Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

OK............BIG ISSUES...........

I just bought a boat, used, my ranger 482v.. i upgraded my TM to a 101lb minnkota. I got a hds8 for the helm and a lcx-26 for the box, both new. Serviced the whole motor and all electrical wiring in the boat. Installed hydrolic stearing.....

Now do I get a new motor, Mercury 175xs and jackplate or do i sell the boat as is running strong and buy a new boat and hopefully i will not want another one in 10 years???

so if i do not go with a new motor.. I am thinking between these 2 boats..

http://www.basscat.com/eyra.html
or
http://www.rangerboats.com/models.cfm?gid=29&mid=6012

Help guys Help!!! I got issues....... I can see myself pulling the plug on buying a new motor by next summer knowing me!!!

Thanks,
Steven

Expand your search but dont buy new. Much of the depreciation on a boat happens in the first few years. Look for a 'pro' boat from someone who has to turn them over each year and get a new one. If you time it right you can have the 'pro' order it in the colors and options you want and not have to deal with break in and initial set up hassles. Call bass boat dealers in your area to see if they have any pro staff boats they need to move so the pro can get their 2011 boat.

I am partial to BassCat but the paucity of dealers in the West makes it a challenge to preview the selections. Look on bassboatcentral and take as many trips to look at and/or test fish until you find the one that you will enjoy owning for the next 10 years. Usually you can finance 1 or 2 years old and get new boat rates if you are going that route.

Here's the ultimate

http://www.rangerboats.com/models.cfm?gid=40&mid=5996

The ultimate is the Bass Cat Jaguar, that said my next boat will be a Bass Cat, either a Cougar(nice one on the classifieds) or a PanteraP2. I have a Bass Cat now and I love it. I have ridden in most boats, never been in a Skeeter. I can tell you that most major companys make damn good boats. I willl not buy new again, so I will most likely look for the best deal. Id consider Bass Cat, Ranger, Nitro, Champion(choice number 2), Skeeter, and Triton. Triton has the best owners tournament in California.

Seriously though Id check out the Cougar in the Classifieds as it only has like 8 hrs or something and its fully loaded.

The advice that Grant gives is spot on.
I bought my Ranger 08 Z520 in 08 as a demo and saved more than $15K. The boat I came out of was an 03 Bass Cat Cougar with a Merc 250XB, a very fast boat! The two boats you are asking about are not in the same catagory, they are as different as they can be, not because they are different brands and each brand takes their own approach, but becasue within the brand the two boats don't compare.

The Ranger and Eyra are both new models for this year, the Ranger is a solid, no nosense machine that will last as long as you care to keep it. The Eyra is innovative for Bass Cat, narrow compared to the Ranger and flat out, a hot rod built to fly!

http://www.basscat.com/eyra.html
But I would go with Jag or Cougar

KITTY ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd answer the question with a YES. But, the term Ultimate is dependant on what you use your boat for. I would say my VIP Bay Stealth with its 115HP Yamaha Four-Stroke is perfect for what I do as a guide on our small lakes, and in the bays of San Diego. But, I would want a more modern, low profile, style bass boat for fishing a tournament on lakes like Mead, Havasu, or Clearlake. Something more like my Ranger Z20, or my old Nitro 929.

As said before; go with a demo (memo) boat. You will save big, and get one already broken in.

Good luck,
James

Call Scott Green at Marine Unlimited he has the hook up on deal boats. THey have a couple in the shop right now.

Get the Eyra with a 250 Pro XS

I have owned Rangers, Skeeters and Bass Cat, and I have rode in every bass boat make out there, and the Bass Cat that I have now is hands down the best boat I have ever had