Looking at buying a new 18’ glass bass boat.

Step up from my 1754 Grizzly. 
Want to know about the quality of the Triton, Ranger and Nitro.

Feedback will be appreciated. 
 

WPCfishing

Out of those three Ranger would be my choice. Nitro and Triton are nice rigs but up with the quality of the top tier bass boats.

 

Can't go wrong with any of them, they're all good boats. Resale will probably be a little better on a Ranger.

I have owned a 19' Ranger with a 200 Merc and it was a superb boat. I currently own a 1648 Tracker Grizzly with a 40 hp four stroke Merc. No doubt, the Ranger was a great boat, but I don't think I will ever own another fiberglass boat.

 

Too much upkeep for what I want to do. And you'd better have a nice place to store it . They are generally heavier and have larger motors that cost more to operate and maintain. Everything about a glass boat is more expensive, and they don't seem to be holding their value as much as aluminum boats these days. I don't need a livewell and the lake I fish 99% of the time has a speed limit of 35 mph.

 

OTOH, the ride of the Ranger was fantastic. I do miss the rod storage more than anything else. It was very stable to fish out of and 2 anglers didn't get in each other's way.

 

But, that is me, and this boat is for you. A fiberglass boat might be what makes sense for you, even if it's mostly because you want one. Life is short, get the boat if you can and that's what you want.

Depends how much you want to spend.  The Nitro will be the least expensive but you definitely hear more build quality issues with them than Tritons and Rangers.  But a lot of people like their Nitros which definitely counts for something.  With the crazy price of boats nowadays, I am going to strongly consider a Nitro for my next boat.  Good luck.  

I'd go with the Ranger.  

They're all White River Marine (Bass Pro Shops) brands, so pick the one that suits your budget and feature list.

https://www.whiterivermg.com/

 

Personally, I'd be more interested in BassCat, Phoenix, or Caymas.  In fact, I'm pretty sure my next boat will be a Caymas.

19 minutes ago, J Francho said:

... I'm pretty sure my next boat will be a Caymas.

Mine too...

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

They're all White River Marine (Bass Pro Shops) brands, so pick the one that suits your budget and feature list.

https://www.whiterivermg.com/

 

Personally, I'd be more interested in BassCat, Phoenix, or Caymas.  In fact, I'm pretty sure my next boat will be a Caymas.

My next one with be a Caymas as well!

I'm looking at a 26 HB bay boat. 

On 9/25/2022 at 10:53 AM, WPCfishing said:

Looking at buying a new 18’ glass bass boat.

Step up from my 1754 Grizzly. 
Want to know about the quality of the Triton, Ranger and Nitro.

Feedback will be appreciated. 
 

WPCfishing

 

 

Do you have the lakes with unlimited horsepower where you get the benefit of a glass boat?

 

When we first moved back I had the grand plan that was was going to refurb my dad's old stratos.  We fished out of it for years and it was a great boat.  I love the stability when fishing- it was like standing on shore it was so stable.  Alas, reality hit when I started looking at storage (my garage doors are only 94" and depth is only 19'6") and the lakes around (lots of restricted lakes).  After a lot of thought I realized that the practical limitations outweighed benefits of a glass boat.  I've come to realize that the perfect boat for these waters is a decked aluminum with a 9.9 and a strong trolling motor (or a decked aluminum with both a 9.9 and a bigger gas motor for the few lakes that are open).  Glass boats are awesome for bigger lakes, good sized rivers, etc.  I wish I could have one, but its not in the cards.  I assume you've done this homework, but wanted to flag it if not.

It comes down to budget when buying new.

A glass boat offers stability and dry ride in “normal” water conditions, waves under 2’, wind and rough water over 3’ white caps speed isn’t a factor you must slow down regardless of hull material.

If you beach you boat, then aluminum is a better choice and some excellent boats available.

If you are looking for heavier hull and higher top end speed then glass makes sense. Both Aluminum and glass bass boats today offer good storage options.

I agree that BassCat should be considered along with Phoenix bass boats in the 18’-19’ length range, don’t rule out 19’ with folding tongue trailer, 19’ in glass boats makes a big difference. 

Tom

 

I’ve owned both NITRO and Ranger, currently a 21ft Ranger and I have liked both.  I would need a little more info before recommending a brand.  Where you fish, how you fish, how long do you plan to own, what features do you consider the most important, storage options, price range, etc., all play into a good suggestion.  

I have owned both.  I now own a Nitro Z20.  I was all set to buy a Ranger.  I thought we had a deal made until they offered me 30% below the trade value on my Champion.

 

 I left and just happened to drive by a Nitro dealer.  I pulled in and looked at some boats.  I found a Z20 comparably equipped to the Ranger.  The dealer had it priced $21,000 less than the Ranger  and gave me full trade in for my Champion.  So I bought it.

 

On 9/27/2022 at 10:27 AM, casts_by_fly said:

 

 

Do you have the lakes with unlimited horsepower where you get the benefit of a glass boat?

 

When we first moved back I had the grand plan that was was going to refurb my dad's old stratos.  We fished out of it for years and it was a great boat.  I love the stability when fishing- it was like standing on shore it was so stable.  Alas, reality hit when I started looking at storage (my garage doors are only 94" and depth is only 19'6") and the lakes around (lots of restricted lakes).  After a lot of thought I realized that the practical limitations outweighed benefits of a glass boat.  I've come to realize that the perfect boat for these waters is a decked aluminum with a 9.9 and a strong trolling motor (or a decked aluminum with both a 9.9 and a bigger gas motor for the few lakes that are open).  Glass boats are awesome for bigger lakes, good sized rivers, etc.  I wish I could have one, but its not in the cards.  I assume you've done this homework, but wanted to flag it if not.

You’re point has been made along with others who replied. Just want to say thanks to all.

the glass boats are top notch but after considering all, I’ll stick with my 1754.

The boat does everything I need for NE.

✅

On 9/30/2022 at 5:43 PM, WPCfishing said:

You’re point has been made along with others who replied. Just want to say thanks to all.

the glass boats are top notch but after considering all, I’ll stick with my 1754.

The boat does everything I need for NE.

✅

 

Sir much kudos to you. It is very tempting to go for bigger, faster, flashier with more goodies. Of course it is not my business what anyone does with their money but when you step back and look at it from afar you sometimes have to scratch your head. You already have a nice boat. You will not regret getting every ounce of pleasure that that boat has to offer.