Well i am shopping for a new boat that i will buy this fall or next spring. i would like to keep it under 20k. i am mainly looking for a wheel boat but wouldn't rule out a tiller just never used one yet. so lets here your ideas on this subject. tin or glass don't matter to me . i like to troll cranks alot too. thanks for your ideas.

Personally, I would skip the NEW boat and find a used one. for 20k, if you're carefull, there are some **** nice glass boats that are 3-6 years old, all decked out that can be had for that money. On the other hand, you won't get much of a NEW rig for $20K. New is nice, but when a guy's on a budget, often times used will get you much more for you're money!

SLE,
While I won't disagree that you can get more boat for the money by buying used, please keep in mind:
1) There's nothing like that new-boat smell, and picking out your colors, rigging, etc.
2) Buying new creates many more jobs, relative to manufacturing the hull, motor, trailer, etc. Buying a used rig only provides employement for the selling dealer and/or service departments.

HRG

I always like to think that if I buy a used rig, chances are that the person I'm buying it from will now go out and buy the new rig, so I get more boat for my money, and my money will go towards the purchace of a new rig for the guy I bought from which will likely be a $35k-$50k rig, instead of the $15k-$20k I was gonna put into the market place.

Neither of us are right or wrong, I just want to through out another perspective. There is however no replacement for that new boat smell!

Check out-
http://www.crestliner.com/Page.aspx/pageId/3510/pmId/140696/Sport-Angler-1750.aspx

My 2006 1750 with a 115 Opti was under $20k without the kicker. It was a sport show special without a lot of options. It did come with a X96 Lowrance and a Minnkota bow mount.

I will buy NEW. Rig it up the way you want instead of getting a used and tell yourself "This will do it for now". Tell us what you like so far. You got to have something in your mind that you like or dislike. I remember after 6months or so, I filtered so many brands and come down to Lund, PrinceCraft, Alumucraft, Crestliner and G3. Hopped onto them and had a good like at them at the BoatShow. Regardless what brand you get (boat&motor), Maxout the HP and the LBS Trust.


Enjoy shopping

What about a Stratos 1760 DV seems like a lot of boat for $18,500 but I never see much talk about it on here.
Personally I like it and would like to find some one to post some reviews on here about it.

Don't forget Smokercraft. I am mulling over a NEW 2009 Pro Mag 162 w/90 Yammi 4strk. HD5 on console, X67 in bow, 70 lb 24v minn-kota, 2 bank charger, swing tongue trailer, spare tire, full cover, full windshield.........

It is a little less than 20K OTD....... Sweet boat.. Best boat out there for the price,,,,that is "always" a personal subjective opinion/choice, one mans deal is another mans robbery.........

I have a Stratos 1760DV with a 115hp yamaha. It ran around $21,500 but you get alot of boat for that price. Its an extremely dry ride and cuts waves very nicely. You generally get a lowrance X52 which isnt bad but its definitely not fancy. Works well in the bow. The Minnkota powerdrive v2 55pd that comes factory will work great in calm water, buts its not the greatest in choppy water. The 115 yamaha motor is awesome as far as power and fuel economy. Mine tops out around 40 to 45 mph depending on occupants and gear. They do seem very similar to rangers (considering they are made in the same factory!!!) just without as many bells and whistles but for only spending around 20k for a fiberglass boat they are quite a deal. They also have tons of storage with the infloor rod storage as well as storage compartments on either side. Add on 2 recirculating livewells and it does make for a good boat. I think the paint on the hull is what lured me in, I have received many good comments on how nice the colors and paint job look, really is pretty in the sunlight. Anyways thats my 2 cents. Good luck with your search

look at starcraft
you can get alot of brand new boat from them for that price range.
My son bought a brand new c-star 185 with a 90 merc and deluxe trailer for 15,000

My boat new was about $15k, 2003 Lund Pro Angler 16, 60hp 4-stroke merc, Shorlandr trailer, Lowrance, ready to roll and go fish.

My guess is that the price point is still there, it is a tiller, most of the $$ is in the motor, so keep the motor @ 115 or less shouldn't be a problem.

I have seen some rocking deals on the classifieds for $20k. Wow is all I can say.

karpbuster

i was kinda looking at the alumacraft 165 navigator . for a 165 its real wide anyone have any thoughts on it? i also have been looking at the stratos 1760 dv and the 386xf i really like the 386 its just a little more than i would like to spend.

They do seem very similar to rangers (considering they are made in the same factory!!!)


Sorry, need to correct this info, Stratos are made in Murpheesboro TN, the only boats made at the Ranger factory in Flippin ARK are Ranger. But Stratos is a Genmar company.

Don't forget to look at the Ranger 177TR, 618 hull, nice fishing layout....

Lou

I always like to think that if I buy a used rig, chances are that the person I'm buying it from will now go out and buy the new rig, so I get more boat for my money, and my money will go towards the purchace of a new rig for the guy I bought from which will likely be a $35k-$50k rig, instead of the $15k-$20k I was gonna put into the market place.

Neither of us are right or wrong, I just want to through out another perspective. There is however no replacement for that new boat smell!

SLE, I like the way you put it. Very logical. But, boats/motors are like girlfriend/wife. I had her years before she was wife but I had no idea who she was until I brought her home to stay :grin:
I've had many boat's over the years. I paid lot less than they were worth, or so it seemed. In most cases, if I paid $5000 for a boat worth $15000. Once I injected another $15000 it was then worth $15000.
I'm not says that is commonplace, just saying be careful, take your time and look very good. Like my only wife of thirty-six years, I never get rid of something worth keeping.

BOAT = Bite Off Another Thousand!!!

BOAT = Money hole in the water!!!

I have owned my Navigator for 3 years now and love it. I have the 165cs with a 90 zuki 4stroke. Great boat! Great for 2 fisherman and works for 3. I use it a lot on winnebago and even lake michigan. It handles rough waves well for a 16' tin boat. If I could have afforded it a 175 with the 140 zuki would have been faster but there was a huge price difference.

This spring, you could have had a REALLY nice looking 2001 1900 Pro V, motors were vmax hpdi and T8, for 19k. It was on the site for quite awhile.

Deals are out there, if you are patient.