Who is in the market for a new boat

Bud Kennedy · January 08, 2023, 03:15:25 PM

Haven't noticed anyone mentioning anything about getting a new boat during 2023. With the prices being where they are it makes one wonder if that even makes sense these days. Boats will last a very very long time and it seems like the better option may be to re power to a new motor to capture some warranty coverage. Everything else like trolling motors and electronics would be other logical upgrade opportunities since the technology changes that are coming hot and heavy may show significant advantages towards finding and catching fish. So, what are your plans?

BassmanRudy · January 08, 2023, 03:44:36 PM

If my previous retirement plans had worked I would have been buying this year. Falcon and Phoenix my most likely choice but would depend on options and deals. But now that decision has been punted to 2025 so just doing more research and hoping prices come down! By then live(whatever) may have changed/upgraded 10 more times lol.

Princeton_Man · January 08, 2023, 04:34:05 PM

My retirement boat plans are about 2 years away. Not sure if it'll be new or not. I'm not even sure what brand or composition anymore.

Mike the fox · January 08, 2023, 04:48:50 PM

I'm going to look at a new Lund next month. Not in love with the skeeter and wanting to get back into an aluminum boat. That being said I may have a 2011 skeeter zx200 for sale if anyone is in the market.

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topdsm0138 · January 08, 2023, 06:02:23 PM

Not in my plans, not for a LONG time. As I think I have the perfect setup for my style and waters. I can do my bass fishing, some light Saltwater and even if I feel like some duvk or hog hunting. Being a Utility V-hull, I can equip and modify it as I see fit and clean it a lot easier. As for being tiller, the controls are easy to use and handle. I think PolarKraft got the bench placement just right compared to my Tracker 1436, which sits too far forward. The PK Dakota is a perfect match for me.

Sent from undisclosed location. -Tiller Mafia

apenland01 · January 08, 2023, 08:36:18 PM

I bought an older Ranger because I wanted build quality in the hull and it made sense to spend a few bucks to bring it into the modern times and get a new trailer. I won't need another boat and my kid will inherit this one. I'm sure I'll have to repower in the future, but hopefully supply will be plentiful and prices reasonable.

That said, a new repower at $22,000 rigged is still a hell of a lot cheaper than a new rig. Also, better for me to dance with the devil I know, than the devil I don't....

coldfront · January 09, 2023, 08:01:27 AM

Bud, you talked me into this a little over a year ago... so nothing in the works...

Bud Kennedy · January 09, 2023, 08:17:03 AM

Quote from: coldfront on January 09, 2023, 08:01:27 AM
Bud, you talked me into this a little over a year ago... so nothing in the works...

How is that Vexus working out for you. What would you change or do differently?

coldfront · January 09, 2023, 09:56:54 AM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on January 09, 2023, 08:17:03 AM
Quote from: coldfront on January 09, 2023, 08:01:27 AM
Bud, you talked me into this a little over a year ago... so nothing in the works...

How is that Vexus working out for you. What would you change or do differently?

not a thing bud. and for what it's worth: thanks for the gentle nudge.
now, here's the reality: I spent a LOT of money on a 'little aluminum boat'. 18ft 9 inches. all the upgrades I could think about (with exception of powerpoles). know lots of folks who'd suggest I could have gotten 'a lot more boat' in a fiberglass, used model. NOT for what I do; what I want to do.

the 12" Helix screens front/back are tremendous for eyes that grow older each year. and the mega 360 up front really helps me understand geometric lay out of underwater targets. in some of my use this summer, the ability to find and target those sunken trees on the river ledges and as I later found, the spiny naiad clumps... brought a lot of fun into the day in terms of ID and catch.

the updgraded 112 lb ULTREX is phenomenal in the TN river current. the old boat, I could work on flows (cfs) of up to 60,000... above that, I just couldn't make it work. this 112 has worked flawlessly in up to 85,000 cfs (and that, my friend is rippin')

and of course moving up from a 75hp to the 115hp has been a lot of fun. the atlas hydraulic jackplate is great as well. it doesn't do much for me in terms of speed/top end... but I love it for how it helps me move in/out of the skinny water with a lot less disturbance.

the 'new boat' is currently out of service (operator error) but should be back in it before March. so these past few weeks have been back in the Ranger RT178. using the 80lb foretrex. no spot lock. man is that tedious and a struggle. the ability, in current, to hit spot lock and hold is just about priceless...all aluminum, no wood. great storage. goes faster (typically cruise at 40-45 mph) and of course: IT FITS INSIDE MY GARAGE... a truly under appreciated aspect of equipment maintenance and trouble-free longevity.

Bud Kennedy · January 10, 2023, 06:59:53 AM

CF, I must have missed that you had an operator error situation that caused your Vexus to be out of commission. Would you like to enter the UB Confessional and tell us what happened?

coldfront · January 10, 2023, 08:13:37 AM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on January 10, 2023, 06:59:53 AM
CF, I must have missed that you had an operator error situation that caused your Vexus to be out of commission. Would you like to enter the UB Confessional and tell us what happened?

42mph, very low light conditions, middle of a rain squall... one of those big green navigational cans ...

they don't move as much as you'd think.

Bud Kennedy · January 10, 2023, 08:33:30 AM

WOW, that sounds nasty. What kind of damage do you have?

coldfront · January 10, 2023, 09:22:27 AM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on January 10, 2023, 08:33:30 AM
WOW, that sounds nasty. What kind of damage do you have?

getting a new hull. plus replacing the bow ultrex, mega 360 and helix 12 inch unit.

a momentary lapse of vision, focus... and a big bite outta the back pocket.

BassmanRudy · January 10, 2023, 09:33:16 AM

Holy batman dolls!! Glad you are Ok CF!

Princeton_Man · January 10, 2023, 10:09:18 AM

Quote from: coldfront on January 10, 2023, 08:13:37 AM
Quote from: Bud Kennedy on January 10, 2023, 06:59:53 AM
CF, I must have missed that you had an operator error situation that caused your Vexus to be out of commission. Would you like to enter the UB Confessional and tell us what happened?
42mph, very low light conditions, middle of a rain squall... one of those big green navigational cans ...

they don't move as much as you'd think.

Ouch! One of our members had that happen during one of our Guntersville rallies with about the same results.

Capt. BassinLou · January 10, 2023, 10:23:51 AM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on January 10, 2023, 10:09:18 AM
Quote from: coldfront on January 10, 2023, 08:13:37 AM
Quote from: Bud Kennedy on January 10, 2023, 06:59:53 AM
CF, I must have missed that you had an operator error situation that caused your Vexus to be out of commission. Would you like to enter the UB Confessional and tell us what happened?
42mph, very low light conditions, middle of a rain squall... one of those big green navigational cans ...

they don't move as much as you'd think.

Ouch! One of our members had that happen during one of our Guntersville rallies with about the same results.

Yes they did. I remember that.

Capt. BassinLou · January 10, 2023, 10:24:12 AM

Quote from: coldfront on January 10, 2023, 08:13:37 AM
Quote from: Bud Kennedy on January 10, 2023, 06:59:53 AM
CF, I must have missed that you had an operator error situation that caused your Vexus to be out of commission. Would you like to enter the UB Confessional and tell us what happened?
42mph, very low light conditions, middle of a rain squall... one of those big green navigational cans ...

they don't move as much as you'd think.

Damn! Fortunately you are ok.

coldfront · January 10, 2023, 10:39:54 AM

Damn! Fortunately you are ok.

just a big BANG!... shut it down. boat wasn't taking on water. about 100 yards to the dock. put the boat on the trailer... and will take it to dealer here in about 3-4 weeks.*actually, just got the call. the new hull is in today. so will drive the boat over saturday to the dealer (Clarks Marine, Franklin TN: really enjoy these folks and can't say enough about VEXUS either)

good news is it hit, slid off to side... and didn't go under the boat. stories I've heard say that some folks have lost entire outboards in similar situations.

this will NOT happen again.

Bud Kennedy · January 10, 2023, 10:55:32 AM

Now that we know you are ok there is only one more thing to say.

https://youtu.be/4yxGxTVw1dE

coldfront · January 10, 2023, 04:53:17 PM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on January 10, 2023, 10:55:32 AM
Now that we know you are ok there is only one more thing to say.

https://youtu.be/4yxGxTVw1dE

of course I'm okay Bud. God looks after fools and idiots.

Donald Garner · January 10, 2023, 05:32:59 PM

CF,
Glad to hear that you're in one piece etc. Wow, don't they have lights on those floating channel markers during low light visibility conditions?

Kal-Kevin · January 10, 2023, 05:37:33 PM

My third and most likely last bass boat is a 1990 tracker with a 75 hp Mercury on the back, it's not a fast boat but she suits me well. I'm not a lover of fiber glass and where I fish fiber glass in not the right boat to run. So no new boat in my future, unless I put this one over a guild rail like the last one.

coldfront · January 10, 2023, 08:23:36 PM

Quote from: Donald Garner on January 10, 2023, 05:32:59 PM
don't they have lights on those floating channel markers during low light visibility conditions?

nope. no lights. or at least none that work. but running into those things isn't a problem for the barges...

Donald Garner · January 11, 2023, 10:44:29 AM

Quote from: coldfront on January 10, 2023, 08:23:36 PM
nope. no lights. or at least none that work. but running into those things isn't a problem for the barges...

I remember back in the day while stationed at Ft. Knox, KY I used to fish the Ohio River a lot. For sure those big barges didn't miss much while running the river.

Dark3 · January 13, 2023, 08:11:09 AM

Boats are very expensive right now. I am fortunate enough to have a Lund Predator side console (utility boat style mod V) in production in a 2070 with a 150. Ordered back in October I think, hoping it will be here in the next month or 2 so I can get it situated with electronics and use it before I head back out on another deployment early summer. Thinking just one console mounted graph like a 9 size, and a GPS 24v trolling motor for now. Still havent taken much time to dial in what brand or model I am going to do for each yet. I wanted an aluminum boat in this class to have something that I wouldn't mind brushing against and over cover with, and would be a bit less maintenance.

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