First Time Boat Buyer

[elway1983]

I've been looking at aluminum bass boats on a budget. I have found 3 within price range. Lowe Skorpion 17, Crestliner 1700 Storm and Crestliner Ridge. What stock options should I be focusing on, what added option are necessary and are there any boats I missed in this price range (17k to 18k). Thanks 

[Junk Fisherman]

Just looking at the Scorpion- I would max out the HP at 60 and make sure I get a spot-locking trolling motor.  With a 17' you can stick with a 12 V trolling motor.  I had a 55 lb thrust on my 17' semi-deep V Lowe and it was more than sufficient.  If money is tight, graphs are something you can upgrade down the road.  You can also save by going with 7" graphs instead of 9"-10".  Another obvious add-on is getting the ratchet tie-downs on your trailer.  Those should be standard since they are so much more convenient.  But the main things I would splurge on are maxing the HP and upgrading the trolling motor.  

[elway1983]

Do you know anything about Crestliner? Their reviews seem to be better.

[jbmaine]

What ever boat you get, if it doesn't come stock with a boarding ladder, have them add one. If you ever fell overboard, a PFD will keep you afloat, a boarding ladder makes it easy to get back in the boat.

[elway1983]

That's the second time I've heard that. Originally that never crossed my mind 

[GaryH]

1 hour ago, Junk Fisherman said:

Just looking at the Scorpion- I would max out the HP at 60 and make sure I get a spot-locking trolling motor.  With a 17' you can stick with a 12 V trolling motor.  I had a 55 lb thrust on my 17' semi-deep V Lowe and it was more than sufficient.  If money is tight, graphs are something you can upgrade down the road.  You can also save by going with 7" graphs instead of 9"-10".  Another obvious add-on is getting the ratchet tie-downs on your trailer.  Those should be standard since they are so much more convenient.  But the main things I would splurge on are maxing the HP and upgrading the trolling motor.  

I second this ☝️☝️

Let me add. If you are going to run graphs and you know what you want make sure there compatible with your trolling motor, or vice versa if you know what trolling motor you want.

[MickD]

2 hours ago, elway1983 said:

Do you know anything about Crestliner? Their reviews seem to be better.

Crestliner is one of the more respected boat lines.  I would have no reservations.  Their hulls are welded; Lund's are riveted.  One company makes them both, each in its own plant.  My son and two friends have 17.5 Crestliners and love them.  I have a 16.5 Lund Rebel single console, and love it too.  My boat fishes two nicely, three is a crowd.  Theirs are wider and longer and handle 3 fishermen better.  Much roomier than mine.

 

I strongly recommend the spot lock + the remote control deploy and stow.  I can't tell you how many times I've controlled the trolling motor from the back of the boat, speed, direction, trim, deploy, and stow.  Sure beats going up front and wrestling with the motor  manually.  Especially as one ages.

2 hours ago, jbmaine said:

What ever boat you get, if it doesn't come stock with a boarding ladder, have them add one. If you ever fell overboard, a PFD will keep you afloat, a boarding ladder makes it easy to get back in the boat.

I think Lund is putting one on all boats now, good idea to have this.  They are folded  at the stern and really don't cost anything on functionality of the boat.  

[gim]

I would not add a ladder to a boat just in case I fell over board and needed to climb back in.  The chances of that occurring are very rare.  Plus if its a bass boat, it will have low gunnels anyways.  I know some will say they would rather have it and not need it, but I would rather mount something else there instead like a shallow water anchor or the transducer.