Good starter fishing boat?

Boomhauer · Post by **Boomhauer** » Mon May 20, 2019 11:35 am

Finally wanted to get my own fishing boat and stop mooching off my friends. Was looking at this 1995 Nitro 180 TF. Thoughts?

https://sell-a-boat.com/boats/bass-boat ... -3268.html

th365thli · Post by **th365thli** » Mon May 20, 2019 12:51 pm

While Nitros nowadays seem like well built boats, earlier Nitros had a bit of a reputation. I would look for a used 300/400 series Ranger or an older Skeeter or Champion. Those 300 Rangers you can get for a decent price and they're well built boats assuming the owner wasn't a complete asshat.

MT · Post by MT » Mon May 20, 2019 4:04 pm

That motor is bulletproof but I'd be leary of everything else. I'd keep looking. Lots of boats out there. Good luck.

basshol · Post by **basshol** » Mon May 20, 2019 7:07 pm

I own a newer nitro. But would stay away of the early 90's boat.

JoeLanghans · Post by **JoeLanghans** » Mon May 20, 2019 8:32 pm

The older Nitros are bullet proof. My first boat was a 94 Nitro DC2000, no issues, solid hull. The new ones are cheaply made and very unfinished. I had a 2011 Nitro and had fiberglass and console issues Any boat that’s over 20 years old will have electrical issues. I’d buy this boat if I was new to boating and or bass fishing.

Lydia Pawlak · Post by **Lydia Pawlak** » Mon May 20, 2019 10:31 pm

With the way economy is today, You can get a one great used 2000's bass nicer than this for 10-12k. Look at several boats, and test drive and have a boat service guy, check the whole boat out for you before you buy.. I personally have ride'n in several bass boat types. Ranger is the smoothest cadillac ride. Handles rough water well. Skeeter: Good hole shot, and well laid out, but did not impress me that much. Triton/Bass Cat: now those a nice boats... Stratos too. Stratos are fast boats period! very comfortable seats and have a really nice instrument cluster in dash for gps/fishfinder. Champion, not impressed. Seems lacking in detail, and small footprint for deck layout, and rear deck for the co-angler. Speed: Alison Bass boats. Race boat with a trolling motor basically. Any Bass Cat retains it's value, and is probably the best value. I would go for a mid 2000's Stratos or Nitro. Mid 2000's Nitro, with a 150 2-stoke motor will flat out run fast. Prop is very important, and I would get a custom made prop, and the high performance Jack plate. These can be added later you get your boat down the line.. Most fishable layout, Stratos/Bass Cat...

jiggin4bass · Post by **jiggin4bass** » Mon May 20, 2019 10:53 pm

$12995.00 for a 95 nitro with a 115 Merc
That boats worth maybe tops $4000.00 and that's pushing it on the high side. There are ranger bassboats out there that are less money and newer than 95 if you know where too look. I just pick up a 1987 20' ranger with a 200 hp Merc with 2 graphs and motor guide trolling motor and tandum axle trailer and it runs well and I payed $2500.00 cash for it. Somebody always needs money and there always deals out there that how I found this ranger.

ash · Post by **ash** » Tue May 21, 2019 6:14 am

Check out my Basscat as an option for a good starting fishing boat.

bass-cat-pantera-classic-great-price-t121417.html

Nitros was designed as an economical entry point boat compare the two and you’ll see the difference.

Carol Knowles · Post by **Carol Knowles** » Mon Jun 17, 2019 12:48 pm

I don't know much about the specs but it sure is pretty lol

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 9:07 am

I look at boats and boat pricing every day. That one is way over priced unless that engine is very low hours. Pick a budget and how far you'll travel for one. Then look at any sales forum you can find. Here, BassBoatCentral.net, Traderonline.com just for starts. There's some guidelines listed on them too. Have a good idea of what you want and remember, you can always add accessories later. AND do not be afraid to walk away when its not in a condition that's acceptable. I"d try to stay in the 2000's so to avoid as much 'Wood" as you can. There's a lot of them out there.

Jeff C. · Post by **Jeff C.** » Tue Jun 18, 2019 12:52 pm

Mitch wrote: That one is way over priced unless that engine is very low hours.

Maybe you didn't notice but the engine is a 2015 model, so yes... very low hours.

Mitch · Post by **Mitch** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 11:07 am

Jeff C. wrote:
Mitch wrote: That one is way over priced unless that engine is very low hours.
Maybe you didn't notice but the engine is a 2015 model, so yes... very low hours.

It's still over 4 yrs old, so I'm talking low like under 50 hrs. so, Yea, but it's still overpriced !

WRB · Post by **WRB** » Wed Jun 19, 2019 3:38 pm

Ideally the boat is original owner, garaged with low engine hours under 300.
Be prepared to change the electronics, batteries, trolling motor, trailer tires, etc and factor them into your budget.
Most glass bass boats mfr's after 1995 are all glass without glassed over wood transum and stringers.
Aviod any boat that has been used in salt water or stored outside. Have the engine inspected with compression check and do your homework and test drive the boat
Good luck,
Tom