Batman1635474

I was advised to stay away from this boat even though I loved everything about it i was questioning the 115 hp....most everyone is saying that is way underpowered and I would not be happy with it. Looking at a Nitro Z7 in my area found a 2011 for 20k with some accessories so hopefully that goes through.

Yeah I'm starting to realize how long this is going to take but at least it gives me something to look forward to and it's becoming somewhat of a hobby trying to find the best deal I can. Starting to figure out what to look for and I def. know what I want, I've been out on a Z7 before and It was awesome even out on st.lawrence river so I think I will be zeroing in on those. Thanks again for everything though I really do appreciate all the great advice you guys took the time to write up.

This forum has absolutely everything it's almost unreal how much there is to it all. Would you consider buying in January a good time since it's not boat season and also a new year, I think buying a little used with electronics already installed and waiting until Jan. would give me the best bang for my buck.

Thanks a lot Dan, I plan to speak with a few dealers and obviously looking at the lowest APR possible. I do know that the nitro's have a 2.99 % APR with 5k down which is very do-able for me but will be looking into stratos financing offers as well as USAA just depends on who has the better deal. I think I will find the z7 for a lot less then the 189 but I will keep an eye out, a lot of people seem open to the idea of price negotiation since I will be willing to drive down check it out and tow it back up but only if the price is right. You all have been a tremendous help with my search so I really do appreciate all the good advice.

By the way the 186 and the 189 vlo is stratos not triton i think i put it up wrong on my earlier post.

It looks like the 189 vlo with a few years on it might be a good option since it has 150 hp and also the z7 so I'll be mainly looking at those . Just want to know what the oldest models I should be looking at.

Thanks Dan I appreciate it and I think you guys have convinced me to shop around a little more. I think when I get back I will call a dealer near me and let them know what I'm looking for and my price range. I found a z7 right by me that is being sold by a private seller for 20k so I will prob. look into that if it's still available when I get back. Also I think I might suck it up and wait until Jan. to buy therefore it will make the 2014's drop a bit I'm assuming and also I hear better deals during the winter plus I will not need to store the boat this winter saving some cash there. Thanks for the advice I'll keep looking..... 19 footer with 150-200hp...what years should i look at and also how many hours per year ? Don't want to buy into a boat thats just at the point where it starts failing on me.

I wanted to get a 150 but that's the 189 VLO which is 5k more and was hoping 115 would be sufficient enough for just starting out. I was looking at the z7's I have heard some horror stories with there customer service and the bottom coating just coming off leaving customers screwed over by Nitro, again though I have heard they are really nice boats but was unsure with there customer service. I wouldn't have looked any further if I had 28k to throw down on a boat but even 22k is pushing it. I read up the reviews on it and they have a video explaining the get up speeds on this link . I would love to find a z7 for 22k especially with a 200 hp merc ...that's a hell of a deal. This price with the 115 i am looking at is with no good electronics only a stock lowrance 4x at the console. Heres another link to check out the review http://www.boatingmag.com/boats/stratos-186-vlo P.S.- Just want to say thank you for your prior service and for all you guys put up with IDK how I would have felt if I came back from last deployment to that sort of treatment. Really gets under my skin that people have the nerve ...anyways thanks for everything.

Thanks Starcraft awesome information there, I put up a new thread on the boat I'm am pretty much sold on. Since I'm new to the boating scene I don't necessarily know a scam or a good deal when I see one so I steered towards buying new against some others advice. I like the idea of buying new so I don't inherit someone else's headache and end up spending as much as I could have for a brand new boat. Also like the fact that I will be getting warranty and will most likely keep the boat for a while. I was looking at aluminum until I came across the Triton 186 VLO which is new to 2014 , the 115 horses should be plenty enough for me especially being my first boat and it's a 19 footer which will be safe for the waters I am looking to fish. Not to mention the boat looks great which is kind of on my priority list. Planning on putting about 10 down and financing the other 12 which will be very much affordable for me . Hopefully you guys agree with my new decision b.c I can almost see myself out there now!

I think I am sold on the new Stratos 186 VLO it has just about everything I am looking for. It's a 19' boat which will handle well on the bigger waters and rivers I will be fishing, Mercury 115ELPT Optimax engine (was wondering what the diff. was b.t this one and the Pro XS model and if it's worth the extra $500), fiberglass, looks great and best of all with the trailer and all the accessories I need to start out will only be $22,195. I think I have found my boat but would like to hear any feedback on either the model and or company. Heres a link to the page http://www.stratosboats.com/model.cfm?name=186VLO

Thank you GA , If anyone can throw in any advice it'd be much appreciated I would like to have something lined up for when I get back so any info. will help. I was wondering if I should wait until the winter if the prices for the boats will drop since it's not season. I don't want to wait but if you think it will save me a good amount of money I think I can do that.

Thanks for the replies everyone. PZ3 I've been in for 6 years i'm an E-5 and coming back from my 2nd deployment. I'm looking to put around 10k down and finance the other 10k which will be easy payments for me. I'm looking for glass because I want to be happy with my boat and think buying used would be the best option as I'll get more boat for less money and it will hold it's value better then a brand new boat driving off the lot. Any opinions on which companies to mainly look at and or boats that will be in that price range , i'd like to have a 2011 or newer if it can fit the budget.

Here are the bookmarks I have compiled so far I know it's a lot but just an idea of what I have came up with so far if you want to check out one or two. These boats are not in any sort of order. http://fingerlakes.craigslist.org/bod/4495775643.html http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2011-Nitro-Z-7-618146 http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2010-Triton-17-Explorer-364576 http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2000-Bass-Cat-Boats-Cougar-102280549 http://www.anglerschoicemarine.com/boats.html?task=detail&id=1208 http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2009-Nitro-Z-7-102005232#contact_form http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2011-Nitro-Z7-616106 http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2012-Nitro-Z-7-102282971 http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2009-Bass-Cat-Boats-Sabre-18-Bass-Boat-102283287 http://nashville.craigslist.org/boa/4492935696.html http://nashville.craigslist.org/bod/4505345905.html http://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa/4438016547.html http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/bod/4434926511.html http://rochester.craigslist.org/boa/4493105005.html http://albany.craigslist.org/boa/4420362926.html

Hey everyone good to be a part of the community here. I'm currently in Afghanistan and will be returning home shortly, and I will be getting my first bass boat for a present to myself. I have been doing as much research as possible but still seem to be getting nowhere. I'll lay out what I think I need and the type of fishing I will be doing and please chime in with your experience and advice. I will mostly be fishing on weekends and would like to start getting into tournaments. I am stationed in upstate NY so I will be fishing on lakes as big as lake ontario, oneida , and also the st.lawrence river. I would like to keep my budget at 20k but if a great deal/boat is another 1 or 2 over I would consider it. From what I hear I don't want anything less than a 19 footer for those type of waters and 150 hp at minimum. I like the Nitro boats but have heard some negative feedback on customer service. Also have been looking at Skeeter and Ranger. Any advice will help tremendously since this is my first boat so please go ahead and enlighten me.