The lovable small bass boats are designed and equipped for bass fishing, or other types of panfish, and they are used mainly in freshwaters such as lakes, rivers, and streams. They are a bit pricey, and they are constructed from aluminum, or fiberglass, with the latter being the more expensive one.

But why are bass boats so expensive? Well, bass boats come with swivel chairs, which permit the angler to cast to any position around the boat, they have storage bins for fishing tackle, equipment such as rods and lures, and a live well with recirculating water, where caught fish may be stored and kept alive.

These aren’t the only reasons for why bass boats are expensive, it also comes down to the construction material, the two propelling variants – the outboard motor and trolling motor, the space available for fishing storage, the quality in general, the brand name, and the fact that they are considered luxury items.

How Much Does the Average Bass Boat Cost?

The price for an average bass boat, either new or used, can vary from $10,500 to $20,000 and $45,000. From here, it goes all the way up, with some of the new models reaching even $100,000, or more. There are many factors involved in the pricing of bass boats, such as the age of manufacturing, size, quality, the type, and power of the engines or even just the brand itself can spice things up.

However, most average bass boat models are between $20,000 and $45,000. A decent bass boat may be at around $30,000, however, this may not always be the case. Good base boats can be found even lower than $17,000, but they are often small, and may not have all the high-tech features of the new models.

Are Bass Boats Worth the Money?

Bass boats are specially designated for fishing. If you usually go to fishing only once around a week, or maybe even less, a bass boat might not be a good choice for you.

These boats can be very high quality, being made with a variety of lightweight and very durable materials, such as carbon fiber, and you usually get what you pay for.

It’s no secret that bass boats these days can be quite expensive, and often, the more it costs, the more features it is going to come with. It all depends on how much you are willing to spend.

If you don’t want to take a huge risk, you can always rent, or buy a used bass boat, however, you should buy some of the newer models, that were used, since they might still have a warranty.

If you have the budget, and you go fishing often, then sure, bass boats are worth the money but don’t go throw too much money on them, since some of these boats, maybe very expensive only due to their brand name.

If you decide to buy a used one, again, take into consideration your budget, the service & maintenance, fuel costs, and most importantly, storage and transportation.

Make sure you have the needed space for the boat, if not, well you have to pay for storage and docking fees.

What is the Best Bass Boat for the Money?

Here are some of the best bass boats for the money in 2020, based upon reviews, features, quality, and more:

• Best Bass Boat Under $20,000 – Tracker Pro Team 190 TX at Tracker Boats
• Best Bass Boat Under $30,000 – Ranger Z175 at Ranger Boats
• Best Bass Boat Runner-Up – Nitro Z21 at Nitro
• Best Bass Boat Multi-Species: Nitro ZV21 at Nitro
• Best Saltwater Bass Boat – Ranger Z520Ci Intracoastal at Cabelas
• Best Overall Bass Boat – Bass Cat Puma FTD at Bass Cat

The best model overall for the money would probably be the Bass Cat Puma FTD – Princes for this base boat can go from $40,000, all the way up to $57,000, or more.

The Bass Cat Puma FTD is the top brand and among the more popular premium range option of Bass Cat. It is made out of fiberglass being 20’4” in length, which offers stability in open waters, and easy maneuverability in tight spaces.

The 94” beam will give the needed confidence to go offshore. FTD means Full Team Deck – the front deck is big enough for team anglers to cast side-by-side.

When it comes to storage, the Bass Cat comes with seven compartments in the front deck alone, which include a ventilated central tackle box, and an 8’ rod box with a tube organizer.

The Bass Cat also comes with two ice chests and two triangular live wells, which have a pump in / pump-out system, spray bars, and an inline filter. Among many other things, the boat can hold 52 gallons of fuel and has a 200 to 300 max. horsepower range. A stock engine and trailer are usually included as well.

Do Bass Boats Hold Their Value?

With that being said, do bass boats hold their value? Well, used boats tend to hold their value better than new boats. A new bass boat will last for a very long time, and can be later sold for a reasonable amount, especially if you take care of it.

If you buy a cheaper new bass boat, it typically won’t last as long, nor sell as well afterwards. If you buy a cheaper used boat and take care of it, it will probably resell well. Each option comes with its pros and cons, but keep in mind the maintenance, depreciation, cost, resale value, performance, age, technology, and the unforeseeable unknown issues that may come when purchasing used boats.

Conclusion

Bass boats are expensive, no matter how you look at it. But hey, everything good in life is more or less this way. If a new bass boat feels like a financial burden, you can always buy a used one, or rent one.

The most important thing is to consider how often you plan on using the boat, and what is your budget.