Best Beginner Bass Boat

David Lengyel · Post by **David Lengyel** » Wed Apr 02, 2003 9:43 pm

Gentlemen:

I will be soon in the market for a tournament ready boat. Now I have done my research, and it appears that I should start out with an 18 ft. boat. I figure this because I have seen they have a higher resale value then the 16 footers. Now I have never driven a Bass Boat consistently, and I definitely dont want a boat that will be uncontrollable when I first start out.

So I was just wondering what some other people started out with? Engine size, Lengeth, and Maker.

BASSGUIDEPA · Post by **BASSGUIDEPA** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 3:04 am

Very good question. My 1st bass boat was a 15 ft Roughneck w/ a 30 hp motor. After 1 year, I got an 18 ft Stratos 284DC W/ A 150hp Johnson. I was very pleased with that boat--I had it for 8 yrs. Now I have a Triton TR-20 w/ a 225hp Mercury-- the boat is fully loaded with the top of the line products. I f you are going to spend some $$(which you will) just make sure that it is the boat that you really want. Spend that extra $ to get what you want in a boat. Happy boat hunting.........

lkgfisherman · Post by **lkgfisherman** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 3:08 am

Well my first bass boat was a Bass Tracker Pro Team 175. Great boat and good price. If you want fiberglass then i have the boat. I've got a 03' Skeeter TZX 190 with a 175 HPDI Yamaha and it is for sale but wont be able to purchase until December or late November when i order new one. Its a great boat and a great ride. I welcome you to come down for a test ride anytime. Handle great and this is the first bass boat i drove with hydro. steering and i love it.
J.T.

Roger Spaulding · Post by **Roger Spaulding** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 2:25 pm

Lunker Dave - I started out with a Bass Tracker Tournament V 17 with a 45 hp Mariner. It was a very good starter boat for me, as I had it almost 10 years. I could put that boat in almost anywhere I wanted and it was lite enough to man handle if I needed to (crooked on the trailor for example). And I didn't have to have a full size truck to tow this boat. This boat taught me how to drive a boat, load on the trailor, maintenance, and towing a boat at very little expense. I have seen to many guys jump in and spend 30-40 thousand on their first boat and not know how to operate it. A mistake with the expensive rig is a major ordeal, a mistake with my first boat was no big deal. My suggestion is to know how to operate, maintain, and tow a boat before you jump in to deep.

Last year I finally made the step up to a Stratos 201. I love my boat and wouldn't go back to the Tracker for anything. But I think I appreicate the Stratos much more because to the Tracker. If your not used to driving a boat with 150 hp or greater, I would suggest a HotFoot. This allows you to have both hands on the steering wheel as you learn to drive. Good Luck!!

Roger Spaulding

David Lengyel · Post by **David Lengyel** » Thu Apr 03, 2003 5:45 pm

Thank you gentlemen for your great advise so far. I have been kicking around this idea now for some time (as most people who know me will know) and I am very close to buying one. My student loans will be paid off in a couple of months so I will have some free money to spend on a boat. I just needed a little more input from people who have had experience driving/fishing out of this style of boat.

How do you pros feel about Bass Cat boats? I was starting to steer twords the Pantera Classic for its price and features. Also the Cosmetics look great. One thing I have learned is that one Bass Boat is flashier then the one that came before it.

dansfishntales · Post by **dansfishntales** » Thu Apr 10, 2003 6:33 am

I know the people at the Bass Cat factory, and they make a very good boat. Another good rig made in the same area of Arkansas is the Cobra. Of course, just down the road is the Ranger factory, and this is what I have.

My boat is a 362 Ranger, which is in the 18 feet range. The rep has tried to get me to upgrade to the 400 or 500 series, but I've always like the 300 series, especially this model.

Although it is not always possible, if you had the chance, I would suggest taking a trip to the Bass Cat factory and taking a tour. As I said above, there are several bass boats manufactured in the Mountain Home/Bull Shoals/Flippin, Arkansas area, and you could take a look at all of them, and how they are built. It is a very fasinating process to see, and a lot can be learned. Not only that, but taking a trip to that area you can have some great fishing in the legendary Bull Shoals Lake.

While I live in Illinois, I consider Bull Shoals my second home, as this is a major part of where my career in the fishing/outdoor media industry started, and I hope to live there some day.

The top Bass Cat dealership is also in that area, and Steve Eastwold is one of the best riggers around the country. He is located at the Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock area.

If you have any other questions about any of these, and wish to drop me an email, feel free to do so, and I'll try to answer you questions.

Good luck with your boat search.
Dan

6.54BASS · Post by **6.54BASS** » Fri Apr 11, 2003 3:12 am

Dave, Might I make a suggestion? Take a look at the Tracker Tournament V-18, it is a big enough boat for starters, and can be powered up to give some pretty impressive performance and still come in at good price. Of course I have to tout the Tracker name, but I do believe in the product. Not to mention the boat is Aluminum and very forgiving when learning the trailering aspect and running around stumps, etc. Or, you could take a look at the new Avalanche (come see me if you want to go for a ride), I love mine!

johnnie crain outdoors · Fri Apr 11, 2003 3:16 am

Lunker Dave, I agree with Dan, Bass Cat makes some really attractive boats that have a good reputation. Dan and I both run Rangers, nut we won't tell you it's the only boat to have. We love them, but I also loved the Champion I had prior to the Ranger. I feel that buying a boat from a local dealer is very important. Keep it close to home if possible. No matter what boat you buy, there may be problems that need ironed out. I learned the hard (as usual), that dealing with someone hundreds of miles away is diffeicult at best. Get to know your dealer, keep the cost as low as possible, but don't sell yourself short on quality. Buy a name brand boat and motor, and a part that's often overlooked, match the trailer to the boat. That's why I like package deals, everything should match up nicely. Good luck, remember my freind, it's just a floatation device, even the top dollor boats don't catch any fish, they simply help you get to them. Johnnie Crain.