If you were going to start again from scratch...

I fished aluminum boats for almost 35 years, there was a bass boat mixed in there, but it was sold shortly before the divorce in 93. After the divorce I bought a Polarkraft 1860 modified V with a 40 and fished it for close to 15 years, then I bought a Triton 1860SC with a 90hp Yamaha and fished out of it until early summer last year when I bought a 06 Triton TR21 X with a 24 250 Merc.

I love my 1860 but finally got tired of being blown around and beat up if there is more than a little chop on the water and went glass. My lakes are KY and Lake Barkley, both are big and can get nasty. If you aren't paying attention, it's easy to get yourself in a bad spot.

I had been leaning heavily towards aluminum, but you guys have me rethinking that. I've been scoping around Marketplace, but there doesn't seem to be much in the middle of the road available. Everything seems to be way high end or someone else's project they don't want to be honest about or finish. I don't mind catching up some maintenance, but I'm not looking to get into restoration at this point. I'd rather be fishing.

There quite a few people who do fish with larger aluminum boats (the ones with 150-200hp outboards) on Ross Barnett, so they may have the weight of a fiberglass boat, although I’m not sure how they handle in the wind from a profile standpoint.

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Originally Posted by claytonsdad

I had been leaning heavily towards aluminum, but you guys have me rethinking that. I've been scoping around Marketplace, but there doesn't seem to be much in the middle of the road available. Everything seems to be way high end or someone else's project they don't want to be honest about or finish. I don't mind catching up some maintenance, but I'm not looking to get into restoration at this point. I'd rather be fishing.

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That's exactly why I bought a new boat last year. I turned 73 in 2024, my 31 year old boat was showing its age, and I just didn't feel like dealing with it.
I bought a new 2025 Tracker, lifetime hull warranty & 7 year motor warranty. I picked it up in January 2025. If I'm lucky and I can stay in the game that long, it takes me until I'm 80. I usually have it out 2-4 times a week, I have no regrets.

if it's big water and you want to hold still , probably need to consider a heavy rig ....
not sure what your wanting to do , but if you have family and friends that want to go .....
a boat with room for guests as well , bass boats don't do this well
a deep V heavy aluminum maybe ?
a cheap LS unit and a decent trolling motor ,should get it done ....
probably get it all used and save a few dimes as well

Deep v Glass full windshield would be my pick…Nitro,Ranger,Lund,Warrior….boats that you fish in the boat not on top boat;)

1st- buy used. Add a newer motor on it if necessary. Build your boat with your fishing style in mind. By build your boat I mean start bare bones and see what you cannot live without. Finding your best trolling motor is paramount. I like the ability to control mine from the fob anywhere in the boat. Spot lock is a game changer as they say too. New Electronics can be 1/2 the cost of a used boat. Try to spend time in a friend's boat to see how much you are willing to spend and how bad you need the latest and greatest.
Aluminum boats are easier to accessorize, but blow all over the place in wind. Glass boats are heavier to pull but are more stable on the water. Try to buy a boat that can accommodate your fishing as you age.
When all else fails remember- "Buy once, Cry once" Spend it if you've got it- you won't regret it. :twocents

I bought a 22ft 96' Lowe deck boat last spring. It is 8ft wide. It has 2 fishing seats in the front that you cannot elbow each other from. Canopy and such like a pontoon. Side console. No seats on the floor. All are knee high. Easy to get up from. I fished out of one, a friend owned when I was younger and loved it. Plenty of room. Mine is the exact same color my buddy had and he went with me to pick it up in MO. Pretty clean boat for the age. I plan on it taking me into retirement and taking families from church once I get better at catching and less of the fishing. It will pretty hard to fall out of this boat!!!! I am setting it up to long line troll from the rear. Got the Terrova 103 lb or so. Go a Hummingbird side view to put on it and will be putting forward sonar on it, but will prob get good with side view and catching first.

Hard to beat an aluminum welded boat with 50 hp.

Big enough to be stable, fast enough to go places, light enough to launch and push around garage yourself, room for a few rods and gear, + 1 passenger.

Many offerings in $10k - $15k range can get you a very nice used boat. In a lot of cases, possibly with electronics already installed saving additional money.

If you’re serious about crappie fishing, I can’t recommend Live Scope enough. I have the older version and it works fine. Couple times a year Bass Pro and other vendors will have on sale.

Good luck and have fun!

Be patient and keep your eyes open, I bought a new G3 in June of 25 on sale for less than used ones are selling for.
G3 had a $4k rebate on them.
Buy as big and stable as you can afford.