I would have ran a search on this, but I wanted opinions of the new models because I'm buying a brand new boat soon.

I'm looking for a great blend of affordability, fishability, speed, hole-shot, bells and whistles, and lasting quality.  Right now I'm stuck between skeeter and triton, but haven't ruled out any brands yet.  I really want a Ranger but I'm not going to pay 40grand for an 18ft boat.  I think the magic size for me is around 18'6 with around a 150-175hp engine on it (4stroke or better)  What is your opinions and throw out some prices if you know them offhand please.  

Here are the specifics of what I want

Rear depthfinder with dual sonar beams at different mHz w/GPS

Front depthfinder with dual sonar beams at different mHz

70ft-lb trolling motor

dual console

150-175hp 4stroke or better engine (60-70mph top speed)

18-18'6 length overall

6ft beam

able to handle rough water

able to be fished in shallow water

hydrolic steering

hot foot accelerator

Thanks in advance

Just my opinion, I would look at an aluminum Triton or G3 HP. Both under 20ish. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder but I wouldn't get a glass boat. I run several rivers here in Fl. and hitting rocks is always a possibility.

I have a G3 Eagle 175. It is 18ft in length, has a 60 HP 4stroke does about 45 MPH. I could probably go to a 115HP to get the speed you need but to me it isn't necessary. My only complaint is the underpowered trolling motor at 40lbs. I would like a 70 as well.

I agree with Earthworm...but I would for sure add the Xpress to that list...it is more than the G3 but not as much as the Triton Magnum. Xpress is the only of all of those will the dual layer hull and has more deadrise than both the Triton and G3.

http://www.xpressboats.com/

I know I am a Stratos owner,but I didn't buy it because it was the first boat I found.You should check out the 294.

I definitely haven't ruled out the possibilty of aluminum boats because I don't care about glitter and shine, but I was sure that I didn't want a Tracker.  They don't have the beam or the rough water abilities that I'd like.  I fish a lot of big lakes and big lakes have a tendecy to get pretty nasty pretty fast.  I'm not quitting a tournament because my boat can't make it back to the marina.  Lightning or a torential downpour is one thing, a stiff wind is another.  How do those Xpress, Triton Magnums, and G3's handle in rough water?  Does it offer a good ride or does it make you spend your tournament winnings at a chiropracter on the way home?  I need the boat to be relatively fast so I'm not leaving backwater holes an hour earlier than I have to because of time constraints.

CJBasswacker, what does the price look like on that 294?

I would have ran a search on this, but I wanted opinions of the new models because I'm buying a brand new boat soon.

I'm looking for a great blend of affordability, fishability, speed, hole-shot, bells and whistles, and lasting quality.  Right now I'm stuck between skeeter and triton, but haven't ruled out any brands yet.  I really want a Ranger but I'm not going to pay 40grand for an 18ft boat.  I think the magic size for me is around 18'6 with around a 150-175hp engine on it (4stroke or better)  What is your opinions and throw out some prices if you know them offhand please.  

Here are the specifics of what I want

Rear depthfinder with dual sonar beams at different mHz w/GPS

Front depthfinder with dual sonar beams at different mHz

70ft-lb trolling motor

dual console

150-175hp 4stroke or better engine (60-70mph top speed)

18-18'6 length overall

6ft beam

able to handle rough water

able to be fished in shallow water

hydrolic steering

hot foot accelerator

Thanks in advance

A 6 foot beam??  That's only 72".  They haven't made a fiberglass BB that wide in 30 years.

Most everything on your list are considered options.  You can get that stuff put on any boat you buy.  

You need to get in some boats that you can afford and drive them.  That's the only way you'll know whether the boat meets your expectations as far as ride and speed are concerned.  Most of the major manufacturers have a lower end line now that come with fewer bells and whistles than their upper end "elite" models.  You're sometimes limited to options or colors but that's about it.  

Here are a few models

CHampion -  183 (This is a brand new model and not even on their website yet. Modular console, gobs of legroom and front deck space)

Stratos - 286 XL

Triton -  TR-186

Ranger -  188VS (This is Rangers low end line)

Nitro - 591 (Careful, Nitro is notorious for trying to push you in an underpowered boat)

Skeeter -  (unfortunately, Skeeter doesn't make anything in a 18-18 1/2 foot value series boat)

Basscat - Sabre

Charger - 186 (great rough water boat, unbelievable storage)

Ride and decide.

I've noticed that aluminum boats have smaller fuel tanks than the average fiberglass boats.  How much of a difference does this make in your cruise range?

AT,tried to get some pricing the Stratos.I couldn't hardly find any sites on the net that would give a MSRP.I do know that the MSRP on a 285 XL is about 25,ooo.The 285 is a 18'6" boat that has the hp rate at 150.The 294 or 295 is a 19'6" boat that is rated for 200hp.Both of them are 93" beams.

Note that is a subjested retail price.If you are looking to buy a boat soon(before Christmas)you will be doing yourself a favor.Boats are all being cleared right now because of the season.Last year at Gander Mountain I saw them clear a couple 285 for 18,900.I think you would probally be able to find a 294 or 295 for around 25-30.

There really is more than a foot difference in the 285 and 294.For one the 294 comes factory with,hotfoot,front and rear depthfinders,and a bigger trolling motor.The biggest difference in the two models are the hp rating.Unless things have changed you can't get a 150 that is fuel injected.You can in a 200.A 150 might top out at 60?The 200 on a 294 should hit 65-70.Your gonna get better hole shot with fuel injection and better gas mileage.

The main thing I would keep in mind when it comes to looking for a boat,is don't jump on the first one you see.Look around everywhere.Try to find exactly what you are looking for,No use in spending that much money for something that won't satisfy you.BTW,I would recommend a 200 Mercury XS(good gas mileage,good motor).

I've noticed that aluminum boats have smaller fuel tanks than the average fiberglass boats.  How much of a difference does this make in your cruise range?

Three reasons really. In the majority of aluminums, there's less room to put a large tank. Most aluminums run smaller HP motors than fiberglass so less fuel consumed and finally most people aren't likely to cruise long distances in an aluminum boat.  The ride of the average aluminum bassboat is not conducive to long distance runs in anything other than smooth water.

BTW, you should be able to get into a 18 1/2 foot entry level boat with a 2 stroke 150hp motor and trailer for around $20-22k.  Once you start adding all those extra's you want is when the price starts going up. I doubt you'll be able to get what you're looking for for less than around $27-29k.  Personally, I drop 4 stroke OB requirement.  There's really no big advantage anymore of the 4 stroke over a 2. In fact,  a 2 stroke will give you a little better performance, will be much cheaper on your initial cost and be cheaper to run in the long haul.

The main thing that will help me lower the price is the fact that I'm going to be paying cash.  That holds a lot of weight at the negotiating table  Just tell the guy "I'm spending 25grand today.  Whether it's on your boat or not is entirely up to you.  No, I'm not paying for those depthfinders.  No that hot foot and hydrolic steering is a safety feature that you should be proud to offer to all of your customers.  What good is a dead customer?  I swear I'll have my wife write that in my obituary.  Ok, I'll pay for one of the depthfinders but not the hot foot or the hydrolic steering.  No I'm not paying 30grand.  25grand for the depthfinders I want and the features I want.  Deal"  Keep that up and go in and out of that place about 6 times in a week and they will practically give you the boat.  That's what I did with my truck ;D

I would look for a dealer that might even have a new 05 model left.The deal is if a dealer has boats left he needs to clear them so he doesn't have to keep paying interest on them.If you are paying cash then you should have no problem finding a good 19' boat with what you want.I would definantly check out the Stratos,with alot of the other boats you are paying for a name.I am not sure where you are located but boats are cheaper in some parts as others.

The main thing that will help me lower the price is the fact that I'm going to be paying cash.  That holds a lot of weight at the negotiating table  Just tell the guy "I'm spending 25grand today.  Whether it's on your boat or not is entirely up to you.  No, I'm not paying for those depthfinders.  No that hot foot and hydrolic steering is a safety feature that you should be proud to offer to all of your customers.  What good is a dead customer?  I swear I'll have my wife write that in my obituary.  Ok, I'll pay for one of the depthfinders but not the hot foot or the hydrolic steering.  No I'm not paying 30grand.  25grand for the depthfinders I want and the features I want.  Deal"  Keep that up and go in and out of that place about 6 times in a week and they will practically give you the boat.  That's what I did with my truck ;D

If your positive this technique will work why don't you shoot for the top and get an Allison XB-2002?  With a properly setup 150hp you can get to the mid to upper 80's.  

I thought we were talking aluminum...dont know why...guess you really did not express a preference in your original post.

If you are open to fibers as well...alot of choices!!!  I like the looks, the info I have gotten, and the reviews I have read on the Legend...but they are just one of many good boats!

On the aluminum...

There is a guy who runs an Xpress in our club and he is getting the low 50's to high 40's with a 90 horse...upgraded to a 150 and is pushing 70 mph ( he says, never ran along side him...not that I could if he is running those speeds) He says that his Xpress rides just as well as his Skeeter ever did, maybe better.

Keep in mind I never saw his Skeeter so I do not know what era is was...could be his skeeter was an old one with a less aggressive hull design. If he fishes the next tourney or I see him at the classics I will find out.

If you fish big lakes and big water you will likely get better performance out of a wider beamed and bigger deadrise boat...and that is usually a fiber boat. The fiber boats are kind of unique in the sense that they can do more with the hull shape to make then run smooth than they can aluminum.

the mod v aluminum hulls are typically 11 degree to 17 degree deadrise...the v hulls start at 18 degrees. The aluminum v hull is smoother in rougher water because they cut the wave rather than slam down against it...(This is only one factor in ride though.)

The most deadrise you will find in an aluminum hull comes on the

Fisher at 17 degrees ( but is built by Tracker Marine)

The Xpress at 17 degrees

The Tracker Avalache ( might as well buy a fiber if for no other reason than the better resale value as far as I am concerned)

The G3 is 13 degrees I think if I remember correctly...and most of the other aluminum manufactuers seem to hover in and around this 13 degree mark.

As far as the reviews I have read...on aluminums...the Triton Magnum topped out on workmanship quality...but price as well.

I personally, if I had a tendency to fish "the big lake" ( lake Michigan) alot...I feel safer in a fiber bass boat. Been out there in my little aluminum, some newer bigger aluminums ( including a G3 and a Triton) and personally I think a fiberglass boat "FEELS" better out on the big water...

I bought a used Crestliner about a year ago. Nothing but praise for them.

http://www.crestliner.com/boats/boat_model.asp?BID=131

This is a deep V bass boat that has cut through Potomac and Hudson River waves where glass boats were being thown into the air. It is a heavy boat for an aluminum. I have a rebuilt 150 Evenrude Intruder in really good shape, but I can only get it up to 52MPH. 52 MPH is still comfortable and I wish I had another 8MPH to get it up to 60MPH. Maybe with the new motors they are putting on them you can reach in the 60's.

The boat is 8' wide!!! 41Gal. fuel tank!!

**Not sure the cost b/c I bought mine used (a 2004 that I bought in 2006).  Price 25K???????  Maybe...  Its worth a call.

Overall length 18' 1" (5.5m)

Maximum beam 95" (241cm)

Max. HP capacity 150

Fuel capacity 41 gal. (155L)

Leaning really hard toward that Xpress.  Everything I want brand new for 23k?  That's their 18ft Tournament Series with a 150 that puts it around 64mph.  Sounding good so far.  I'll post more as I learn more.