on deck, it is hard to get access to the side compartments. The vexus as you point out is more expensive than most boats you mention. 
 

I had a ranger 178 before that. The vexus cuts through wakes much better than the ranger because of its hull design.  The 1880 has a pad hull and will go 45-48 mph with a 115 mercury pro xs. It rides very nicely on plane. 

[paleus]

17 hours ago, RW said:

I have a Vexux 1880. Love everything about it except it has a center rod locker. When rods are on deck, it is hard to get access to the side compartments. The vexus as you point out is more expensive than most boats you mention. 
 

I had a ranger 178 before that. The vexus cuts through wakes much better than the ranger because of its hull design.  The 1880 has a pad hull and will go 45-48 mph with a 115 mercury pro xs. It rides very nicely on plane. 

 

I'm not sure if the AVX181 is a pad hull or mod V. Edit: on their website it says it is a pad hull.

 

Yeah, I have 2 schools of thought for the amount I want to spend:

 

If I am going to buy a new boat, I am going to keep it for a long time, 10-15 years or more, and figure I should spend the money and get what I want. I think I can get an AVX181 out the door for $30k with a 75 Merc or 70 Suzuki.

 

If I am going to buy a used boat, I may not keep it as long before wanting to upgrade, but there are lots of great boats out there, like a Lowe Stinger 175, that can be had for around $15k. I do like saving money, but it will always be in the back of my mind about "I should have just ponied up and got what I wanted." Then, with a used boat, you don't know how it's been treated, and you get no warranties on anything. And, with current used boat prices, you're only looking at a $5-6k difference between new and a few years old of the same model.

[TnRiver46]

My boat is an 18.5 ft aluminum made by duracraft. Great boat, we’ve seen some things together.......... I only have a 50 hp but it’s rated for 115 (I don’t like going fast). If memory serves I believe the brand is made by the folks at war eagle boats 

 

mine is more of a shallow water hull I suppose than most of the others mentioned, it barely needs any water to float. I kept thinking I was going to bottom out in this creek we camped in all weekend and it never hit. Heck it kept wanting to float away after I beached it 

[paleus]

Put a deposit down on a 2021 Lowe Stinger 175C with a 60 Merc today. Pumped. 

 

I wanted the 75hp, but they don't have anymore for 2021 according to the dealer. It should still do low 30s with the 60, which is fine, I'm not fishing tournaments. 

 

Sucks that it won't come in until July. 

 

I couldn't justify the extra cost for the Vexus. I can pay the Lowe off way earlier and not pay as much interest. 

[Denny]

Congrats on the future new vessel!

[TnRiver46]

18 hours ago, paleus said:

Put a deposit down on a 2021 Lowe Stinger 175C with a 60 Merc today. Pumped. 

 

I wanted the 75hp, but they don't have anymore for 2021 according to the dealer. It should still do low 30s with the 60, which is fine, I'm not fishing tournaments. 

 

Sucks that it won't come in until July. 

 

I couldn't justify the extra cost for the Vexus. I can pay the Lowe off way earlier and not pay as much interest. 

Congrats!! 30 mph is plenty 

[GaryH]

19 hours ago, paleus said:

Put a deposit down on a 2021 Lowe Stinger 175C with a 60 Merc today. Pumped. 

 

I wanted the 75hp, but they don't have anymore for 2021 according to the dealer. It should still do low 30s with the 60, which is fine, I'm not fishing tournaments. 

 

Sucks that it won't come in until July. 

 

I couldn't justify the extra cost for the Vexus. I can pay the Lowe off way earlier and not pay as much interest. 

Congrats on the new boat.  Good luck and enjoy

[paleus]

Finally got the boat after several delays. It's actually a 2022 model since it was delayed for so long.