Nitro Usage

[muyman22]

I am moving to Savannah GA and looking for a new boat.  Does a nitro suit me for fishing the ICW'S and rivers in saltwater for reds, and then be able to send to Lanier, Clark or Okachobee for tourney fishing for largemouths in freshwater?  Are there specific models to look for, or can I use a 16 or 17 footer with laminate flooring instead of carpet? 
I want to try to stay with the "bass boat" look and not gear towards the skiffs, but if I have to I will
Price range is 20,000 or lower, and I would like an outboard to get me to at least 30 or 35 mph

Thanks

[2007Nitro]

Iam not sure if this will help or not but my dad fishes IFA redfish tour all through out florida and he has a Sterling Flats boat, great for innercoastal and flats fishing, I personally would love to have one but i just bought a new nitro z-6


http://www.americanmarinesports.com/ams_Sterling.html

[Dan929CDX]

I live in Charleston SC and I take or had been taking my 929 into the saltwater to chase reds but I don't think I will be anymore. You never think of all the cleaning up you have to do to the boat after you use it in saltwater everything gets salt on it i mean everything. Normally I fish on the cooper river and there is a saltwater ramp on the right side on the street and a freshwater ramp on the right side so when I'm done i just launch the boat in the fresh water side and to rinse the trailer and also to flush the motor. Something else to keep in mind is that you will void you trailer warranty by putting it in the saltwater or at least in 01 you would. Its not just the boat that takes a beating all your gear too. the 898 seems to be a boat that they push as a cross over boat but with all nitro's once you get the right motor on them you are a couple thousand from the next size with a smaller motor. I know that ranger does make a cross over boat in a 19 and 18 foot models that is one of their VX boats with saltmater wiring harnesses, I think there is a used on in the boats for sell section. Don't get me wrong i love to chase them reds and if you plan on having your boat a long time you need to be really carefull and not do what I seem to always do and say ill clean the boat tomorrow and tomorrow turns into a week later. I think as long as you always leave with plenty of time to clean up in the evenings after a day of fishing you should be fine. I would just look and make sure that you dont void any warrenties. 

[muyman22]

Thanks for the info!  Still undecided, but most people are telling me to get a center console or flat bottom skiff.  I want a bass boat though that I can take into backwaters and yet travel to lakes a couple hours away.  Right now I have an Alumacraft 175 CS Magnum with a 90 hp E-Tec all new in 05.  Great set up, and I love the boat, but the carpet and electronics will hate the salt.  I'll keep looking, but Ranger seems to have a few good looking ideas!

[Dan929CDX]

I checked the ranger 196 VX that is for sell on this site and it is a 2000 with a 200 merc for 12000. Its in the boats for sell section.

[muyman22]

Thanks I'll check it out!