Boat manufacturers...choices

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Troy Pattillo on August 28, 2009 at 7:33pm

whatya mean? a boat loan is hard?

SPARKY said:

Good topic i will look forward into the responses the big guys will put up..Im in the same situation..definatly not as easy as buyin my home or truck..what the hell WHY!!!!

Permalink Reply by Ben Holten on August 28, 2009 at 7:55pm

Triton is a pretty big name around here. I really like the Triton's but I am no expert.

Permalink Reply by Mark Byrne on August 28, 2009 at 7:57pm

I own a Ranger, High quality machine, handles great, fishes well, well laid out deck plan and great resale value! Oh and it looks great!

Permalink Reply by Shawn O'Connell on August 28, 2009 at 8:19pm

I think the major brands are all pretty comparable. I went with a Triton because I knew Jeff Priester at Nixon's would take care of me if I had problems and I have not had any regrets. My suggestion is to buy what you can afford based upon what your goals are for the boat.

Permalink Reply by Chris Blandi on August 28, 2009 at 8:20pm

A 1500 Ram with a Hemi SHOULD tow any bass boat no problem. A diesel is made to pull the weight of 5 bass boats so why would you need that ? If you can afford a Camper for the bed, and a bassboat I can see where the Diesel would be needed. A Triton isn't the lightest bass boat, and its not the heaviest either. I own a BassCat and its IMO the strongest hull on the water, and one of the better in rough water. BC OWNZ when it comes to customer service and I don't think that theres any debate about that.
The cons of my boat is the front is kinda narrow and it seems to float lower than some in the bow. Also when someone moves around in the rear, you can feel it more side to side. You have to compromise, no boat is perfect. If I could do it all over again, I'd buy a bigger BassCat ;)
I would recommend a BC to anyone, but it won't hurt my feelings if they don't sell up here. If there were 25 BC trailers in the parking lot on tourny morning I'd save for a Stroker.

Permalink Reply by Keith Brooks on August 28, 2009 at 9:25pm

There are so many options available now it seems almost impossible to choose. I had a very hard time when I bought my boat as the budget only allowed for new aluminum or a used glass boat. I shopped for two years before I decided on a new Xpress. After running this boat for ten years now I am sure it was the right chopice for me. You have to be sure of your goals as an angler, the water you will regularly fish, and of course whatever your budget constraints will be.
I would suggest you spend some time talking with members of your club (or join a club) and get out to some of the tournaments and talk with people after weigh in and check out the pro's and con's from people who actually own the boats you are considering. I believe most guys will tell you the truth about their ownership experience.
As for me I am leaning towards a Ranger 198 or 208 as the boat for my next ten years... hopefully in 2010...

Permalink Reply by Eric DeLay on August 28, 2009 at 9:30pm

I am on my third bass boat and I went with a Triton 21X2 with a Mercury 300ProXS on it. I couldn't be happier with the boat and motor.
I put a lot of trust in the opinions of Ron Hobbs Jr who has driven more boats than anyone I know.
What I like about the Triton is that it is very fast but has a dry, smooth rough water ride, and it is very stable to fish out of. I know a lot of guys like their Rangers but the Triton is faster, has a dryer rough water ride, and fishes really big so IMO it is an easy choice.

The other factor you need to take into account is where you buy the boat. I admit that I didn't really consider this before I purchased but now that I have the boat I feel very strongly that I lucked out when I bought it from Jeff Priester at Nixon's Marine. He has gone the extra mile over and over for me and as a business owner I can really appreciate the effort that he puts into his customer service.

Some people balk at the idea of driving to Walla Walla but I won't take my boat anywhere else to have major work done on it. Recently I destroyed my lower unit by running over a wad of fishing line and losing all the gearcase oil. I took the boat to a local repair shop wondering what was wrong with it and they sent it home with the diagnosis that there was nothing wrong with it that they could find. I took it to the lake, tried to run it and obviously didn't make it very far. Feeling very frustrated I drove to Nixon's Marine where Jeff met me hours after they had closed. Jeff took about 3 minutes to figure out exactly what was wrong and didn't even have to open the motor up. He then helped me deal with my insurance company so a $6,200 repair only cost me my $500 deductible.

In addition to the excellent customer service Nixon's Marine is the best at rigging the boats, hooking up the electronics, the Power Pole, or whatever you need. Their used boats are gone through by a phenomenal staff so you don't get any surprises. They certainly saved the guy who bought my last boat from a nasty surprise when they discovered the cracked transom no one else ever noticed.

This may look like an ad for Nixon's but I assure you that I am not on their pro-staff (for obvious reasons if you have seen me fish) and I get nothing for recommending them other than the satisfaction that you get the boat and service you deserve and worked so hard for.

Permalink Reply by Willie Parsons on August 28, 2009 at 9:42pm

You have to be honest with what you will spend most of the time doing with it. For me the price point of the 18.5-19 footers was where I had to be. There are sacrifices with a "pre-packaged" deal but I couldn't justify the big bucks for a 21' tournament rig. If you fish big money stuff you better have a fast boat and be lucky at the boat draw, or have a bunch of spots. The biggest sacrifice in a smaller boat is gear storage and deck area, obviously, but it really is something to consider, if you can't live without these items you have to size up and spend the money. Operating expenses should come into the equation as well, forget gas for a minute, oil is $30.00 a gallon and a 225 will suck it up much faster than a 150. I know it's much more fun to go 70 than 55 but I go through a lot less oil and gas than in a bigger boat and most of my fishing is "exploring and learning" right now so it works for me. I plan on going to a bigger boat eventually but this is what I feel will suffice for most "weekenders"
I have a Ranger 188vs with a 150 Yamaha on it, let the hate mail begin....

Permalink Reply by Troy Pattillo on August 28, 2009 at 9:48pm

I hope you add up your work order better than you spell...that was a joke

SPARKY said:

Eric that was a very good post,It reall y does mean alot with customer satisfaction and i did not know that Jeff had went through that trouble for you either.Im sure its not every person gets the same actions from him but it sounds like if he can he will make it happen.Good to know,and as i drove to banks lakes for the first time last weekend i would not hesitate the travel for the service you speak of.I drove 3hrs today to put in a light fixture in a garage and the homeowner called the shop before i got back and was so excieted and happy to have light in there garage and said how curtious and efficient i was they will recommend to all there friends..That how this world rolls..Be the best and you get the best in return..Not a braggin story just speakin of my day and it did make me smile.

Permalink Reply by Troy Pattillo on August 28, 2009 at 11:08pm

say what?

SPARKY said:

Not bad after 9 ice beers if ya ask me..look at the key board dont look at the screen..never learned to type in school it was a joke..I learned to kill and fish and survive in the woods..wife taught me this crap on here sometimes im damned to be here but its the money drivin force that makes me.Good enuff 4 me and if you got my point then it was good enuff 4 u...

Troy Pattillo said:

I hope you add up your work order better than you spell...that was a joke

SPARKY said:

Eric that was a very good post,It reall y does mean alot with customer satisfaction and i did not know that Jeff had went through that trouble for you either.Im sure its not every person gets the same actions from him but it sounds like if he can he will make it happen.Good to know,and as i drove to banks lakes for the first time last weekend i would not hesitate the travel for the service you speak of.I drove 3hrs today to put in a light fixture in a garage and the homeowner called the shop before i got back and was so excieted and happy to have light in there garage and said how curtious and efficient i was they will recommend to all there friends..That how this world rolls..Be the best and you get the best in return..Not a braggin story just speakin of my day and it did make me smile.

Permalink Reply by Misanthrope on August 28, 2009 at 11:51pm

There are a lot of guys here who aren't good spellers TroyBoy so why don't you think of something else to talk about.
If you had half a brain you would probably take it out and play with it and lose it or something you dipshit.

Troy Pattillo said:

say what?

SPARKY said:

Not bad after 9 ice beers if ya ask me..look at the key board dont look at the screen..never learned to type in school it was a joke..I learned to kill and fish and survive in the woods..wife taught me this crap on here sometimes im damned to be here but its the money drivin force that makes me.Good enuff 4 me and if you got my point then it was good enuff 4 u...

Troy Pattillo said:

I hope you add up your work order better than you spell...that was a joke

SPARKY said:

Eric that was a very good post,It reall y does mean alot with customer satisfaction and i did not know that Jeff had went through that trouble for you either.Im sure its not every person gets the same actions from him but it sounds like if he can he will make it happen.Good to know,and as i drove to banks lakes for the first time last weekend i would not hesitate the travel for the service you speak of.I drove 3hrs today to put in a light fixture in a garage and the homeowner called the shop before i got back and was so excieted and happy to have light in there garage and said how curtious and efficient i was they will recommend to all there friends..That how this world rolls..Be the best and you get the best in return..Not a braggin story just speakin of my day and it did make me smile.

Permalink Reply by Eric DeLay on August 29, 2009 at 12:04am

I think if you are going to fish tournaments a 18.5'-19' with a 150 will get the job done but if you can afford to step up to the 20' range with a 225 you will feel a big difference in the rough water.

That being said I fished out of a 17.5' with a 100 for many years and even though I got passed a lot, and there wasn't a lot of room for two guys up front, it got the job done for us.

I arrived at my decision about the boat I am in now because I had an opportunity to buy my dream boat and I did. Funny thing though, my idea of my dream boat went up by 50hp when I heard Sessler was getting a 300 on his.

Willie Parsons said:

You have to be honest with what you will spend most of the time doing with it. For me the price point of the 18.5-19 footers was where I had to be. There are sacrifices with a "pre-packaged" deal but I couldn't justify the big bucks for a 21' tournament rig. If you fish big money stuff you better have a fast boat and be lucky at the boat draw, or have a bunch of spots. The biggest sacrifice in a smaller boat is gear storage and deck area, obviously, but it really is something to consider, if you can't live without these items you have to size up and spend the money. Operating expenses should come into the equation as well, forget gas for a minute, oil is $30.00 a gallon and a 225 will suck it up much faster than a 150. I know it's much more fun to go 70 than 55 but I go through a lot less oil and gas than in a bigger boat and most of my fishing is "exploring and learning" right now so it works for me. I plan on going to a bigger boat eventually but this is what I feel will suffice for most "weekenders"
I have a Ranger 188vs with a 150 Yamaha on it, let the hate mail begin....

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