New boat under $25k

[kickerfish1]

Morning all,

Have a friend on the hunt for a new boat. I am going to list his wants in the boat. I would like to hear recommendations for boats for him to check out. He is willing to drive 5 hours or so for the right boat/deal. This won’t be for a tourney angler so it doesn’t need a bunch of bells and whistles and tech. Color or brand doesn’t matter.

-The boat MUST BE NEW
-Aluminum or glass is fine
-Must be able to handle decent sized lakes up to 10,000 acres with decent chop.
-Must be able to accommodate or fish 2-3 guys
-No walkthrough windshield. Single or dual console
-Mimimum motor of 60-90 hp

Thanks for the suggestions.

[jrbdad]

Ranger RT188, Tracker 190 Tx. I think both are good boats. Just look and see which one suits him better.

I have been very happy with my RT188.

[Grahamb]

Crestliner XF189

https://www.crestliner.com/xf/xf-189/

[GOTTA BIG SACK]

RT 188. A 90 hp would definitely get him in that range.

[BigFishSteve]

19' Carolina skiff. Set it up the way "he" likes it. Will do fine with a 75-115 with the right prop.

[Chainslinger1959]

25 grand total proably gonna have to be a tracker. Rt 188 gonna be more.

[D.O.C. 989]

http://www.alumacraft.com/Alumacraft...rch_boat_types[]=is_bass

[jrbdad]

25 grand total proably gonna have to be a tracker. Rt 188 gonna be more.

Right dealer, maybe a 2019 left over. I know what I paid (although couple years ago) and I think it can be done.

[TimH]

A new RT 178 with a 60 HP or 75 HP will put him in that range and leave him with a little cash for electronics.

[BigFishSteve]

3 guys gets tight quick. Pick wisely. Does it have to be a "bass" boat? Much better choices out there for fun fishing.

[Grahamb]

I don't know what the new Crestliner XF189 is selling for but a few years back I paid under $21k for it's predecessor, the VT18 with a 115 ProXS.

[fishon!sc]

I don't know what the new Crestliner XF189 is selling for but a few years back I paid under $21k for it's predecessor, the VT18 with a 115 ProXS.

Can get a crestliner xf 189 with a 115 for $25000 out the door. Looked at one yesterday.

[yatesville88fan]

That crestliner is a fine looking boat.

[Chainslinger1959]

Right dealer, maybe a 2019 left over. I know what I paid (although couple years ago) and I think it can be done.

Dealer I bought from sells the heck out of them never has leftovers.
Maybe cabelas.

[kickerfish1]

3 guys gets tight quick. Pick wisely. Does it have to be a "bass" boat? Much better choices out there for fun fishing.

Nope, it can be a multi species type of boat. He just doesn’t want a fish and ski with ladders and big windshield from side to side

[f16 1ub]

Xpressboats.com

[crankwv]

crestliners xf 189 are in that price. Looks at White marine. They have some with 7 inch Garmin's.

[gordonsweb]

I got to see Crestliner XF189 that just came out for 2020 and I am sure it would fit your friends needs.

[BigDozer66]

Ranger RT188, Tracker 190 TX. I think both are good boats. Just look and see which one suits him better.

I have been very happy with my RT188.

[BP in ME]

I haven't read every post closely but here's a couple of thoughts: on 10,000 AC water I think he should try for a 190 class with a 90 hp. I have a G3 Eagle 190 with a smooth mod-V hull. While it's been good for me, it's not a rough water boat so I don't enjoy taking it out on open water. In addition to your kidneys taking a pounding, you take a lot of spray in the face. If it's choppy, I'd rather be in my buddy's Lowe with the ribbed bullet nose. Triton has a hull similar to the Lowe in the same price range. Tracker has something kind of in between that they claim handles spray pretty well but I have no experience with riding in the current models. I started a thread last year on how impressed I was with the Tracker's layout, fit, and finish compared to where they were 10-12 years ago but there are a lot of nice looking boats on the market these days. Xpress builds a great boat but I think the models in your friend's price range will be very similar to my G3 regarding hull design.

Anyway, that's been my experience limited as it might be.