June 25, 2018
By Game & Fish Online Staff
When you're talking about the price tags on new bassboats, you better do your homework well before purchase. Here's a look at four new boats (three outboards, too) for 2018, from Game & Fish Magazine's 2018 Gear Issue.
BASS BOATS
Bass Cat's latest 20-foot offering maximizes storage through an off-center forward rod box that'll store rods up to 8 foot, 6 inches easily, with substantial additional space on the port and starboard side. It's rated for up to a 300 HP engine, and with a wide 96-inch beam it's built to handle rough water and fish without any hint of tippiness. Like all Bass Cat models, it combines exceptional performance with rock solid construction and attention to detail.
basscat.com , MSRP (depends on configuration)Advertisement
The flagship of Ranger's lineup is a limited edition model that derives its name from the word "iconic." It's loaded with just about every option available, including 12- and 16-inch graphs, a Bluetooth stereo, a custom black chrome jackplate and exclusive color packages. At 21-feet, 7-inches long and 97-inches wide, this is a big boat worthy of its name.
rangerboats.com , MSRP $98,995Advertisement
Crestliner 1850 Bass Hawk
Is it a deep-v or is it a bass boat? It's both, featuring a proven hull design and raised casting decks both front and back, which make it both comfortable and fishable. This 18-foot, 9-inch package is rated for up to a 200-horsepower outboard and its light weight will make the 34-gallon fuel capacity last a long time.
crestliner.com MSRP (depends on configuration)
Also, check out our reviews of these 2018 bassboats
OUTBOARDS
Mercury's Pro XS series of motors have taken over the top end of the bass boat market with an amazing mix of speed, power and fuel efficiency, but this not-so-baby-brother will push smaller boats along at an incredible clip. It only weighs 363 pounds and runs on 87 octane fuel, helping you to stay within budget both when you're towing to the lake and once you're on the water.
mercurymarine.com, MSRP not available
River rats who want to traverse shallow water but don't want to give up speed will love the 105 Jet, which goes where few prop-driven boats dare to tread. This four-stroke is based on Honda's well-established BF150, and finds its top end groove in the 5,000-6,000 RPM range, with the Lean Burn Control automatically adjusting the air-fuel mix for maximum efficiency.
marine.honda.com MSRP $13,357
Suzuki is making a major push into the bass market these days, and while the 150 to 250 HP models will likely be most popular, this 350 HP dual-propeller beast may make the biggest splash of them all. It may be too much for tournament competition, but surely someone you know who always has to have the fastest motor around will want to run one — or perhaps they'll strap it to the back of a center console that does double duty in freshwater and the salt. At 4.4 liters and a 12-to-1 compression ratio, it has tremendous horsepower but the Lean Burn feature keeps fuel consumption in check. suzukimarine.com MSRP $31,565
