What Boat, Motor, Electronics setup would you purchase.

For those of you who fish mostly bass, If you had say a 60-70,000 budget to purchase a new Boat, motor , and electronics what would it be? Minnesota use to be dominated by Ranger Boats. Its seems like more and more Diehard Ranger fans seem to be making a move away from them. Almost everyone who I know who have switched from Ranger gives the same reason – Their Quality and Customers service has fallen way off since Bass pro purchased them. I’ve never been a big Mercury motor fan but they seem to dominate the market these days. As far as Electronics goes it seems like its about 50/50 between Lowrance and Hummingbird with Garmin gaining ground in the last few years. For trolling motors it use to be only Minn-kota and Motorguide, but these days there are a few other options.
For me I’d go with:
Boat – Phoenix or Basscat – 19″
Motor – Merc. Pro XS
Electronics – Probably Hummingbirds with Maga 360 and side imaging.
Trolling motor – Minn-kota Ultrex

Curious to see what all of your dream boat setups would be

Basscat 20’
Mercury or a Suzuki
Hm I would say mega and mega 360
Ultraex

Also power poles with drift paddles.

I was at the Mpls Boat Show last January and looked at a lot of boats for fun. Honestly, I had a hard time talking myself into anything other than what I currently have – the deep V, more storage than any bass boat, etc. would be really hard to give up.

However, if I wanted to spend $60-70k on a different boat I would probably lean towards a BassCat Caracal. One of the better rough water bass boats. The Phoenix you mentioned would be nice to… No Ranger for me, I had one a few years back with 21 warranty returns in 3 years. Ranger wouldn’t stand behind some of it, disappointing to say the least.

Have to have another 36 volt Ultrex, would add 2 Talons/PP, and am open on motor brand (I think 4 stroke EFI’s are all pretty good now).

Phoenix makes a pretty nice bass rig. I’m currently a Ranger bass boat owner but I bought my boat in 2015 before they were sold to Tracker/Bass Pro and I have heard that the quality has gone down.

gim wrote:

Phoenix makes a pretty nice bass rig. I’m currently a Ranger bass boat owner but I bought my boat in 2015 before they were sold to Tracker/Bass Pro and I have heard that the quality has gone down.

I bought a Ranger lemon in 2010
so even they have had at least occasional quality issues for awhile..

Not a bass boat guy but a friend of mine switched to Vexus because not happy with his last 2 Rangers. Same reasons—issues with fit and finish and warranty that Corporate wouldn’t cover. His dealer ate alot of warranty problems. He had bought 9 new 621’s over the years I think.

“His dealer ate alot of warranty problems.”

That’s what happened in my situation – the trailer axle was defective and welded incorrectly causing the trailer, wiring, etc to overheat driving down the road and never worked right again. I was screwed but Ranger wouldn’t replace it after it had been “fixed” several times. Dealer knew I was screwed and ate the cost and gave me a new trailer.

That’s why I bought my next boat from that same dealer, but it wasn’t a Ranger.

My friend bought his Vexus from his”Ranger dealer”. His dealer now handles Vexus along with Rangers.

FryDog62 wrote:

That’s why I bought my next boat from that same dealer, but it wasn’t a Ranger.

Hey Fry what model Ranger was it you had issues with? At some point down the road I intend to upgrade to a slightly bigger model and knowing which one caused problems would be beneficial.

gim wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>FryDog62 wrote:</div>
That’s why I bought my next boat from that same dealer, but it wasn’t a Ranger.

Hey Fry what model Ranger was it you had issues with? At some point down the road I intend to upgrade to a slightly bigger model and knowing which one caused problems would be beneficial.

I had a Reata 18.5 foot… fine for walleye fishing and family tubing, but not a deeper v bass boat like I would purchase now.

I honestly think I’d switch over to aluminum and go with the Lund Pro V Bass 20 ft. I love the layout, LOVE the deeper v than a traditional bass boat, it’s more family friendly with 2 rear seats that fold back into the rear deck and it’s still heavy enough to handle big waves and wind. AND I wouldn’t have to worry about wrecking my glass on the river (big fear of mine with my current Nitro). I’d throw a 12 inch Helix MEGA SI on the console along with a 10 inch for GPS only, then another 12 inch MEGA SI on the bow with 360 hooked up to the Ultrex.

My dream setup that I will work my whole life to be able to afford…..

^^^^Exactly what Mahto said

“I honestly think I’d switch over to aluminum… I wouldn’t have to worry about wrecking my glass on the river”

I agree in terms of being on a rocky river or fishing Canadian Shield lakes, aluminum is more forgiving on the bottom. However, as far as the sides lightly touching a dock, brushing up against branches, etc it rashes up a lot more than fiberglass.

Have to pick your poison based on what waters you fish most…

I’m excited to see what the New Crestliner MX21 when they become available. From what I can see of it, It doesn’t seem to have as deep of a V as most of their boats but still more than a Glass bass boat. 96″ Beam and tons of storage and a big livewell. Rated for a 250 and scheduled to reach a top speed of low 70’s. Be interesting to see if any Pro’s other than Jon Cox make a switch to a tin boat for next season.

fishthumper wrote:

Be interesting to see if any Pro’s other than Jon Crews make a switch to a tin boat for next season.

Did you mean to say John Cox? I thought he ran a tin bass boat.

gim wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
Be interesting to see if any Pro’s other than Jon Crews make a switch to a tin boat for next season.

Did you mean to say John Cox? I thought he ran a tin bass boat.

Yep Jon Cox – Got my Jon’s mixed up.

I would go a different route and look at a 20 ft lund pro guide, 200 Verado tiller loaded with 16 inch garmins and live scope.

But I dont like pretty boats due to fishing the river to much but that would be my set up if I won the lottery

fishthumper wrote:

I’m excited to see what the New Crestliner MX21 when they become available. From what I can see of it, It doesn’t seem to have as deep of a V as most of their boats but still more than a Glass bass boat. 96″ Beam and tons of storage and a big livewell. Rated for a 250 and scheduled to reach a top speed of low 70’s. Be interesting to see if any Pro’s other than Jon Cox make a switch to a tin boat for next season.

Looks like a cool boat, wondering if that is a Mod-V and what the dead rise is on it. I’m sure it flies!

I’d buy Josh Douglas’s Phoenix and get a couple of guided trips in the deal to learn the electronics.

Lund Pro V Bass 2075XS w/250 ProXS 4-stroke. Tons of storage, good deck space, and enough seating to bring my boys. As far electronics, I’d probably pull a Wheeler and have all three brands. I’m a Lowrance guy but they’re behind when compared to MEGA 360 and Garmin’s LiveScope/Periscope.

I’ve a Crestliner 1850 Bass Hawk w/ Merc 150 4S. I like the Lund Pro V Bass, too. I think the Lund is the Cadillac. Mine is the Chevy. It has plenty of storage, and fishes great. I forget that it’s a deep V until I see it on the trailer. I fish The River quite a bit in the Fall. Thankfully, I’m unscathed so far. My day will come. I’m told the aluminum is more forgiving than glass. I have to push mine in the garage due to an odd driveway set up. I think I’d be found with trailer tire marks over my corpse and the boat in the woods if I had fiberglass.

ssaamm wrote:

I’ve a Crestliner 1850 Bass Hawk w/ Merc 150 4S. I like the Lund Pro V Bass, too. I think the Lund is the Cadillac. Mine is the Chevy. It has plenty of storage, and fishes great. I forget that it’s a deep V until I see it on the trailer. I fish The River quite a bit in the Fall. Thankfully, I’m unscathed so far. My day will come. I’m told the aluminum is more forgiving than glass. I have to push mine in the garage due to an odd driveway set up. I think I’d be found with trailer tire marks over my corpse and the boat in the woods if I had fiberglass.

Thx for the review ssaamm, was going to ask you what you thought about your boat now that you have a few hours on it.

My driveway/garage situation is challenging too, I got a Trailer Valet and it is much more tolerable.

One of things I miss of my days of yesteryear was my Bass boats god it was fun to run 70-72MPH especially in the Mississipp back waters.

opps

Don’t get too hung up on the brand but rather the layout, When I had my Bass Boat I went with Triton, It was layed out the way I wanted. wasn’t long and some of the more popular brands were coping the same layout. dry storage is huge for me.

A BassCat Caracal, Eyra, or Cougar probably with a Mercury. Twin poles. Humminbird mega+ console and bow with 360 mega and whatever live version they’re coming out with next year. I’d also probably get a livescope setup. Probably couldn’t get one of the boats that I mentioned rigged out like that for under $70000 haha

I dont think you can really make a mistake on electronics these days. In fact, we have seen more multiple brands rigged on the same boat especially livescope and or 360 and sometimes both. Ultrex clearly leads the way as far as most common TMs but again, the new Garmin & lowrance Ghost made significant strides this past year…

Boats, obviously I have bias, but in my mind I think it would be tough to go from a quality glass hull to aluminum. Not to say there isn’t a place for them but the cost swing on 19 ft plus models aren’t near as much gap as they used to be.

Great to have options and I think driving & fishing out of a prospective model will make it a far more confident decision.