Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

[AChotrod]

Found this searching CL and seems like a nice boat at a decent price. It will be used in freshwater rivers and lakes around my house and taken up to Northern Wisconsin a few times a year. Any input about this boat and if you think the pricing is in line would be great.
Thanks,
Mike
1995 NITRO 170 DC bass boat

 

[82rude]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

iboats shows this set up with 125hp rating so your 50percent of rating .personally id pass just on that issue alone .does look clean though.and maybe you could sell the 60 and get a 90 or 120 for decent price?

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

The 60 is the only thing that I dont like about it but other similar boats with bigger engines are out of my price range in the same shape. If they are anywhere close in price they look beat up.
My little tin can has a 55 and pushes the boat pretty good at 34-37mph depending on my load out. I def would be looking to upgrade the 60 when money allows. Any idea how fast the 60 would get me? I dont need to go that fast.

 

[saumon]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Apart from the underpowered engine, did you really need a bassboat? Those are really specialized boats: basically a go fast casting deck. Having a relatively flat hull, they're stable at rest (for casting) but can pound a lot in any waves and, having a lot of gear and rod storage plus a livewell (sometines 2) and a baitwell, seating is somewhat limited, so they're not for the sunday family cruising...

That being said, they're perfect for bass fishing And I must admit that this boat looks really clean for 18 years...

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

I have not been tubing or sking in 15yrs and no family. Im looking specifically for a bass boat so thats not a problem Im worried about. I have wanted one a long time but never lived close enough to the water to justify one until this year.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

BOTH motors are underpowered for that boat. Figure they are anchors and you are buying the hull and trailer-- $2500 +/-. By the tyime you upgrade to newer more powerful motors you could buy a much newer boat complete.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Not a bad lookin' rig for inland fishing. Like the guys are sayin' it's no rocket ship, but it is clean looking. Price isn't bad.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

So by under powered are you saying it wont plane well, at all or will just be a 20mph turd?

This one looks good too.
Bass Tracker (NITRO) bass boat 18ft 150 mercury

 

[moosehead]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

^That second one has a proper powerplant and looks to be in decent condition per the ad only.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

^That second one has a proper powerplant and looks to be in decent condition per the ad only.

Thats the bad part, the white one is very close, and easy enough to go look at the 2nd one is a couple hours away.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

No one has suggested this yet, Go test drive the boat on the water. If it runs good and fast enough and is in good condition and you like it, that's all that matters. If you were going to run tournaments all the time, it might be an issue. If the motor lags bad and is working to hard to push the boat, it won't last long either. The second boat looks pretty good, I like the forward seating, but I haven't heard very good things about Mariner motors. I do like the looks of the first boat, looks in better shape.

The other thing you have going for you, is both of these boats are old and its going into winter, make the right offer, its that time of year.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

I would be making the 2 hour drive... Over 2x the HP, 3- new(ish) batteries, onboard charger, autopilot trolling motor. I assume the AP TM is 24V since he said 3 batteries, much better than the 55# TM on the white boat.

If you are seriously interested in the white 60HP boat, insist on a sea trial and load that puppy up like you would for a trip, weigh it down and see how it performs, 2 people, couple hundred pounds of gear....

Dollar for dollar, if condition is equal between the 2, I don't see the white boat being worth it.

 

[JimS123]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

So by under powered are you saying it wont plane well, at all or will just be a 20mph turd?

This one looks good too.
Bass Tracker (NITRO) bass boat 18ft 150 mercury

For the low price and the condition (based on the picture only) I'd buy the first Nitro in a heartbeat. It'll plane just fine, but it won't be a speed deamon. It won't be a turd by my definition, but then again I'd be satisfied with a top speed of only maybe 30.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

So by under powered are you saying it wont plane well, at all or will just be a 20mph turd?

This one looks good too.
Bass Tracker (NITRO) bass boat 18ft 150 mercury

It'll plane out. Stack 3 big guys and a cooler in it and it'll probably be pretty slushy coming out of the hole, but I would bet it'll even plane out with that load. Probably low 20's with a load, mid 20's with just you on board (pure guess based on some older boats of mine).

I like the look of the first boat a little more, but I'm not partial to the bass boat style anyway.

No one has suggested this yet, Go test drive the boat on the water...

That's a good idea if you can - get a run in it.

 

[Taxus812]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

My neighbor has the same boat with a 90 Mercury. a 90 Merc makes that thing haul at about 50Mph. It is has lived through a tone on abuse and neglect. its been sunk twice (flooding) and is still running. (and in far worse shape than that one) . its a pretty sturdy boat all in all. It is dirt simple to work on and he moors it in 12"of water.

Test drive it and decide if you like it

 

[82rude]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

2 hours to go look at a boat is nothing.when I bought my boat I drove 14 hrs that day and that was close in northern Ontario terms.boat with the mariner looks good .do a compression test to be sure its healthy.white always makes a vehicle look cleaner .I own a white ford and by the time it looks dirty, is it ever dirty in reality .all things being equal id take the 150hp all day long ,you would be smiling a lot more for sure.

 

[moosehead]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

It appears that these boats are circa 20+ years old. Depending on care and storage, that introduces the real issue of transom, stringer, floor rotting.

Have you considered an aluminum bass boat instead of fiberglass? It would avoid the rotting exposure (largely), and allow you to run a smaller powerplant to push a lighter hull.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Both look to be nice boats. My take, if you are going to be running this on the Fox River from Algonquin up into the Chain I think the 1st one would work just fine. There are a lot of No Wake zones on that water. Plus with the amount of traffic on the weekends I don't see ya runnin that thing at 50mph+.

Consider the water you will be on. Also, don't know about others but when I'm fishin more than 2 is a crowd, especially on a bass type boat.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

Both look to be nice boats. My take, if you are going to be running this on the Fox River from Algonquin up into the Chain I think the 1st one would work just fine. There are a lot of No Wake zones on that water. Plus with the amount of traffic on the weekends I don't see ya runnin that thing at 50mph+.

Consider the water you will be on. Also, don't know about others but when I'm fishin more than 2 is a crowd, especially on a bass type boat.

That is exactly where Ill be fishing most the time(Algonquin Dam north into the chain). Im 100% agreed on more than 2 is a crowd when fishing. I may have a 3rd once in a great while. My current boat is plenty fast for these waters, just want a better fishing boat with decks, live wells and plenty of storage. Not to mention the Nitros just plain look awesome IMO.
I really like the white one more overall except the motor.

 

[AChotrod]

Re: Looking at a newer fishing boat. What do you guys think.

It appears that these boats are circa 20+ years old. Depending on care and storage, that introduces the real issue of transom, stringer, floor rotting.

Have you considered an aluminum bass boat instead of fiberglass? It would avoid the rotting exposure (largely), and allow you to run a smaller powerplant to push a lighter hull.

I have looked at some Trackers and such but Just love the Nitros, Rangers, Pro Craft type boats. I do have a 16.5 Alum Sea Nymph with a 55. It works for fishing just fine but as mentioned in my last post I need more decking and storage.
This is my current fishing boat.