Can you get a decent 21ft boat for $20k

[lacofdfireman]

Ok now this is totally hypothetical but just curious.  I'm new to bass fishing and this entire arena so really only know what I have.  I bought a 2012 Bass Tracker 175TXW with a 60hp and when I'm out on the lake I see some of these older 200-250hp fiberglass boats and wonder if I made the wrong decision.  Of course my boat was only $9k but I was wondering if I doubled my money up to $20k could you buy a 21ft with a bigger motor and have that larger deck space and storage space.  Mine gets real crowded with 3 of us fishing off it.  I'm sure it won't happen for a year or two but is $20k a realistic price for a good running used boat?   

Mine is stuck at about 28mph with 3 of us on it and guys pass me like I'm standing still out on the water.  28mph on Lake Powell or Lake Mead is gonna be rough unless you don't plan on fishing to far from the ramp.  On the other hand this 60hp is extremely fuel efficient.  I can fish for a week before I have to fuel it up. 




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[coldfront]

anything is possible if you have enough time, patience and diligence.

3 guys on a boat is always gonna feel a little crowded.  no matter the size of the boat.
in my opinion.

one guy and a dog is perfection.  two people erodes that level just a little.

[BassmanRudy]

Def possible.  It's a sellers market at the moment so everyone is demanding a premium to what it "could" go for. If you look in the 1998-2006 range you'll find a decent amount of boats that are 20' and have at least a 150hp on the back. You'll prob need to add graphs and poles/talons but hey all doable!

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[Princeton_Man]

If you look even closer you'll find many of those attractive 20' bassboats are as much as 30+ years and it is possible to find a really awesome 20' rig for $20 or less. You have to be careful though, buying a used boat can be a lot more risky than buying a used car if you're not careful and like Rudy said, it's a seller's market. It's also possible to find solid boats that simply need of a new motor. A new motor with a new motor warranty is very attractive.

One disadvantage of aluminum is that storage can be a bit limited and I've heard quite few Bass Tracker owners say their lockers leak or stay damp. My old Bass Tracker's lockers always got damp when I'd get caught in the rain. I always had to take everything out when I wasn't using it. Of course one advantage of aluminum is you can beat the crap out of them. I kind of miss my old Bass Tracker at times, I could take that thing places that I would never take my Stratos.


If I were going to buy a new bassboat today, I'd buy a new Vexus. With a Vexus you get the best of both worlds! Vexus is still on my retirement boat list if I decide I need a new retirement boat.

[lacofdfireman]

If you look even closer you'll find many of those attractive 20' bassboats are as much as 30+ years and it is possible to find a really awesome 20' rig for $20 or less. You have to be careful though, buying a used boat can be a lot more risky than buying a used car if you're not careful and like Rudy said, it's a seller's market. It's also possible to find solid boats that simply need of a new motor. A new motor with a new motor warranty is very attractive.

One disadvantage of aluminum is that storage can be a bit limited and I've heard quite few Bass Tracker owners say their lockers leak or stay damp. My old Bass Tracker's lockers always got damp when I'd get caught in the rain. I always had to take everything out when I wasn't using it. Of course one advantage of aluminum is you can beat the crap out of them. I kind of miss my old Bass Tracker at times, I could take that thing places that I would never take my Stratos.


If I were going to buy a new bassboat today, I'd buy a new Vexus. With a Vexus you get the best of both worlds! Vexus is still on my retirement boat list if I decide I need a new retirement boat.

Awesome and thanks for the info.  Yes my tracker storage compartments will stay wet if you don't air them out.  Luckily I live in a very dry climate so rain typically isn't an issue.  But it's snowing today. 

Just curious why a Vexus over say a Ranger, Skeeter etc.   I know nothing about them.  Thx again.


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[lacofdfireman]

Def possible.  It's a sellers market at the moment so everyone is demanding a premium to what it "could" go for. If you look in the 1998-2006 range you'll find a decent amount of boats that are 20' and have at least a 150hp on the back. You'll prob need to add graphs and poles/talons but hey all doable!

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Awesome.  Being new I was happy my 175TXW came with a few goodies.  It came with an 24V 80lb Ulterra trolling motor and 2 Helix 7 graphs.  One is the DI model that's up front and the other is the SI model at the console.  Those 2 items saved me a boat load right off the bat.  Pun intended. 

One thing I'll mention is that the Ulterra trolling motor foot pedal is super awkward for me to use.  It's not recessed and not sure if that really matters,or not but I feel like I'm gonna fall off the boat when using it most the time.  So for that reason I just use the remote control.  So much easier.   


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[apenland01]

I bought my older 1994 Ranger 492VS for $12k in 2018.  Keep looking and you'll find a bigger boat that will give you much more space.  I wanted a bigger boat for rough water, since that is what I end up in quite often in the Arizona lakes.  I store it at the lake, so space at home isn't an issue.

As for the trolling motor pedal, I use my remote a lot when I fish by myself because I don't have a recessed pedal.  I bought a cheap butt seat from bassboatseats and it makes working the pedal a lot easier when I want to use it.

https://www.bassboatseats.com/collections/best-sellers/products/lean-pro-casting-sit-down-seats

[lacofdfireman]

I bought my older 1994 Ranger 492VS for $12k in 2018.  Keep looking and you'll find a bigger boat that will give you much more space.  I wanted a bigger boat for rough water, since that is what I end up in quite often in the Arizona lakes.  I store it at the lake, so space at home isn't an issue.

As for the trolling motor pedal, I use my remote a lot when I fish by myself because I don't have a recessed pedal.  I bought a cheap butt seat from bassboatseats and it makes working the pedal a lot easier when I want to use it.

https://www.bassboatseats.com/collections/best-sellers/products/lean-pro-casting-sit-down-seats

Thanks for the info. I just bought a Butt Seat also and a power pedestal so it can go higher.  I'm 6'5.

Post up a pic of your boat.  How big is it?   I'd love to see it.  Also what size motor?


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[apenland01]

Here's a few pics.  I bought the boat in September 2018 off of Craigslist and found the boat in Dallas.  I had a mechanic in Arlington do a check out of both the boat and motor.  The boat is a 1994 Ranger 492VS and the motor is a 2004 Mercury Optimax 225.

Surprisingly, when the mechanic did the testing on the motor, it only had 65 hours on it.  The previous owner had it repowered, and soon after got diagnosed with cancer and it sat outside with a cover on it for nearly 10 years.

When I got it home to Arizona, I had the really old gas drained out of the tank, had the impeller and lower unit oil changed, replaced the old busted Maxxum trolling motor with an Ultrex and had the seats recovered.  I used a spongier comfort foam, instead of the thinner Ranger style foam.  I then replaced the old winch with a Fulton F2 two speed winch and a Stoltz bow roller.  I replaced the old Lowrance Xc102 with an HDS 8 Gen 1 I got online for $150 and a new HDS 7 Gen 3 that I got on clearance.  Also replaced all the batteries with Batteries Plus X2 AGM group 31 batteries.

I paid $12k for the boat and put about another $5k in it, so for $17k, I have an amazing boat that was considered the Cadillac of the water back in 1994.....

[Oldfart9999]

Here's a few pics.  I bought the boat in September 2018 off of Craigslist and found the boat in Dallas.  I had a mechanic in Arlington do a check out of both the boat and motor.  The boat is a 1994 Ranger 492VS and the motor is a 2004 Mercury Optimax 225.

Surprisingly, when the mechanic did the testing on the motor, it only had 65 hours on it.  The previous owner had it repowered, and soon after got diagnosed with cancer and it sat outside with a cover on it for nearly 10 years.

When I got it home to Arizona, I had the really old gas drained out of the tank, had the impeller and lower unit oil changed, replaced the old busted Maxxum trolling motor with an Ultrex and had the seats recovered.  I used a spongier comfort foam, instead of the thinner Ranger style foam.  I then replaced the old winch with a Fulton F2 two speed winch and a Stoltz bow roller.  I replaced the old Lowrance Xc102 with an HDS 8 Gen 1 I got online for $150 and a new HDS 7 Gen 3 that I got on clearance.  Also replaced all the batteries with Batteries Plus X2 AGM group 31 batteries.

I paid $12k for the boat and put about another $5k in it, so for $17k, I have an amazing boat that was considered the Cadillac of the water back in 1994.....

Mighty fine looking boat there!!!
Rodney

[lacofdfireman]

Here's a few pics.  I bought the boat in September 2018 off of Craigslist and found the boat in Dallas.  I had a mechanic in Arlington do a check out of both the boat and motor.  The boat is a 1994 Ranger 492VS and the motor is a 2004 Mercury Optimax 225.

Surprisingly, when the mechanic did the testing on the motor, it only had 65 hours on it.  The previous owner had it repowered, and soon after got diagnosed with cancer and it sat outside with a cover on it for nearly 10 years.

When I got it home to Arizona, I had the really old gas drained out of the tank, had the impeller and lower unit oil changed, replaced the old busted Maxxum trolling motor with an Ultrex and had the seats recovered.  I used a spongier comfort foam, instead of the thinner Ranger style foam.  I then replaced the old winch with a Fulton F2 two speed winch and a Stoltz bow roller.  I replaced the old Lowrance Xc102 with an HDS 8 Gen 1 I got online for $150 and a new HDS 7 Gen 3 that I got on clearance.  Also replaced all the batteries with Batteries Plus X2 AGM group 31 batteries.

I paid $12k for the boat and put about another $5k in it, so for $17k, I have an amazing boat that was considered the Cadillac of the water back in 1994.....

Wow.  Great deal for sure.


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[caddyjoe77]

You definitely can get an older one for around 20-- most are just over 20 -- think 25K but most also have poles..etc so factor that in as well.  There are quite a few legends out there, which is no longer made but a dang good boat.  Older champion models go for a premium. 

[BarryFL]

Check estate sales around your area. Many folks don't know what a boat is worth or even where to advertise for maximum exposure. And, even if you find one at an estate sale out of your price range don't be afraid to make a lower, but reasonable offer. Many people just want to be done with the sell off and will take a reasonable offer.

[Donald Garner]

apenland01

Tks for sharing those pictures of your Ranger.  That is a Great Looking boat there. 

[FD]

I would wait a year or so.

Covid forced everyone to go outside and spend time in groups of 2 or 3.  This has upset the normally stable used market for boats and RV's.  When things get closer to normal people will go back inside and the used market will be flooded driving prices down for a while.

In the meantime, I would start looking for more remote, less improved ramps.  The great thing about the rig you have is you don't need much of a ramp to launch. I had a 17' tin Triton and that's the thing I miss the most about it.  I could fish many places the big rigs would not dare to try and launch and got to chase much less pressured fish.

Arti-FISH-ial Entertainment.    FDx Custom Rods.   CPFLURES.COM

[lacofdfireman]

I would wait a year or so.

Covid forced everyone to go outside and spend time in groups of 2 or 3.  This has upset the normally stable used market for boats and RV's.  When things get closer to normal people will go back inside and the used market will be flooded driving prices down for a while.

In the meantime, I would start looking for more remote, less improved ramps.  The great thing about the rig you have is you don't need much of a ramp to launch. I had a 17' tin Triton and that's the thing I miss the most about it.  I could fish many places the big rigs would not dare to try and launch and got to chase much less pressured fish.

Arti-FISH-ial Entertainment.    FDx Custom Rods.   CPFLURES.COM

This is my plan.  I'm just gonna have to be happy with my Bass Tracker 175TXW until this crazy market takes a dump and used stuff becomes affordable once again.   Everything is overpriced right now.  It's nuts.


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[Princeton_Man]

I would wait a year or so.

Covid forced everyone to go outside and spend time in groups of 2 or 3.  This has upset the normally stable used market for boats and RV's.  When things get closer to normal people will go back inside and the used market will be flooded driving prices down for a while.

In the meantime, I would start looking for more remote, less improved ramps.  The great thing about the rig you have is you don't need much of a ramp to launch. I had a 17' tin Triton and that's the thing I miss the most about it.  I could fish many places the big rigs would not dare to try and launch and got to chase much less pressured fish.

Arti-FISH-ial Entertainment.    FDx Custom Rods.   CPFLURES.COM

This is my plan.  I'm just gonna have to be happy with my Bass Tracker 175TXW until this crazy market takes a dump and used stuff becomes affordable once again.   Everything is overpriced right now.  It's nuts.


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I truly miss my BassTracker, it was pretty bulletproof and there were a lot of nearby places I would take it that I could never dream of taking my Stratos. When you start shopping for a high performance bass boat, you may want to consider keeping the Tracker too. I sure wish I'd kept mine, but at the time having two boats in the yard looked excessive. 

As much as I think FD is right correct and some folks will decide that they aren't cut out for the water or fishing, I don't expect the economy for the next few years, will do much to help lower prices of anything.