High 10 Greatest Bass Boats for Rookies in 2023

The very finest bass boats round are extremely specialised and really costly, however if you happen to’re on the lookout for your first boat or have restricted financial means, you’re most likely making an attempt to type via the myriad of numerous new bass boats for learners. That may be a frightening activity, however we’re right here to assist. This roundup of newbie bass boats boils down the sector to ID 10 high contenders which are straightforward to study to function, straightforward to keep up, and simple to afford, together with:

Crestliner XF 179

Crestliner has lengthy been a stand-out within the area of newbie bass boats, with a variety of aluminum rigs which are moderately priced and rigged for severe fishing. The XF 179 is a wonderful instance, beginning with a $23,802 beginning MSRP that features a 60-hp outboard and a bunk trailer. Stand-out options embrace a 23-gallon livewell with each an aerator and a timer, eight-foot rodboxes, a Motorguide X3 bow-mount trolling motor, and a fiberglass console with room for 12-inch electronics. Additionally notice that that is an all-welded boat with 0.10-inch-thick aluminum within the hullsides and backside.

See Crestliner XF 179 boats on the market or go to Crestliner Boats for extra info.

G3 Sportsman 1710

Rigged and prepared for motion with a 40-hp Yamaha outboard, the G3 Sportsman 1710 prices lower than most new vehicles at an MSRP simply over $29,000. The usual options you get within the base package deal, nevertheless, will most likely trigger you to do a double-take: a Minn Kota 55 Edge electrical trolling motor, a Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP DI fishfinder GPS, a two-bank battery charger, an aerated livewell, a locking rodbox, built-in sort out trays, and a customized trailer are all included. If you wish to bounce into competitors from day one with out having to do a bunch of additional shopping for and rigging, this package deal is prepared for motion proper out of the field.

See G3 Sportsman 1710 boats on the market or go to G3 Boats for extra info.

Lowe Stinger 188

The Stinger line was given a latest refresh by Lowe and the ensuing package deal seems to be and appears like a high-end fiberglass bass boat, however with out the high-end pricing; MSRP begins at $34,624 with a Mercury Marine 75 ELPT FourStroke outboard and a trailer. It advantages from a wide-beam design (stretching the tape at 7’10”) and enjoys enhancements like a red-backlighted console, lighted toggle switches, a recessed trolling motor foot pedal, and bucket seats. With an 18’8” size general, this boat additionally delivers much more sheer area than many rivals that value considerably extra.

See Lowe Stinger 188 boats on the market or go to Lowe Boats for extra info.

Nitro Z17

Whereas most newbie bass boats are aluminum as a matter of straightforward economics, the Z17 is a fiberglass fishing machine that manages to maintain value all the way down to a $32,995 “Inflation Buster” worth with an outboard and a trailer. Right here’s the actual shocker: the usual powerplant is a potent 115-horsepower Mercury ProXS FourStroke that may have you ever racing to the hotspots at over 50 mph. On high of that, the package deal features a bow-mount trolling motor, a 23-gallon livewell with an aerator and timer, and a Lowrance HOOK 4x fishfinder.

See Nitro Z17 boats on the market or go to Nitro Boats for extra info.

Ranger Z185

Ranger is thought for constructing high-end bass fishing boats and it’s onerous to argue that any of their fashions are “cheap,” however their entry-level Z185 will be had for a hair below $43,000 (notice that this was one of many few boats which didn’t have the next value in 2023 than it did in 2022) and that will get you a fiberglass mannequin with a 150-horse outboard plus a customized trailer with hydraulic brakes and Highway Armor protecting coating. Different important inventory options embrace a livewell with Venturi aeration, stainless-steel compression locks on the hatches, a Lowrance HOOK Reveal-5 fishfinder, a lithium-capable Twin Professional onboard battery charger, and a Minn Kota Edge 70-pound-thrust electrical trolling motor. And this boat is constructed like its bigger siblings, with a rock-solid pultruded transom, a fiberglass stringer grid, and gasoline struts on the big hatches.

See Ranger Z185 boats on the market or go to Ranger Boats for extra info.

Skeeter ZX 150

Whereas the $44,395 NAP price ticket could also be one other comparatively excessive one for this roundup, let’s do not forget that this quantity continues to be properly below the common worth for a brand new pick-up truck nowadays — many middle-class People will nonetheless discover it completely inexpensive. And this package deal can also be one of the crucial highly effective on this group, working with a Yamaha V Max SHO VF150 outboard that may internet you speeds within the 60-mph vary. That’s so much for a newbie to deal with, however it’s additionally sufficient to take you from an beginner to a professional. Getting a ZX 150 additionally will get you larger, higher equipment than most newbie boats ship, like a 10-amp three-bank battery charger, a typical (and upgradable) Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP fishfinder/GPS, tilt-hydraulic steering, a 24-volt 70-pound-thrust electrical trolling motor, and a 12-inch jackplate.

See Skeeter ZX 150 boats on the market or go to Skeeter Boats for extra info.

Tracker Professional 170

Of all of the devoted bass boats on the market, Tracker takes essentially the most inexpensive pricing prize with the Professional 170. This 16’8” lengthy, 6’5” broad rig comes with a 40-horsepower outboard and a single-axel trailer on the roundup-winning “no haggle no trouble” worth of $19,195… However as of this replace Tracker is promoting a $18,295 “Inflation Buster” worth. Wait, what?! That is the one boat in our roundup which you possibly can truly by for much less in 2023. The package deal deal additionally contains must-haves like a fishfinder (a Lowrance Hook2 4x) and electrical trolling motor (a Minn Kota 45-pound-thrust Edge). We must also notice that in 2021 the Professional 170 received some enhancements, together with Tracker’s Diamond Coat 2.0 powder-coat/clear-coat end and an all-welded two-piece hull with pressed-in strakes and chines, which stick with it for the 2023 mannequin 12 months, and forty fifth anniversary badging was added for 2023.

See Tracker Professional 170 boats on the market or go to Tracker Boats for extra info.

Triton 179 TRX

Don’t let the mannequin title idiot you with the Triton 179 TRX, which begins the Triton lineup however is eighteen’6″ lengthy and has a 7’7″ beam. It additionally comes with a 115-horsepower Mercury on the transom and a trailer with Highway Armor and Vault hubs sitting beneath the hull, on the $37,995 base worth. Every little thing about this boat screams high quality from the nitrogen-filled struts on the hatches, to the stainless steel cleats, to the built-in Res-Q retractable boarding ladder. Even the ahead “bike” seat is unusually good, with a hydraulic pedestal and the Centric II seat mesh suspension.

See Triton 179 TRX boats on the market or go to Triton Boats for extra info.

Vexus AVX181

With a place to begin of $35,248 the Vexus AVX181 presents some distinctive perks because of what they name a “glass infused hybrid design.” A number of bigger elements, just like the console, stowage compartments, and the livewell, are molded from fiberglass. That will get you the slick gel coat end and attractiveness, whereas saving value as in comparison with the common bass boat made completely of fiberglass. It additionally means you profit from the sunshine weight of an aluminum hull, and the inventory 60-hp powerplant has loads of oomph for the rig. The AVX181 additionally options some big-boat perks like each ahead and aft livewells and a pad hull design.

See Vexus AVX181 boats on the market or go to Vexus Boats.

Xpress H17

At $28,995 with a Yamaha VF90LA and a BackTrack trailer, the Xpress H17 has one thing different aluminum rivals in the identical dimension and worth vary not often supply: 0.125” thick 5052 aluminum development. Most boats on this class have 25-percent much less hull thickness, and a few have hullsides which are even thinner. That additional beef will give any boat proprietor, newbie or not, confidence within the ruggedness of their fishing machine. The H17 additionally boasts Xpress’s “Hyper-Elevate” padded hull design, which makes for a sooner, drier journey. Actually, with 90 horses on the transom the boat can simply cruise within the mid-30s and tops out at over 46 mph.

See Xpress H17 bass boats on the market or go to Xpress Boats for extra info.

To study extra in-depth details about bass boats, you’ll want to try our Information To Bass Boats article.

Editor’s Word: This text was final up to date in July of 2023.