Help buying bass boat

[Tylermsawmiller]

Hello everyone. Thought I'd ask for opinions on buying a bass boat. I mainly fish smaller lakes, rarely would use the motor, except to get to a destination 5-10 minutes away. I want the boat to have a nice front deck for two people, but I also don't want the boat to be 21ft. I want it to be fiberglass for the added stability, and I want it to trailer easy and be able to handle some chop. Is there an 18 ft, or even 17 ft fiberglass bass boat that would fit these needs? Should I look at Stratos, triton, nitro, ranger, etc?

[Donald Garner]

Tyler,

First welcome to UltimateBass we're glad you're here

Now then Stratos, Ranger, Triton, Skeeter and Nitro and a couple others out there all make a 17 - 18ft glass boat.  They usually come rigged with outboard motors from 115 - 150.  All of them have different "Front Deck Widths" but are basicly laid out the same.  They'll have 2 rod boxes and more than likely a large storage or possibly 2 small storage compartments up front.
If you have the opportunity go to a local Bass Pro Shop to check out the Nitro boats.  Cabela's sells Rangers and Stratos boats. 
You're going to have to physically get up on one and have another person get up there with you so you'll see how much room you'll have.  I have a 2004 Stratos 285 Pro XL with a Yamaha 150 its listed at 18.5ft long.   Its plenty long enough to fish from but the front deck is a little crowded with you get 2 guys that are 6'4 and 250 (+) trying to pitch and flip with 7ft rods.

Good luck finding that right boat.  Let us know what you decide and if we can be of anymore help just drop a line.

Don   

[jonboy]

A 21 ft boat is a big boat, I fished an 18 ft in tournaments for years and never had any issues. I now have a 20 ft and love it but sometimes miss the convenience of the 18 ft. With that being said they both have advantages over the other. The bigger boat will take rough water better and will be a better fishing platform but it will be more expensive to maintain and operate where the 18 ft will take less water and will handle the rough water just not as comfortably. as far as brands are concerned, That all depends on who you ask. Everybody has their own preference kinda like ford and chevy. Just look around and find the one you like best. One thing I always consider when buying is what the resale will be when I try to sell it. That will usually give you an idea of the quality also.

[Tylermsawmiller]

Thanks for the help. I think I need to get to a couple different dealers and start going through storage and layout designs of different boats, then research the ones I like about how well they handle water and what different users have to say about it.

[Deadeye]

Yep there are hundreds of answers, and all of them are correct for that person. Best bet would be to #1 go to a boat show where you can see several brands and compare. #2 look at every manufacture's website and find the style of layout you think you would like. #3 Go to dealers and look at each model you think you might like.

I have been looking for several years and have narrowed it down to one boat that I like the best. But that's the one for me and might not be the one for you. Also you may wish to look at some of the newer Aluminum Boats that now offer wider beams and bigger front decks.

Good luck and have fun.

[JrFreak]

I'm also looking to buy a bass boat. I only want to spend 3-4k. Any recommendations? Would be mostly for an under 20hp lake, but would like to be able to hit larger lakes.

Flat bottom or semi V? I'm guessing the V would be better for choppy water but at a higher cost.

[BassCatBates]

Several brands make 17 footers these days.  Bass Cat introduced the Margay 2 years ago and it's a neat little boat that you can get nicely equipped for around 25,000.  Bigger isn't necessarily better in a boat.  It's all about how the boat fits you.  I currently have 19 footer and I'm looking to go down to an 18 footer.  I fish 6-10 tournaments a year and some on pretty big water but I love to fish shallow and get into backwater areas that honestly, 20-21 foot boats have a hard time doing... again, personal preference.

[Polaris425]

Check out the Sabre. Go for the FTD version for the larger front deck. Very stable, great ride, get it with the 4 stroke & save on fuel. Big enough, but not so big you can't get it Into tight places in the backs of creeks.

[BassCatBates]

I agree Polaris.  The Sabre is in my opinion the perfect bass boat.  I'm trying to work out the logistics to by Fly's from him right now.  Don't know yet if it's going to happen but I'm hoping like heck it does.  If so I'll have a 1997 Pantera Classic for sale at a REALLY good price.

[Polaris425]

Flys boat is sick. Anyone who gets it will have a really nice boat on their hands.

[bluebonnet2]

good evening,

www.chargerboats.com.....j and j marine in alba, TEXAS....tell jesse hello...

here's mine...........2014..181, 2014 merc 150, 4 stroke...61 on the gps....

at the factory ready for final rigging....jesse has a 181, white and blue, merc pro xs 150 IN STOCK....go for a ride...good luck in your search and best wishes,.....

good luck,
PURA VIDA,
bluebonnet2

[clarker2000]

Nice ride

[Polaris425]

Tyler did you ever narrow down one you liked?