Introduction to Bass boats

[Jeffrey Walker]

I just started fishing from a kayak and i love it, but the lakes i fish on are big.  I’m starting to consider a beginner bass boat.   I only fish for bass so what would be a good beginning budget bass boat and what would that cost approximately. 

[MN Fisher]

Depends on what you consider budget.

 

New: An Alumacraft 16' Escape with a 30hp tiller motor and trailer will run about $20k. No graphs or TM at that price (they're added options), but it does have a livewell and storage compartments.

 

Used: You could do what I did - bought an old plain-Jane fishing boat and spent a winter rebuilding the interior. With TM, it cost me about $3k (had the Garmin already)

 

Or you can search around your area for used boats for sale.

[Drawdown]

I’d commit to keeping an eye on classifieds, including Facebook Marketplace. You’ll eventually get a sense for what is reasonable.

 

Don’t know what vehicle you’d be towing a boat with, but aluminum boats are generally more lightweight and I’m partial to them. Plenty of used Tracker boats, or decently outfitted jon boats of various makes. To me, War Eagle and SeaArk are the best of the bunch.

[Jeffrey Walker]

23 minutes ago, Drawdown said:

I’d commit to keeping an eye on classifieds, including Facebook Marketplace. You’ll eventually get a sense for what is reasonable.

 

Don’t know what vehicle you’d be towing a boat with, but aluminum boats are generally more lightweight and I’m partial to them. Plenty of used Tracker boats, or decently outfitted jon boats of various makes. To me, War Eagle and SeaArk are the best of the bunch.

why do you say that?

[Glenn]

Watch this first:

 

 

[Drawdown]

1 hour ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

why do you say that?

They have lots of foam below deck; won’t sink even if you shot a 12-gauge hole through the bottom.

 

I can also say the War Eagle is a very smooth ride, and very easy to customize thanks to the mounting rail system on the inside.

[DaubsNU1]

I've been thinking about upgrading from this to a Lund Adventure, or Alumacraft...they get pricey pretty quick, even the used ones. Guessing I'd spend near $30k to get what I want, with the trolling motor and electronics desired. 

 

Will probably keep this old boat for a while...it fishes the lakes near me very well. And it's paid for : ) 

 

[Susky River Rat]

I have a 2019 tracker 160 I bought new. Is it the best boat ever? No. Does it do everything I need it to? Yes.  I do not think there is any boat that is perfect for every situation you might get into. I would never take my boat on Lake Erie but, the susky and small lakes I fish it on is great. I also learned what you think you want in a boat isn’t always what you end up wanting in a boat. My wants and needs have changed since I first got that boat. Id personally pick up a used boat or a cheaper side new boat like a tracker. Beat that around learn what you like and don’t like then invest the money into a different boat later. Make the mistakes with that one not a 30k plus boat.

[gim]

Rude awakening.

[MN Fisher]

18 minutes ago, gimruis said:

Rude awakening.

One of us has got to win the lottery, dude.

[12poundbass]

You said a beginning bass boat budget, I assume that means you’re looking to ease your way into bass boats and upgrade? If this is the case I wouldn’t go that route. Boats in general aren’t cheap. I’d go into it with the mindset that the boat you’re going to buy is a boat you’re going to keep for say a decade or possibly forever. 
 

To better help answer your question more info is needed. How big of water do you fish? What’s your budget? 

[Jeffrey Walker]

i think a tracker might be a good start.  I don’t think i need all the bells and whistles something that would pretty much be used at one location. and then stored for the winter.  I want a bass deck, electronics and ability for 2 people to fosh.  Really thinking the next step up from. kayak

[rangerjockey]

All depends on how big the water is your planning on fishing. Id also be careful with some of the package boats that BPS advertises that can be under powered with a 4 inch graph.

I had a aluminum boat years ago and that thing would spin like a top in the wind, I was forever on the trolling motor. 

That was 5 boats ago and my advice would be to look for a clean used glass boat. 

Boats in general are stupid expensive now and if a year later you decide you wish you had bought something bigger or more powerful your going to get skinned on the trade in ,

Buy once cry once.

[WRB]

If your budget is around $10K there are lots of options.

My last bass boat was a Triton TR 175 single console w/115 Merc Optima 2 cycle engine. Having owned several 19’ bass boat over the years, the TR 175 fit into my garage, primary reason to buy it. 

I was surprised with this entry level bass boats storage capacity and rod locker held 15 combos up to 8’ long.

Speed wasn’t a consideration as our lakes all have 35 mph limit, this boat fully loaded with 2 passengers ran 50+ mph, up on plane quickly and handles white cap wind water with a smooth dry ride.

You can 2004-2006 TR 175 around $9K-10K in good condition. Try to locate a boat that was garaged with engine run hours under 300, lower the better, have a mechanic check the engine.

Plan on upgrading the TM to a model with spot lock and electronics in time.

Good luck,

Tom

PS, avoid any boat used in salt water.

Good 

 

[Captain Phil]

I have bought a bunch of boats in my lifetime.  Some were new and some were used.  Most used boats have decent bones.  If you buy a fiberglass boat, look for one built in the last ten years or so.  Before that, fiberglass bass boats had wood in them that could water log and/or rot.  Look for obvious cracks in the transom or around the console.  If you find anything serious, move on.   With a little work, you can make an old boat look like new.  Normally, the biggest issue with a used boat is the motor.  Stay away from off brand motors.  Make sure you have access to local parts and service. Use the Internet to research your model engine.  If a motor had too many issues, you will read about it.  Again, stick with newer engines. Personally, I wouldn't buy a used Johnson or Evinrude outboard.  They were great engines years ago, but they had problems in the later years.  If you stick with Mercury or Yamaha, you will probably be OK.  Have the motor checked out by a good mechanic before you buy it.   Don't take the sellers word for it.  Boats are expensive.  If it wrecks your budget to buy a boat, you are going to have problems keeping it running.

 

Aluminum Boats are a great way to get into boating on a budget.  They are light, inexpensive and relatively trouble free.  The motor is where the major expenses happen.  I paid $27K for my new Ranger RT178 with a 75 HP Mercury 4 Stroke, 24 volt Minn Kota, 2 combo GPS/fish finders, 3 bank charger, Trailer with spare and a bunch of extra goodies like an 8 year motor warranty. It's probably worth around 20K right now.  My Ranger engine has less than 50 hours on it. It's been stored in a covered garage since new.  If you can find a used boat like mine, you will be doing good. 

[thomas15]

The main thing in my view is to buy what you can afford so that if disaster comes or your time is restricted you are not going to feel financial pain over the boat. Boats basically lose their resale value quickly and while fun require time for upkeep and it seems something is always broken or needs to be upgraded. 

[Bird]

You'll save money going with an aluminum hull and many prefer it.

 

I bought a Lowe Stinger and installed my own graphs, money saved.

And you'll likely never need to go 70 mph so why pay 25k for a Yamaha 250. ?

[Jeffrey Walker]

I don’t think speed is a major factor for me, if i could go 40-50mph, that’s plenty.  so ease of use, reliability, and function (ability to fish) are the primary considerations.  don’t need something huge either, would just be 2 maybe 3 people fishing, more like 2.  looking for electronics and a trolling motor.  Id be happy with the basics.  A rod locker would be nice.  with that in mind, what’s the cheapest boat that would get what i want? 

[Bird]

1 hour ago, Jeffrey Walker said:

I don’t think speed is a major factor for me, if i could go 40-50mph, that’s plenty.  so ease of use, reliability, and function (ability to fish) are the primary considerations.  don’t need something huge either, would just be 2 maybe 3 people fishing, more like 2.  looking for electronics and a trolling motor.  Id be happy with the basics.  A rod locker would be nice.  with that in mind, what’s the cheapest boat that would get what i want? 

Probably Lowe or Tracker.

[rangerjockey]

I had a Lowe stinger also. With a 75hp Etec it would run about 34 mph with me tackle and a buddy in it. It was a good boat . Tracker will be the cheapest but like I said be sure the price you get quoted includes batteries a decent charger and trolling motor. ect. 

And whatever you buy be sure there's a dealer close by to service it.

 

[Captain Phil]

7 minutes ago, rangerjockey said:

I had a Lowe stinger also. With a 75hp Etec it would run about 34 mph with me tackle and a buddy in it. It was a good boat . Tracker will be the cheapest but like I said be sure the price you get quoted includes batteries a decent charger and trolling motor. ect. 

And whatever you buy be sure there's a dealer close by to service it.

 

 

I owned a Lowe Roughneck for about ten years.  Lowe's are not the fanciest boats around, but they are tough as nails. I used mine for bass and inshore salt water fishing.  I put that poor boat though hell and it never let me down.  My Lowe was 16' with a 60 hp Merc 4 stroke and it was plenty fast enough.  I believe I paid about $12K for mine about 12 years ago including the trailer and Minn Kota trolling motor.  The more "stuff" you have on a boat, the more things there are to fix.

[Dirtyeggroll]

I’d consider looking for a Ranger R-series 1995-1999.

 

The R70 series is a 17’, R80 is an 18’ and R90 an 19/20’ model.

 

They are very solid hulls.

 

A great condition R70 can be head for as little as $5k pretty readily with about a 20% increase in price per foot.

[airshot]

Bought my 16' Sylvan side console last year.  Searched for over three months to find this garage queen !  Boat is like new other than some wear on the carpet. 40 hp merc 2 stroke oil injected she will do 30 with two on board thanks to the aluminum hull...takes chop very well, very comfortable fishing boat.  Came with all the goodies...TM has spot lock and remote, nice Lowrance HDI sonar, onboard charging system etc...All for under 5K.....they are out there if your willing to shop....had to drive 200 miles to get her..

[thomas15]

22 hours ago, airshot said:

Bought my 16' Sylvan side console last year.  Searched for over three months to find this garage queen !  Boat is like new other than some wear on the carpet. 40 hp merc 2 stroke oil injected she will do 30 with two on board thanks to the aluminum hull...takes chop very well, very comfortable fishing boat.  Came with all the goodies...TM has spot lock and remote, nice Lowrance HDI sonar, onboard charging system etc...All for under 5K.....they are out there if your willing to shop....had to drive 200 miles to get her..

 

To add my 2 cents, mine is a 16" Starcraft I have about $5500.00 in it (hull/motor/trailer/upgrades). It has a 50 HP Mercury 2 stroke, console, trolling motor/foot control, live well, I have entered tournaments with it although I'm not a fan. I put in two Lowrance sonar's.

 

In the 9 or so years I have had it I have replaced both of the batteries, the trailer hub bearings and trailer tires and a few items on the outboard. I can say without hesitation that I "know" my outboard well. On a good day I can get 36 mph but usually it's at 32-33 mph, this is really fast enough for this small boat. I can get 3 people in it fishing but it is cramped, 2 is better although the boat is rated 5 adults that is quite crowded. Keep that in mind.

 

I think the accepted rule of thumb on gasoline consumption on at least smallish 2 stroke is you lop off the last digit on the HP rating that that is the amount of fuel you consume per hour at wide open throttle. So for 50 HP that means I can run 30 MPH for an hour and consume 5 gallons of fuel. Not a precise formula but that is it. So 2 hours at 30 mph I need 10 gallons at $3.50/gallon it will cost me $35.00 for that trip. Do half that 4 days/week that is $70 per week which might cut into one's cigar budget. I always set out with (2) six gallon fuel tanks although I can't remember ever running one dry from full.

 

I just this morning sent in my insurance premium for the year that is $228 so $20/month I say this just to point out that even on solid used aluminum 16 footer it isn't free by any means. When I calculate literally everything I figure about $900/year (x 9 years). Boat, motor, fuel everything. My home lake ramp is less than 1 mile from my home still it is time consuming to get it down there and put it back to bed. I'm good at launching and have decent trailer skills, do all my own work on the boat/motor and it looks good for it's age, quite sea worthy but sometimes it's just easier to grab my fly pole or UL spinning tackle, waiders and hit the closest stream if all I have is an hour or two.

[gim]

1 hour ago, thomas15 said:

I just this morning sent in my insurance premium for the year that is $228 so $20/month I say this just to point out that even on solid used aluminum 16 footer it isn't free by any means.

You're getting ripped off.  My 18 foot aluminum bass boat is worth about $25k and my annual premium for boat insurance is less than that.  I'd be having a chat with my agent if that's the current best policy out there for your rig.