Best 18ft bass boat for the money

[soonerbass]

What is everyone's opinion on the best 18ft boat for the money.  I am open to any makes and it can even be aluminum?  Just looking for general opinions.  I have also been doing my own research and was just curious to what everyone else is finding.

[Donald Garner]

soonerbass
You'll need to provide us with a little more information in order for us to help ya.  For instance are you going to be fishing a big lake or river?  How many people are going to be with you in the boat.  What is your budget.  Do you want an Alwelded Aluminum or Riveted boat.  See where I'm going here.  Think about what you're primary use will be.  What size outboard engine do you want.  Some 18ft Aluminum boats will come with a 150hp engine.   

There are lots of 18ft boats out there both glass and aluminum.  Give us some more information and we'll provide you with a good answer.

[soonerbass]

Donald,

I am open to anything really.  I fish around the bossier city area, so lakes is the primary fishing area.  I was mainly looking I guess for the pros and cons to the boats people currently own.  For example, I do not personally like how high the windshield on the nitro sits, due to it getting in the ways of certain cast. Every boat make and model probably has some things you love and some things you would change about them.  The main thing is I am looking at 18ft boats, and will get the Max HP that the boat is rated for.  I have fished a lot out of a Ranger RT 188, and that boat fishes really big, especially considering it is aluminum.  I know it has more deck space than the 17ft Nitro my dad owns.   

[Nutt]

Are you looking for new or used?  I have a buddy that is trying to sale his '95 Ranger R70 with a Merc 115 for a good price.  The motor had a new water pump installed, new carb kit, less than 150 hrs, new carpet, all new tires, new upholstery, two new fish finders, deck extension, 3 bank charger and more.  He moved to South Texas and wont use it down there.  The boat is here if you want to see it.

[Nutt]

Sent you a PM

[West6550]

I did a big comparison write up a few years ago on here. Nitro vs Triton I think it was. Had great pros and cons to each. Look around on here for it. I posted the thread.


Since then I ended up buying a used bigger boat for the same $.

Sold that and went ended up ordering a Ranger VS1780 (alluminum deep v)

I would buy another it was a great boat. If I was buying a pure fishing boat I would get a Ranger RT, if money was not a factor I would buy a "Big O" boat made in FL, they are a all welded alluminum custom boat with very high HP ratings :-D

Regardless I would got with alluminum. No gel coat or fiberglass to go bad.

[SteveTX]

RegaRd less I would got with alluminum. No gel coat or fiberglass to go bad.

I cant help much but when I was looking I quickly decided I wanted all welded aluminum. Strictly for maintenance reasons. I wanted a boat but didn't need something else to have to babysit/maintain. You can sure find a lot of boats that the owners should have done the same as theirs are now junk or in dire need of repairs. Boats already have a reputation for eating cash I wanted the least costly boat to maintain that would do what I wanted.   

I ended up with a SeaArk and am happy with it. Might check out their Stealth series.   

One tip that I found out real quick:" Generally speaking you can get a lot more for less buying second hand. 

[Oldfart9999]

Fiberglass boats work better in the wind, much better. Aluminum is better on gas and can get into shallow water that glass boats can't. The best way to see what you want is actually go look at them, see what you can afford and what upgrades you may want, as you see everybody has their own opinion on what the best boat is and there are a lot of great boats out there in both glass and aluminum.
Rodney

[Princeton_Man]

Best answer is evaluate the waters you'll be fishing. I've had both glass and aluminum and sometimes wish I'd kept my aluminum Tracker in addition to having my Stratos. While the Stratos is much more comfortable in wind, rough water, and goes fast. My aluminum Bass Tracker got me into bass holding places I couldn't even think about taking the Stratos into.

I've been giving my retirement boat a lot of thought and pretty much decided that it will be a Ranger RT198P. For me, it's the best of both worlds. The fishing platform is about the same as I have now as far as decks, storage, livewells, etc. It has a stepped hull/pad and with a 150 on back should perform about the same as my Stratos. It has a shallower draft and will bounce of rocks a little better than glass.

[West6550]

My foam filled Ranger alluminum was better in the wind and chop than my 19.5' Stratos. The fiberglass boat was beautiful and fast, she rode well. Of course the the Ranger was a deep v, but it rode so smooth. Didn't have that tin can effect slapping waves like my Alumacraft did.

Fiberglass boats are nice, I have had two. I just prefer alluminum.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

[coldfront]

I cant help much but when I was looking I quickly decided I wanted all welded aluminum. Strictly for maintenance reasons. ..

... Boats already have a reputation for eating cash I wanted the least costly boat to maintain that would do what I wanted.   

One tip that I found out real quick:" Generally speaking you can get a lot more for less buying second hand.

right there with you.  know most guys who hang around and talk bass fishing, tournaments won't go/think aluminum.

but buddy let me tell you... I can use my RT178 HARD and put it away wet... if I want to spit shine it, I sure can.  If I don't... well, it's okay there too.  once a year give it a good wash, inside/out, vacuum...

and I'm not nearly as worried about nicks and dings...although I work hard to avoid either/all.

aluminum is just more user friendly/abuse friendly than glass.  And while costs are going up, still cost less than similar sized glass and take a lot less upkeep in terms of hull.

[ʇuǝɹq™]

Soonerbass, you should look at a Phoenix. Those boats are pretty sweet, and they're setup great. You'll be able to fish anywhere around here in one. 

[Donald Garner]

If I had to do it all over again I would buy an Alwelded 18 - 19ft with 150 - 200hps aluminum bass boat.
I enjoy fishing out of my Stratos but like mentioned here there is a lot of work in taking care of a glass boat.   I also have a G3 Alwelded aluminum Jon boat and its almost bullet proof.  I don't worry about putting nicks or dings in it either.

The bottom line is there's lots of pro's and cons to owning a glass vs. aluminum bass boat.  You just need to take a test ride in both types and figure it out.

Good luck and keep us updated on what you decide.

[PECo]

My first boat was a 2006 G3 Eagle 165 with a 60 hp Yamaha four-stroke. I loved the ease of storing, trailering and maintaining it, but it was too small for me and my large (i.e., 300+ pound) fishing buddies, especially when the livewell was full. And even when I had smaller company, the ride was pounding on choppy water.

I'm on my third boat and now have a 2017 Triton 179 TrX with a Mercury 115 Pro XS four-stroke. Don't let the model number fool you; it's 18-1/2 feet long. Yes, it's harder to store, trailer and maintain. But it's plenty big and handles way better in all conditions.

Regarding "bang for the buck", if your "bang" is the fastest hull and motor, then I'd suggest a Nitro, but if it's quality, then I'd suggest a Triton.

[bluebonnet2]

good morning,

IMO the skeeter zx190 pkg would be very high on my list..........the SHO is great and it comes with electronics, etc........check it out .....33,000................nautical mile marine, tyler, texas ask for dennis....i'm a skeeter guy

good luck.
PURA VIDA,
bluebonnet2

[Deadeye]

Basically the answer is "what I bought and like".

Everyone has a different answer because they bought what was, at least at the time, the best for them.

I bought a used Ranger 185 VS in very good condition and almost every week if not every trip someone will comment on how good it looks. Heck I even get people driving by rolling down their window to yell "I love your boat!".

If I was buying new it would be hard for me to pass up one of the Ranger Aluminum lines. Rt188, Rt198P, the Deep Vee series. They ain't your daddy's aluminum Tracker that's for sure. Laid out very well, build even better, and ride and fish great. Not like the old days of Aluminum at all. 

Throw a Mercury ProXS 4-Stroke with Command Thrust on there and "forget about it".