Bass Boats

Question: Who makes good quality bass boats?

(Posted by: Brilliant on 2009-09-30 22:32:54)

I am looking around for a boat for bass and muskie. I am currently paying to go to college, so I can only spend about $3000 maximum. Most of the bass boats in that range are late 1980's early 1990's era boats. What are some good quality/ long lasting brands to watch for?

Posted by: Robby on 2009-09-30, 22:42:44

Bass Tracker is the way to go. Even on a "budget ", a fully loaded tracker is easy to find for $3,000. I bought my 18' 1993 Tracker for 4,000. I'll never get rid of it.

Posted by: jtexas on 2009-09-30, 22:53:54

Ranger Champion Skeeter Bullet Allison Kingfisher That vintage, I'd highly recommend looking for one with a johnny/ rude or merc. Parts support for other brands might not be adequate. Three dealbreakers: 1. bad compression on the motor; 2. soft transom; 3. no titles. Most everything else, IMHO, at the price range you're looking at, is negotiable. I know this due to my ownership of a 1980 boat. There's really not much that can break down on it that you can't fix yourself.

Posted by: luvBird on 2009-10-01, 01:38:23

I'd go with a bass tracker or a bass cat,both are close to the water making figures 8 for muskie much easier. you don't really want a deep V for this reason. i catch 70% of my muskie on figure 8 ,if you get a follow up thats 6 ft down and the front the boats 2ft out of the water you can't figure 8 deep enough. you want to keep your bait at the level the fish is at (catching you more fish). both boats are good for trolling, light weight boats blow around to much if its windy and you'll be spending more time keeping the boat where you want it, then fishing (you need a heavy boat).bass tracker would be the way to go with your price range. you can find a nice tracker for $2,500.late fall and early spring is the best times to go boat shopping, everybodys fishing right now so it might be hard to find one at the moment. i live in wisconsin so it might differ from where you live(down south or where ever).

Posted by: Artie on 2009-10-01, 08:23:12

I have fished from bass boats over thirty years Skeeter, Tracker and I have taken a Ranger into salt water every week of it's time I owned it. It has never swamped, filled with water or sunk. I can never thank Ranger enough for the quality of their product. I paid 3,000.00 for a fifteen year old single console 16.5 foot with a 75HP Merc and having caught over fifteen thousand dollars worth of halibut in it it paid for itself five times over. But there are a few out there now that are making a solid name for themselves: Triton, Stratos and Bass Cats are climbing to the top of ratings each year in fact Bass Cat was 2008's best by JD powers. I have been on the nicest bass boat ever and it was a champion and it had everything (except one) just right. The flaw with all dual and single console bass boats is they need a stainless hand rail built to fit that goes around the windshields top, just like the center console bay boats, because you always loose your balance and grab the closest highest place to stabilize and older bass boats all have cracked windshields. Get the motor checked out by a trusted and highly recommended mechanic (not one the owner suggests) before you buy anything.

Posted by: Josh on 2009-10-01, 09:05:59

What are your goals? I mean, you say you want to fish for bass and muskie, but how many people on the boat, what kind of stability, speed, etc. are you looking for? I tell you, you should check out the Twin Troller. You can literally stand on the side of this little boat and not get wet. It's extremely stable. Hands free foot pedals so you can concentrate on fishing. I don't own one, but I know people who do and they swear by them. Easier to transport and move around than a 'real boat' too and you have a variety of price options out there.

Posted by: Fisher_King on 2009-10-01, 22:57:50

B, Your in MN! Get an older Lund with a tiller 25-40HP kicker! 70's-80's aluminum Lunds are GREAT boats! They are inexpensive and leave you plenty of xtra money to buy Musky/ Pike lures, outfit's, terminal tackle, Etc . OK- Wait! Are you planning on fishing tournaments? If so, go with Artie's or JTex's suggestions. All of those boats are respectable. However, I doubt you will get a decent T boat within your price range- but you never know........ However, you've stated in the past you want to go after Pike/ Musky- a decent, (not great), Musky outfit will run you at least $200. Lures go anywhere from $8-$22 a piece. Decent Power Pro line- $30. Oars. Life-jackets. Tackle-box. Wet Weather Gear. Down-riggers................................. The point? It starts to add up REAL quick! Do you have $800 saved back for misc boat, tackle, outfit's Etc? Understand- No matter WHAT brand of boat you purchase- OLD boats need maintenance and will have issues, (period). Are you prepared to FIX that old 98 Ranger you got for "a song " when you find out it was a tourney boat and was "dogged " so bad the transom leaks? Are you prepared to fix a transom or patch a fiberglass hull? Do you have the TOOLS or knowledge to perform the task?????????????????????????????????????? The bigger the boat the bigger the truck you need to HAUL it- Do you have a V8 or bigger Truck? Most trailer's need immediate work the moment you purchase a used boat- Do you have some money set aside to purchase new bearings, wheels, tires, Buddy Bearings, Etc? In my opinion, as a first time boat owner & fisherman get a boat with the LEAST amount of "bells and whistles "! Get something straight forward and easily maintained- Something you and a friend can row back to shore if the motor goes on the fritz! (lol) Remember, the fish don't know what kind of boat your in. And when you pull up to the dock with your trophy fish no one will CARE what kind of boat your fishing out of. (But they WILL want to know what you caught him on! lol) Here are some examples of "solid ", first-time owner boats with no "bells & whistles "- 1. minneapolis.craigslist.org/ ank/ boa/ 1401536190.html 2. minneapolis.craigslist.org/ hnp/ boa/ 1401097604.html 3. minneapolis.craigslist.org/ hnp/ boa/ 1400465844.html 4. minneapolis.craigslist.org/ hnp/ boa/ 1400120809.html Ask yourself this- Would you rather have a smaller, nicer, NEWER, Jon-type boat with a tiller OR a "questionable " , older-model, brand name boat? If you had more than $3000 to spend I'd say go for the brand-name, steering column boat. But if your budget is only $3000 you need to purchase something reliable and easily managed.... I really do hope this help ya? Good luck.