What rig do you recommend Help!

[CW2 Tucker]

I am on the market for a bass boat less than 25K that can provide me with years of use. What do you recommend? I am really looking at the Nitro 482 AKA Nitro Z-6 for O 8. I need something under 18ft and a 115 HP motor is fine. I am military so I have to be able to store it easily. Thanks for the help.

Fish ON!!!

[201Pro]

From your post, I get the impression that you're talking new boat ....

You should ask why new ... say for instance you buy a 2 year old boat, you might save 30% on the price of the boat. A 2-year old boat is probably as good as new and can give you years of service and will function as well as if you bought a new boat .... that's assuming of course that the previous owner took decent care of the boat during his/her ownership.

For your reference, take a look at the Stratos ... if you get the 285, it probably can be had new for the price you mentioned. The Nitros are ok, but there are probably better boats out there like Champion, tritions, Rangers, etc ... I'm a little biased towards Stratos as I just bought my '05 a few months ago!!

[CW2 Tucker]

I can’t tell you why I want new. I don’t really have a reason except that the boats I have looked at were all about the same price new or a couple of years old. Also financing is a little better on a new boat. I think I just want something new. I have only owned 1 new truck in my life so I kind of want to spoil myself.

That Stratos 185 is NICE but, I don’t think I can fit it in my garage. The width is fine but the length, I only have 22 feet. The motor is a concern with the length. Thanks for the help!

Fish ON!!!

[tunaman]

Need to figure out what you plan to use it for, and where... if you're planning on serious tournament fishing, that would lead you in one direction. If you're just planning to fish for pleasure, that could lead you down a completely different path.

If it's the latter, I'd suggest checking out the Tracker line, particularly the PT 175... I had one before buying my Z20 and I loved it. There are many in use, so should have plenty of opinions regarding their value. Also could check out the slightly-larger 185, which is rated for the bigger motor and should still fit within your constraints.

You should seriously look at private-party used also, recent vintage (2 years old or less) as you should be able to find some really good deals on tournament boats.

Too bad about your timing - Ray Layerly and his partner were selling their Legend certificate for somewhere near your price range... that would have been a sweet deal. You may want to watch for the various TOC winners and see what comes on the market on their behalf?

Good luck!
Roger

[CW2 Tucker]

I own a 2002 Tracker TX 175. It is a nice boat; I just wanted a little more performance and comfort. I am a avid angler and the tournament idea is becoming very enticing. My constraints are money and size. I move about every 4 years if I am lucky to stay that long. So I have to be able to put this boat alot of diferent storage places.

Fish ON!!!

[Fishingislife]

My dad has a 1999 Champion 187 with a 175 merc EFI that is in near perfect condition. Brand new carpeting, new upholstery, and gelcoat couln't be in better condition. The trailer has a removable tounge that takes the total length from the back of motor to front of trailer down to 21 foot with the motor trimmed down. He is willing to sell for 13K. We are located in San Diego. Email me if you are interested: Fishingislife3@aol.com

[CW2 Tucker]

So I took some advice for once and looked for used boats. Found a 2006 Nitro 482 DC with 9 hours on it! Out the door for 17K, just what I was looking for. Now I have a real problem, I have 2 boats! I know it was a hair brain thing to do but I could not pass up the deal. I need to sell my 2002 Tracker 175TX. It is on the classifieds. I am not looking for a profit; I just want to break even or close to it. The boat appraises at 9,995 and I need about 1,500 under that. If anyone knows anyone looking for a clean and maintained boat please let them know I need to sell! Thanks for any help you can give me.

Fish ON!!!

[Jeff Jewell]

John,
I get my boat in the garage with a swing-away tongue. Skeeter 190, my garage is 22ft also....
Jeff

[CW2 Tucker]

The new boat, Nitro 482 fits in my garage great. But with 2 boats in the garage the wife’s car does not. The wife says "what are you going to do with 2 boats?â€