I have about $17000 to play with for my first used glass boat and have narrowed my criteria down to a 19 or 20' boat w/ 200 horse motor.

I'm sure this question gets asked here all the time, but I went back several pages and didn't see this specific question.

Which boat manufacturer? Right now I'm looking at Ranger, Triton, Stratos, Skeeter, Basscat and Champion, just depends on which one is in the best shape. Is there any reason to lean more toward one than the other based on brand? I mean, if I run across a 2001 Basscat and a Ranger (insert any brand) in identical condition w/ same motor, is there any reason to lean toward one manufacturer vs the other? I'm sure mods get tired of this one but I'm really curious about opinions.

(If I'm forking out this much dough I need all the help I can get.)

Thanks everybody.

All of those manufacturers make nice boats.  They also make very different boats in the way they run and how they fish when at rest.  Each manufacturer has it's own style along with strong points and weak points.  No one boat is any better than another.  Each suits a certain segment of the bass boat buying market.

I'd would suggest ACTUALLY DRIVING IN AS MANY OF THESE BOATS AS YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.  If you're not that familiar with a bass boat and how to operate one, I'd strongly suggest bringing along someone who is.  

Here is a whole list of tips on buying and owning a bass boat.  I'd suggest you take the time to go over them.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bass_boats.html

You're also going to get a whole bunch of responses along the lines of "My brand of boat I own is the best and here's why".   ;D

Take it all with a grain of salt.  

go with a bass cat.

Okay I just had to prove mr. carps point.  

But really here's the reason why I love my bass cat...well one of them. Around here they are pretty rare but still well known, I like people being able to identify my boat from a distance and maybe remember it till the next time they see me.  I dont know im just weird like that.

My Friend Carp speaks:  Listen

I don't know about the rest:  But C-7 is a good man and doesn't hold back.

Bottom line:  all the big guys make a good platform.  Some do better in certain situations than otthers.  BUT - in other situations - they may have attributes.  

Great problem:  BUY A BOAT - - _ -- - IMO

HAPPY RELEASING

All of those manufacturers make nice boats. They also make very different boats in the way they run and how they fish when at rest. Each manufacturer has it's own style along with strong points and weak points. No one boat is any better than another. Each suits a certain segment of the bass boat buying market.

I'd would suggest ACTUALLY DRIVING IN AS MANY OF THESE BOATS AS YOU'RE INTERESTED IN. If you're not that familiar with a bass boat and how to operate one, I'd strongly suggest bringing along someone who is.

Here is a whole list of tips on buying and owning a bass boat. I'd suggest you take the time to go over them.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bass_boats.html

You're also going to get a whole bunch of responses along the lines of "My brand of boat I own is the best and here's why". ;D

Take it all with a grain of salt.

Excellent point carp7,

So maybe the more appropriate and pertinent question to post would have gone something like "Rate the following manufacturers in criteria of: performance, build quality, fishability, handling, appropriateness for beginner, storage, resale, etc. etc.

And yes, I do have a good friend who has been in bass boats for almost 20 years who has insisted that he tag along and join me for the test ride when i find a boat I'm interested in. Whatever I look at, I'm going to be taking it out first. I've read most of those articles you referenced for me.

My Friend Carp speaks: Listen

I don't know about the rest: But C-7 is a good man and doesn't hold back.

Bottom line: all the big guys make a good platform. Some do better in certain situations than otthers. BUT - in other situations - they may have attributes.

Great problem: BUY A BOAT - - _ -- - IMO

HAPPY RELEASING

Yep

In the last 3 months or so I've read probably dozens of carp7's responses and I do believe the man knows his stuff. It's because of guys like him that I come here w/ questions. These forums are a tremendous resource.

All of the boats mentioned above are great boats. I run a 20' Triton and it is also a great boat. The one bit of information I would provide about Triton boats is their issues (if you want to call them that) with Chine Walking. These boats are made for speed and will chine walk pretty bad when you get going about 65+mph. After you have learned to drive them it is not an issue at all, but if you are new to this level of performance/speed in a boat you might be nervous at first. For most people it only takes a couple of weeks worth of "seat time" to get it figured out.

I have driven them so much that I don't even notice it at all anymore unless I purposely make it Chine Walk to scare people.

JT Bagwell