Hey everyone! I'm finally taking the plunge and making an investment in a boat!

 

I have a couple of questions and maybe you all could help me out with suggestions?

 

I am limiting my budget to $23,000.

 

I would like to do FLW tournaments but their minimum motor requirement is 150hp and I am having trouble finding something in my price range with a 150.

 

So far I've looked at and like these boats

 

Nitro z-6

Stratos 186xt

Lowe 18 hp

 

So far I like the Nitro and Stratos purely because of their contingency programs. I like that the lowe is aluminum.

 

Is the FLW very strict on the 150 hp rule?

 

If you know of any other boats I should check out please let me know! Also FLW tournaments aren't a must but I thought it would be cool and fun.

Is your heart set on new? On a new boat, the cost of a 150 is 1/2 your budget or more. The contingency programs are nice if you can find a club that is part of them(I know nothing about FLWs involvement), but a lot of the mfgs of boats, and now accessories, have some type of program. You can check out AC Tournaments http://www.actournaments.com/illinois-bass-tournaments.htm, and Anglers Dream http://anglers-dream.com/ in Northern IL for buddy tourneys

Thanks Slone! I am not set on new but would prefer it. Mostly because of warranty also. Are most tournaments ok with a 115? I would imagine a 115 is enough to get me started in the local tournaments.

Decided on a Nitro z-7

Most of the smaller clubs, including the ones I mentioned have no hp limits. Guys have fished with 9.9hp-300hp. I fish AC and have for a number of years. I competed with a 90hp on a tin boat for most of those. There is decent money to be won in the Fox Chain division, which is the one I fish, but I see that's a little drive for you. They have a tournament of champions every spring and it's either been on G'ville or KY Lake the last number of years. If you qualify, you have  chance to win 1 of 3 fully rigged Legend bass boats. They limit the TOC to 200 boats and the boats are given for 1st, 2nd, and a draw boat so you could win a boat weighing in zero. Congrats on the new boat purchase. Don't forget to post pics when you pic her up.

For sure! Thanks for all the info! It's actually a 2012 model I'm buying new so it was only $900 more than a z-6. Now I just need to decide if I'm going through State Farm (my car insurance is with them) or somewhere else. I saw in a previous thread you have "full replacement coverage". Mind if I ask about how much a year than runs you?

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Where you getting it from? Bolingbrook or Gurnee? 

Portage, IN