"Best" ~ $20,000 walleye boat?

[JohnK]

I know, "best" is a very subjective term but it fits well in a short subject line. We've all seen threads/posts/questions asking for the "best" or "fastest" boats and there are always some great suggestions, unfortunately (at least for me) those boats are usually in the 50-60,000 range. While I'd like one, I'm not willing to spend that much on a boat these days and surely my wife would never go along with it.

So, with that in mind, what is a really good walleye boat in the $20,000 range? Since used boats vary widely lets limit it to new boats for now. I've been fishing from a friends North River Seahawk a fair amount this year, it's a terrific strong, if rather spartan, big boat that handles big water well, he's had his out in 7'+ seats in Neah Bay and had no problem making it in safe and sound. But it's a $40,000 boat. So I've been looking at the 17.5' North River Bayhawk is in the $20k range and is a very strong, wide, capable welded aluminum boat...also on the spartan side, little storage other than tackle trays and under the bow but a good boat - they have a terrific reputation in the pacific NW.

There are dozens of manufacturers out there, which models do you like in that price range? I like the 20' Lund Alaskan dual console too, but I don't know if that can be found to close to $20k.

Any thoughts?

[MinnesotaMongo]

How about an Alumacraft Navigator or Dominator? You can get into a 17 footer with a 75 Yamaha 4 stroke for very close to that price - especially with the boat shows coming up this winter. I really like the value of the Navigator - lots of space and it seems to handle lots of different water.

[Double Barrel]

I have a 2004 17ft Lund Angler SS and I love the fishibility of the boat. It is really easy to fish four or five people out of this boat. The Angler has only one console so that means a lot of room to fish out of. The boat handles deep and shallow water awesome. I am trying to sell this boat because my summer is too busy because of my sons and their sports. Look under boats for sale and it is for sale at $17,200. I've never had any problems with a LUND. This is my opinion on the best walleye fishing boat. This boat has been babied since we got it. If your interested or have any questions shoot me an email at [email protected]

[Northlander]

I agree either the Lund Angler or Explorer SS with a 115 on the back would do ya good. Mr. Pike is also nice but may come up a bit more than $20,000 unless you find a non current.

[caseymcq]

Quote:

---

How about an Alumacraft Navigator or Dominator? You can get into a 17 footer with a 75 Yamaha 4 stroke for very close to that price - especially with the boat shows coming up this winter. I really like the value of the Navigator - lots of space and it seems to handle lots of different water.

---

I will second what MinnesotaMongo has to say. I have a Navigator 175 with a 75 hp Yamaha 4-stroke. It was about $18K with Wavewackers, bow-mount trolling motor, 4 seats, a cover, three batteries and a Yaught Club Trailer with a spare. I bought my electronics off of hsolist and installed those myself and bought a three-bank onboard charger and installed it myself and I am extremely happy with the boat. I am sure I am well under $20K.

If you are looking at buying a boat right now there are some smokin' deals to be had because of the off season coming up.

[sirsunnyslayer]

Lund quit making the Mr. Pike for 08' so I would find a hold over this winter. Deep and wide, in floor rod storage and Lund quality.

[wishing for walleyes]

I switched to a pontoon a year ago and love fishing out of it.You can get up and walk around and you also have lots of room for supplies.No more being cramped up for 8 hours in a 16ft boat for me.

[vermilionfox]

I'll agree about the pontoon! Did that last year ourselves. They take a little getting used to in regard to boat control, but the comfort factor makes the learning curve well worth it.

We bought a new previous year hold-over 22 foot Crest, it has 4 fishing seats (bench seating for 7 people), livewell, Lowrance finder, MinnKota Powerdrive 68 lb thrust, 115 hp 4 stroke Johnson, with tandem trailer and cover for $19,900.

[JohnK]

Good suggestions guys. I saw several Lund Explorers on the road when I was in MN a few weeks ago, very attractive boats.

What about the G3 boats? Their Angler series looks pretty good but I haven't seen much written about them. The V185F looks like a good wide stable boat - 94" beam, 82" bottom and a 25" transom. I think it's more in the $25k+ range though.

[fishorgolf]

All good sugestions for 17 - 17.5' boats but if you need something larger take a look at the lund Alaskans. Bare bones boat but you can get a larger boat in the price range you are looking at. For 20K you should be able to get a 20' with a nice 4 stroke and even have cash left for some electronics etc. But if you are OK with a smaller boat I would go with any of the sugestions above as they are much more finished off boats.

[Mille Lacs Guy]

I know you said new but I really think you kind find a heck of a deal on a used boat in the $20,000 range. When I think walleye boats I think either various glass boats or boats like a Lund Pro-V or Alumacraft Tournament Series. You will not be able to get these types of boats in the $20,000 range new but you can find a really nice used one in this range that is probably very clean. Some thoughts would be:

-Warrior 1890 BT - tiller

-Yar Craft 1895 Storm - tiller or console

-Lund Pro V

-Alumacraft - tournament series

-Ranger 618 T - tiller

-Skeeter 1775 -console or tiller

These are some great walleye boats that can be found used in your price range.

[Scott K]

My vote is the Alumacraft Tounament pro, I would go with a 115 Yamaha, it may cost you a little more then 20k, but for the few more dollars, you wont regret it!

[MinnesotaMongo]

I just picked up a 2000 Alumacraft Pro Tourny 175 with a 70 Suzuki Tiller - WOW what a boat and at a exremely decent price. This is a major league walleye boat and I think you would really like something like this.

I know that there are a few of them floating around if you do a google search. I could probably point you in some directions that way if you are looking for used...

Good luck - I think 1/2 the fun of getting a boat is searching for just the right one!

[Myrt]

I purchased my new 20ft Lund Alaskan Camo with Yamaha 75 - 4 stroke Tiller just over 3 years ago for mid $18,000, I rigged with 2 depth finders, 1 gps, terrova trolling motor for around another $3,000.

I love it! This is the way I looked at it when purchasing it.

cons: you get wet on wavy waters, it's a tiller

1 livewell(fine with me,some people like 2)

not much protection from elements(again a tiller)

pros: room, lots of room, lots of room

75 trolls down nice, yet moves around 35 mph

trolling motor can spin the boat 360

sport rail with sport brackets allow rigging

without drilling into boat

vinyl flooring for easy cleaning

Anyway, it's what YOU want ina boat that counts!

[Down Deep]

Last spring I bought a 17 Lund Explorer Sport with a Merc 115 4 Stroke & Shorlander trailer, snap on cover and some other extras for just a little over $20,000. Always remember their is at least another $1,000 to $2000 worth of goodies that you have buy after purchase depending on how you rig it out.

[MinnesotaMongo]

Quote:

---

Always remember their is at least another $1,000 to $2000 worth of goodies that you have buy after purchase depending on how you rig it out.

---

I think in the Rule Book of Men - that number does NOT count toward the total.

[JohnK]

My wife caught on to that one when the basic $1,000 skiff morfed into a $3,500 (used) fully outfitted and decked fishing boat.

That 17' Explorer Sport is a sweet boat, it's on the short list for next summer for certain.

[BFT]

If your looking for the best bet for your money , the Lund explorer is the best buy ! The pro guide is also a good boat , but might be to pricey for ya ! also , take a look at a Lund Classic! I'm pushing for the Lunds , because of the quality , cause the guys and women I work with , build them that way !!

BFT

[Water Hazard]

I've been quite pleased with the new G3 Angler V167C I bought in 2006. For the 16.5' boat, 60 hp Yamaha 4-stroke motor, bunk trailer, dual depth finders, four seats, MinnKota trolling motor with universal sonar, custom cover, etc., I paid less than $14000.

The boat's layout has a large deck on the front and a smaller layout on the back.

The Yamaha purrs at the lower RPMs, so I can use that or the MinnKota for trolling or lindy rigging.

It has proven to be comfortable, dry, leak free, and pretty peppy (with just me in there, I've had it up to 37mph and with three people and someone tubing, we've had it around 30mph).

I was initially concerned about service (if it is ever needed), but the dealer is only about 3 miles from my house and there are G3 dealers near my family's cabin (in Park Rapids) and my wife's family's cabin (in Aitkin).

Just another option for you to consider.

[bassNspear]

what about a crestliner fish hawk?

[JDM]

Good luck on a new Lund under $20k that will handle what the original poster needs. You can get it with other brands though. My Starcraft Starfish gets the job done and your not paying extra for the MN name. Aluminum boats have really gone up in price in the last year. If I were him, I would look for a good used boat.

[hanson]

"Best" $20,000 walleye boat... now that is a tough question.

If you really look hard, I've come across a few older (early 2000s) Ranger 619, 620s that are getting very near that 20k mark. Not quite there yet but getting close.

My point is I wouldn't be afraid to look for used boats if you are really looking to maximize the dollar.

[PierBridge]

Quote:

---

"Best" $20,000 walleye boat... now that is a tough question.

If you really look hard, I've come across a few older (early 2000s) Ranger 619, 620s that are getting very near that 20k mark. Not quite there yet but getting close.

My point is I wouldn't be afraid to look for used boats if you are really looking to maximize the dollar.

---

I was going to mention that.... a friend of mine just picked up a beautiful 03 620... for $24,900...

[JohnK]

I am absolutely not against going with a used boat, my current boat is 25 years old and still in great shape, the motor could be smoother but hey, it's an old motor.. I've seen some Lund Barons in the $24k range that would probably be great deals. I only limited this question to new boats because you need to start looking somewhere.

I'd have no problems driving back to MN for my next boat - great reason for a vacation, and the boats are less expensive in MN.

[wayne123]

All I need is the 20 grand and I will take any of the above! For my situation it would be the pontoon or a used Pro V. If you look at used boats count the cost of the extras. They can really add up quick.