Looking at boats and have set my budget to be around $12,500 for which I’d go up or down a couple thousand depending on the deal.  Was wondering if you guys would be looking for an older ranger (looking like 1998 to 2003ish) or more towards a newer aluminum boat or a newer but smaller glass boat with a 115 type engine.

 

I mainly would be looking to do some tournament fishing, taking my soon to be wife and daughter and her friends out fishing/swimming/tubing, and of course a lot of pleasure fishing.

 

I am so far just looking at trying to find an older, well cared for Ranger with a 150-175 hp engine but not sure if I’d just be buying a lot of future maintenance.

 

I already have a Jon boat to do smaller lakes with.

Do you plan to tournament fish larger lakes or just looking for a well care for garaged bass boat?

Tom

You won’t find a well cared for ranger on that budget because of that name ranger 

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Do you plan to tournament fish larger lakes or just looking for a well care for garaged bass boat?

Tom

Tournament and pleasure fishing larger lakes.

1 hour ago, Ppennin986 said:

You won’t find a well cared for ranger on that budget because of that name ranger 

I am open to other makes of boats but not having a lot of experience with different manufacturers, that seems to be the most well regarded.

Be aware, you are in the sellers season not the buyers season, so have cash on hand and be ready to buy when a good deal pops up. Good deals will be available as people become strapped for cash during this high unemployment spike. Be ready! 

Be patient.  A friend of mine just bought a garage kept 2000 Ranger that looks and runs great.  It has a MK troller and a 200 XR6.  He gave $11,000 for it.

27 minutes ago, Jig Man said:

Be patient.  A friend of mine just bought a garage kept 2000 Ranger that looks and runs great.  It has a MK troller and a 200 XR6.  He gave $11,000 for it.

Yea I found a 2006 Ranger for $14,000, just too far away.  It had the electronics as well.  Very good deal.

 

My main question is, are older boats such as a late 90s-early 2000s, a worthy investment at the right price or a maintenance nightmare...in general.  I realize there will be outliers in each end of the spectrum.

What I did may or may not be what you'd want to do. For that money, I bought a 2013 18'7" aluminum with a 115. That being said, what I wanted was the longest (and highest passenger capacity) I could get, while still being able to tow it with a minivan. And, like you, the idea of trying to repair/maintain an older boat was a big concern of mine. Barkley and KY Lakes will be the biggest bodies I'll ever fish with it. I don't know anything other than what I ended up with - but I'm pleased so far.

15 hours ago, mheichelbech said:

Yea I found a 2006 Ranger for $14,000, just too far away.  It had the electronics as well.  Very good deal.

 

My main question is, are older boats such as a late 90s-early 2000s, a worthy investment at the right price or a maintenance nightmare...in general.  I realize there will be outliers in each end of the spectrum.

Air affects cheap now and rent a truck to tow it home.

Tom

10 hours ago, rdj735 said:

What I did may or may not be what you'd want to do. For that money, I bought a 2013 18'7" aluminum with a 115. That being said, what I wanted was the longest (and highest passenger capacity) I could get, while still being able to tow it with a minivan. And, like you, the idea of trying to repair/maintain an older boat was a big concern of mine. Barkley and KY Lakes will be the biggest bodies I'll ever fish with it. I don't know anything other than what I ended up with - but I'm pleased so far.

Have thought about doing that.  However, my thinking is if I’m going to buy a boat out of warranty, is there a lower level of risk for a newer vs older bass boat?  I’m thinking as long as I don’t buy something with a wood transom I should be on fairly equal footing boat wise.  
 

It’s too bad you can’t apply a formula to measure the risk of buying a used boat like there is with purchasing stocks and bonds. 

On 5/13/2020 at 7:44 AM, mheichelbech said:

My main question is, are older boats such as a late 90s-early 2000s, a worthy investment at the right price or a maintenance nightmare...in general.  I realize there will be outliers in each end of the spectrum.

In general, these 90's - early 2000's Rangers are certainly a worthy investment at the right price.

 

Look for a 488VS, 185VS or possibly R91/R93.

 

Just do your homework on what to look for when assessing a used boat. For your price range you can find an excellent Ranger.

3 hours ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

In general, these 90's - early 2000's Rangers are certainly a worthy investment at the right price.

 

Look for a 488VS, 185VS or possibly R91/R93.

 

Just do your homework on what to look for when assessing a used boat. For your price range you can find an excellent Ranger.

This is what I’ve been leaning to.  Looks like they can be had for $10k or even less.  With the early 2000s closer to 15k depending models/options.