Bass Boat

[BIGSHOW]

Since this forum also says general discussion and not just bass I will throw this out there. I think I will get more responces here. I'm pretty sure I sold my boat. I want to start getting more into tournament fishing. I had a fish and ski style boat. Although it is a great boat, its time to get a "bass boat". The wife will probably divorse me but the whole idea of a fish and ski is a family style boat. And they maybe go out 2 or 3 times a year. Anyway, does anyone have any tips of where to look? I'm kinda leaning towards a Ranger 519 - 520 or skeeter of the same size. If they wanna go tubing i'm sure I can throw them around on one of them. I am looking at hopefully around a 2010 model with somewhat of a motor warranty. Any ideas? Thanks

[Manxfishing]

If your looking for a newer used bass boat
Check out Bass Boat central (BBC) classifieds. it's the best place that I've seen for used bass boats
http://www.bbcboards.net/

[BIGSHOW]

I'm on there daily. Just looking for other options. Does anyone know if you can do a search on like craigslist for midwest instead of just metro detroit or certain (limited) cities. Jaxed is a good one to. I just wanna stay away from e-bay unless its local. I'm not biding on something worth that much without seeing it in person. Thx Manxfishing

[Manxfishing]

If you know the brand and model
Do a google search with that and "for sale"

I agree with you on E-bay
Seems allot of slavaged, repaired or fixed boats get sold on E-bay

[bob o]

http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?topic=19100.0

this one won't break the bank either

[Rangerman]

Fishing the water you boys got I would NOT look at anything less than a 520 and if money available a 521 Son you boys got some BIG and Ruff water. We were down a Grosse Point Marina in a 19' er an about did not make it back to 9 mile in a blow in June. This is a case of Bigger is Better for sure.

[BIGSHOW]

I have talked to Don before and I know he has this boat. I'm just looking for something newer.

[BIGSHOW]

I'm with you rangerman. The 520 is a little more available to. Has anyone tubed or skied from their bass boat? I have to throw the kids around a little. Is there a pylon attachment? or transom hooks?

[Mike S.]

There are transom hooks. I wouldn't want to be pulled on a tube behind my bass boat!!  They will definitely pull the kids around no problem. When I was in the market, I searched Craigslist. I would pick a city and search bass boat. Or, I would search a specific like Nitro bass boat or Skeeter bass boat. That's how I found my Skeeter. You can also check iboats.com, or jjst google bass boat for sale in Michigan. Possibilities are endless. Good luck in your searches.

[red68prostreet]

Bigshow. It's tough to ski or tube behind a bassboat. They don't stay on plane at lower speeds very well.

What is your budget for a newer boat. I'll tell you what I have. I may be interested in selling mine as I am not using it as much as I hoped.

I have a 2007 Ranger 521 VX dual console. It has a 225 HO Etec. The boat was bought new in May 2010 from Wonderland as they had never been able to sell it. It still has 2 yrs warranty left on the engine. The engine has approx. 75 hrs on it. getting the exact hrs is not a problem as I have the software program to view engine issues.

Since owning the boat I have added a CMC jackplate, an 8ft Talon. I installed 3 new AGM batteries in April for the 101 lb thrust Minn Kota trolling motor. The starting battery was new last yr. The original batteries from Complete Battery Source always gave me problems I got rid of them.

I have an new HDS 10 Gen 2 up front that was installed in May. I have an HDS 8m and an HDS 5 at the wheel. Structure Scan as well and all units are interlinked.

This boat is a tournament ready rig. I only fish for pleasure and lately not enough so I may be interested in parting with it. I had a smaller 18 ft Ranger before this that was not fun on LSC when the waves got bigger than 1 1/2 ft. This 521 at 21ft 3 in rides like a dream in bigger waves.

The boat has all the standard Ranger features. Livewell, two gas tanks that hold 52 gals, hambys bump strip, Ranger boat cover. It has a Hotfoot gas pedal and a ton of storage. Boat was Coastguard approved this spring.

Boat is in excellent shape and is always stored inside my heated outbuilding. My asking price is going to be expensive at $39,500 but this type of boat is expensive with all these features I have listed. I own the boat outright so if your interested let me know. I live in the Fowlerville area so seeing the boat and test driving can be arranged. I can also send pictures to your personal email but not until I'm back at work on mon as that is where they are located.

[YpsiBass]

http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?topic=19100.0

this one won't break the bank either

You don't want that anyway.  Not to wish bad on Don, but I'm hoping he still has it in 2014...

[BIGSHOW]

PM send red68prostreet

[Slipkey]

I'm with you rangerman. The 520 is a little more available to. Has anyone tubed or skied from their bass boat? I have to throw the kids around a little. Is there a pylon attachment? or transom hooks?

red68 is right about the planing issue but it can be done. BPS sells ski tow setup that, depending on your boat, can mount in to the seat post hole with two "bipod" legs that attach to the back of your deck.  If you plan to tube, get a four or five blade for that purpose that is pitched down to spin up quickly and get you on plane faster. Your boat dealer should have demo props to help you out with selection. If you still are having a problem planing at a low enough speed, you may have to look at something like trim tabs to compensate.  My good friend Pat had a similar setup on a Ranger 400 series and it worked well for him for years while his kids were in to waterskiing and tubing.

[BIGSHOW]

I was origanally looking at getting a ranger reata 2050. Which is more like a fish and ski. With a hull similar to a 620 (walleye style). Which would work nicely. But at 50,000 + with just minimal electronics its a bit high. I can't find one used no matter how hard I try. And if I do they want top dollar. They top out around 55 mph +/- a few. Who knows maybe i'll break down and get one. I was all set to early this year and one thing led to another and I didn't have my boat sold. Now I do and i'm ready.

[6 lb Smallmouth]

I kicked around the idea of a fish-n-ski a while back but have decided against it.  For the number of times I would take my wife and daughter out boating versus fishing, it doesn't make sense.  Give me the most perfect setup for the fishing I do and then I'll figure out how to use it for skiing/tubing and cruising later on.

In terms of searching for a used boat, I have found that Craigslist is a good source.  Living in Chicago, I search the major midwest cities.  I also have found a lot of choices on http://www.oodle.com/
Mostly, I just do a specific search for the boat I am interested in.  For example "Bass Cat Pantera for sale"

Keep us updated.  I enjoy reading about people's boat purchases. 

[Slipkey]

I was origanally looking at getting a ranger reata 2050. Which is more like a fish and ski. With a hull similar to a 620 (walleye style). Which would work nicely. But at 50,000 + with just minimal electronics its a bit high. I can't find one used no matter how hard I try.

Well you're talking to a guy who runs a 620 so I would tend to sing its praises.  As long as I continue to live in Michigan, the only other boat I would personally consider is a 522.  With the deck extension off, you can comfortably seat 4 in the cockpit.  With it on, you've got a great back platform.  You can even have a cushion sown to cover the back deck if the wife wants to lounge around.  You're still only looking at low sixties for top end, but I can count on 1 finger the number of times I've fished a tourney on a Great Lake that I would have like to have had more speed.   There are a ton of 620's for sale on Walleye Central, plus 621's and even 619's, which are darn fine riding boats too.

[justinhahn88]

Check out searchtempest.com. It allows you to search your desired mileage from your zip code. You can look for a specific model or just something general such as "bass boat". You also can view ebay listings within your specified radius. Hope it helps

Good luck!

[Big dreams]

Check out searchtempest.com. It allows you to search your desired mileage from your zip code. You can look for a specific model or just something general such as "bass boat". You also can view ebay listings within your specified radius. Hope it helps

Good luck!

+1 for searchtempest.com.  That is how I found my boat on Craigslist and it was less than 10 miles from my house...who would of knew.

[Lightningboy]

You can easily tube/ski behind a bass boat if you get another prop pitched lower than your usual.  i.e. if you normally use a 25, drop to a 23; it'll stay up on plane at much lower speeds.  All boats plane at about 15/16 mph, you just need a prop that will give you lift at those speeds.

Only problem I've run into is that the stern eyes are low to the water, allowing the rope to drag on turns.  The pylon back seat replacement solves the problem well.  Don't have one myself, but have used one & it works well.

[BIGSHOW]

Thanks for all the replies. Now that i'm back in town its time to get serious and find a boat.