$50k all in. This will be for both me and wife. I’m 60 she’s 55. We have not boated in years. And never owned a boat myself.

ETA: I really just don’t want a boat bigger than I can handle and I don’t want to wreck a boat either.

ETA2: and I’m terrible at backing a trailer.

This post was edited on 7/19/26 at 6:41 am

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Posted by redfish99

B.R.

Member since Aug 2007

19682 posts

Posted on 7/19/26 at 9:24 am to W2NOMO

It’s turns slight chop into 3’rs. Must pick ur days in that hull and all alum hulls

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Posted by Megasaurus

Member since Dec 2017

1659 posts

Posted on 7/19/26 at 12:19 pm to W2NOMO

thats a pretty stout budget. You will 100% be able to find a really nice 19' -21' fiberglass boat. If looking new, Blazer Bay 20 should be at the top of your list to check out, enough boat to fish some big water on good days and can get in some small ponds and stuff for chasing the reds or bass.. it will be at the top of budget as well, but they are very well made boats. If you want used, that budget gets you alot of boat even staying in the middle of the range. Whatever you do, dont buy an underpowered boat (a 19' should have a 150, a 21 should have a 225 or 250, etc, the hull design plays the big role here but alot of dealers are putting minimum hp on these boats, people buy them because the price is good and find out shortly that the performance is less than stellar and they try to sell .. the market is flooded with these, avoid them

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Posted by SabineRat

Member since Oct 2015

57 posts

Posted on 7/19/26 at 4:34 pm to W2NOMO

I’ve had a 2220 blazer bay for 20 yrs. and it’s been a hell of boat. I’ve had it in some uncomfortable situations but I never felt in danger. That said, I recently bought an h20 express and it is much more solid than I expected. It’s doesn’t compare to the the glass boat it rough water but in no way is it a tin can.

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Posted by TD422

Destrehan, LA

Member since Jun 2019

963 posts

Posted on 7/20/26 at 10:52 am to W2NOMO

quote:
ETA2: and I’m terrible at backing a trailer.

Best advice I ever got:

1) Find an open parking lot and spend 15-20 minutes just getting a feel for backing a trailer. It'll become second nature quickly, but it does take a little bit of practice.
2) Place your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel when backing up, and turn the wheel the direction you want the trailer to go. Want the trailer to go toward your left shoulder? Turn the wheel toward you left shoulder. Just make sure your hand is on the bottom (six o'clock position) on the wheel when you start.

OR, have a couple beers for the guy who'll help back you in on launch day.