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Posts: 39
| Without going over $18,000 with taxes. So MAX price said and done with not to exceed $18,000 what would you guys get? Will install my own electronics and trolling motor.
Any love for the trackers basspro sells?
Spend 90% of my time casting and 10% trolling for musky and walleye |
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Posts: 489
| I just sold a 2003 lund 1900 pro v with 200 optimax and 9.9 kicker for $16000. Used market is best bang for your buck |
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Posts: 229
Location: Tinley Park, IL | I'd find the newest Crestliner 1750 with a 115 hp I could. Boat has a decent casting platform and is a proven performer. |
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Posts: 337
Location: Watersmeet, Michigan | Check with an Alumacraft dealer. Very nice boats and they have some great package deals. Right now a lot of dealers are sitting on 2014 models that they're anxious to sell. (I know that Cabela's have deeply slashed prices on last year's models.). Just watch that the motor isn't too small. If you don't find what you want, ditto on going with used.
Fr. K |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | that money buys a lot of boat
doesn't buy much of a new boat though ... |
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Posts: 10
| Hit the used market. You'd be surprised what you can find. I found my dream ranger boat for 15k with only 130 Hours on the motor. It took me over a year and half to find her but if you wait, you will find her. |
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Posts: 3508
Location: Elk River, Minnesota | Hiya,
Being you are asking only about NEW boats, I would highly suggest looking into Alumacraft, Lund, or Crestliner.
All three manufacturers are going to have models that fit your price range...it is just a matter of putting them together. I believe both Lund and Crestliner will come with a prerig package to include mercury if memory serves me correctly. Alumacraft, being an independent company can put any motor on you wish.
Crestliner: Fishhawk series (guessing with 4 stroke technology a 1600 series will be ballpark)
Lund: Rebel Series (1650 Rebel?)
Alumacraft (Navigator Series 165)
Being an alumacraft owner myself for 15 years, I'm a bit partial to them, but I think there is an outside chance on a console 165 navigator with a 90hp yamaha under a decent trailer you might be able to swing a $17k boat before taxes.. Those 4 stroke motors add a bit of expense, but...if you are not getting it with electronics or a bow mount, you are saving a bit of cash there as well.
Now..some parts you get to decide...console or tiller. Tiller will get you a bigger boat, but less HP. More floor space as well.
I believe any of the 4 stroke motors out there will do you well. All have their positives and negatives, but if you can pull it off, max out the rig with the Highest engine displacement motor you can get for the model boat you choose. Larger displacement, means more low-end power when you need it. Weight should not be considered for the motor as more rear weight is actually a GOOD thing as it help when trimming the boat for optimum performance.
Oh...lastly...the trailer. If you trailer a lot or plan on any bigger trips where you have to pack the boat with gear for the trip, upgrading the trailer is always a solid bet.
Many of the package rigs you will see out there will have smaller HP motors and lighter trailers to get to a selling point. I would suggest having them build the rig if you can. Get what you want on it for your needs...
Steve
Edited by VMS 1/14/2015 11:55 AM
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Posts: 206
| I love spending other people's money. If it were me:
1) If you want NEW would seriously look at an ALumacraft Navigator console - wide footprint, front/rear casting decks. Or the tiller version...
2) If USED I would buy the 2007 Tuffy 1760 GC with open gunnels, 115 4 stroke/EFI and the rear casting deck in the boat ads on this forum for $16k (no I don't know the seller).
Edited by smalljaw 1/14/2015 1:10 PM
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Posts: 1096
Location: Hayward, WI | Don't be afraid of the newer Trackers. The quality and warranty has really gotten better compared to 8-10 years ago. |
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Posts: 667
Location: Wisconsin | VMS - 1/14/2015 11:52 AM
Hiya,
Being you are asking only about NEW boats, I would highly suggest looking into Alumacraft, Lund, or Crestliner.
All three manufacturers are going to have models that fit your price range...it is just a matter of putting them together. I believe both Lund and Crestliner will come with a prerig package to include mercury if memory serves me correctly. Alumacraft, being an independent company can put any motor on you wish.
Crestliner: Fishhawk series (guessing with 4 stroke technology a 1600 series will be ballpark)
Lund: Rebel Series (1650 Rebel?)
Alumacraft (Navigator Series 165)
Being an alumacraft owner myself for 15 years, I'm a bit partial to them, but I think there is an outside chance on a console 165 navigator with a 90hp yamaha under a decent trailer you might be able to swing a $17k boat before taxes.. Those 4 stroke motors add a bit of expense, but...if you are not getting it with electronics or a bow mount, you are saving a bit of cash there as well.
Now..some parts you get to decide...console or tiller. Tiller will get you a bigger boat, but less HP. More floor space as well.
I believe any of the 4 stroke motors out there will do you well. All have their positives and negatives, but if you can pull it off, max out the rig with the Highest engine displacement motor you can get for the model boat you choose. Larger displacement, means more low-end power when you need it. Weight should not be considered for the motor as more rear weight is actually a GOOD thing as it help when trimming the boat for optimum performance.
Oh...lastly...the trailer. If you trailer a lot or plan on any bigger trips where you have to pack the boat with gear for the trip, upgrading the trailer is always a solid bet.
Many of the package rigs you will see out there will have smaller HP motors and lighter trailers to get to a selling point. I would suggest having them build the rig if you can. Get what you want on it for your needs...
Steve
Good solid advise from Steve!!(as usual). Never hear people saying they have too much HP on their rig. Lots of dealer specials have smaller HP motors as a price leader. |
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Location: Contrarian Island | if you don't hit 'big' water save just a bit more dough and to me this is a deal... http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/classifieds/100234/Esox.Magnum.T/ |
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Posts: 153
| I agree look at the used market you can get a sweet used rig for that kind of money tuffy and ranger long with lund are what id look at if your looking at a tiller id look for a alumacraft 185 tournament pro a friend of mine who guides has one sweet rig handles waves very nice and has a awesome casting deck I bought my 1995 tuffy renegade this spring though it has been a pain in the but because when I got it I had to put a new transom in along with I bought a rebuilt 115 merc for it my point is when it is all said and done I will essentially have a new rig for around 12k that I will be proud to own look around and be patient its going to be a long winter |
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Posts: 633
Location: Madison, WI | After owning both glass and aluminum, I would buy a used glass boat in that range over a new aluminum in a second! The ride in glass compared to tin isn't even close. I see a lot of guys recommending the Alumacraft Navigator (which is what I used to own) but to my knowledge they don't offer that model anymore? I may be wrong but I think they changed it to the Classic, and that boat new in a tiller model is right in your range. Great boat with great layout but the ride gets rough in any chop and blows around in the wind quite a bit. If you only fish smaller waters its a real good boat. (PS that 07 Tuffy 1760 GC in the classifieds is a SWEET rig! I know - its mine;) ) |
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Posts: 397
| i have a navigator 165 and love it, but they do not make the model anymore. i got mine used with all the goodies for $10000 |
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Posts: 1000
| Lots of good advice on here. Ultimately I think you're probably better off with a well-equipped, slightly used rig with a good 4 stroke on there. More money for electronics.
As for the alumacraft vs crestliner vs lund, there's a ton in here. They all tailor to different styles of fishing. I'm a crestliner fish hawk guy myself, but I'm all about casting platforms and welded hulls. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Go used |
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Posts: 1460
Location: Kronenwetter, WI | Used ranger 690 or 692... They move fast so if u find one snap it up... |
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Posts: 409
Location: Almond, WI | I've seen Alumacraft Voyageur 175 tillers for about $15k with a 60hp, they're rated up to 75 so you could up it to a 70/75 and still be around $17k. Lund and Crestliner have models around the same specs and price.
Used you can find really good deals sometimes, just shop around. And it depends on your needs. |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | In 2010 I bought a used 2008 Nitro Z-7 with a opti 175 for 18,000. The boat was around 36,000 brand new. There are so many used boats out there for a guy to choose from that you should be able to find something that will fit the bill. I'll never buy a new boat again.
Edited by beerforthemuskygods 1/15/2015 5:38 PM
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Posts: 39
| Thanks for all the informational posts, I'm deff getting a steering column, no tiller.
Also, you guys mentioned some pretty big engines and bass boats but Id like to be able troll with the same engine and not install a kicker....
And that tuffy is a beautiful boat but I'm looking at buying a boat in April because that's when I'll be ready financially |
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Posts: 1274
Location: Walker, MN | C07pernice - 1/15/2015 6:09 PM
Thanks for all the informational posts, I'm deff getting a steering column, no tiller.
Also, you guys mentioned some pretty big engines and bass boats but Id like to be able troll with the same engine and not install a kicker....
And that tuffy is a beautiful boat but I'm looking at buying a boat in April because that's when I'll be ready financially
I'm still curious if you are thinking brand new? Obviously used opens up more options. |
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Posts: 7
| Check out boat trader you can get some great deals on here... check it out http://www.boattrader.com/browse/freshwater-fishing-boats/bass-boat |
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Posts: 39
| Iv decided my best bet is to go used. Been watching boat trader in about a 250 mile radius of where I'm located |
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Posts: 279
| I'd buy this boat. Had a 1700 for three years loved it. The 1760 can only be better.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/classifieds/98716/Tuffy.GC/ |
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Posts: 229
Location: Tinley Park, IL | C07pernice - 1/15/2015 9:46 PM
Iv decided my best bet is to go used. Been watching boat trader in about a 250 mile radius of where I'm located
I wouldn't go anything less than 17.5' if you are going with a console. We had a 16.5 with a console and it was very cramped. The 16.5' tiller Alumacraft my dad has now is a fantastic boat for inland lakes.
That Tuffy looks good. |
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Posts: 1274
Location: Walker, MN | I had a center console and loved it. Deals can be had in the upper midwest, for some reason there isn't a market for them but they fish awesome.
Good luck on your search. |
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Posts: 750
Location: Minneapolis, MN | One thing to keep in mind is who you are fishing with. 95% of the time I'm fishing with my dad who is 65 can't stand very long and has to sit most of the time we are fishing. When looking at glass boats, most of them didn't seem to have the ability to have a chair in the back of the boat unless you got the extended casting deck, this eating up floor space. We ended up going aluminum because it pretty standard for them to have a base for a chair. |
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Posts: 2097
| my tracker sc175 with a 96" beam is a great boat. Bought it new in 2012, looks and performs just like it did when I bought it, |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | C07pernice - 1/15/2015 6:09 PM
Thanks for all the informational posts, I'm deff getting a steering column, no tiller.
Also, you guys mentioned some pretty big engines and bass boats but Id like to be able troll with the same engine and not install a kicker....
And that tuffy is a beautiful boat but I'm looking at buying a boat in April because that's when I'll be ready financially
If it is outfitted with a 4 stroke, you could troll all day long. |
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Posts: 39
| 150hp 4-stroke will troll at 1.5mph all day long with no issues? |
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Posts: 337
Location: Watersmeet, Michigan | C07pernice - 1/16/2015 10:13 PM
150hp 4-stroke will troll at 1.5mph all day long with no issues?
No problem, those four strokes are designed for that, though you'll probably need a drift sock at 1.5 The question becomes how often are you going to troll? If infrequently, then go ahead and use the big motor. But if you troll a lot, you really want to get a kicker and put the wear and tear on the less expensive motor.
Fr. K
Edited by Yooper Padre 1/17/2015 7:34 AM
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Posts: 173
Location: Green Bay, Titletown, WI | smalljaw - 1/14/2015 1:09 PM
I love spending other people's money. If it were me:
1) If you want NEW would seriously look at an ALumacraft Navigator console - wide footprint, front/rear casting decks. Or the tiller version...
2) If USED I would buy the 2007 Tuffy 1760 GC with open gunnels, 115 4 stroke/EFI and the rear casting deck in the boat ads on this forum for $16k (no I don't know the seller).
#2 would be your best bet. I don't know the seller either, but that is hands down the best bang for your buck. |
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Posts: 1316
Location: Lebanon,Mo | Be sure to check out a G3 as well |
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Posts: 153
| missourimuskyhunter - 1/18/2015 6:20 PM
Be sure to check out a G3 as well
agree awesome boat and great pricing as good as a lund and not the jumbo price tag my buddy bought one of their gator tough john boats for bow fishing awesome boat I would recommend them to any one built as good as a Lund as far as im concerned |
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Best new boat for 15-17grand