I’ve been looking at both of these boats at my local dealer.. Which one do you think is the better deal? 

 

2017 Triton 18trx with a 175 ProXS, Fortrex, 2 Hook 7s, Manual Jackplate, Tandem Trailer $33,995

 

2013 Ranger z518C with a 200 ProXS, Ultrex, 2 HDS 7s, 2 Powerpoles, Manual Jackplate, Tandem Trailer $36,995

 

 

What are the engine hours?

@RHuff, a boat that’s 4 years older is 3 grand more? IMO, the dealer is kinda spelling out which boat he values as the better boat...

2 hours ago, NHBull said:

What are the engine hours?

I’m not sure yet.. They are closed this week. I am going down in two weeks to look some more and discuss more in depth with the salesman.

I'm a Triton guy but of those 2 setups I'd try to talk him down a few grand on the ranger. The ultrex and power poles as well as the bigger motor and slightly better resale value. Assuming the condition is similar and hrs on the motor aren't crazy. Of course whichever one looks the best would affect my decision as well and the 17 probably still has 3 years of warranty where the 13 wont.

The Ranger is the better equipped boat here, but it's also older. The power poles would be really nice for sure, but at the same time if that's what you can afford then I would say the Triton might be the smarter buy but newer doesn't always mean better condition either so maybe not. However you may have more  negotiating room on the Ranger, so don't rule that out.

Are you going to put Power Poles, an Ultrex, and upgrade the electronics on the Triton if you buy it? If so, factor the cost of those in while doing your comparison and then decide what the best value is.  It may be the Ranger after you see them side-by-side...or maybe not.  

 

If you don't care about any of those things then why not get the newer boat?

The only thing I want to add to the Triton is an Ultrex.. I may consider actually seeing if he would drop a couple of thousand off the Ranger and if not see if he would lose the power poles in order to do so. I fish deeper mountain reservoirs so the spot lock would be more valuable to me than the poles would. Plus it would lighten the rig too.

The locators on the Ranger are much better.  Hooks suck.