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  1. #1
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    Finally made a final decision...

    After much debating and back and forth I finally made a final decision. Will be hopefully buy a boat towards the end of this year/early next year. The order below unless people can convince me otherwise will be the order I look for. With that being said. If I come across a great deal on say my second or third option I'm not going to pass if I haven't come across my first option.

    1. ranger RT188 or maybe Triton x18 used. Would give a new RT188 or PT18 a hard look but I'm trying to keep the budget around $20k.
    2. Crestliner VT18
    3. Xpress x18 or x19 used
    4. Early 2000's Ranger glass boat
    Last edited by bassin_man; 04-23-2017 at 12:02 PM.

  2. Member croix-man's Avatar
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    #2
    I'd sell you a boat for $20k Lol... Looks like you've narrowed it down to some great selections. I don't see how you could go wrong with any of those options.

  3. Member
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    #3
    Choose the one that will help you catch the most fish. Kinda like choosing women. Some may turn a lot of heads, but won't be the best fit for YOU.

  4. Member Bass AHolic's Avatar
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    #4
    Is that your Final Answer?

  5. Panfish Forum Moderator SOONER*REDNECK's Avatar
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    #5
    Im somewhat in your shoes as well. I know it may not be ranger quality, but it would be hard for me not to buy the crestliner vt 18. I have drooled over this rig for a while, and it would be perfect for my needs!
    Fisher 1710C - Mercury 60 Horse 4 stroke
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  6. Member
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    #6
    Quote Originally Posted by SOONER*REDNECK View Post
    Im somewhat in your shoes as well. I know it may not be ranger quality, but it would be hard for me not to buy the crestliner vt 18. I have drooled over this rig for a while, and it would be perfect for my needs!
    The VT18 is a very close second. Especially when I can buy it during their specials brand new basically for the $20k. The Ranger has always been A boat I drooled over since it came out. With that being said up to this point I haven't yet seen the vt18 in person which could change my opinion?

  7. Banned
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    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by bassin_man View Post
    The VT18 is a very close second. Especially when I can buy it during their specials brand new basically for the $20k. The Ranger has always been A boat I drooled over since it came out. With that being said up to this point I haven't yet seen the vt18 in person which could change my opinion?
    When you say the vt18 can be had fo 20k, is that with a 115, 24v TM? I was looking at one yesterday and was down to 21250 on a 2016 leftover.

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    #8
    I was able to find a used RT188 with a 115 merc 4 stroke (39 hours), jackplate, hotfoot, 80 minn Kota, dual console and Garmin 7" and 5" graphs for under $15k with mercury platinum warranty so I have (I think) almost 5 years of warranty on the motor. I couldn't have asked for a better set up on a Ranger....keep your eyes open you can get a good deal for well under 20k if you are willing to go 1-2 years used.

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    #9
    Quote Originally Posted by Tysdad View Post
    When you say the vt18 can be had fo 20k, is that with a 115, 24v TM? I was looking at one yesterday and was down to 21250 on a 2016 leftover.
    Yes. But about the only time I see them at that price is around boat show season. I'm also not taking into consideration dealer prep/fees.

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    #10
    Quote Originally Posted by 93ls1rx7 View Post
    I was able to find a used RT188 with a 115 merc 4 stroke (39 hours), jackplate, hotfoot, 80 minn Kota, dual console and Garmin 7" and 5" graphs for under $15k with mercury platinum warranty so I have (I think) almost 5 years of warranty on the motor. I couldn't have asked for a better set up on a Ranger....keep your eyes open you can get a good deal for well under 20k if you are willing to go 1-2 years used.

    Sounds like you got a heck of a deal to me. I would jump on a deal like that anytime.

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    #11
    Incredible I need one like that. If you find another please pass info along

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    #12
    I actually found the boat on here.

  13. Member stratos284's Avatar
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    #13
    Months away from.purchase you will get sidetracked before then.
    Took me a year to decide.
    1st between the Tracker 190 and txw 175
    2nd the RT 188
    Thought on it for months then decided on the 190. A month later I was dead set on the 175.
    Then I was positive I was going to buy the 188.
    Finally I decided on the Tracker 175, I left the house on Saturday morning heading the 2.5 hours to Nashville to buy the 175 then 20 miles later Im at my Ranger dealer signing the papers on a RT 178
    So are you sure thats what you are buying?
    2022 Xpress H17 - Yamaha SHO 90

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    #14
    Quote Originally Posted by stratos284 View Post
    Months away from.purchase you will get sidetracked before then.
    Took me a year to decide.
    1st between the Tracker 190 and txw 175
    2nd the RT 188
    Thought on it for months then decided on the 190. A month later I was dead set on the 175.
    Then I was positive I was going to buy the 188.
    Finally I decided on the Tracker 175, I left the house on Saturday morning heading the 2.5 hours to Nashville to buy the 175 then 20 miles later Im at my Ranger dealer signing the papers on a RT 178
    So are you sure thats what you are buying?
    LOL... yep, sounds like the normal process for buying a boat...
    Steve R
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    #15
    Quote Originally Posted by stratos284 View Post
    Months away from.purchase you will get sidetracked before then.
    Took me a year to decide.
    1st between the Tracker 190 and txw 175
    2nd the RT 188
    Thought on it for months then decided on the 190. A month later I was dead set on the 175.
    Then I was positive I was going to buy the 188.
    Finally I decided on the Tracker 175, I left the house on Saturday morning heading the 2.5 hours to Nashville to buy the 175 then 20 miles later Im at my Ranger dealer signing the papers on a RT 178
    So are you sure thats what you are buying?
    Love it!!

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    #16
    Quote Originally Posted by stratos284 View Post
    Months away from.purchase you will get sidetracked before then.
    Took me a year to decide.
    1st between the Tracker 190 and txw 175
    2nd the RT 188
    Thought on it for months then decided on the 190. A month later I was dead set on the 175.
    Then I was positive I was going to buy the 188.
    Finally I decided on the Tracker 175, I left the house on Saturday morning heading the 2.5 hours to Nashville to buy the 175 then 20 miles later Im at my Ranger dealer signing the papers on a RT 178
    So are you sure thats what you are buying?
    Pretty close to h process I went through...

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    #17
    Quote Originally Posted by stratos284 View Post
    Months away from.purchase you will get sidetracked before then.
    Took me a year to decide.
    1st between the Tracker 190 and txw 175
    2nd the RT 188
    Thought on it for months then decided on the 190. A month later I was dead set on the 175.
    Then I was positive I was going to buy the 188.
    Finally I decided on the Tracker 175, I left the house on Saturday morning heading the 2.5 hours to Nashville to buy the 175 then 20 miles later Im at my Ranger dealer signing the papers on a RT 178
    So are you sure thats what you are buying?

    Thats how I was the last three months. So who knows?