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Lookin' to buy a bass boat

Discussion in 'Boating & Fishing' started by tonto340, Apr 19, 2010.

  1. Apr 19, 2010 at 4:13 AM
    #1
    tonto340

    tonto340 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I would like some advice on what model of bass boat to buy in the 20 to 26k dollar range. My picks so far are the Tracker Tournament V-18 or the Nitro Z-7. Any others?? I currently fish Philpott Lake in southern Virginia but want a boat big enough to put into Smith Mountain Lake, Lake Gaston or John Kerr Resrvoir.
     
  2. May 3, 2010 at 12:41 AM
    #2
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

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    For 20-26k the field is wide open. I've seen 2-3 year old Rangers & Tritons for that price.

    Check boat trader.com

    Also look for bank repos from a marine liquidator for steals.
     
  3. May 10, 2010 at 9:29 AM
    #3
    Bart

    Bart Well-Known Member

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    Go to bass boat central online look at boats for sale if you want new there are several maker's in that price range nitro,procraft, G3.
     
  4. May 10, 2010 at 9:12 PM
    #4
    Firefighter160

    Firefighter160 Well-Known Member

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    Go with a Triton, you can't beat there dependability and they are made very well. Go check one out and compare it to others. Also stay away from Mercury 2 stroke motors, the Evinrude e-tec is probably the best you can get right now along with a yamaha 4 stroke...
     
  5. May 10, 2010 at 9:23 PM
    #5
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

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    I would stay away from 4 strokes. They seem to end up in the shop alot. Everyone I know that bought a 4 stroke, wishes they would have gotten the 2 stroke. Due to constant problems. I would give a few more years on the 4 strokes & the technology evolves.
     
  6. May 10, 2010 at 9:32 PM
    #6
    Firefighter160

    Firefighter160 Well-Known Member

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    4 strokes do require more maintenance and are heavier but are more efficient and a lot more quiet. Thats why I love the e-tec though, you get the weight, maintenance and speed of a 2 stroke but economy and quietness of a 4 stroke. We will probably soon see an end to all 2 stroke outboards because of the epa...
     
  7. May 10, 2010 at 9:34 PM
    #7
    ColtsTRD

    ColtsTRD Well-Known Member

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    Nitro FTMFW!
    [​IMG]
     
  8. May 11, 2010 at 9:01 AM
    #8
    aficianado

    aficianado Well-Known Member

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    bay area, california
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    back to bone stock.
    my brother has an older STRATOS. he bought it for 16k NEW! well, they ran it for some pictures for that year's catalog. best deal ever..he has run the crap out of it.

    now? prices are really up. the creature comforts are really out there. hydraulic steering for one..i would buy a used boat. they are all good. SKEETER, RANGER, TRITON, STRATOS, NITRO,...
     
  9. May 11, 2010 at 9:08 AM
    #9
    Bart

    Bart Well-Known Member

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    Yes four strokes do require more maintenance there good for heavy boat's. As for a bass boat you want a two stroke their lighter and alot of bass boat's wont carry the weight of a four stroke unless you down size the motor being the boat's rated for a 200hp at 505lbs you would have to give up your horse power for an equal weight four stroke say like a 150hp. And as far as mercury and evinrude go it's your own opion on who's better I love merc two stroke's and the Etec is just advertising Caugh!!! Bull Shit!!! They ran those test's on tv againts four strokes not two strokes get one head 2 head with and mercury optimax and see who's the winner.
     
  10. May 11, 2010 at 9:27 AM
    #10
    hendooman

    hendooman The Stroker Ace

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    You have a nice budget there to spend. If it was me, I would not buy a new boat. For that kind of money you can get a top of the line used boat. Boats are worse than cars and trucks when it comes to resell...used boats are so cheap right now, you can practically steal them.

    If I was going to buy new in that price range I would go G3, or Nitro. The casting decks on these new boats are so wide and stable it is like fishing on a Cadillac.
     
  11. May 11, 2010 at 2:45 PM
    #11
    Firefighter160

    Firefighter160 Well-Known Member

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    Im not sure about the brand new Mercurys but the older models had a big problem with the oil injection system, it would stop injecting oil and spray straight gas into the cylinder. After that the powerhead was usually toast. I have by-passed a few of the mercury oil injection systems along with the evinrude vro system and seen them last for years though, you just have to mix your own fuel.
     
  12. May 12, 2010 at 11:39 PM
    #12
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

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    My 91 Merc 175hp runs without any issues. I have had the boat for 6 years now.
     
  13. May 14, 2010 at 10:51 AM
    #13
    toy02ota

    toy02ota Local TW dissenter

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    I personally cant stand Nitro (rides like a sardine can in my experiences) The best fiberglass out there is Ranger without a doubt. Althought theyre all good. Don't over look bass cat. Those are some BA boats. I sold the fiberglass stratos I had. I have a bass tracker pro 175 alum now. It has a 50 Merc. It wont win any races but it fishes damn well. And Im not scared to take it back places the 21' Fiberglass boys wouldnt get close to. Not to mention i got it for 8 grand :D
     
  14. Mar 9, 2011 at 7:23 PM
    #14
    Gray Tacoma

    Gray Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Theres a lot of nice boats out there but I'll give another vote for Stratos,I bought this boat new in 97 its a 1774 Dual console and has a 150 Evinrude 2 stroke ,haven't had a minutes trouble other than a trim /tilt silinoid a 20 dollar part..And I fish it 3 to 4 days a week spring till the snow flies in Dec..
     
  15. Mar 10, 2011 at 5:16 AM
    #15
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

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    You don’t mix the oil & gas in big motors anymore. I think they went to the oil injection back in 1980. Bass boats have a 2 gallon or so tank where the oil goes & it gets mixed at the motor. My 83 Ranger has a 2 gallon oil tank & 2 14 gallon gas tanks.
     
  16. Mar 10, 2011 at 10:08 AM
    #16
    Gray Tacoma

    Gray Tacoma Well-Known Member

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    Yes all of the mid range and higher hp 2 stroke motors are oil injection.The oil is in a seperate tank ...
     
  17. Mar 14, 2011 at 5:29 PM
    #17
    paidfor

    paidfor Well-Known Member

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    I did a lot of research before buying my boat. What I found is that you have to consider what body of water you fish on and what you are fishing for. The boat will also depend on your tow vehicle.

    I ended up getting a used Bass Tracker that had been totaly rebuilt from the ground up (including trailer) and had all of the wood (except transom) replaced with alum. then carpeted. I got the alum. boat because I fish in brushy areas and pull the boat up on the bank where there are rocks quite often. For what I wanted, this was a good buy for me considering all of the factors I thought were important. I was not into the speed thing and did not want a glass boat because of what I tow with and where I fish...and how far I have to tow to the different lakes I go to. I never go to salt water in my boat so that was also a factor also.

    85tracker1.jpg
    85tracker2.jpg
    85tracker3.jpg
    85tracker4.jpg
     
  18. Mar 14, 2011 at 7:43 PM
    #18
    genxer36

    genxer36 Lord of Tomfoolery

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    Congrats on the purchase!

    Fyi theTacoma will tow a fiberglass bass boat fine with no issue.
     
  19. Mar 20, 2011 at 1:10 AM
    #19
    BowhunterTRD

    BowhunterTRD Member

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    Look into a Blazer...they're built in pensacola florida right down about 2 hours from me rode in 4 or 5 of them sweet ride and a 20 footer with a 250 will go 80+ MPH....those boats are sweet
     

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