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Old 02-18-09, 02:49 PM   #1
Kpinckley14
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Question Who makes the best bass boat?

We are looking for a good fiberglass bass boat? We are looking at an 18 foot boat with either a 90 or 115 mercury optimax on the back. We are either looking at a triton or a nitro, but we are opened to new suggestions. We really do not want to spend more that 25 thousand. Any suggestions would help.
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Old 02-18-09, 03:14 PM   #2
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ohhhhhh why did you have to start this discussion..... im a champion man.... champions ride the best in rought water and are really nice boats.... you can get a 10 year old 20 foot boat in good condition for under 25 K.... friends just bought a 10 year old progator (little company in louisiana) that is 18 ft and been in the water like 10 times and look brand new for under 10k.... its got a 85 hp motor tho
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Old 02-18-09, 03:17 PM   #3
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Welcome Aboard,

Oh man, you are in for a debate by asking "who makes the best bass boat?"

imo- I would say that it would be the BASS CATS.

Myself personally, seeing that your looking for an 18 footer, I wouldn't want a motor any less than 150HP. 115 would be undersized imo.

Just to give you an example of how hot this topic is, the latest debate on "who makes the best bass boats" has been going on since July 5, of 2006. Anyways, I've always liked a good debate.


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Old 02-18-09, 03:55 PM   #4
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http://www.bassboatcentral.com/ go to this web site and you'll find plenty of good bass boats well within your price range.

The best bass boat--umm Ranger, no wait Champion, no no Triton, no Bass Cat, it might be be a Stratos. But then again what do I know I own a Dyna Trak.

PLease listen to Woody about the motor size. An underpowered boat can ruin a motor before it's time.
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Old 02-18-09, 05:33 PM   #5
Kpinckley14
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Default lets narrow down the debate

We are restricted to triton, nitro, ranger, stratos, procraft, and tracker. I have looked at ranger and although its a nice boat but for us it is to nice. The size is anywhere from a 16 to an 18.
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Old 02-18-09, 05:50 PM   #6
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ohhh .... well that aint going to stop the debate..... tritons are nice..... i guess
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Old 02-18-09, 05:51 PM   #7
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ohhh yeah im going with bcklash..... go to BBC (bassboatcentral) and ask... they are mainly bass boats.... ask... they will answer
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Old 02-18-09, 06:07 PM   #8
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i strongly agree that a 115 hp motor is way too small for a 18' boat, and a 90 would probably struggle to get it out of the hole. trust me you don't want a boat that is under powered, it would be a nightmare that you would regret forever. as for the brand everyone has their opinions and most will tell you whatever brand they own is the best. i own a ranger and my honest opinion is that bass cat makes the best boat out there. but do some research and test driving if you can and make your own decision.
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Old 02-18-09, 06:13 PM   #9
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150 or higher in hp. which boat??? yea, a can of worms opened here. but seeing that i am the owner of a rig no longer in prodution i would have to say that the rigs you posted i would have to go with either a ranger or a stratos. you didn't mention bas cats or phenix. those 2 are in a dead heat with me as for which one i would get if i had the cash. wouldn't go under a 150 hosses on da motor either, and wouldn't go under 80# thrust trolling motor either.
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Old 02-18-09, 07:33 PM   #10
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Now a glass 16 footer with a 115hp would do the trick.


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Old 02-18-09, 08:05 PM   #11
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with a $25k limit forget the rangers and tritons.. you could not GIVE me a nitro..and trackers are amist hull breakin issues..

my opinion go with a stratos 176tx get the 70 horse moter..

now in a tin boat either g3 or xpress get my nod..

in a glass boat
beeline is the snizzle and nothing ever comes close to the value..





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Old 03-05-09, 07:19 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by zooker View Post
in a glass boat
beeline is the snizzle and nothing ever comes close to the value..

zooker
Got to agree with Zooker. Checked out the 18' Bee (Phoenix) with the 150 Merc for less than $25K back in Jan. It's a sweet boat.
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Old 02-18-09, 08:10 PM   #13
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Your best bet is to look on the internet for a boat show. There should be plenty around this time of year and talk directly with retailers or manufacturers. That does not mean that you need to buy from them but pick their brains. One thing you need to consider is how many people are going to be in the boat? What is the boat's load capacity? This is something that is hardly never mentioned in advertisements on sites like Boattrader, Craigslist or eBay. Load capacity is broken down into two categories. Without motors and just people capacity. This is listed on the Coast Guard Label usually near the throttle handle. Are you going to use it specifically for fishing or are you going to use it to pull skiers or tubes? But for sure go to a boat show and ask questions. Will your tow vehicle pull this boat safely? Smaller vehicles would probably need trailer brakes and a transmission cooler. Bassboatcentral will give you plenty of questions to ask when looking. As for the best bass boat? You'll know it when you see it.
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Old 02-18-09, 08:39 PM   #14
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Triton or Stratos.
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Old 02-18-09, 09:05 PM   #15
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now zooker there you go bashing rangers again. they are one of if not the best fishing platforms out there, i think i even remember you saying that before as well. no they won't run with the beelines or bullets but in my opinion since you spend more time fishing than running i put fishability first. but if you go with a bass cat you get the great fishing platform with a great ride and very fast speeds.
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Old 02-18-09, 09:40 PM   #16
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Not sure, I've neaver had one. But I can say I've heard and read about good things about skeeter and bass tracker. BPS has a bass tracker for 8,000$ right now, not sure how big, but in the pic of it had Bill Dance and Johnny Morris fishing in it, so it's probably a 2 person boat, over 15 ft I can say for sure tho.
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Old 02-18-09, 09:50 PM   #17
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if you dont mind it not bein fiber glass, i would say get an express...i borrowed an express the other day to fish as a boater, and loved it....couldnt tell u if the livewell works or not though

i have liked EVERY skeeter that i ever fished out of...but they are real high dollar boats i think
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Old 02-19-09, 12:37 AM   #18
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Click image for larger version

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Try to beet this price on new boat
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Old 02-19-09, 12:41 AM   #19
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garry that is a nice ride right there pal.
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Old 02-19-09, 01:56 AM   #20
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Take a look at the Triton Explorer line too.
First though, where will you be fishing and what do you want the boat to do? There are a lot of boats in that size range, some will handle bigger water better than others, some will be faster. You might even be able to get into a BassCat Sabre for that price, it would fit your other spec well.
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Old 02-19-09, 02:03 AM   #21
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I would say go and see all your choices in person and get in them and walk around.
When doing so say to your self, can all my poles fit in this? Where can I put my gear?
If you looking at a 16ft boat make sure you can fit in the drivers seat! Mine is kinda tight for me(5'10"). Also remember you need to have life jackets on board and those take up space too. Hope this helps and yes get the bigger motor.

P.S.
I have the older 640 that is no longer made but would go with the Nitro X-5 with the biggest motor it can hold.
My brother has a Triton and both of our boats are good boats his is just bigger than mine and newer.
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Old 02-19-09, 08:16 AM   #22
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That Bee LIne boat looks awesome.
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Old 02-19-09, 11:08 AM   #23
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Zooker...thanks for slamming the Nitro's..I have a 2000 Savage w/200HP Merc. and it is an awesome ride..!

How come no-one has mentioned Allison..I think they make a really sweet looking boat..never been in one tho
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Old 02-19-09, 11:15 AM   #24
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Gambler, I own one in my dreams. LOL

Jerry (never hurts to dream)
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Old 02-19-09, 11:52 AM   #25
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Jasonfish, Probably cause lotsa folks don't see tha Allison as a "real" fishin' boat an like you, 90% of 'em have never been in one......... I have absolutly no problem fishin' outta one. They are different but quaility and resale are second ta none. But thats why there are so many choices out there.............T
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