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Started By
Message
Wish to buy new boat for our son in law.
Posted on 5/13/26 at 4:07 pm
Posted on 5/13/26 at 4:07 pm
I don’t know chit about boats.
Budget $30k, ideally including trailer & motor.
He loves to freshwater fish and mostly 2 people as primary users (2-4 people capacity)
Newlyweds with our daughter. Has just paid off student loans and is in new home so his ‘boat’ is in the home mortgage, so to speak. Thinking of surprising them.
Would most appreciate OB steer / advice!
Budget $30k, ideally including trailer & motor.
He loves to freshwater fish and mostly 2 people as primary users (2-4 people capacity)
Newlyweds with our daughter. Has just paid off student loans and is in new home so his ‘boat’ is in the home mortgage, so to speak. Thinking of surprising them.
Would most appreciate OB steer / advice!
23
Posted on 5/13/26 at 4:12 pm to Everyday Is Saturday
We need some information:
He fish lakes or rivers?
Bass, catfish, panfish?
Does he have prior boat ownership experience?
Where is he located?
Do you have any more daughters that are single?
He fish lakes or rivers?
Bass, catfish, panfish?
Does he have prior boat ownership experience?
Where is he located?
Do you have any more daughters that are single?
Posted on 5/13/26 at 4:25 pm to Everyday Is Saturday
I don't have any advice but do you have any more daughters?
Posted on 5/13/26 at 4:56 pm to Everyday Is Saturday
Bass Tracker
Posted on 5/13/26 at 5:06 pm to Everyday Is Saturday
Same here. Do you have any more daughters?
But can't ever go wrong with an 18-20' aluminum rig.
But can't ever go wrong with an 18-20' aluminum rig.
Posted on 5/13/26 at 5:17 pm to DaFreakinFarmer
^^^
THIS
Damn fine gift, I got a match book.
THIS
Damn fine gift, I got a match book.
Posted on 5/13/26 at 5:26 pm to Everyday Is Saturday
$30K should buy you something in the 17-19ft Alum bass boat category. I have a Ranger RT188C and it's plenty room and comfortable for the bride and I and occasionally the 2 grand children. There are several brands such as Xpress, Sea Ark, Lund, and several others.
If you were to look at a boat say 2-5 years old your money could go a lot further with a larger boat, several of these boats have been garage queens and hardly used. My cousin bought a 4 year old Triton (Alum) with a Merc 115XS Pro and when he put the vessel view on it the motor had 14 hours on it.
If you were to look at a boat say 2-5 years old your money could go a lot further with a larger boat, several of these boats have been garage queens and hardly used. My cousin bought a 4 year old Triton (Alum) with a Merc 115XS Pro and when he put the vessel view on it the motor had 14 hours on it.
This post was edited on 5/13/26 at 6:35 pm
Posted on 5/13/26 at 6:49 pm to Everyday Is Saturday
Where do you live? Is he hardcore fisherman? Does daughter want to lounge and sunbathe on said boat?
Posted on 5/13/26 at 7:20 pm to Barneyrb
quote:
have a Ranger RT188C
This is a great suggestion.
Posted on 5/13/26 at 7:40 pm to Everyday Is Saturday
Would recommend the regular RT188 or RT188P for a little more. The C model’s storage is a little weird comparatively.
Posted on 5/13/26 at 8:01 pm to Everyday Is Saturday
Aluminum boat that is all welded no rivets. Four stroke motor is a must. Yamaha or Mercury would be my pick.
G3 and xpress are good.
G3 and xpress are good.
Posted on 5/13/26 at 8:07 pm to junkfunky
Posted on 5/13/26 at 8:29 pm to Everyday Is Saturday
Damn, all I bought my SIL was a fishing shirt.
Posted on 5/13/26 at 8:46 pm to Everyday Is Saturday
Xpress H17
G3 1610
Just make sure you upgrade to a 24 volt 70-80 lb trolling motor.
That basic package Minnkota Edge 45 lb thrust trolling motor is a joke on a 17 ft bass rig.
And a stainless steel prop for the outboard!
G3 1610
Just make sure you upgrade to a 24 volt 70-80 lb trolling motor.
That basic package Minnkota Edge 45 lb thrust trolling motor is a joke on a 17 ft bass rig.
And a stainless steel prop for the outboard!
Posted on 5/14/26 at 6:48 am to Everyday Is Saturday
I hate to say it but trying to put myself in you SIL's shoes as best I can--I think I would probably be a little disappointed if this happened to me. I would be over the moon about the thoughtfulness and kindness of this action, but it almost certainly would not be the boat that I want and would feel compelled to keep it for a long time and not sell it for what I really wanted.
That being said, your safest bet would be a smaller bay style boat unless you know for sure he is into bass boats or something. A used Xpress H20 or similar in the 2020 year model range should get you within budget for a pretty decent rig.
That being said, your safest bet would be a smaller bay style boat unless you know for sure he is into bass boats or something. A used Xpress H20 or similar in the 2020 year model range should get you within budget for a pretty decent rig.
Posted on 5/14/26 at 7:12 am to Everyday Is Saturday
quote:don’t do this. Take him boat shopping. Same result, better chance of long term success
Thinking of surprising them
Posted on 5/14/26 at 7:13 am to Everyday Is Saturday
Look at Express Boats, 30K you might consider a slightly used one.
The motors are what costs so much, so the bigger you get (HP) the more they cost .
The motors are what costs so much, so the bigger you get (HP) the more they cost .
Posted on 5/14/26 at 8:12 am to cgrand
quote:
Take him boat shopping. Same result, better chance of long term success
Or tell him you're thinking of buying a boat and ask for his suggestions and recommendations. Ask him if he thinks aluminum would be better that fiberglass. If center console is better than side console. What brand motor would he recommend. What size boat does he think is best. Typically, if you start asking a man, who likes to fish, these questions, you will be eventually hit with this response "well, if it were me buying a boat with that budget, I'd prolly get XYZ".
Posted on 5/14/26 at 8:16 am to DaFreakinFarmer
1. Lakes (Houston TX)
2. Bass
3. Has lots of boat experience, not ownership
4. Sorry, 1 daughter. Handful. We owe him! Kidding.
2. Bass
3. Has lots of boat experience, not ownership
4. Sorry, 1 daughter. Handful. We owe him! Kidding.
Posted on 5/14/26 at 8:21 am to Dicky
quote:
it almost certainly would not be the boat that I want and would feel compelled to keep it for a long time and not sell it for what I really wanted.
Appreciate your point.
Almost hate to ask…where does price range begin for the “no regret” boat?
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