ShaggyRS6 Posted April 7, 2019 Report Share Posted April 7, 2019 Hi everyone. Since moving to TN from NJ and living with mins of Percy Priest and getting the go ahead from the finance director in the house, i.e. the wife, I am looking to get a boat or PWC for fishing. I had my heart set on a SeaDoo Fish Pro (Jetski) and was just about to pull the trigger on one until a few folks on the hunting forum I am a member of advised me to consider other options. There are some caveats with whatever I decide to get, No.1 it has to fit in my garage (HOA and all that) and No.2 I have a budget of 15K. No.3 I'd like, for the budget I have for it to be fitted out with good electronics to aid me with the fishing and if its a boat i'd be looking for it to have a trolling motor that will hold position via GPS. I have no idea where to start or what to look for and would appreciate any guidance you can offer. The Jetski is still very much in play but I do need to do the smart thing and look at alternatives. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted April 7, 2019 Report Share Posted April 7, 2019 Lots of better options in your price range beyond a jet ski. A kayak for one, is a great choice and we'll under budget even with top notch electronics. Also, check your local sales ads and www.bassboatcentral.com for pre-owned boats.....lots of good solid starter boats out there in the $8-10k range. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHTN Posted April 7, 2019 Report Share Posted April 7, 2019 Hard to beat Tracker in that price range. The Classic has a lot of bang for the buck, for $11k. Add a couple decent graphs, and you’re still within your price point. As MM said, good kayaks loaded to the gills, for far less than a jet ski, and you’d be able to carry a lot more gear (believe it or not). Oh, and trading out motors for one with GPS, would still keep you in that price range on a Tracker Classic. Just giving you some options. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vafis Posted April 8, 2019 Report Share Posted April 8, 2019 (edited) I’m getting ready to sell a 06 skeeter sx180 with a 115 Yamaha for somewhere around 7,000 in just a few weeks Edited April 8, 2019 by Vafis 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted April 8, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 8, 2019 Thanks for the responses so far, very much appreciated. Kayaks, yep I considered that but I have had them before and they just don't work for me for many reasons, so its going to be a no for a Kayak. Regarding a used boat. I have no idea what I would be looking at, so at this point anything used is going to be way down the list as I would not know what to look for, but Vafis, thanks for the offer. I'll take a look at the tracker you mentioned and see what they are like so thanks for pointing me in that direction. Someone on my hunting forum also mentioned Gheenoe? Not sure what you guys think of those? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHTN Posted April 8, 2019 Report Share Posted April 8, 2019 Gheenoe is basically a squared back canoe, that you can put a small horse motor on. IMO, they’re overpriced for what they are, but may work great for you. Personal preference thing, I suppose. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 So let me see if I'm following you here.....you want a new boat with above average electronics for under $15k? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted April 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 18 minutes ago, Mountainman said: So let me see if I'm following you here.....you want a new boat with above average electronics for under $15k? I don't know what I want, or could get for 15K. That's why I came for some advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peck Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 New boats are expensive. I dont think fishing from a jetski is feasible, especially around here. If a kayak is out, a canoe or gheenoe should be out as well. I'd look at the trackers or even one of the bigger jon boats if you want to stay with something new. But electronics and a GPS trolling motor will be the majority of the cost. Dont let a used boat scare you. Lots of good used boats out there for under 15k. Any of the guys on here would answer any questions you would have when you find a used boat. Heck most would meet you out when you test drove it to help you out. I dont know Vafis or his boat, but that seems like something to look into. $7K would leave plenty of room for upgrading electronics and trolling motor and still stay under your budget. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-91 Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 On 4/6/2019 at 10:25 PM, ShaggyRS6 said: Hi everyone. Since moving to TN from NJ and living with mins of Percy Priest and getting the go ahead from the finance director in the house, i.e. the wife, I am looking to get a boat or PWC for fishing. I had my heart set on a SeaDoo Fish Pro (Jetski) and was just about to pull the trigger on one until a few folks on the hunting forum I am a member of advised me to consider other options. There are some caveats with whatever I decide to get, No.1 it has to fit in my garage (HOA and all that) and No.2 I have a budget of 15K. No.3 I'd like, for the budget I have for it to be fitted out with good electronics to aid me with the fishing and if its a boat i'd be looking for it to have a trolling motor that will hold position via GPS. I have no idea where to start or what to look for and would appreciate any guidance you can offer. The Jetski is still very much in play but I do need to do the smart thing and look at alternatives. Electronics: Hummingbird 7" high end $800.00 12" Solix $3,699.99 Lowrance 7" live $1,098.00 - $1,148.00 12"Live $2,998.00 to $3,098.00 TM : Minn Kota Ultrex $2,599.99 to $2,699.99 MotorguideXi5 Wireless $1,719. to $1,939.00 The prices above are from Tackle Warehouse guess you can beat those prices but its what I used just for information only. Based on your budget you might really want to look at a used boat or a package deal like a Tracker from BPS. Sure there are other options and it is easy for other folks to spend your money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astro180 Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 8 hours ago, Peck said: New boats are expensive. I dont think fishing from a jetski is feasible, especially around here. If a kayak is out, a canoe or gheenoe should be out as well. I'd look at the trackers or even one of the bigger jon boats if you want to stay with something new. But electronics and a GPS trolling motor will be the majority of the cost. Dont let a used boat scare you. Lots of good used boats out there for under 15k. Any of the guys on here would answer any questions you would have when you find a used boat. Heck most would meet you out when you test drove it to help you out. I dont know Vafis or his boat, but that seems like something to look into. $7K would leave plenty of room for upgrading electronics and trolling motor and still stay under your budget. +1 on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaggyRS6 Posted April 9, 2019 Author Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 I’d be interested to know your thoughts on why you think a Fishing Jetski would not be an option if a Kayak would be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHTN Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 1 hour ago, ShaggyRS6 said: I’d be interested to know your thoughts on why you think a Fishing Jetski would not be an option if a Kayak would be? Because a kayak is 1/3-1/6 the price of the jet ski, and honestly has a much better layout and storage capacity. I mean yeah, the jet ski obviously has more speed, but if I were gonna spend 5 figures, I’d just go ahead and get a boat. I checked the Fish Pro out, and it’s gonna have a niche I’m sure, but for me personally, it’s a horrendous setup for bass fishing. Doesn’t hold a ton of gear, rods standing vertically are in the way of casting, limited rod storage, and I know it’s got troll mode on that motor, but not even close to the same amount of control as a trolling motor, or a kayak, for that matter. Just my .02 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peck Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 22 minutes ago, ShaggyRS6 said: I’d be interested to know your thoughts on why you think a Fishing Jetski would not be an option if a Kayak would be? It's a jetski with some rod holders mounted on the back. I have a jetski now and have tried to fish from it. Its dang near impossible to stay positioned. No trolling motor so you are at the mercy of the water, wind, current ect. It's uncomfortable and an awkward platform to fish from. You can stand on mine, but it's shakey, you'll end up wet at some point. Kayaks are more built to fish from these days. Still not a replacement for a boat, but they have their purpose. More stable in the water to stand on and more comfortable to sit on/in. Jetski seat really gets in the way and limits how you can stand and where you can comfortably cast. The higher end kayaks have pedal drives or even trolling motors. I'd go kayak before jetski if sticky used to fish from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty50576 Posted April 9, 2019 Report Share Posted April 9, 2019 I like my $300 canoe...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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