Recommend me a boat

[justinp61]

I'm looking to upgrade from my Triton 1860SC aluminum boat to a 19-21' bass boat. I only crappie fish and normally only fish from October until about the middle of May when the terrorists arrive on KY and Lake Barkley. I'd like to stay under 30k and would prefer to buy a boat with no electronics or trolling motor unless my 47" Ghost won't work. With my budget I understand I'll be looking at older boats. I have buddies that fish out of Ranger 520 and 521's and I'll say they are built for fishing, the most comfortable boats I've fished out of.

What do y'all recommend looking at?

Thanks.

[Topwater All Day]

You should be able to get a used Nitro Z18 or Z19 in decent shape for that budget. Another good option would be a Triton 18 TRX. I would stick with 2016 and newer and if you don't care about speed, go with the Z18 and a 150 4 stroke!

Also, Z18 is 18'8" and Z19 is 19'4" and they fish bigger than that for sure. Triton 18TRX is also 18'8" and lots of guys that have them say they ride great and perform really well with the trolling motor down.

If you really want a 20' or 21' boat, you'll need to be a little more picky and probably look at older ones.

[townsend266]

Sounds like you want an older ranger z519 or z520, if you’ve fished out of those and like them, that’s what I would go with. You could possibly get one anywhere from a 2008 to 2012 model in your price range, depending on what it’s got on it and the condition. You might not find anyone that will take off all the electronics and trolling motor to reduce the price they’re asking, but you never know.

[Sylvanboat]

I fished today at Okeechobee with a guide with 38 years experience. He said the Phoenix 21-1/2 ft boat is the best he has ever owned.

[davidsa]

I think you might be better off saying what need your current boat does not meet for your fishing style. Else you just get brand BS on this board.

If I'm fishing KYL / Barkley I want a low profile boat that does not get blown all over the earth. I think many 18ft or 19ft class boats meet that requirement. If I was fishing that environment today, I would seek any decent 18ft or 19ft boat in great shape. If I wanted to go new, I would check out the Phoenix 518. That hull is very stable at rest, does good with big waves, and is well made.

I took that hull over waves on both the Ohio River and Lake Okeechobee and for the size it does great.


by all means, if you can find and afford a big Phoenix or Ranger, do that. I'm thinking about your budget.

[adam_p]

I fished today at Okeechobee with a guide with 38 years experience. He said the Phoenix 21-1/2 ft boat is the best he has ever owned.

I have yet to come across someone who didn't say that. Not one single time.

[Rangerdeepv]

Early 2000's Ranger or Basscat 19-21 will work at that price.

[justinp61]

I think you might be better off saying what need your current boat does not meet for your fishing style. Else you just get brand BS on this board.

If I'm fishing KYL / Barkley I want a low profile boat that does not get blown all over the earth. I think many 18ft or 19ft class boats meet that requirement. If I was fishing that environment today, I would seek any decent 18ft or 19ft boat in great shape. If I wanted to go new, I would check out the Phoenix 518. That hull is very stable at rest, does good with big waves, and is well made.

I took that hull over waves on both the Ohio River and Lake Okeechobee and for the size it does great.


by all means, if you can find and afford a big Phoenix or Ranger, do that. I'm thinking about your budget.

BS? My boat is a great boat and after all these years I have it set up the way I like. The problem is it’s aluminum, it gets blown around like a leaf and anything more than a small chop will beat you to death, other than that I love my boat. Lake Barkley and KY Lake can get upside down in a hurry and I want a boat big enough to handle it if I get caught out when they do.

I’ll probably go look at a 21’ Triton with a 250 tomorrow and I’ve sent a guy a message about a 521 Ranger, both boats have mid 500 hours on the engines.

[Wackyjig]

Stratos 201. While not quite as stable with the tm down as your buddies Rangers, it'll run circles around them when it gets rough, is more nimble around docks, and unlike the rangers the price isn't stupidly inflated

[davidsa]

BS? My boat is a great boat and after all these years I have it set up the way I like. The problem is it’s aluminum, it gets blown around like a leaf and anything more than a small chop will beat you to death, other than that I love my boat. Lake Barkley and KY Lake can get upside down in a hurry and I want a boat big enough to handle it if I get caught out when they do.

I’ll probably go look at a 21’ Triton with a 250 tomorrow and I’ve sent a guy a message about a 521 Ranger, both boats have mid 500 hours on the engines.

I fished Tin and Glass on KYL for ~20 years. Yes, you get blown all over the place and the ride is not good. A low profile glass boat is what you want. If you plan to run across the lake to the LBL side, then a 21ft is best. If you launch and fish within an areas such as Jonathan Creek or Smith Bay, then most 18 or 19ft glass boats will work great. I used this strategy with both 18ft and 19th boats for about 10 years and was very satisfied.

[drainplug]

Take a look at Bowers Marine in Hagerstown Md. ; they have my BIL’s 2012 VX519 that was not run hard, pleasure fishing only., in your price range. Think motor has in 400’s hours, never any issues. Well equipped.

[BigFishSteve]

Keep an open mind and go look at a lot of boats. Many layouts and years will work just as well. The big issue is buying someone else's troubled motor. I don't envy you.

[davidsa]

K The big issue is buying someone else's troubled motor. I don't envy you.

agree, which is why I'd look at a Phoenix 518 with a new merc 115hp on it. I would think those are low 30's new and the hull is awesome and motor would be 4s with years of warranty.

[justinp61]

I fished Tin and Glass on KYL for ~20 years. Yes, you get blown all over the place and the ride is not good. A low profile glass boat is what you want. If you plan to run across the lake to the LBL side, then a 21ft is best. If you launch and fish within an areas such as Jonathan Creek or Smith Bay, then most 18 or 19ft glass boats will work great. I used this strategy with both 18ft and 19th boats for about 10 years and was very satisfied.

I've fished them since the early 80's, other than a stretch in the late 80's until my divorce in 93 when I had a small bass boat, all I've had has been aluminum boats. Living about 10 miles from the northern end of LBL most of the ramps I uses are there, if I buy a glass boat I'll have to be more selective about where I put in.


Thanks guys.

[davidsa]

if I buy a glass boat I'll have to be more selective about where I put in.

Especially at winter pool when the ramps can just end!

[swamprat]

Just make sure you can add pedestal mounts up front for side by side fishing, Some bass boats rod lockers are too long to add bases up front, Then you have to use those Effed up portable bases that trip you up, Bend, twist and are just in the way every direction you turn.

[justinp61]

Just make sure you can add pedestal mounts up front for side by side fishing, Some bass boats rod lockers are too long to add bases up front, Then you have to use those Effed up portable bases that trip you up, Bend, twist and are just in the way every direction you turn.

I don't really like the double seat set ups, but depending on the deck configuration I man end up with one.

[Grizzly]

Love my Caymas CX18ss. Just the right size for me and wind doesn't bother it at all. The wind in a tin was the reason I upgraded to a fiberglass boat. Won't break the budget either. Most have a Mercury 150 PRO XS on them. Plenty of storage, excellent layout, and a very dry ride.

[justinp61]

Thanks for the suggestions, I ended up with an 06 Triton TR21 X with a 04 merc 250 ProXS.

[PatriotAW4]

Stratos 201. While not quite as stable with the tm down as your buddies Rangers, it'll run circles around them when it gets rough, is more nimble around docks, and unlike the rangers the price isn't stupidly inflated

This is true.