Quality Bass Boats??

[Grassi25]

I am in the market for a bass boat. I have had 2, an 86 procraft 1750, and 96 stratos 201 pro xl. I can't complain much about either boat hull, the gell coat on the stratos faded and cracked even kept under a cover, but I am not sure any other would have done any diff.

Anyway, my main question is that I have been pricing boats and Tritons, Skeeters, and Rangers all seem to be the same price for a used one as I can get a brand new comparible Nitro.

Why are these Nitro's so cheap. And why would I wanna pay the same for an 07 boat that I could a brand new Nitro boat with a 5 yr warranty on motor, and warranties on the boat???

 

[lncoop]

Re: Quality Bass Boats??

The Nitros are cheaper for the same reason the Bass Trackers and Sun Trackers are cheaper than their competition. Tracker builds 'em to sell. I'm not knocking Tracker. I have one of their barges myself. Whether you want to pay the same for a three year old Skeeter, Ranger or Triton is up to you, but they are exponentially better boats, hence the significant premium. In the end, buy the one that makes you feel comfy. The Nitro will be fine if you take care of it but won't last nearly as long as one of the upper eschelon brands. That's why twenty plus year old Rangers fetch eight grand. Tight lines.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Quality Bass Boats??

As lncoop said, it's pretty evident if you look at them side by side. I woudln't shy away from one (came really close to owning a Nitro 288 last year) but if you can view them alongside another brand, you will see things like cheaper latches, hatch covers, windshields, etc. The motors are motors, so reliability will be the same. You're paying for the little things - and for the name.

Personally, I wouldn't have had any issue with the quality of the 288 I looked at - it was just a couple of options I liked better on our Procraft that swayed my decision - oh yeah, and the Procraft had the optimax while the 288 had an XR6. Done deal.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Quality Bass Boats??

Nitro and Allison make some fine looking bass boats if you've got the $$$$

 

[Grassi25]

Re: Quality Bass Boats??

As lncoop said, it's pretty evident if you look at them side by side. I woudln't shy away from one (came really close to owning a Nitro 288 last year) but if you can view them alongside another brand, you will see things like cheaper latches, hatch covers, windshields, etc. The motors are motors, so reliability will be the same. You're paying for the little things - and for the name.

Personally, I wouldn't have had any issue with the quality of the 288 I looked at - it was just a couple of options I liked better on our Procraft that swayed my decision - oh yeah, and the Procraft had the optimax while the 288 had an XR6. Done deal.

After doing some research it seems that procraft is also made by the same company that makes nitro. I don't know if they have always made them.

I have honestly taken rides in a couple rangers and was not crazy about them, maybe because of no passenger console and going 70 mph in a 3-5 ft. chop. The motor actually broke off the back and threw me out. But the over all consensus is they are the best. I have looked at some 5-7 yr old tritons and they had alot of little things broke here and there (honestly more little stuff broke than my 96 stratos).

One thing that confuses me is that why can't I find any 02 to 09 Nitro's for sale. Especially if they are not built as well. There are alot of tritons, rangers, then skeeters. Also, alot of stratos'.

I am ready to buy one just hoping that good deal jumps out at me.

 

[jopes]

Re: Quality Bass Boats??

One thing that confuses me is that why can't I find any 02 to 09 Nitro's for sale. Especially if they are not built as well. There are alot of tritons, rangers, then skeeters. Also, alot of stratos'.

I am ready to buy one just hoping that good deal jumps out at me.

probably because the other brands are so much more expensive and people have lost jobs. First to go is the toys.

 

[Cannondale]

Re: Quality Bass Boats??

One thing that confuses me is that why can't I find any 02 to 09 Nitro's for sale. Especially if they are not built as well.

Probably because most of the owners of those years are way upside down on their 10 year loans they got through Tracker.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Quality Bass Boats??

After doing some research it seems that procraft is also made by the same company that makes nitro. I don't know if they have always made them.

Tracker bought a portion of procraft (not sure of exact date or % ownership), but they are still manufactured in separate locations to seperate specifications. At least, that's the way I understand it.

 

[fishinandbeer]

Re: Quality Bass Boats??

I can compare some of the boats I'm familiar with.
88 Nitro- Handles rough water but slow.
93 Stratos-Overall good speed and fish ability
02 Ranger-Nice boat over all but paying for the name.
05 Skeeter-This is the one I like the best. Nice set up inside, shallow draft and an ease of getting the fish in the boat. Fast and is ok in rough water.

All of the boats have interior parts breaking in them. The oldest boat (Nitro) actucally is in better material condition than the rest with the exception of the gel coat. To me it all about preference in options and lay otu cause it doesn't matter with boat you get they are going to always have something wrong with them. BOAT (Break Out Another Thousand)

 

[robert graham]

Re: Quality Bass Boats??

Check out Allison's web site....beautiful Bass Boats!....