What is the best crappie boat to buy if you have a max of $35,000 cash to spend and why?
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What is the best crappie boat to buy if you have a max of $35,000 cash to spend and why?
Ranger Fisherman is the best for just crappie fishing large reservoirs but it depends on where you fish? How you fish? And if you plan on just crappie fishing? There really isn't a perfect do all boat.
I mostly spider rig and longline fish on a mid type reservoir - Percy Priest just outside of Nashville. I also do some bass fishing and a little bit of catfishing. I crappie fish Kentucky Lake but only 3 - 4 times a year normally in the spring.
I have a 2009 Ranger Angler 1760 and i absolutely love it. It is great for pushing or trolling. All I do is crappie fish. Attachment 188384
I bet that is a nice boat for crappie fishing!!
Oh so many choices.
05-08 Ranger 620vs
Look into the War Eagle predator 961, the bigger version of the 861 that's so popular here on CDC. Triton made a crappie version without carpet and a more crappie friendly layout. Not to dis the Ranger, a very nice boat, but there are other options. Stratos also has an all species boat that you might find used at a good price. War eagle also makes a 20' model that has all kinds of storage and a good v all the way back. All metal and no carpet to get all fouled up. Be patient and spend time looking but be prepared to move when your gut tells you this is the one.
Used 520 Ranger, lots of storage and good sturdy platform.
Well heck fire, for $35,000, you can have mine. Sorry can't help ya out any more than that. I would have one that is wide enough up front for 2 seats, 2 si/di units and power poles. I guess what I'm saying is you got to think about the bells and whistles you want also.
Love my g3 bay 20 DLX . You can fish all methods and she's stable for a tin boat. With a 150 yami she's in your price range.
For that kinda of coin I would buy a War Eagle 861 Predator...861 Predator - War Eagle Boats.
Friend just bought a new WarEagle Blackhawk 20 ft center console. That is a fishing machine. Handles rough water, shallow water. He crappie fishes and cat fishes out of it. Enough room on front to fish 3 side by side spider rigging.
Lots of ideas pop into my head.
I really like like the idea of a stick steer boat for certain times. A Royal stick steer would be the cadillac, a Gator would work too.
Since i I don't just crappie fish, something like the Stratos 1760DV would be in the running.
I really like the Tracker 175 TF that my buddy just bought. With vinyl floors (I'd want vinyl in whatever I got) and the double seating up front, it makes a nice crappie boat.
A Hyper lift Xpress would be sweet, as would a War Eagle predator. I really like center console boats, I'd have to research to pick one.
Talk to Bill Burnett at Big River Marine. He knows boats! All boats.
for 35K get a used Ranger Bay boat
It all depends on the lakes you fish and the style or method of crappie fishing that you do.Quote:
Originally Posted by tncrappiebass
That is nice looking boat that may do what I wanted. I have two questions. One is does the big windshields get in your way with the long spider rig rods? What do you do with the long rods? I fish with 14' rods. Second question is how does it handle waves? Not Lake Erie waves. Just waves that come from say 15mph winds for example? Seems like a very light fiberglass boat and that gives both pros and cons. I would like for ease of pulling and less gas. It would also easily fit in my garage. Not sure about how it would take the wind and waves being that light and short. I also like it because it is cheap enough that I could put a lot of bells and whistles on it too. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by warhawk
Thanks for the help.
Can you get two seats up front on the 861 boat?Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch
I'm looking to buy later this year and have researched way too much lol. That being said take a look at Xpress, they have the best hulls hands down. I'm leaning towards the 20' bay.
The 861 Predator definitely can seat 2 upfront.
If all you do is crappie fish, some of the above mentioned boats are great, if however you fish for other stuff and go to other places (like Erie) you may want to expand your horizons. I always used the excuse "I can't go there because I don't have the right boat"... so I just went and bought the right boat (for me).
I've fished out of the Ranger 1860 fisherman and really liked it... not on big water though! I do fish Erie, and Lake Michigan though.
Alumacraft makes a great boat. Whatever you buy, look at leftover models. You will save considerably and have money left over to buy all the other toys and gadgets.
I love my Pro Team 175 TF bought it new in 2013.Quote:
Originally Posted by warhawk
That is one of the boats that I have been looking at for a couple of months now. It is really nice looking plus I bet it is easy to pull and really great on gas.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch
Yes its easy to pull and that 4 stroke 60 sips the gas and is quiet as well at full throttle. The Revolution hull gives a smooth ride in light chop, but it does get a might rough still if it is whitecaping on the lake. The vinyl flooring is the way to go, cool in the summer to, and easy to keep clean. Mine will do 34-36 mph at 5500 rpm and trimmed out...its a great boat that doesn't break the bank.Quote:
Originally Posted by tncrappiebass
Can't even tell your pulling it until you look in the mirror. Plus our boat has a few hours short of 30 hours on it and we've filled it up less than 10 times. You can go forever on a tank of gas at least with the 60 4 stroke we haveQuote:
Originally Posted by tncrappiebass
I would get a new Stratos 1760DV and rig it out with the money left over. Probably would have enough left to buy the wife something real nice also.
I'm wanting the 18' x 60'' Excel boat. No carpet in the model I want , Rhino lined and easy to clean. I think a 70 hp pushes it fine but will run up to a 90 hp. Very stable boat and room for double seats in front or jigging or spider rigging. Call or PM Big River Marine on here for a good price for members. He also deals in Ranger and Xpress which are great boats too.
I just bought a War Eagle Predator 861 with 115 4 Stroke. Would have got a 961, but got a really good deal on a new, left over 861. I had a Grizzly Tracker with 50 4 stroke. Liked the boat except for it being very noisy with everything aluminum. I would definetly get a 4 stroke and get the Max HP that boat is rated for. There is a nice Predator 861 already rigged to the max at Counce Marine near Memphis.
I agree, the 861 or 961.
I have bought boats over the past 3/4 century. I have yet to find the perfect boat. I come close every time til the next time. I usually have 2 or 3 on hand. Having "spares" eases the pain.
I have the perfect boat right now for right now.
Need I even state MY opinion? It's a no brainer if you're looking for High Performance and Smooth Ride!!! PM me for the answer if ya don't already know. I have LOTS of C.C refrences. [emoji4]Quote:
Originally Posted by blackfish
Thanks for the kudos guys. I WILL beat any deal for C.C guys and gals on the brands I have!!!!!!! PERIOD
Xpress, Ranger, and Excel.
Your leaving some rpms on the table. I have a 2012 I bought new and trimmed out she turns right at 6000 and will do an even 40 with just me...37-39 with me and a passenger. Great boat. Only regret is the carpet and not fully outfitting it when I bought it, instead of piecing it together later to save a few pennies. I regularly run on the Mississippi river catfishing and it does fine in the big water, way bigger than anything you'll see on pond water.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dutch
I have been looking at this Stratos boat and I really like what I see. However, how would a person use long spider rig poles on this boat? Just looking at the pictures, I don't see any where to put them if you are not using them. Anyone have this boat and can tell me how you handle carrying the 14' spider rods?Quote:
Originally Posted by drill instructor
You would add side rails and attach driftmaster holders to the rail.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
I make a side rail system using the Driftmaster holders.
check out the G3s before ya decide- all welded alumn. -love my 1756- personally i prefer alumn over fiberglass for the weight difference - on the water, behind the truck, and more bag for ya buck with motor hp
Depends on what you want to do. For the weekend warrior I would get an aluminum boat. If you even think you might fish tournaments go with the bigger fiberglass boat. If not it will end up being an expensive learning process!
I have the 861 Predator. Not gonna say what is the best boat because I have never fished out some of the others mentioned. But it does what I need it to do and that's what matters. I sure like the way the Blackhawk center console is set up though.