Guys…I Lost My Boat Deal…What’s Next? 

I fish 100 times a year on my 1995 bass tracker pro 17, twenty-five hp with two 5" Lowrance units. I'm 70 years old and we are still going strong.

Guy who talks about boats being overpriced is the same guy that sells the most expensive jig in bass fishing

Maybe you should fish as a coangler. It might teach you so respect for the guy in the back of the boat.

I really respect what you're doing

$100K boats are like $15 Jerkbaits! A working man can only do so much. It is definitely out of control. I refused to spend $5K for FFS. I'm a dinosaur!

I would love to see you explore Gatortrax aluminum boats, something similar to what Keith Poche fishes in. I don't own one, yet, but I would enjoy watching you go through the steps and process of whatever you decide to buy.

I've never been more excited about your fishing Randy! Heck Yea!

You should go aluminum for more boat for the buck. Vexus, ranger or other. Would be interesting to see how they tournament fish

Well I guess you will have to buy one like the rest of us.😢

I could fish out of that ol' Ranger, and have a lot of fun doing it. If you can't compete in an 18ft boat, you can't compete in a 21ft boat. Good luck deciding what boat to buy...there's a lot of great options today. Looking forward to the "walk thru" video!

Now you'll have another excuse why you can't compete anymore.

Great economy, I love the videos and channel. But sometimes just wow.

Most guys aren’t spending 110k on their bass boats, they’re spending $800- $1000 per month to basically rent it.

Take a good look at a Garmin 7" down/side imaging with GPS. Just got one this year & really like it.

Sorry, but I don’t quite understand your statement that the economy is good right now! It’s actually horrible and is why things in the US need to change drastically! Gas prices, food prices, interest rates, apartment living (twice the cost of a house payment), utilities, etc. New boat prices are high, and I,m gonna try to sell my 16’6” fish and ski with 115 and do the same thing there are lots of great boats out there in the 2010 to 2016 range (garage kept) in great condition for $20-35k. Most have been fixed up to sell with new tires and batteries, etc. trying to get one without electronics so I can put new 9-10” units on, one for console and front! Garmin is running sales all the time.

Hey Randy. Great take on the boat, a lot of us are just like you and find it impossible to spend that on a boat. I am in the market, with your same requirements. Would love to see you review the Xpress boats in that price range, and see your opinion on that.

That boat reminds me of when I first started watching Bassmasters. Back when fish was fun.

Go get a kayak and start doing some of those tournaments... Think you would love it and would like to see ya do it!!

Welcome to the real world

Have been watching your videos since before have retired, 3 years ago, and have learned so very much, living on Table Rock in Schooner Creek! I usually fish with my 80 yr old neighbor who still works some and we have a blast (thought he usually fishes with a scrounger and 4 or 6” soft plastic. Agree with all your Livescope issues and talking points. My main thought today, I was at Branson West Marine & Powersports and they sell Vexus Fiberglass for yes $100,000 + but have you looked at the aluminum versions for $35,000 fully equipped like you would want? Bet they would ‘sponsor’ you or get Vexus to sponsor and even talked with Bob Growe about it. We all love your videos and they too would get a lot of good press with that style boat! You should call the owners or the owners of Vexus, no doubt you know the sons whom left Ranger and started building these across the street? Good luck and keep up the great work! I’m Randy also and would love to call them also.

$120,000 for a depreciating asset is never a wise choice.

Get u a Vexus 18series!!! Freakin awesome boats. Good luck Randy.

Bought an 16 ft alumacraft with a 50 hp merc.. I can go literally anywhere.. Does everything i need it to.. I outfish guys all the time with 80- 100 thousand dollar boats.. I paid $7000!!! Put 2 fish finders in. One on the console one on the trolling motor.. Its all you need!!! Love your channel. You keep it reel!!! Ill be looking forward to seeing what boat you pick up. Tight lines brother!

Looking forward to the boat review

I've got an 89 Champion with a 2 stroke 150 Johnson. No live scope, built in flasher, seven inch garmin on the front and the same on the console. I'm happy with it.

I fished tourneys for 25 yrs got tired of the direction it took. Spent all those springs chasing bass. This year went to God's Country ,Potter County PA 6 weekends dryfly trout fishing. Saw 3 other fisherman entire time. Don't miss the ratrace at all.

Randy after your boat tour video I bought myself a loaded skeeter. Now I am in crippling debt and you are going back to old school boats. I don’t know what to do and need help!

Also- inflation. And no, they are not selling left and right. Take it from someone that sells them. The deals are to be had right now and the price is due to inflation and not manufacturers or dealers making more money. Good luck on your search!

This Inspires the Heck outta me. GO RANDY!!

You can easily find a rig already set up for under 35k...good ones too... champions, skeeters, legends, rangers etc. may be older but as long as the engine and hull is solid, you're golden. I'm excited to see what you come up with!

Get a Pond Prowler 10🎣🤣

This will be fun to follow, get Kyle welcher onboard as well, his videos of going down banks shaking that white worn jig and catching fish was enjoyable.

Glad the economy is good in your area. Sure not for us.

Nice old ranger. I used to have a 17 ft bass boat with a 1990 Johnson gt 150. Basically the same motor as that evinrude

Randy everyone is more excited for you to fish from an older used boat than a new one! It's more relatable to your followers than something that costs $80,000 or more.

Just bought a used Phoenix and it’s awesome! Love it! You will need 4 stroke since they are phasing out 2 stroke

Welcome to our world. We're lucky to have RU-vid channels like yours to teach us things. Fishing is fun but it ain't cheap when you actually pay for all your gear. Glad to see you stepping down a level on your next boat. I'm sure you will do just as good. Knowledge is everything.

I have a '78 Terry bass boat that needs it's steering replaced, engine is good with a humminbird helix 7 and 55lb trolling motor. Working on recarpeting. I am located in Phoenix though if interested

Getting beat in an old school boat is the same as getting beat in a "new" small boat... 😂

Bass boats cost over 100K because of high inflation that didn't exist 3 years ago. I wonder what cause so much inflation in the past 3 years?

Welcome to the world of bank fishing.

Good luck in the tournament. I'm actually gonna start looking for a CC in a few months. I'm like you, I'm not spending 100k or 50k. That's ridiculous.

I love my 2024 tracker XL classic 50hp. And tickled pink 🙂

Competitive bass fishing, the outrageous boats, tow vehicles, electronics etc... is a bubble which sooner or later will burst.

Got a 2010 17'9'' alumacraft dominator with 115 mercury optimax. Bought it in 2010 for $23k. I did put a helix 10 with side imaging years ago. I'll never need another boat.

Find you an old TR186. Love mine and the pre 2007's have a great hull.

I ran a Crestliner 18 ft w/115. Great boat with the most storage in aluminum boats

There is a 2004 Ranger 185 over in Rogers AR on Craigs List that looks interesting. Leaves a lot of money on the table for upgrades.

Still in my 1999 Ranger R91 and she still rides as good as the day I bought her.

I’m looking for a good used boat too. Please do a video on the top 2 or 3 manufacturers and how to inspect for damage to hulls and motors. Your journey will help guide others like me

Lowe 2070 sc has been amazing for us with a merc pro xs 115. It rips, very stable, solid layout with big front deck. Solid option that is well under 40

Go get a Tracker they usually have a beautiful white one in the showroom I would guess right in line with what you want. I live in Springfield and am always walking the showroom.

The Economy is good huh .. LMFAO

Crustliner FX189 with 150xs they have one at highway Marina Quakertown, Pennsylvania. Leftover two thousand twenty three marked all the way down to thirty two thousand dollars

The economy is good? Lol

Amazing how when the boat isn't free you decide a lesser boat is the way to go.

I like your Idea!

Good for you bro. Crap has gotten way outta hand . Cant wait to see this journey play out on your channel. Pray the Lord continues to bless you keep you safe in this tournament and puts you in the money , in Jesus nane .Wear them out Randy .

Tracker pro team good boat if you put a good trolling motor. Might get pushed around in the wind

Who the hell is the economy good for it ain’t the middle class 😂. Looking forward to the simple bass boat.

You strictly looking for fiberglass, or is aluminum a option? There is some great aluminum boats 125hp to 150hp that are good tournament boats. Also you gonna video this journey? Would love to watch it. Love the ole Ranger. I had a 1992 372V with a 175hp Mariner Magnum.

You’re going to be fishing like most of the rest of us. I sold my 35 yr old Lund Tyee 5 yrs ago. Replaced it with a very well kept G3 V 167. Went with Garmin Force and electronics only because a close friend’s son works for Garmin and couldn’t pass up the deal. Way more capabilities than the angler/owner but much easier to handle alone at almost 77. I’ll never be on the water as much as I’d like to, but you are completely correct, there’s no way to justify $100k+ for a fishing boat.

I'm running a '92 361V with Mariner 175efi Pretty mint for 30 yrs old $7500 with Ultrex I added Lithiums, helix 9 & 7, 93sv LS

Ben Milliken has a boat for sale

Ayeeee POTOMAC 14 FT 6 AND THE ROGUE RIVER 13FT 8 canoes is what we bass fishin wit round here

I love this! The average angler can’t afford a $100k bass boat. Make fishing great again

I like it Randy! I've got a 17ft tracker with a 75 merc. Sure don't turn heads but it fishes good. I could stretch my neck out and run one of them expensive rigs but at the end of the day, wether I'm doin a tournament or fishin by myself on my favorite little lake I just wanna enjoy fishin and not be stressed over that huge payment looming over my head.

My granddad also has a 1989 ranger except the rodbox is also a bench seat. That ranger ride amazing nothing rides like a ranger

If you are financing a 100 K boat you are a total fool. You are on the right track.

We fish a 2009 Skeeter with a 225 Yamaha and its been an amazing boat. We wrapped it and most anglers have no clue its 15 years old.

😂😂 oh its OK on someone's else's dime to perpetuate the 100k bass boat trend but you say you won't do it on your own dime.😂 I realize Randy that you really aren't against the new tech but just a cheap hypocrite. If you wanted full credit you would've been using the 35k rig before losing your boat deal.

Your previous Ranger Aluminum 198p was a good boat except for the single live well.

My first real bass boat was a 354V with a Mercury 150XR6. I would have so much more money (like many others) had I kept that one. The economy is not strong. A bass boat is not an investment, it's a toy to be purchased with disposable income.

i fish off my old 1986 champion every weekend still. 150HP merc '88 black max, 17.5', no power poles, laid out a lot like that ranger in ur vid. i run a 9" 998C side imaging on back, a 7" helix mega down on front, and minn kota terrova 80lb troller. the helix and troller are new this year. the bass dont seem to mind, i still catch my fair share!!

I can afford any boat I want but I agree there is no reason to spend that much . I took a 1997 Ranger 461 VS strip it all new interior used Talons and new Electronics 150 XR6 into it for $15,000 no need at all to be at $35 grand . Besides top end only being 55 mph I’m at no disadvantage to any boat out there . That’s with 3 graphs a 12 with ffs 9 on bow 10 at console all Gen 4 just find graphs , Talons etc used save crazy money . Keep up the good fight.

I’m totally for this but I’m hearing a lot of people who sound like they don’t want the sport to progress and are just against any and everything that seems like the sport is becoming more modern. Not arguing I’m all for being simple and not needing all the bells and whistle’s but on the other hand I want to see my sport progress and get better and better

Matt (Stefan) still hasn't sold his 2023 Skeeter. Maybe could work out a deal...?

Get a used Bass Tracker. I have a 2012 17.5 with a 75 Mercury. I can fish for 7 hours and it doesn’t take on a teaspoon of water. It can float in 2 feet of water 👍

Ran a 370 in the Invitationals, Red Man, club and buddy tournaments. Had a great year if I broke even on a given year. Loved that boat. Good luck to you!

Randy, you can buy the same Skeeter in the ZX20 with graphs, raptors & 250 sho for 70k lol, they’re all not 100k. Cmon man.

This is great, a common person can afford it. Looking forward to following along. Good luck Randy 🤞

Randy, a Nitro Z20 pro is 62,995.

Economy isn’t that good, interest rates are high, food cost high, gas is high! Vehicle cost high.

I am in the same position, had a Ranger 180vs Reata and loved it, but it became a hassle to get out of garage , out of driveway and I ended up having to let it go . Been looking at going aluminum this time but even that they are all 35 to 45 k with basically nothing in them but basic trolling motor , small graph , maybe a cover but not much else .

I cry foul here Randy, it was all good when you had a 20' + sponsor boat

I’m running a 2018 Nitro z18 that I bought new off the lot with the 175. What’s crazy to me is that boat was $34,000 then. Now they are over $50,000 and have not made any major changes which is crazy! I run a 9” HDS at the dash and a 9” elite ti2 at the bow with a 80 lb thrust fortrex. And it does everything I need to catch em!

Surely a forward scan sonar company will sponsor you!

Man, my 16’ StarCraft turned 40 this year. Overall it’s in phenomenal shape for its age. Sure, it needs a little work, but what old boat doesn’t? It’s perfectly fishable as it sits. Deep V, shallow draft, dirt cheap to operate, and I can’t trailer it with a Toyota Corolla if I have to. I converted it from side console to tiller steer, just to maximize the open floor space. I make a couple of upgrades every year. The boat has an Xi3 with PinPoint GPS that’s integrated with a Lowrance HDS Live setup. My electronics are worth substantially more than the boat! My thought is as long as the hull is water worthy and the boat fits my needs, I’ll maintain it well and keep it going. Would I like something different? Sure. Ideally I’d like a brand new Crestliner 1600 Vision; which isn’t crazy expensive by todays standards. If I stumble into a good deal on one, I’ll transfer my electronics over, and pay CASH for the boat at the dealership. I was taught from a young age to never buy toys with credit, and that methodology has served me well. Guys…you don’t NEED a crazy expensive boat to go out and be a productive fisherman. You don’t NEED forward facing sonar. The cost of entry alone is enough to wildly stress out most folks. Buy a solid, water worthy rig that is well within your means, and then go ENJOY yourself. The fish don’t care if your boat was $100k or $100.

How is the economy good? I’m making more money than I ever have and I have less than I did 3 years ago.

An expensive bass boat is NOT an investment at all…..it’s an EXPENSE.

my boat is a "73" 14" stick steer tri hull with a 48 hp evinrude . with a tiny sonar screen . not fast or fancy but it gets me there and was dirt cheap. most lakes in my area are "no wake" lakes so cant open her up anyway

Welcome to the pinch rest of us has felt cause of bideomics

Brian Latimer made a really interesting video about buying boats a couple of days ago, I found it very insightful.

My dad has a Vexus AVX 1980 with a 150hp on it. It’s $40k brand new. Power poles, 2-9” units. Dual axle trailer. Can’t beat it

Look at the new 20 foot Ranger aluminum. May be too much money but James Niggameyer runs one and likes it so far.

Telling everyone that spending $110,000 on a boat is the worst investment you can make is a sure fire way to never get another boat deal ever again. 😂

Why do you think Tracker sells more boats then everyone else combined…

Kayak fishing with mr. Randy in 2025

Hell yeah follow and support you. Tournament fishing is way out of reach for NORMAL fisherman. Good luck to you and support your MBFGA !

I love this Randy, I wish I still had my ranger 188, I would’ve sold you that, I had a ranger 188 VX 175 Pro XS suite did everything I wanted it to plus some nothing fancy just fishing boat is all it was