Bass Boat?

[Eddie Berndt]

I just finished college and i want to get a boat for bass fishing im lookn at a Nitro Z8 with the 250 on the back. I plan on doing alot more tournaments. Do u guys have any other ideas on boats i would like one with a 250 on the back of her and around 20ft in length? i have a few months before i could afford one anyways. My budget is roughly 35 thousand

[Bass_Fanatic]

I currently have a brand new, never been in the water, Nitro Z7 with a 150 Merc Optimax on the back taht I am looking to get rid of for real cheap. $22,000+ttl. It is valued at $26,000+ttl, but I am taking a cut on it because I won it in a tournament and have no need for another boat.

[Eddie Berndt]

I currently have a brand new, never been in the water, Nitro Z7 with a 150 Merc Optimax on the back taht I am looking to get rid of for real cheap. $22,000+ttl. It is valued at $26,000+ttl, but I am taking a cut on it because I won it in a tournament and have no need for another boat.

im lookn for a boat with a 250 on the back of it and 20ft or a lil bigger in length thanks for the offer tho

[Bass_Fanatic]

Just warning you that a 20ft. boat w/250 hp motor cost much much more than the initial cost. For 35k you will probably have to buy used. The price that you see on the Nitros are not fully rigged, it is for bare minimun, the boat and motor. If you put anything on the boat, like electronics, hotfoot, recirculate pumps, ect., it will end up being well into the 40k's. The cost of running a boat like that is almost double running a 18ft w/150 hp motor and the upkeep can be a pain. Basically what Im telling you is check twice before you buy a boat and be realistic. For a first bass boat I would HIGHLY recommend buying one a little smaller. Just my 2 cents tho.

[Grey Wolf]

You all know how to enlighten a person , excellent job !!!!!!!!

[bigbassctchr101]

I know you said you wanted a new one. I can respect that being right out of college myself. I have found though, that there are a lot of NEW/USED boats out there if you look. Some that still have the warranty on hull and motor with all of the options already on the boat. As soon as you drive away the first owner takes a loss on the boat. That could really help you open your options on different makes and models as well. Plus, many of these boats are going to be tournament ready with the trolling motor and electronics already set up.

Also, looking at some of "last years" models that same dealers may still have can help you a lot as well.

[J Francho]

As soon as you drive away the first owner takes a loss on the boat.

I've never understood this statement. How many buyers drive off the lot, only to turn around and sell?

It doesn't make sense. Now, if you're talking resale after a few years, look at this again....the OP is in WI. That means short running season in pretty decent conditions. No scorching heat and UV damage that southern locales will incur, so he'll be selling/trading a low hours boat that looks great from more, if he takes care of it. There's some security in buying a new boat.

All that said, there are some SCREAMING used deals right now. They were even better this past winter. Consider this, get a used boat, pile up some wins, and then get on the Nitro Team with incentives based payment plan.

[Mike Z]

JFrancho, I may have misread your post, but I think the mentality that he is safer buying new because he is up north is a wrong one to take. Regardless of where you live, the boat is going to take a big hit the first year of ownership. The price he will pay for new will be a few grand higher than what someone can get the same new boat for next spring and will be many thousands higher than what he could get just a few year old boat for. In looking at the boats for sale site, a boat just 3-4 years old can save you a minimum of $10-$15K on some models. The largest hit on value occurs in the first few years.

As far as the OP, just being out of college, one shouldn't be taking on debt of this type when one could get something very similar for many thousands less. I understand the "want" aspect as I was that age not so long ago. I've made my mistakes and now realize that toys like this are best bought used where someone else took the plunge and also took the hit on the de-valuation. The economy is in the crapper in many areas still and people are willing to part with some items for about what they might owe on it. In some cases, this can mean a very sweet deal.

I would also consider what someone said above about running costs. I am also looking at purchasing, though used. The difference in fuel costs alone can be enormous between engines. For this reason, I know that it is doubtful that I would purchase any boat with a 250hp engine.

[J Francho]

We have no idea the OP's situation, and again, who sells after a year? Where's the hit? Northern boats DO hold their resale better. I wonder what the average length of boat ownership is in WI. It's more than a year, probably more like 7 years. Northern boats DO hold their resale better.

I'm not disagreeing with anyone about the advice to buy used - I just did myself - but not for the reasons listed. I just didn't want a boat payment, so I payed cash for used.

Either way, new or used, if you wait a year to buy a boat, then you have to wait a year to have a boat.

[junebugmn]

Hey it's your money, and every one has a opinion, but as a "fellow wisconsonite"! Look around for a good used boat in that class and get it checked out by a competent "marine" mechanic, I have seen several champion's etc, for a lot less than that that are fully rigged, but it's your stash man!!! junebugman Personally I don't need a 35,000.00 boat to catch fish, and I know a lot of guy's who don't either!

[boneil]

I think your price is a little low. especially if you want it tournament ready. You could save a little with a 200 or a 225 on the back. the 200 will handle the z8 just fine. I know, I have one. As far as buying used like others have mentioned, I have always bought new because u just dont know what the previous owner was like to the boat. How many sandbars or rock piles did he run into?

good luck.

[Bigs]

get a used stratos 201 evo, 200 xl or a used champion 210, 206 or 203. If you're talkin upwards of 35k then forget a nitro. Buying a nitro for 20 grand I could understand but for 20 foot boats do not sell yourself short man. The first year of ownership a 50k dollar boat loses anywhere between 10-20 grand. Also keep in mind who is gonna deal with warranty issues should they arise and who is gonna service it. For example, i recently sold my lexus, the closest dealer was over 50 miles away. Same goes for boats, you dont wanna have to haul it 50 miles or more every time you want something done.

Bass Cat, Stratos, Champion, Legend or even something like a ranger would all be good choices. They are all fine made boats. if you wanna go fast but get the crap knocked out of you on rough water then buy one of those pretty speed bass boats. Depends on what type of water youre fishing and what kinda tournies. Nitro has huge payouts for certain tournament trails if you are the original owner of a nitro. The bigger the motor and boat then the bigger the payout. If you have a z9 with a 250 then i think it's 6,000 dollars or maybe 7,000 when you finish first place. my buddy did it last year with his new z9 and took home 9 grand total if I recall for a one day tournament, not pro's, just regular weekend anglers. Something to consider also only if that applies to where you live. If not then forget the nitro.

Also make sure you test drive it and bring a rod to fish with for a few minutes so you can get a feel for how it fishes , how the trolling motor setup feels, how typsy it is , etc...Made that mistake when I bought a basscat and I hated the way it fished once I got it out. Good luck and let us know what you bought

[scbassin]

Look around at used. In the fall of 2008 I bought a 2008 Ranger Z-21 with a 250 Yamaha HPDI. It had a Minn Kota 101T/M, with a MK460 battery charger. 10"Bobs Hyd jack plate, power pole, Lowrance electronics, 2 lock bars, lifetime warranty on the boat & 5 years on the engine it was a dealers program boat. I paid $25,000 less than it retailed for. It was used for 10 months & had 48 hours on the engine. It's picture is in the show your ride section.

[fishermantony]

Have you ever owned a bass boat?

[corybyrum]

If this is your first bass boat I would suggest buying a used smaller boat 18 or 19 feet. Even these can be a handfull. I bought my first boat a 19 javelin when I was 18 and it was awesome to play with and a great starter boat. Ive had several since then and thought long and hard befor buying a new one. Beware I bought a new skeeter with an sho four stroke fully rigged with lowrance hds 8s and putting the talons on the back this month and ive got over 50 grand invested. Save your money and buy a used boat unless you fish 20 days out the month it will never be a worth while investment. But its all in what you want... Im sure youll be happy with whatever you get

[Chaz Hickcox]

La 2003 Cougar FTD Mercury 250 XS Hydraluic Jack plate New 2011 Seats

http://basscatowners.yuku.com/topic/17658/La-2003-Cougar-FTD-Mercury-250-XS-Hydraluic-Jack-plate-New-2

Look at a used BassCat. Tx Ready for $30-$35,000. Any boat in that size brand new is going to be $40,000+.

If you go with a BassCat and transfer the lifetime hull warranty you are elegible for their Quest Owners' Incentive. That is whether it is a 1971 or 2011, first or 40th owner BassCat Boat. It's the best incentive program out there because all you have to do is own a Cat, no upgrades, Ranger 4 years old or newer, Triton I think is the same as is Nitro, or close to it. The company could care less if you buy new, from a dealer, or private party. If you own one of their boats you are in 'the Family.' They are worth it. Also look at the Puma FTDs in the 2008 to 2009 range for the price you are looking for. Premium quality boats with excellent customer service.