Hotspotoutdoors

I just sold my old fishing boat today and am ready to shop for an upgrade. I want a tournament worthy bass boat but only have a budget of $7-10k. So far, I've only been able to find a few boats in that range. Any recommendations on where to look and what to look for or avoid?

Thanks!

If you're willing to travel you can get some real good deals down south. Might want to check out BBC if you havn't already, lots of good info and boats for sale on there.

Check out the following. I 've seen some boats in that price range, heck you might even get one that they're asking 12000 for 10K!

bassboatcentral

classicbass

boattrader

Good places to start for bassboats. You know your probably not getting into a DFI motor, but should be able to get into a EFI Motor. I'd stay away from the Evinrude RAM Ficht technology that is previous to Bombardier vintage. Like late 90's in a Evinrude. The Mercury EFI's in that vintage are bullet proof.

Good Luck in Your Search. If I hear of any rigs for sale I'll let you know, on this post.

Later..

I got a really good deal on my skeeter I bought off e bay a few years ago, but I got it in February though.

Thanks for the advice.

I have been reviewing those sites and have found a few that I am following up on.

I appreciate the advice on the motors Bassin'Wally Guy.

I was originally thinking I should get something 18ft or larger with at least a 150HP motor but am having trouble finding something of that size in great shape and within my price range. Do you have any opinion on the size I should buy?

One of the boats I found that looks pretty nice is a Skeeter SS140 w/Yamaha 115. Others I have found are Ragin Cajun and Javelin but I just don't have enough knowledge of pros and cons yet. I've been researching like crazy...Love it!

18ft w/ a 150 should be minimums if thinking about tourneys. 7-10k should get you into something decent for sure.

I think that I'd have to agree with you about the minimums.

Anybody own a Nitro boat? I have found a '96 Savage 884 w/ 150 Merc EFI that looks great but I have never fished or ridden in one.

My buddy has a 2008 Nitro 901 with a 200 opti. Its a really nice boat, I was looking at getting a 901 also but found a Pantera II I couldn't pass up.

I pulled the trigger on a '99 Champion 181 w/150 Merc RX6. Can't wait to go fishing in it!

I ended up finding it by doing nationwide searches for particular models on a famous free classifieds website. Thanks for the advice guys!

Pictures?

Nice boat, my roommate has a champion with a 150hp and it is a money bass boat... I don't think you'll disappointed! Champion is a very good brand

Congrats. Have fun!

Thanks guys, I will post pics soon...

Great boat! Have fun.

I keep forgetting to take pics when I am out fishing. My wife remembered to take one this morning. The boat is awesome to fish out of and handles great! Now I just need to put my electronics in.

Nice looking rig, that's for sure. Congrats!

Nice rig! Looks like it was a little drizzly...

sweet!!!

Very nice!

Thanks guys, now who wants to come with and show me how to fill it with bass?

Tow it over to the Faribault area... I'll help you

sweet boat, did you have to drive far too find it? also was it in your original price range?

Nice ride!! You will be happy owning a Champion.

looks like a nice boat!

Thanks for the kind words. Having a boat this well equipped for fishing makes a day on the lake so much sweeter!

I ended up driving the 9.5 hrs to Beaver Lake for the boat.
A guy and his wife (late 50's) bought it new and obviously took great care to keep the boat in perfect condition.

I narrowed my search to Ranger/Champion...Triton/Skeeter as I gathered more information from consumer reports. Not that I think other manufacturers make bad equipment. Anyway, I was quite sure I needed to make the drive when I found this one. They never fished competitively and had the original manuals and maintenance receipts. I was able to have a conversation with the marine shop that did the work and gain more confidence. The boat was $8600 so I don't think I stole it but I felt good that it was a fair deal.