Ok, what boat to buy

riceman · Post by **riceman** » Mon Dec 11, 2023 8:03 am

Recently retired and have the ok to get into a newer or new boat within a year so I'm looking for experiences and opinions on the different makes and models. Sticking with Ranger, Nitro, Phoenix, Bass Cat and perhaps Skeeter. I have dealers relatively close for those, not sure on Bass Cat. 20 ft. boat. Thanks in advance for any help.

WRB · Post by **WRB** » Mon Dec 11, 2023 9:33 am

Add Caymas (Earl Benz) CX and Vexus (Original Ranger owners) Vx bass boats to your list.
Tom

jiggin4bass · Post by **jiggin4bass** » Mon Dec 11, 2023 10:33 am

Look in the New boat And trailer classifieds
KMah
Selling a New 2023 Bass Cat Cougar looks like a good deal first listing on the page. You might save some money there.

riceman · Post by **riceman** » Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:33 pm

Thanks J4B and WRB. One other thing was a budget of around 75K so could go new Nitro or nice used other. Thoughts? There seems to be a lot of pro and con with Nitro, not so much with the others.

Popper · Post by **Popper** » Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:36 pm

riceman wrote: ↑Mon Dec 11, 2023 8:03 am Recently retired and have the ok to get into a newer or new boat within a year so I'm looking for experiences and opinions on the different makes and models. Sticking with Ranger, Nitro, Phoenix, Bass Cat and perhaps Skeeter. I have dealers relatively close for those, not sure on Bass Cat. 20 ft. boat. Thanks in advance for any help.

Are you looking to fish recreationally in retirement, compete in tournaments or both?
This answer will define the rig and amount of equipment which range from $30k-$40k (used) to over $120k (New) for a retirement boat.
Prepare yourself for sticker shock especially with electronics and associated gadgets.

All brands listed above are great today along with Vexus, but I'd personally would never consider owning Nitro even if it's just recreational. (IMHO)

-Congrats on Retirement!

WRB · Post by **WRB** » Mon Dec 11, 2023 5:43 pm

Buying a used or pre owned bass boat is risky in regards to who owned the boat, how it was stored and maintained. Pre owned boat that was garaged and well cared for is ideal and saves a lot on money, but hard to find.
I suggest starting with Rick Glover owner of Anglers Marine. Rick is a good source and honest.
Tom

monte300 · Post by **monte300** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 12:41 pm

I have a 19’ 2000 Triton and I love it. If I were to buy now it would be between Bass Cat with a Mercury or Skeeter with a Yamaha. All the boats you mention are quality.

dvkawboy · Post by **dvkawboy** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 2:32 pm

I agree with monte300

riceman · Post by **riceman** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 10:08 pm

Popper, mostly recreation but hopefully get into a club then who knows.

Monte what do you like about the Bass Cats and Skeeter?

Anybody have experience with Phoenix, seems like the 721 Pro is reasonably priced.

clum553946 · Post by **clum553946** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 10:37 pm

riceman wrote: ↑Mon Dec 11, 2023 8:03 am Recently retired and have the ok to get into a newer or new boat within a year so I'm looking for experiences and opinions on the different makes and models. Sticking with Ranger, Nitro, Phoenix, Bass Cat and perhaps Skeeter. I have dealers relatively close for those, not sure on Bass Cat. 20 ft. boat. Thanks in advance for any help.

I think all of the boats you mentioned are good boats. It could come down to the layout, electronics, motor, troller, & overall aesthetics that you prefer as you are the one who has to live with it. Shop around & see which boat strikes your fancy, it’s out there, good luck, & congratulations when you find your boat!

BOOTH GUY · Post by **BOOTH GUY** » Wed Dec 13, 2023 7:33 am

I know the boat and Cesar the guy selling it. Both are great. I will testify to all he has said about the boat.
2021-phoenix-921-pro-78k-t144313.html

BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER · Wed Dec 13, 2023 9:08 am

all the brands you mention are good choices. None are perfect, there's always a give and take depending on what your priorities are.

I recently picked up a Phoenix 721... great boat, good quality, fast and excellent rough water ride. It's not a wide body design and doesn't have all of the fancy bells and whistles of some of their other models but has the same build quality. It's commonly referred too as the "best value" in a 21' boat. I really like Ranger 519 for fishing tight but a 519 with 225 is priced about the same as a Phoenix 721 with a 250 and the 721 is much better in rough water...give and take. Ranger 520 is another very popular rig and is incredibly stable. Ranger has always been the best fishing platform, not known for being the fastest or the best in rough water. Bass Cat has excellent quality and customer service plus the best trailers in the industry; some of their non traditional designs and layouts don't appeal to me (personal preference) even though I really wanted to like BassCat. Nitro are decent, known for value pricing.

monte300 · Post by **monte300** » Wed Dec 13, 2023 3:05 pm

riceman wrote: ↑Tue Dec 12, 2023 10:08 pm Popper, mostly recreation but hopefully get into a club then who knows.

Monte what do you like about the Bass Cats and Skeeter?

Anybody have experience with Phoenix, seems like the 721 Pro is reasonably priced.

I like the Bass Cat because the hull is second to none, simply put a tank that rides well. I also like the look of the BC. The biggest decision I would have is go with the shallow hull or deep hull? The step up to the front deck on the deep hull versions doesn’t look real old timer friendly.

with all that said I’ve never actually been in a BC. I don’t drive boats real hard in rough water, but I’ve been told you’re hard pressed to bust up a BC hull.

I had the opportunity to fish once with Ish Monroe in his 21’ Skeeter and I loved the ride and the layout of the boat.

I’m a pretty big fan Earl Bentz boats and have never been in a Caymas. Someone once told me the quality of my Triton hull from year 2000 is second only to Bass Cat. That same guy told me the hull on the current Triton’s doesn’t compare. It’s one man’s opinion and maybe he was just telling me what I want to hear?

SO many nice boats out there like Ranger, Phoenix, Venus, etc……

WCBasser · Post by **WCBasser** » Thu Dec 14, 2023 11:49 am

I agree that all of the boats you've listed are quality hulls. Your experience will be heavily influenced by the accessories you choose: trolling motor, electronics brand/screen size/features/networking, batteries (AGM vs. lithium), charger, etc. Be sure you like the layout of the hull you choose, then spend the same energy choosing the accessories and you'll enjoy the result.

Backlash Black Belt · Post by **Backlash Black Belt** » Fri Dec 15, 2023 5:26 am

congrats to retirement!! and further congratulations for retiring WELL, and marrying AWESOME.

well done!! I'm trying to retire well enough to buy a sprinter van...the math isn't jiving all that well. haha.

riceman · Post by **riceman** » Fri Dec 15, 2023 8:48 pm

Thanks for all the feedback. I am amazed at the price of new boats. Are there any real deals during the International Sportsmans' Expo show at Cal Expo in January? Seems like getting a quality used boat with warranty might be the best way to go.

monte300 · Post by **monte300** » Fri Dec 15, 2023 9:53 pm

riceman wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 8:48 pm Thanks for all the feedback. I am amazed at the price of new boats. Are there any real deals during the International Sportsmans' Expo show at Cal Expo in January? Seems like getting a quality used boat with warranty might be the best way to go.

If I were to buy a used boat I’d pay Boatmasters in Livermore or some other reputable boat repair place you know of to check it out from top to bottom. They can check out the hull, look into the cylinders of the outboard and determine how many hours are on the engine. The good news is I don’t think used boat prices are as inflated now as much as they were a couple years ago. Good luck!

BIG DADDY BLUE RANGER · Sun Dec 17, 2023 6:18 am

riceman wrote: ↑Fri Dec 15, 2023 8:48 pm Seems like getting a quality used boat with warranty might be the best way to go.

Yes it is. The downside to buying used is most manufacturers reduce lifetime hull warranties down to 10 years to the second buyer (usually not an issue but you never know) and if you're fishing pro events many only offer the big contingencies to original owners (doesn't sound like the latter will apply to you). Motor warranties are still good to the second buyer... usually Merc's have 3 years Platinum (with option to extend) plus 2 more years Gold coverage (you cannot extend after the Platinum expires). Another good option to save $5-10k is buying a tournament prize boat or a tournament prize certificate boat (make sure it's transferable and upgradable) from a pro, that way you can still register it as the original owner for warranty. You might want to also consider an older hull which has been repowered with a newer 4 Stroke and is still under warranty... a number of those out there too