No reasonably priced bass boats?

[livemusic]

Do we all agree that bass boats are incredibly expensive these days? It's becoming rather common to see guys with $80k boats. My question is, why doesn't some manufacturer offer a great boat at a decent price and scoop up sales? Can we assume that this has caused a rise in the number of aluminum boats? They are less expensive?

 

It just makes me wonder why this hasn't happened... if in capitalism a market with a lot of competition causes innovation and drives the consumer to find the best price, why hasn't this happened? (Perhaps it's caused more aluminum boats to be sold.) I will assume that there is no collusion among manufacturers to keep prices high. Share your wisdom on why the prices remain SO high!

 

Mind you, part of the price in a decked out boat is a 21 ft length, shallow anchors, multiple computers on board (sonar), spot-lock troll motors and 250hp motors! The hull, even at 21 ft... I wonder how much hull price is actually is in the final tally!

 

It's real common around here to see 21 ft boats with 250hp motors, fully decked out. So... one thing that could be revealed is that people are buying these boats. Is there an end to this?

 

EDIT:  Mind you, some of these big decked out boats are awesome; if someone has one, congrats!

[Boomstick]

5 minutes ago, livemusic said:

My question is, why doesn't some manufacturer offer a great boat at a decent price and scoop up sales?

You mean brands like Nitro and Tracker?

 

I mean a good number of Trackers don't even have a rod locker that can fit a 7 ft rod, but they are basically an entry level bass boat. And while Nitro might not be Phoenix or Bass Cat, their manufacturing process is better streamlined so they're more affordable than other brands.

[livemusic]

2 minutes ago, Boomstick said:

You mean brands like Nitro and Tracker?

 

You make a good point but many would say that those are not high quality boats. In glass boats, I was thinking more along the lines of Basscat, Triton, Skeeter, Vexus, etc.  I assume that these quality brands sell for about the same, advise if that isn't the case.

 

And I assume that Tracker sells aluminum only? I really was referring to fiberglass boats. I suppose it's a given that aluminum is going to cost less.

[gunsinger]

Tracker used to be bargain priced but then they figured out they could get more...so they did.  I can remember mooning over a Tracker years ago that was $8k.  Now their cheapest is more than double that.

Speaking of entry level boats, if someone hasn't already posted a thread on here to help guide new bass rig buyers through what to look for when they buy, someone should do that.  I like my boat, don't get me wrong, but if'd I'd known then what I know now, I'd have likely bought differently.  For one, I'd have upped the TM from 45lb thrust to at least 70lb.  At least 24v system and Spot Lock (or similar) would be required.  I'd have looked at better electronics and better rod/tackle storage.

1 minute ago, livemusic said:

 

You make a good point but many would say that those are not high quality boats. In glass boats, I was thinking more along the lines of Basscat, Triton, Skeeter, Vexus, etc.  I assume that these quality brands sell for about the same, advise if that isn't the case.

 

And I assume that Tracker sells aluminum only? I really was referring to fiberglass boats. I suppose it's a given that aluminum is going to cost less.

Actually, I think they do sell a glass line these days...I could be wrong.

[Boomstick]

7 minutes ago, gunsinger said:

Tracker used to be bargain priced but then they figured out they could get more...so they did.  I can remember mooning over a Tracker years ago that was $8k.  Now their cheapest is more than double that.

True. I am not sure how much of that is inflation, slowed manufacturing during the pandemic an other factors. Nitro has also gone up a bit, same deal. But so have the more expensive bass boats, so they're still the cheaper options.

10 minutes ago, livemusic said:

And I assume that Tracker sells aluminum only? I really was referring to fiberglass boats. I suppose it's a given that aluminum is going to cost less.

Yeah, Trackers are generally all aluminum. They may have added a fiberglass option, I'm not even sure.

 

Nitro is sort of the Tracker equivalent of fiberglass boats, except some would argue they're actually a pretty decent boat at a better price where the Trackers really are the bottom of the line boats to get you on the water.

[813basstard]

Because people still buy them at that price. 
 
 

[livemusic]

I have a friend who recently bought a Nitro and he is very knowledgeable, I will ask him about it and why he chose it. Price is certainly an issue but if it's crap, he wouldn't have bought it. But I don't perceive them as the quality of the top guns.

 

I saw a decked out new boat in Basspro a few days ago and it was $80k and I am pretty sure it was a Nitro, so, not sure how much you 'save' with their brand. I stopped to check it out just because it looked pretty much like any fully decked out boat and I was curious about the price.

[Junk Fisherman]

These companies set the price based on their costs and what the market will support.  From the sound of it, boats are heavily in demand and there is not much negotiating off their price.  I read either here or on another site that a buyer tried to negotiate a new boat down and the salesman laughed and said if he didn't buy it someone else would within 2 weeks.  

 

I get what you're saying.  I don't love my boat and would like to buy new but there is no way I am going to in this market.  It is easier for me just to be happy with what I have.  Fish don't care what kind of boat you have.  

4 minutes ago, livemusic said:

I have a friend who recently bought a Nitro and he is very knowledgeable, I will ask him about it and why he chose it. Price is certainly an issue but if it's crap, he wouldn't have bought it. But I don't perceive them as the quality of the top guns.

 

 

I've got a couple guys in my club with newer Nitros and they are very satisfied.  Good looking boats too.  Saving 10-20K over a comparable Basscat or Phoenix is a strong incentive to check out the Nitros.  

[Deleted account]

9 minutes ago, Junk Fisherman said:

I read either here or on another site that a buyer tried to negotiate a new boat down and the salesman laughed and said if he didn't buy it someone else would within 2 weeks.

Yeah, I'm in the market for a new boat, but won't even look until all this chaos settles down.

I've had it several times in the bike shop, where I'm showing a bicycle (These are $5k-$10k mind you) to a customer, and while waiting, another customer is all like, "if he doesn't want it, I'll take it". It's almost embarrassing, almo$t...

[BBuck]

Yeah, I have been saving for years to get a truck and a boat. I finally just got the truck and want to get a boat but think I'm going to have to lower my expectations a lot or either wait longer till everybody that is buying boats now is tired of dropping the money and time on the maintenance and operation of them. 

[Boomstick]

27 minutes ago, livemusic said:

I have a friend who recently bought a Nitro and he is very knowledgeable, I will ask him about it and why he chose it. Price is certainly an issue but if it's crap, he wouldn't have bought it. But I don't perceive them as the quality of the top guns.

I know several people with Nitros, all have had a very good experience with them. To my understanding, they don't really make a lesser boat they just do it more efficiently, letting them keep the cost down. You may lose out a few things you like with the Phoenix or Bass Cat as a result, but it's not like Tracker where they sacrifice on even simple things like storage and the rod lockers greatly to keep the cost down.

They also seem to get a better percentage return when you sell them used as well. When I was shopping around for used boats a few years ago, I could largely get a loaded Bass Cat for barely any more than a used Nitro after about 3-4 years.

 

27 minutes ago, livemusic said:

I saw a decked out new boat in Basspro a few days ago and it was $80k

That must have been quite literally a fully loaded Z21 Pro with almost every option to hit $80k. The base price is $60k and the way I would probably rig it would run below $70k easily and still be fairly loaded.

The competing 21 foot Skeeter starts at $73k and a Bass Cat and Phoenix I believe starts at even more than that.

[TnRiver46]

Like everyone said, bass tracker and nitro already make a cheaper boat . If you want higher quality components for lower prices, keep dreaming or buy used 

[Choporoz]

46 minutes ago, BassWhole! said:

Yeah, I'm in the market for a new boat, but won't even look until all this chaos settles down.

I didn't realize I was in the market, but found out that I am.  So...new to the hunt, I also didn't know about the chaos.  ...so if a 2018 boat with 10 hours on the motor fell into my lap at 3 grand below NADA.....I maybe should stop procrastinating?

[Deleted account]

4 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I didn't realize I was in the market, but found out that I am.  So...new to the hunt, I also didn't know about the chaos.  ...so if a 2018 boat with 10 hours on the motor fell into my lap at 3 grand below NADA.....I maybe should stop procrastinating?

Yeah, It's a sellers market for sure. A 3 year old boat should be pretty much in like new condition, but a thorough survey is always $ well spent. I bunch of guys in the salt have been going the get a solid hull and repower new route lately.

 

[J Francho]

47 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I didn't realize I was in the market, but found out that I am.  So...new to the hunt, I also didn't know about the chaos.  ...so if a 2018 boat with 10 hours on the motor fell into my lap at 3 grand below NADA.....I maybe should stop procrastinating?

You could probably flip it quickly for a profit if it isn't exactly what you wanted. 

[Choporoz]

27 minutes ago, J Francho said:

You could probably flip it quickly for a profit if it isn't exactly what you wanted. 

Probably true....though situation is such that I might not be comfortable doing that.

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Choporoz said:

I didn't realize I was in the market, but found out that I am.  So...new to the hunt, I also didn't know about the chaos.  ...so if a 2018 boat with 10 hours on the motor fell into my lap at 3 grand below NADA.....I maybe should stop procrastinating?

Did you sink your kayak??

[Choporoz]

5 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Did you sink your kayak??

Ha...not yet.  But put an offer on a lake house and can't see looking out the window at an empty dock for very long

[TnRiver46]

1 minute ago, Choporoz said:

Ha...not yet.  But put an offer on a lake house and can't see looking out the window at an empty dock for very long

I’ve got 3 kayaks laying on the ground near my dock and an empty slip...... haha. But I don’t live there, we’ve got a renter 

[E-rude dude]

Because people finance them for 12 years at 10-12% financing. The boat company makes even more money. 

[gim]

51 minutes ago, E-rude dude said:

Because people finance them for 12 years at 10-12% financing. The boat company makes even more money. 

I was just going to mention that. I don’t think most people can afford to just go out and buy a brand new fiberglass bass boat with all the accessories. And even if you could, there’s a big towing vehicle needed, a place to store it, etc.

 

Give it a few years and there will be a surplus of slightly used boats on the market. All the pandemic impulse buyers will realize that something only being used twice a year isn’t worth keeping anymore.

[slonezp]

6 hours ago, Junk Fisherman said:

These companies set the price based on their costs and what the market will support.  From the sound of it, boats are heavily in demand and there is not much negotiating off their price.  I read either here or on another site that a buyer tried to negotiate a new boat down and the salesman laughed and said if he didn't buy it someone else would within 2 weeks.  

 

I get what you're saying.  I don't love my boat and would like to buy new but there is no way I am going to in this market.  It is easier for me just to be happy with what I have.  Fish don't care what kind of boat you have.  

 

I've got a couple guys in my club with newer Nitros and they are very satisfied.  Good looking boats too.  Saving 10-20K over a comparable Basscat or Phoenix is a strong incentive to check out the Nitros.  

What don't you like about the Tuffy?

40 minutes ago, E-rude dude said:

Because people finance them for 12 years at 10-12% financing. The boat company makes even more money. 

12??? They offer financing for 15-20 years on boats and RV's $300 a month is cheap for 240 months....

[Darth-Baiter]

46 minutes ago, E-rude dude said:

Because people finance them for 12 years at 10-12% financing. The boat company makes even more money. 

ouch!!! 144 months of financing?  a gross of monthly payments.  d**n..screw that.  you cannot turn that into good math no matter what you do.

[E-rude dude]

17 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

ouch!!! 144 months of financing?  a gross of monthly payments.  d**n..screw that.  you cannot turn that into good math no matter what you do.

Being a truck driver you meet interesting people. Several years ago, I talked to a guy at the truck stop who had a special trailer for big boats. Lake Michigan/ocean boats.

He was the repo man. No bull. His job was to repossess boats whose owners defaulted on their loans. He said you would be shocked how many rich people buy a boat and don’t make the payments. 
Almost like the down payment was rent on their summer party boat 

[S Hovanec]

11 hours ago, livemusic said:

My question is, why doesn't some manufacturer offer a great boat at a decent price and scoop up sales?

 

 

There is.  It's called a Tracker.  Maybe not "great", but they have the market cornered on budget priced boats.