Problem is, everyone seems to think their old, for sale boats are worth as much as new ones.

@adamsnelson4689

25 күн бұрын

Human Greed is at a all time high right now

@scottjacopian3191

13 күн бұрын

they R!😂

Thanks, Randy. I am in a Skeeter Zx190. 18.5 feet. 150 SHO. It does the job. I have 2 over 10 in this boat on Conroe. Minnkota Edge 70. No Spot Light. Easy to manuever and maintain. You are 100% correct. I have had 15-20 glass boats. 18.5 is best. Good luck and cannot wait for the reveal.

@user-sp9hy8tq4j

25 күн бұрын

Not gettin it new under 40

@richerwin6397

25 күн бұрын

15 to 20? Did you ever have a Starfire of the 80's? 18'5", 1200 pounds of "haul-ass".

@Hatedepot

25 күн бұрын

@@kirkmackenzie4425 the under 20 ft bass boat is so you can keep it in your garage. I have a z118 ranger which is 18’11. Have to angle it and it takes up both garage spots. HOA doesnt allow boats in the driveway, nor would i want my money sitting out there. Cant buy a house in nc without being in an hoa if you wanna work within an hour of charlotte

@kirkmackenzie4425

25 күн бұрын

​@richerwin6397 I had the SF 150. 17 ft with 150 Evinrude. 1980 I believe. Fast and dry!

@kirkmackenzie4425

25 күн бұрын

A smart dealer would cut that price to the bones for RANDY. He will create demand for that dealer/Skeeter.

I fish out of a 18ft nitro with a 150 merc. It does everything I need to do. If the water is too rough for that I don’t get on the water.

I agree, I have a 1988 Ranger 364v w150 one owner with all the upgrades except FFS. It does the job just fine.

Randy: I enjoy your comments about boat buying. I even agree with much of what you say and are trying to accomplish. You’ve mentioned several models that meet your criteria. Since you’ve done the analysis it seems you’re ready to make the final decision. Subscribers are waiting. Please make a decision and show us how your choice performs on the water. Thanks for the great information. I look forward to seeing your final pick. Stay safe. God Bless.

I use Crestliner 17 ft. It's ok setup.

I used to run an 18’ Ranger. Nice boat but the rod lockers were too short. I’ve also had 21’ Rangers, Legends and Vexus. I’m not going back to a small boat. As a recreational angler I prefer the comfort, space and better ride of a 20 or 21’. But to each his own.

18-1 2007 Basscat Sabre FTD, repowered this year to the new 150 4stroke ProXS, best decision I ever made vs buying a new one!!!!

By myself, i seem to catch the most from a 15'8 alumaweld bass boat, casting decks, with a 50hp. It moved easily with minimum trolling motor input. Fishing with two people in the boat, probably caught most from a Ranger 360v with a 150. No real way to substantiate or quantify those picks, just happens to be that way.

Vexus AVX 1980. 20 ft aluminum with a 150 that looks, rides, and fishes like a fiberglass boat. Plus its made in Flippen, AR by FL Wood's grandson.

@scottstanford6316

21 күн бұрын

I want that same boat

Best boat I ever owned was a Ranger 185

@father1st894

25 күн бұрын

I've had a 195vs 205vs and a 185vs That Ranger 185 vs was the best boat Ive had. Solid, great handling , plenty speed.

My pocket agrees with you, Randy 😂

I've had 14" Jon boat, 5.3 Lund Tyee and now G3 17' w/50 hp...G3 has been the most "efficient;" miss some of the space in the Lund, but I tend to take a lot with me...G3 has been easiest to lauch/recover by myself.(of the 2 "big" boats)

Bought a new 2016 Bass Cat Sabre Advantage Elite. This was my early retirement boat. Hung a Yamaha 175 Sho on it in the spring. Great boat, fast, stable, and extremely well made. Good luck, keep us informed!! Don

Randy, I agree with you I have a Nitro Z18 with the 150, it handles great.

I have a crestliner storm 16’ only because thats the biggest I can get to fit in my garage. Its def a bit small, gets blown a lot. That being said, it gets me on the water so I am happy.

@rwhanks

25 күн бұрын

If you’re not on big water then I say smaller the better. 👍

@kingjames1308

25 күн бұрын

@@rwhanks Yeah, I would say the sweet spot though is the 17 and above because they go to a wider bow. The bow on my Crestliner is definitely tight and lacks storage. The 17 bow I believe is 8" wider so its a bit more stable in waves and wind. I just cant fit a 17 in my garage.

An 18' boat also has a single axle trailer. That makes it easier to maneuver the boat & trailer when I'm pushing it into my garage. Also, here in California, the bridge tolls are cheaper for a single axel trailer.

Thank you Randy good opinion no not good great 👍

In 1990 I bought a brand new 18’ Skeeter ZX150 with a 150 Merc Black Max. Had that boat for 19 years. It was a great boat. The only thing I didn’t like about it, there was no leg room at the console. The bucket seats were low, like you were sitting on the floor. I couldn’t sit with both legs under the console. Had to sit with one leg outside the console. Not comfortable at all. Planning for retirement I bought a 2013 Nitro Z8 which is a 20’ dual console with a 250 Merc Pro XS 2-stroke. It takes roughly water well and has plenty of leg room at the console. The seats set up higher. It’s like sitting in my truck. Very comfortable. Easier to get in and out of the seats. The 20’ boat has more room for taking one or two people with you. You may want to consider at least a 19’ boat. Good luck on your search for a boat.

I have an 18ft 11" ranger and dude it sucks on the great lakes if the wind is anymkre than 5mph wind. Mille lacssame thing. Anywhere with wind its horrid. But all that being said i do enjoy it. Because being active duty i only make it home once or twice a yr to michigan. But ive almoat died twice on the great lakes and mille lacs.

In the mid 90’s I had an 18’10”Stratos dual console with a 150 Faststrike. It had more than enough front deck for two fishermen, tons of storage and a great dry ride in rough water. Best of all, I pulled it with a GMC Sonoma V6 pickup.

10’ seas? Love my 18’ boat though. Will keep the 60’er for the 10’ seas.

I've been bass fishing out of a 15' Gheenoe with a 20hp motor for a decade + and love it. Theres nowhere too shallow to go or too narrow. I can't charge off into a big chop but I can plow/surf my way to calmer waters. I've been caught in some big waves and managed to keep water from coming in. I like how easy to tow and launch/load it is by myself. I like the small footprint of a small boat it sneaks up on things. Also it cost 3 gallons to go out and not 30 gallons.I notice most big outboard guys don't make huge long runs when fun fishing anyways only for some money. I still can fish in big open waters and make long runs when its calm. I tow it with a 2001 Nissan frontier v6

I like the 19 footer with a 200 or 225 hp motor. It does everything an 18 footer can do and it's way better in choppy water.

Bought a Z19 Nitro. Love it. To me it was the perfect size. Right in the middle. Had to have tandem axle though for the sake of the ability to keep moving in the case of a flat. That has already shown its worth.

In 1999, I used to have a '98 Triton TR19 with a Evinrude 175. I purchased it used from a local dealer in Raleigh, NC. Prior to that, I had a 1988 17ft Glasstream Hydrobass with a 135 merc. When my 135 motor expired it was time to either get a new motor or upgrade to a new boat. The dealers in my area at that time were mostly Javlin, Stratos, or Sprint dealers. I could also get a Ranger but they were 10-15K more for the same size boat and I wasn't in a situation to justify paying that much more for the same length boat. As everyone knows Triton was the new kid on the block around that time period but making a big name for themselves in the sport. A gentleman was trading in his TR19 and it was near mint condition. That was my favorite boat I have owned. It was 18ft-11in, had a quick holeshot, good top end speed, handled great, I loved that boat. The single axle trailer made it easy to manuver at the boat ramp. Plenty of storage (more than I ever needed). The 24v trolling motor was the perfect match for that boat. Back then most of the boats on the lake were 18ft because the pros could only use a 150hp max for tournament use... Randy, Best of luck to you in your search new bass boat under $35K...

I fish out of a tracker tournament v18 and it has everything i need. Great boat and takes the waves phenomenally for being an aluminum boat

I agree Randy I had an old ranger 198V for years then a nitro wish I had the ranger w 150 should never have sold it for bigger

19.75 foot Triton with a 225 is a good size for me. I would be fine with an 18 footer too but I like the extra room. However I wouldn't want any bigger than what I have. Also good luck trying to find a true 17'10" -18' boat with a 150 on it anymore, the Bass Cat bobcat is the only boat I can think of that fits that description. The Triton 179 TRX is a good sized 18' boat but they only offer it with a 150 on it.

How many companies make bass boats? Most of our economy is captured by a few companies that make most of what ever category they are in. An example is cat food. 2 companies make around 80% of cat food. They pretty much can charge what ever they want. If you remember the baby formula problem from a few years ago, there are only a couple of companies that make formula. That is why when one of the companies went down with a tainting problem, formula was scarce and the price went up even further. There is not many categories of business that aren't captured by only a few companies. They charge what they want.

@christopherwood2290

24 күн бұрын

Anti Trust laws are dead in the USA. Big corporations bought all the politicians.

Up here in Ontario it is mostly walleye boats for the waters we fish up here. Now I have a 2004 Ranger 520. Prior to this was a 2015 Lund 1775 Impact and a 1995 ranger 392V. All have pros and cons. It is hard to find the perfect boat

@rwhanks

25 күн бұрын

Gotta have a V up there right?

@albenoitoutdoors

24 күн бұрын

@@rwhanks most boats this way are Deep V Bass boats are usually the tournament guys. Lund Pro V bass was designed for the northern boys. Took the Deep V pro V and converted it to a bass layout. i am comfortable going out in my Ranger 520 on big water. Just have to be smart about it when it blows.

Completely agree with your assessment on the size of the boat. Problem is the price of boats as you mentioned. Even an 18 ft boat is ridiculous in price. Aluminum boats are ridiculous in price. Boat manufacturers are out of control. Plus to be honest the tournament industry and fishermen haven't helped any either. Most has dealers providing them fully outfitted top of the line 100k boats and naturally they are happy to have it. After a year or two at the most. They turn it in for resale and are provided a brand new one. So they don't have a concern about the price of it. Understandably, it's how they make a living. But they and the manufacturers have driven the cost to a ridiculous amount. So when us regular weekend fishermen go look at a boat... it's pretty much all we can do is look. Or take the equivalent of a home mortgage out to purchase one. Total insanity.

My 1991 Ranger 391V with my Yamaha 175V or My even Johnson Fastrike 150 is just about the perfect size at 19'3" , big enough for Winnepesaukee or Champlain, but not too big for small lakes either. With the deck extension and large storage compartments and rod lockers. It has everything one could want, Classic Ranger styling, built when Forest still made them 1 at a time!

Ranger 518vx. Love it. My favorite boat.

Randy I fish a tournament trail called Low Horsepower. 115 is the biggest motor you can run. We almost always have 25 boats and our bags run just as big as the big motor boats.

I really like my 17TX (17' 10") Triton aluminum bass boat for the areas that I fish. It has 60 hp and I can save lots on fuel at 35 MPH. I can also get shallow without worries of being stranded.

I have a Stratos 285 with a Yamaha 150. Great boat to fish from.

I have a great boat. Stratus 285 pro 150 Evinrude great boat has everything I need

Love the intuitive angling hats is there anyway you could make some on visors also ?

@scottjacopian3191

13 күн бұрын

yupper for $60😮😅

Nice… I have an 18.5’ Ranger with Johnson GT150…. My FiL’s boat is 18 feet, w/150 HP.

Lowe 20’ Bay Boat with Mercury 115 4s , single axel trailer. Love this boat. Run 40mph all day long w 2 fisherman, gear and 30 gallons of fuel.

I have a 2017 Nitro Z18 with a 175 pro xs. Bought it new at the end of 2016. I absolutely love it.

Basscat Bobcat or Margay, You will love it Randy!

@BassKat169

25 күн бұрын

I own a Pantera 2 and it’s an outstanding boat for a blue collar fisherman not wanting to break the bank.

17.5 ft Alumacraft. Love it.

Z18 w 150 merc

@astrophysicistguy

25 күн бұрын

Best bass boat ever made for the money . If it's good enough for KVD for 25 years and EE for 20 years it's good enough for any recreational angler

Randy, I just bought an AlumaCraft Voyager. 17’10”. I never wanted a “bass boat”. I’ve always wanted a nice deep V boat. It’s got a 90 hp. Suzuki and a MinnKota Terrova on it. At my age this is probably the last boat I ever buy. I’m hoping it performs as well for me as I think it will. Any suggestions for electronics that I should put on it will be greatly appreciated. I definitely want to stay with 12 volt system.

Depends on where you fish the most. On my local 15-30k acre lake 18.5 is perfect. On the Great Lakes I wouldn’t go out in anything less than 21-24 ft.

I had a 18 ft on santee copper. Never again you get on otherside of lake and wind gets up you better get someone to get your truck and trailer and come around and get you. When you are stuck to boat leans and can’t run at different angles with the wind you will wish you had a 21 ft boat.

Currently on eBay is a Skeeter zx150 in Russellville Arkansas. Yamaha 150 looks very nice at low $30’s ask.

Probably the best buy right now is the Ranger Z518, it's rated up to a 200, yet it's less than 19 feet, equipped out you are in the 70 range.

Randy, You said it - you wish we could go backwards. I feel pretty nostalgic about my days as a young man but no matter how much we would like to go back in time , it's not gonna happen. Ñow, please stop crying about payouts, ffs, boat costs and everything else that is bass fishing in 2024 and just go fish in your 1985 ranger , please

I just downsized to a triton trx18

Try the vexus avx18 see if you can test drive one great boat

14-16 ft aluminum bateau with TM and a 25-40 hp outboard in the swamps and marshes will put a lot of fish in the boat, both fresh and salt.

Randy you would love my Ranger R82 with Flippin deck. Hope you find the perfect boat.

@BassKat169

25 күн бұрын

The R82 is the best hull Ranger ever made. It gets good lift and speed with a 175 hp on it.

If you are going to fish tournaments with Co-anglers, 18 is too short. If you are going to fish team tournaments you need a 20-21’. If you just solo fish with no partners and rarely other anglers, 18-19 is ok. The short boats rock side to side too much with two active anglers. Plus short boats can be dangerous by getting hooked by the other angler on their back cast. Back in the 1970’s, anglers used 5 1/2 to 6 foot rods. Now everyone uses 7 to 8 foot rods. 8 foot plus 8 foot is 16 feet. There is overlap.

@kirkmcintyre794

25 күн бұрын

ya it's going to be a LONG Bad day for the non boater with Randy in a 18ft boat... he doesn't like Anything they do in his boat as it is and with that back deck getting cut into nothing lol I think I would just pass if I pulled him

@ScottsMarineInc-

24 күн бұрын

I've fished two people out of a 12 foot jon boat with 7 to 7.5 foot rods tons of times throwing crankbaits and never had a problem. Boat length doesn't determine stability. Width and hull design are more important. A 17 or 18 foot is plenty for a team tournament. I've did it for years in a 15 foot.

Good luck in a tiny 18 footer! IMO, don’t go anything under 19’. 20’ is ideal.

12 foot kayak.

Lake St.Clair....I'd rather the 21. You can find a nice 21ft used boat

@tylermims

23 күн бұрын

Same. 18 footer gets tossed around and beats your gear up too much. I would say nothing less than 20ft.

1996 stratos 285 pro , 18,11 long ,still fishing out of it ,

I am in agreement with the outrageous price of bass boats then I looked down and saw your hats for sale for $35 😳. Seems like boats aren’t all that’s gone up in price.

I think the Ranger Z518 is the perfect bass boat for everything but the Great Lakes. Fits in standard garages, easy to operate, light, can fish nearly anywhere. You just get bounced around too much and beat up your equipment in anything smaller than a 20ft boat running big water.

@markhamblin8195

21 күн бұрын

Ranger 461 was the best ...was a 300 series hull with a 400 top....and floats shallow and takes on the great lakes and well

I have a 1996 Sprint 18.5 with 150 Evinrude with a 4 blade prop. It's fast as you want to go, goes way up in the creeks, sips gas on plane at 25 knots and dances over the chop. Trying to run 100 on the lake is stupid and dangerous. I"m also a pilot, so machines don't scare me. My boat is very light because I can't catch a damn fish.

Back in 2019 a Tracker Classic XL with a 50hp was like $10k out the door. That same boat is like$16k and not alot has changed on it. I can't justify or afford much more. Its crazy prices are up 50%

Ranger 188vx...just right for the Missouri waters that I fish.

What gets me about the cost of boats is for the most part they're still the same. Hull, seats, compartments. I guess extras but still 100,000. Give me a break.

@johnemrey9877

25 күн бұрын

I'm guessing you haven't outfitted a boat with new electronics? Plus that big ole Mercury on the back runs about 30k.

@stevesteve4350

24 күн бұрын

@@johnemrey9877 I have "outfitted" a boat. Lithium trolling motor battery with two 12s. Upgraded trolling motor 70lb minnkota. Onboard battery charger and it was hard wired with on and off switches. It had the Ethernet think it was called. Really nice setup. Shout out to Russell Marine Products in El Dorado Kansas for doing an excellent. job. All of that in total was I think maybe 2,000. Ran it a few years sold it and got my money back. I'm old man been doing this a long long time. It did everything I wanted it to and it was a fish catching setup. I pounded on them with that boat. What's your point?

@stevesteve4350

24 күн бұрын

@@johnemrey9877 I forgot 2 Hummingbird 7". Front and console. Maybe $2500 total after everything.

@stevesteve4350

24 күн бұрын

@@johnemrey9877 What's your point?

@stevesteve4350

24 күн бұрын

@@johnemrey9877 I'm guessing you're the one who hasn't rigged a boat.

You'd buy top of the line if you could (with discretionary $$). A used one is smarter, IMO.

‘02 skeeter st15 💪

As i said thanks for the tackle warehouse link, have been buying strolling baits to use with my ffs :)

@WFSmith

25 күн бұрын

Randy hates FFS but he's probably Ok that you used his link to buy FFS baits

@Hatedepot

25 күн бұрын

@@WFSmith i was gonna buy them anyways. Just more to troll the randy. If i’m gonna buy from that giant company at least i can give his link a click.

Randy my first home was 70.000

I've never seen a boat catch a fish no matter how big or small.

is it safe to say we wont be seeing a Randy B live scope?

Basically any boat is a compromise. I’d like to see the anglers at the pro level to be able to tailor their boat to the venue. Overall the 18ft 150hp fiberglass boats that were the standard from 1980-2000 is the best overall compromise and that’s what I’ve run for the last 40 years.

Have went??

Hey Randy, couldn't you buy out the boat you had?

@BassKat169

25 күн бұрын

He probably told them to stick it. 😂😂😂😂

Mt. Home built Champion......

You need a 30 foot boat with twin 300HP outboards for bass. A canoe or kayak will not work anywhere.

Isn't johnny still fishing out of his old 18 foot triton? You know he's fishing rough water

For the guys that want to fish, not play video games! 18' works great, you don't need a 21' for the extra 3' on the bow just for 4 monster graphs!

Hi Randy - I want to sell my 2021 Ranger z521L with about 50 hrs. It’s the ranger cup. I will give you a smoking deal. I have to sell do to health issues.

@user-sp9hy8tq4j

25 күн бұрын

30k!? Sold

@ricknelson4793

25 күн бұрын

I think Randy should be checking your ranger boat out.

@richclark7475

25 күн бұрын

@@ricknelson4793 I wish I new how to get in touch with him.

@rickelh5735

25 күн бұрын

I’m interested. Where you located Rich?

@one-of-a-kind6606

25 күн бұрын

? Price, looks like there is interest.

All boat prices are insane.

My old 84 Ranger 372 fished better than my 2005 SX200 Skeeter..

For the price and performance there isn’t a boat better than the BassCat Pantera 2.

I have a 21 foot ranger now. But my 19 foot stratos rode way better in rough water.

@donnieshelton591

25 күн бұрын

Yeah ok

@DMV49ers

25 күн бұрын

@@donnieshelton591😂 yeah OK you don’t believe I have the boats, or yeah OK you don’t think the stratos rode better?😂 Either way your perception is your reality.🤦🏽‍♂️

@donnieshelton591

25 күн бұрын

@@DMV49ers I think you may have a vested interest in promoting Stratos. I have had 3 bass boats myself over the past twenty years, started w/ 18.5 Nitro, then 21 ft Triton and now the 20 ft 10 inch Ranger. I just find it odd that a 19 ft Stratos rides better than 21 ft anything. My 2019 Ranger rides deep in the water, slower than my 21 ft Triton but I guess it’s interpretation.

@DMV49ers

25 күн бұрын

@@donnieshelton591 respect. I spend a lot of time on the Potomac river. I’ve also traveled all over this country fishing the Toyota series for the past 15 years, and have been blessed to qualify for the national championship. There is not many major bodies of water east of the Mississippi that I haven’t fished. I also have owned three bass boats as well. The 19 foot stratos and two 21 foot rangers. The reason that I feel the smaller stratos rides better in rough waters is because it seems to be much easier to keep the nose of the boat up when the waves are tall and close together. I have made runs in 40 mph winds, which is very treacherous on the Potomac river, in both models of boats. Over those years I can only recall stuffing maybe three waves. A one on Lake Champlain, one on the Potomac and one on Lake Ontario. I never stuffed a wave in my stratos. Just my perspective. I have no vested interest in stratos. It was my starter boat back in 07. I haven’t had anything to do for Stratos in a long time respectfully

@DMV49ers

25 күн бұрын

@@donnieshelton591 now if the question is, would I go back to a 19 foot stratos over 21 foot ranger… Absolutely not. I enjoy the front deck space, the rod and tackle storage space, and the ability to have a larger motor.

Sounds like your boat control is lacking if you’re blowing out spots with the trolling motor.

The best is what you can afford

Randy, CMON a fully loaded tournament rig of 20-21 feet is not over 100k. Stop saying that there are plenty of fully rigged boats in the 70k range including the Skeeter you fished for the last 3 years. 2024 Basscat Eyra national average 76k, Ranger 520L National average 82k, Phoenix 920 national average 79k, Skeeter ZXR20 national average 77k, & Nitro Z20 national average 64k. Tons of pros running these and all are clearly 18 to 36k under your constant claim.

2005 Ranger 619 and will probably keep it forever. Bought it new way back in the day for $35,000 and now unaffordable new. Do not want a bigger boat.

I don't understand why some fishermen think they need to spend $40000.00 + to catch a little green fish. And I surely despise boat mfg charging $100000.00 for a floating piece of painted fiberglass and resin with an over priced outboard stuck on the back. A few times in my life I realized that I paid too much on a bass boat. Now I'm catching my limits out of an aluminum boat and just as comfortable doing it.

18 center line measurement is good but it’s better than measuring down the gunnel measurement and some company’s measure down the gunnel from transom to tip , and they will call it a 18 ft boat but honestly it’s not

The problem is not boats costing that much. Its people stupid enough to pay that much. Shop owner told me people finance them for 15 years and ware them out before getting them paid off. I have a 17' G3 eagle with a 90 yamaha and 80 minn kota. Never wanted any thing else.

It's just not the stupid people paying 100k for a bassboat..you have stupid people paying 10k,20k over MSRP for a stinking Chevy Corvette and 80k for a pickup trucks that's already overpriced by thousands..the old sayings still holds.."There's a fool born every minute" and "Some have more money than sense".

Love my Skeeter ZX190 Yammy 175. Plenty big enough.

Randy ban these trolls..

Randy thanks for your honesty on bass fishing,I know you take alot of shit from people that's the problem with today's society,nobody wants to hear the truth

I liked your content. The person screeching in the background was so distracting and annoying, it was hard to concentrate on what you were saying.

Just start fishing kayak tournaments! Problem solved!😅

@kevinreimers1271

21 күн бұрын

Hey, didn't mean to be disrespectful but still love your pod casts!

When I saw the price of boats I was like “shit I can afford one!!!” Not realizing most of those prices don’t include a god damn thing

A 12 ft jon boat is what you need. It goes well with your no live scope electronics. Get back to basics you always say, right Randy?

18ft boat in 10 ft seas?come on

@randyblaukatintuitive

25 күн бұрын

Bassmaster’s invitational 1985 and 1987 Lake Ontario. Ask Jimmy Houston and Rick Clunn