Where to Start Back (Boat Question)

I sold my last boat some years ago when life interfered. I've had most everything from a 14' Jon up to Ranger's biggest at the time, but that has been a long time. Trying to decide which kind /type of boat to jump back in the game with. I'd like to have something that one or two people can fish out of rather comfortably. Jon boat setups are out due to two hip replacements. Mostly fish for crappie, bass and catfish in lakes and small rivers. Something less than $20k to start with. Very likely used, and I'm aware prices are crazy these days. If I find I use and enjoy it, I might upgrade later. Where would you guys start back? Odd and open ended question I know, but it's pretty much where I'm at. Thank you for your thoughts.

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A few months ago I bought a 2017 Xpress X18 for 22K. I love it. Runs and rides good. Sips gas. Dont have to worry about skinnin it up. I can fish 2 people bass style or 2 persons on the bow crappie style.

Are there faster, nicer boats out there, sure. But this ones paid for and for now suits me just fine. And like you said I may upgrade later, but for now I'm very happy with it.

When it comes to comfort walking around, I like a center console with a railing over the console. When it gets choppy or windy it’s nice to have that to grab onto.

I probably would hit a bass pro shop and see how far my dollar would stretch. Seen a new Tracker 175 with a 4 stroke Merc. Probably a 60hp(small but new) for 20k$. Probably sell real easy in Two years. Good luck and welcome back.

Supply chain is starting to get better and metal prices should drop by February.

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Originally Posted by catchNgrease

I probably would hit a bass pro shop and see how far my dollar would stretch. Seen a new Tracker 175 with a 4 stroke Merc. Probably a 60hp(small but new) for 20k$. Probably sell real easy in Two years. Good luck and welcome back.

Supply chain is starting to get better and metal prices should drop by February.

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That thought has crossed my mind. I saw one in passing with the 75 hp engine not too long ago and it looked nice enough. Not to start a firestorm here, but Trackers didn't used to be known for great quality. Are they better now?

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Originally Posted by Dagwood_55

A few months ago I bought a 2017 Xpress X18 for 22K. I love it. Runs and rides good. Sips gas. Dont have to worry about skinnin it up. I can fish 2 people bass style or 2 persons on the bow crappie style.

Are there faster, nicer boats out there, sure. But this ones paid for and for now suits me just fine. And like you said I may upgrade later, but for now I'm very happy with it.

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Sounds like you got a really good deal. Don't see too many like that in these parts.

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Originally Posted by claytonsdad

That thought has crossed my mind. I saw one in passing with the 75 hp engine not too long ago and it looked nice enough. Not to start a firestorm here, but Trackers didn't used to be known for great quality. Are they better now?

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NOPE!

I would rather have a used Lowe or Triton than a new Tracker. But the lakes are full of Trackers these days.

Not sure what issues you all have against the trackers but I’ve not had an issue with my new one!


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I've already rode in a new one(2 years old). The ride is topnotch and everything is still very solid. He takes good care of it tho. Engine is so quite we have left it running a few times. No firestorm issues here I'm only brand loyal to wives....nonono

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I have a 04 Tracker 175 with no issues.

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Originally Posted by skeetbum

When it comes to comfort walking around, I like a center console with a railing over the console. When it gets choppy or windy it’s nice to have that to grab onto.

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That will be my next one. Aluminum, wide and probably 20 foot long.

The biggest issue IMHO with Tracker is that they can cost more than the competition. Here's the reasoning:
Cheap, underpowered trolling motor, cheap fish finders, underpowered main motor.

While you can spend more and get a bigger motor, but the trolling motor and low end depth finders are already installed and are often aren't worth much on the used market. Once you've paid to replace those items, you're out a few grand easily.

The draw is that price point, but unless you're willing to settle, that price point is gone quickly.

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:hesaid

A very good point. I see lots of the new trackers with the base package. I’m not a boat snob that has to have the very best and be better than my neighbor. But put an undersized TM on the front of any boat in a good wind and you’ll be going home. I went down that path in the past and replacing the TM with one up to the task with an auto pilot (I pilot was another $500) took all of $1500 at that time. Then add electronics and batteries and charger and the wallet starts to whimper for a little mercy. I’m not beating on just tracker, others do it also. My point is to go into this with eyes wide open and be patient. There’s good boats on the used market, and looking is kinda fun too. Good luck in your search and holler if we can help. Hope you find one that you’ll keep for a long time with a smile on your face.

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Originally Posted by DockShootinJack

That will be my next one. Aluminum, wide and probably 20 foot long.

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Me too. Definitely a boat with a had railing.

https://vicsboats.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/1995-Ranger-Fisherman-Mercury-150-XRi-99K-16.jp

I think this model would be atop my short list.

I picked up a 8 yr old tracker recently. After the 1200 dollar trolling motor and the 2300 im fixing to spend on electronics, im still less than half of the price of a new base model of the same size.

After 35 years in big glass boats, I downsized for crappie fishing to an Xpress XP7, 17 ft., 70 hp Yamaha 4 stroke. very wide, can fish two up front easy, or one in the back. Not a hot rod with the 70, but almost 40 mph with two on board. This was $18,500 in 2018. Wife and I are very happy with it. Good performance, trims easily, works great with 24 volt, 80# trolling motor. And catches lots of east Texas crappie!

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Originally Posted by catfishtoon

I picked up a 8 yr old tracker recently. After the 1200 dollar trolling motor and the 2300 im fixing to spend on electronics, im still less than half of the price of a new base model of the same size.

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That brings up another question. With all the advances in electronics, would a guy be better off to spend a little less on the boat and more on the trolling motor and electronics? I've been thinking about that recently.

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Originally Posted by claytonsdad

That brings up another question. With all the advances in electronics, would a guy be better off to spend a little less on the boat and more on the trolling motor and electronics? I've been thinking about that recently.

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My :twocents opinion says ... the boat gets you from point A to Point B, so as long as it's safe & comfy for the waters you fish, then what it costs is secondary. The TM & electronics are what puts & keeps you on the fish. So, if you can swing it, then I think you're headed in the right direction.

I've had a lot of boats all set up for bream . Going to see if I can find a picture back in the 70s was a boat called a Panther. Stick steer thin 15 foot long. You drive , sit and do everything from one seat. IN the front.
Thought I wanted a nice bass boat. Grabbed a 21 foot Triton had it tricked out 250 on the back older I got the less I liked it . Found a 16 foot pan fish tracker for 3 grand in the paper RACED not walked, to buy it. I love that boat.
Best bream boat going. Two people can fish comfortable I replaced the 30 for a 50 hp runs 34 mph fuel millage is awesome. I added two racing fuel cells 8 gal each so I have 16 gal in the boat now ver the 12. . Don't think I could run that out in a day.
Only thing if your going to do big water it does get a little rough. So I don't.
Where the bream are around here and now learning the deeper back of the creeks where the crappie are it even is more boat than what I thought.
I added a seat with arm rest on it for me. I'm not young . Have the newer bluetooth hearing aids, turn on Pandora i'm fishing jamming and not moving to do everything I want to do in that boat from one seat.
Christmas I bought a Minn Kota 30 pound thrust and a foot switch. Adding that to the back of the boat fixed switch in the front , where I can bring the back of the boat around from the front. Took another trolling motor mount I had from years ago made the active target mount perfect for the front, using PVC on the poll.
Live well is right behind you spin around open the lid, you have a big cooler right in front of you for snacks , drinks its a old mans dream boat that don't cost a lot to run, buy and have a blast with.
My guess you can look around find one for 3 to 4 grand after buying this carbon 9 with the active target I get to make a joke my electronics cost as much as the boat.

Panther on the far right. Use to come up to Elizabeth City NC with a group of men fishing did that for 10 years.
We would bring a 1000 crickets be out in three days. Fishing is awesome here not much pressure. Went through a divorce moved up here for the fishing. One thing with the pan fish, with you in the front and it being flat bottom it will slide with you in the curves. Drifting. I love it. Have the best time sliding around curves on the smaller water at the end of the day unless I see someone fishing then of course I slow down and idle by.

Bass pro put the Lowrance carbon with the three way transducer on sale for 799. The active target set up on e bay was 1499 I offered a guy 1350 he took it. Just just delivered it its sitting here on the floor fixing to tear into it. So I got the complete Lowrance set up front and back transducers with the Active target for 2100 and the better resolution with the carbon. Yall know what the rest of my day will be. Wiring all this in. :)

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Originally Posted by CrappiePappy

My :twocents opinion says ... the boat gets you from point A to Point B, so as long as it's safe & comfy for the waters you fish, then what it costs is secondary. The TM & electronics are what puts & keeps you on the fish. So, if you can swing it, then I think you're headed in the right direction.

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My old boat cost $350 but has over $6000 worth of motor and electronics on her. Invest in accessories. If it floats safely and is comfortable, it is a boat just like any other, regardless of cost! And BTW, pretty boats don't catch more fish!! :Rofl

It's popular to kick tracker around, guess it makes some folks feel better. My last tracker, and '87 TX17 served me well for many years when I sold it it was 30 years old and still doing fine. I did replace the wood deck and carpeting but it took 27 years for the wood to go bad in places. I replaced it with a 2018 PT190 tracker. Four years of service now and not a single problem out of it. Excellent ride in choppy water and plenty of room for me, my son, and grandson to fish out of. But then again I guess that who don't own a tracker have more experience with them than me, my brothers and nephews do.

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments from you guys that have done what I'm looking to do!

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Originally Posted by SunsetPoint

Panther on the far right. Use to come up to Elizabeth City NC with a group of men fishing did that for 10 years.
We would bring a 1000 crickets be out in three days. Fishing is awesome here not much pressure. Went through a divorce moved up here for the fishing. One thing with the pan fish, with you in the front and it being flat bottom it will slide with you in the curves. Drifting. I love it. Have the best time sliding around curves on the smaller water at the end of the day unless I see someone fishing then of course I slow down and idle by.

Bass pro put the Lowrance carbon with the three way transducer on sale for 799. The active target set up on e bay was 1499 I offered a guy 1350 he took it. Just just delivered it its sitting here on the floor fixing to tear into it. So I got the complete Lowrance set up front and back transducers with the Active target for 2100 and the better resolution with the carbon. Yall know what the rest of my day will be. Wiring all this in. :)

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Pinto dragster?

yes sir. Chevy powered Pinto. Full race chassis. Kept that till 92. Got out of it for a while, got back in it around 2005 ran a rail till last Christmas. I've enjoyed speed, boats, cars and bikes. Slowing down now, going back to basics. :)