Hello, I in the market for a bassboat and I am not sure what is better: buy a boat with the electronics already or get a good deal on a boat with some, but not all, of the electronics you'd like.. like Live, 360, etc. I don't use electronices now and it can be overwhelming to think about what I MIGHT like. If I chose a boat with limited or no electronics, is anyone aware of a good place to get electronics installed in the Tampa Bay area?
If me I would try and buy without the electronics so I could install what I want and how/ where I want it. In today's electronics they are outdated after a year or two before the next greatest thing is released. I wouldn't want to start off with old technology.
I wouldn't go any smaller than 9" screens and if going with Livescope or similar a 12" screen would be my choice. As for electronics getting "outdated", that shouldn't matter as long as what you have is still reliable and fitting your needs. A friend of mine still uses an old 2010 year model HDS5 I sold him because it serves a purpose on his boat alongside his newer stuff.
2023 Xpress H18 with 115 SHO that's optioned to fit my wants and pulled by a little Ram.
Never argue with an idiot. They will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience. Just smile and walk away.
Bigger is ALWAYS better
Also have to factor in installation costs if you don't plan on doing it yourself. I've done it both ways and in my opinion if you can find the boat with what you want already installed thats the way to go.
I'd rather get my own new stuff than pay for someone else's old stuff.....
If you are buying a boat that is less than 5 years old, it's likely you will have to run new wiring to the bow in order to deliver the required power to all those things you MIGHT like to have. It may not be as necessary to rewire the console although many (including myself) do because it's not all that much extra effort.
2013 Ranger Z520c, 2013 Yamaha 250 SHO
2018 Ranger Z521c, 2018 Yamaha 250 SHO
It’s kind of tough to call. Until you fish a while, it’s hard to know what you want. My first thought is to get a boat with electronics a few years old to use until you figure out your style.
Two years ago, I was dead set that 2D was all you needed at the bow. Then I was fishing in a buddy’s boat and saw two big targets on DI at the bow while 2D was loaded with nothing but baitfish. I quickly hooked a 26” walleye, and told my buddy to keep fishing since there was another one down there. He landed a 24. So I have DI at the bow now.
Boat, trailer and motor are far more important than electronics, so don’t pass on a great boat because the electronics seem dated.
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nothing else matters.
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