Retirement boat

After being out of fishing for too many years to mention, I’m ready to get back into it full force😁. I’m already retired and my wife’s retirement date is set….that being said I have started the enjoyable but at times overwhelming task of looking at a new boat purchase…hopefully we will be traveling to warm weather locations in winter and wherever the compass points in the summer months…so far the boats on my list are the Vexus 189C or the 1980C or the comparable Ranger brand..I know at the end of the day it comes down to personal preferences but some feedback from you fishermen with current knowledge would be appreciated….by the way the new era of electronics and available gear is impressive while intimidating at the same time…what accessories would you recommend if you were rigging a new boat….I know from experience that a cane pole and fishing from the bank will work but I’m looking for comfort and new fishing opportunities 😆😆….look forward to the advise

The only advice I can give on boats is to climb around in them and see how you like the storage and layout. I saw a Vexus up close at the ramp the other day, and man it was sharp! The type of water you fish and species you're after make a big difference as well.

As for electronics, a pair of 9/10" Garmins with Livescope. You can go bigger on the screens but I think you reach the point of diminishing returns pretty quickly price wise when a 9" is $699 and a 12" is $1499.

Personally I would not buy new.
Find a good boat that has been well kept from an individual. Dealership will try to sell you stuff you won’t need. Don’t know your age or health condition but get something you will be able to handle and as said the water you plan to fish.
I am 68 years old and owned boats since 1978.
Fast 75 plus mph glass boats and everything in between. Never caught a fish going that fast. Lol
Aluminum over glass now.
I run a 1754 Crestliner now and set it up for my style of fishing. I can launch and load easily by myself.
Don’t need to start out with the latest and greatest electronics.
It’s going to take awhile to learn every aspect of operating a boat and being completely comfortable.
Get a spot lock trolling motor and a 4 stroke outboard.
Always be ready to Bust Out Another Thousand. The acronym for boat.
Good luck on your quest.
Chuck


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It really boils down to what type of fish are you looking for, what type of water do fish and method of fishing do you like most. A person who trolls is totally different than a single poler. Do you fish big water or small water. What size outboard will suit you best. There are just so many factors that go into getting the perfect boat. I'm five years from retirement and I am already making my most have list for my retirement boat.

Buy once cry once is my motto.


Regards


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Side note
You should consider taking a boater safety course if you can find one in your area. Be well prepared before you even turn the key on.
Just another suggestion.


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Since you're in Arkansas, try to visit and tour as many plants as you can. Many boat manufacturers are located in your area. As others have mentioned, spot lock TM and Livescope are both game changers. If you can, test drive any boat new or used before you buy. Style, layout and stability vary and you must decide what strikes your fancy.
Also, take into consideration what you will use to tow a boat- a glass boat is much heavier than aluminum for the length. Be prepared to wait 9-12 months on an ordered boat!
Good luck on you hunt.

congratulations! whatever you get I hope you enjoy it to the fullest!

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Originally Posted by Atimm693

The only advice I can give on boats is to climb around in them and see how you like the storage and layout. I saw a Vexus up close at the ramp the other day, and man it was sharp! The type of water you fish and species you're after make a big difference as well.

As for electronics, a pair of 9/10" Garmins with Livescope. You can go bigger on the screens but I think you reach the point of diminishing returns pretty quickly price wise when a 9" is $699 and a 12" is $1499.

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Best wishes for your retirement with your wife. Having your wife as your fishing buddy is the best of all possible worlds. My wife loved to fish which made every trip that much more enjoyable.

I currently have a 126 and two 93s on my pontoon. I just hooked the 93s up on my new pontoon. There is quite a difference between the two units. That $800 difference in price is worth it for tired old eyes.

I don't know the health conditions of you or your wife but now that you are retired that can make a difference in your choice. Do you plan on purchasing additional boats as you age or is this boat to be the boat you keep till you stop fishing?

I switched to a pontoon rigged for fishing when I turned 70. I found it to more comfortable and safer than a bass boat or regular fishing boat. While my wife was unhappy about the switch to a pontoon for the first year she came to appreciate the pontoon as we both aged.

Since you are going to be fishing different lakes I would suggest you get at least a 150 hp motor. My first pontoon had a 40 hp on it, which was great if you only want to fish a mile or two from the marina or your launch point. But it was slow if you decided to fish the other side of the lake.

I switched to a new pontoon with a 150 hp last year. It drinks the gas but gets me there almost three times as fast so I can spend more time fishing and less time riding. The new lake I call home is three times as large as the Texas lakes I fished and the two best fishing areas are on opposite ends of the lake.

Had I bought a larger motor the first time I would not have needed to get a new boat last year.

I just got my Vexus 1980cc and it took three months to come in once I ordered it. Although the dealership said to prepare for a six month wait. Only been on the water with it once so far and no complaints yet. My main advice would put the max hp motor on it that it will allow. Never know when you’ll need to beat in a storm or tow in a bigger boat and don’t need to be under powered when doing so. If it is going to only be in freshwater I also suggest getting a tongue step for easier boat access when launching and an ultrex trolling motor. My last one was a terrova and the ultrex is substantially better.

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Climb in many. Plan ahead for getting older. Step height to decks. Gunwale height for safety. Is driver seat down in a hole? What will it be like to get up/down in the coming years? Room for grandkids to move without going over-board if they misstep? Then all the layout and storage that you like. Is there room for a cooler and a kids backpack and fun stuff. Take your time and enjoy it. And have fun when you get it.

A lot of variables for you to consider.

Aluminum or Fiberglass? Some of the Crappie models from manus sacrifice storage for additional livewells up front or just change the arrangement up that limits rod and tackle storage. I wouldnt want a Crappie model for this reason, but you may need it. Consider how far you may be jumping from spots on larger lakes to consider the speed and horsepower you may need. How wide of a deck will you need will help with fishing two people up front side by side. Also consider troller arrangement space and your electronics on the bow and how easy it is to ladder in or climb up on the bow while you are launching by yourself. Also remember, what you want or need today, may not be the same a year or two from now. Your fishing style may change as well, like mine did. You want a larger deck and wider boat for spider rigging, pushing, pulling, etc On the other hand, if you fish alone mostly, Livescope, you wont need all of that even though you have it if you change gears to a different technique. Lot of scenarios out there. I would just start jotting down what you need and want. If its 100% crappie and a center console or if you might be doing some bass fishing as well and want to stick with a faster more efficient fiberglass Bass style hull, how far you may tow and how many lakes you may want to travel to use it, etc. etc.

Personally, I would never buy new. Pick out your brand and model and find one that a gentlemen purchased with exactly what you had in mind, only to find out he never uses it and it has low hours. The market is pretty littered with boats right now and many at good prices where people just need to get out from under them.

The Covid era was a boat sellers market, 2023 I think will be a buyers market for all kinds of toys

I appreciate all the responses

Congratulations on you new journey. I was at first thinking I don't have any advice. I will only say to make sure you take it slow. You've waited this long and sounds like your gonna have to wait atleast another 6 months.

Welcome back "to the sport like none other"

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Be sure to get some real good electronics with big screens. Save on the boat if you have to, but a good side imaging fishfinder and Livescope with big screens is going to help you find and eventually catch more fish, whatever kind you choose to chase. It costs, but if you are going in a nice boat, it's worth the extra. Buy once, cry once.

You have to be able to trailer it to and fro and launch and land it by yourself. Depending on where you live and where you plan to fish this can become very important. A great boat might become the boat you don’t care to take out much any more. Also, consider being able to go different places in the boat. I chose a center console for this very reason. Lakes, rivers, salt water, anywhere she wants to go we can go.

Many dealers will under size the engine to get the price point down. This is not what you want to buy, it is what he wants to sell you. Over sized engines are not better necessarily either. Try to read about what others get speed wise in similar boats. 50 mph is plenty fast for a fishing boat.

Try to find one and just sit in the thing for a while. Imagine yourself fishing. Does the boat work for your style of fishing? Do you feel like you will tumble over the side as you move about? Is the boat too small for your fishing locales?

Pontoon boats are awesome……. if you can keep it in the water. Lugging the thing over land, launching and landing can be trying affairs. I have seen too many people struggling with theirs. Like driving around with a parachute out the back of the truck.

Winds are difficult to manage. If you live in a place that is windy, consider a glass boat. My 20’ aluminum draws like 10” of water, but that also means that it struggles in windy choppy conditions. So I stay home those days. You might have to deal with winds.

Finally, take your time. You do not want to buy a boat, discover issues with the boat’s limitations, and have to do a trade in of some kind. Consider used boats. Many were bought during the flu epidemic, and I suppose many of those will be for sale at good prices. We haven’t seen a turn down in prices yet, but that doesn’t mean that individuals wouldn’t accept less.

Good Luck and post pictures when you get around to bringing one home.

If it were me, I would ask myself these questions.
What is my budget?
Do I have the right tow vehicle?
How big does my boat need to be to handle waves, weather and boat traffic on lakes I plan to fish?
Can I load and unload at the launch by myself with ease?
What capacity, 2,4,6 people?
Do I plan to keep it show room clean? (color of boat, carpet or not)
Do I have a place to store it?
When I answer these, I'm ready to think about trolling motors, fishing standing or seated, the styles I fish most, storage, live wells front or back or both, anchoring systems, and electronics.
This ought to keep you busy for awhile.

You are probably getting tired of reading but…..I keep thinking of more things when selecting a boat!! [emoji3]
Make sure whatever you buy is adequately wired for 24-36 volt trolling motor.
Make sure it has enough space to put a dedicated battery for your electronics especially if you intend to get Livescope.
Space for a couple onboard chargers.
As stated by others the outboard should be paired with boat size.
Personally I prefer a semi-V style hull.
Make sure trailer is heavy enough for the boat size. Not going to mention the known manufacturer that does under size trailers to sell as many units as possible keeping the price point down. Same thing with switches , pumps, gauges and interior carpet and seats.
Take your time. Almost as bad as picking out paint or wallpaper.
Chuck


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Whatever boat you get, put it on a tandem axle trailer. The pros outweigh the cons. Oh, at least 14” tires.
I would love to have a second axle and upsize from these little 12” tires.
C-channel frame instead of tube for the trailer. Tube frames hold water, rust from the inside out.

A lot of people are really particular and a rigged out boat aint cheap. I would go with a 19-20’ aluminum (xpress). No carpet! 12” Garmin at bow w LS and 10” at console linked. Ultrex at bow. I would want a 150 motor. Then go fishn!! I have a 188 w 115CT and I like it but will upgrade to above when I retire

More great advice….keep ‘‘em coming and thanks again
TB

Get a boat that has a wide front. The slice of pizza shaped boats are rough on side by side fishin a brush pile sometimes. With live scope being the future nobody wants to fish the back of the boat. Glass boats are wider but cant go some places. I winch my tin boat through 1" of water/mud for 50yds sometimes to get to large oxbows on the alabama river and hanging up on a stump, rock,log or sand bar has never been a problem to get back going in a tin boat or running in 1ft of water. Everybody has lots of good ideas but it really depends on how you fish and where you fish

Like others have said what kind of fishing and where do you fish.
Max out motor
When I was young I started out with a bass boat and then went to a center console. The CC was a great fishing boat but didn’t have comfortable seating. So the older me and my wife got the less she wanted to go with me.So I sold it and bought a Ranger multi species boat. It has very comfortable seats and I can do any kind of fishing out of it that I want and she’s happy.At my age it will be the last one I buy.

a pontoon kept in a slip on the lake would be hard to beat

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Originally Posted by Foxy Jig

a pontoon kept in a slip on the lake would be hard to beat

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I second that !

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Originally Posted by ToddBurris

After being out of fishing for too many years to mention, I’m ready to get back into it full force. I’m already retired and my wife’s retirement date is set….that being said I have started the enjoyable but at times overwhelming task of looking at a new boat purchase…hopefully we will be traveling to warm weather locations in winter and wherever the compass points in the summer months…so far the boats on my list are the Vexus 189C or the 1980C or the comparable Ranger brand https://www.gocharter.com/..I know at the end of the day it comes down to personal preferences but some feedback from you fishermen with current knowledge would be appreciated….by the way the new era of electronics and available gear is impressive while intimidating at the same time…what accessories would you recommend if you were rigging a new boat….I know from experience that a cane pole and fishing from the bank will work but I’m looking for comfort and new fishing opportunities ….look forward to the advise

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Both the Vexus 189C and 1980C, as well as Ranger boats, are excellent choices known for their quality and performance. Visiting boat dealerships to see these models in person and test-driving them can help you make the best decision based on your preferences. As for accessories, investing in a quality fishfinder/GPS combo, a reliable trolling motor, adequate storage solutions, comfort features like padded seating, and essential safety equipment are key. These accessories will enhance your fishing experience and ensure your safety on the water.

l am 76 I put steps on my trailer, auto lock & release . I prefer fiberglass over alum. only I am not as stable as younger years love my 18 ft ranger 115 merc. just my preference. I have owned several alum boats too it's a big decision $$$$$

I don’t think I can add much that hasn’t already been said. I started in a 10’ Jon and have had a bass boat and a center console. While they’ve all had their advantages it all comes down to what your preferences are and where you fish. Paying a guide or covering someone’s expenses to spend a day in a boat that you think you like is a good idea. What looks good on the trailer may not work for you when it’s wet. This is an old thread and I hope you’ve found one that makes you happy, share a few pics if you have. Sure is a lot of choices if the budget is right.

As has already been mentioned. look for a well taken care used boat, new boats lose a ton of value when you pull them off the lot. I fish out of a 02 Triton 1860SC with a 90hp Yamaha. For the fishing I do it works out well, the most I'll run at one time is maybe 5 miles. With two people and all our gear it'll run close to 40 mph in good water. If I get bored, I have no problem beaching the boat and blundering around on the bank. The downside is that it rides high in the water and is susceptible to the winds will, a trolling motor with anchor mode is a must.