10 of the Best Fishing Boats Under $30,000

If you are in the market for a new fishing boat, we are here to help. Check out our list of 10 of the best fishing boats under $30,000 to find the right boat for you.

Fishing is one of the most popular recreational activities in the United States, with nearly 36 million participants according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. The majority of these anglers – a full 29.5 million people – fish in fresh water, devoting more than 373 million days to their pastime each year!

Fishing is always a lot easier with a boat, since you can cover more water and access spots that are out of reach to anglers fishing from shore. With the winter boat shows in full swing right now, and boat builders offering all sorts of great incentives, there’s never been a better time to buy a fishing boat.

Here are 10 of the best fishing boats for under $30,000 – so what are you waiting for?

Alumacraft Classic 165 CS

Alumacraft Classic 165 CS

• MSRP: $15,495 with Yamaha 50 hp four-stroke
• Length: 16′ 4″
• Beam: 82″
• Dry weight: 895 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 17 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 5
• Maximum power: 75 hp

Key features on Alumacraft’s Classic 165 CS include a massive 34-gallon bow live well, courtesy lights, in-deck storage, dual locking rod compartments that handle rods to seven feet, no-feedback steering, a 12-volt trolling motor harness and Alumacraft’s AlumaTrac accessory mounting system. Popular options include snap-in carpet, a variety of engine upgrades and more.

Crestliner 1650 Discovery

Crestliner 1650 Discovery

• MSRP: $11,696 w. Mercury 25 hp four-stroke
• Length: 16′ 6″
• Beam: 75.5″
• Dry weight: 875 lbs
• Fuel capacity: portable tank
• Passenger capacity: 5
• Maximum power: 60 hp

With standard features like a raised front casting deck with in-floor storage and an 11-gallon aerated live well, a bilge pump, no-feedback steering, 16-ounce floor carpet, an in-floor rod storage locker and a trailer, Crestliner’s 1650 Discovery comes ready to fish. Popular options include engine upgrades, bow cargo netting and a custom travel cover.

Lowe FM 165 Pro SC

Lowe FM 165 Pro SC

• MSRP: $17,725 with Mercury 60 hp four-stroke
• Length: 16′ 5″
• Beam: 82″
• Dry weight: 1,200 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 26 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 90 hp

Lowe’s FM 165 Pro SC rides on a deep-V aluminum hull that handles rough water with ease, while an array of standard fishing features include a seven-foot locking rod compartment, flip-up steel cleats, 4:1 anti-feedback steering, a Lowrance Hook 3x fish finder, 20-gallon aerated bow and 19-gallon aerated rear live wells and a MotorGuide X3-45 electric trolling motor.

Lund 1675 Impact XS

Lund 1675 Impact XS

• MSRP: $28,311 with Mercury 90 hp four-stroke
• Length: 16′ 10″
• Beam: 89.5″
• Dry weight: 1,320 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 22 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 90 hp

With its flip-up seats in the aft casting deck, Lund’s 1675 Impact XS switches from fishing machine to family runabout in seconds. Standard equipment includes a 10-rod in-floor storage locker, in-deck bow storage, raised bow and stern casting decks, a full walk-through windshield and aft jump seats for two extra passengers.

Princecraft Hudson DL WS

Princecraft Hudson DL WS

• MSRP: $23,895 with Mercury 90 hp four-stroke
• Length: 19′ 0″
• Beam: 91″
• Dry weight: 1,225 lbs
• Fuel capacity: portable tank
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 115 hp

With its wide bow, Princecraft’s Hudson DL WS is made to handle open waters with plenty of storage under the bow casting platform. Standard features include in-floor locking rod storage for seven rods, raised bow and stern casting decks and an aerated live well. The boat also comes with a 20-gallon bow live well, twin consoles, a no-feedback steering system and Princecraft’s PrinceTrak accessory mounting system.

Ranger VS1670 SC

Ranger VS1670 SC

• MSRP: $22,225 with Mercury 75 hp four-stroke
• Length: 16′ 11″
• Beam: 89″
• Dry weight: 1,305 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 25 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 5
• Maximum power: 90 hp

With its massive front casting deck, rear casting deck and deep central cockpit, Ranger’s VS1670 SC comes with standard features like a Lowrance Hook 4X fish finder, a Minn Kota 55PD electric motor, a two-bank battery charger, auto bilge pump, pull-up cleats, durable marine carpet decks and a matching trailer. A long list of options including engine upgrades, electronics upgrades and more let you deck this rig out for any kind of action.

Smoker Craft 161 Pro Angler XL

Smoker Craft 161 Pro Angler XL

• MSRP: $11,360 (boat only)
• Length: 16′ 0″
• Beam: 91″
• Dry weight: 935 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 20 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 5
• Maximum power: 90 hp

Smoker Craft’s 161 Pro Angler XL rides on a Hydra Lift hull for a smooth ride and enhanced handling. Standard features include an integrated gunnel track system for mounting accessories anywhere, lighted rocker switches on the helm, a 15-gallon bow live well and 25-gallon live well in the stern, a Jensen MS3A stereo with Bluetooth streaming capability. Options including snap-in carpet, engines to 90 horsepower from Mercury, Evinrude, Honda, Yamaha or Suzuki, plus a variety of electronics packages.

Starcraft Renegade 168 SC

Starcraft Renegade 168 SC

• MSRP: $12,312 (boat only)
• Length: 16′ 11″
• Beam: 89″
• Dry weight: 950 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 24 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 90 hp

Bow and stern aerated live wells, two in-floor rod storage lockers, deluxe fishing seats and full vinyl cockpit and casting deck floors for durability are all standards on Starcraft’s tournament-ready Renegade 168 SC. Options include snap-in carpet for easy cleaning, a PRV19 AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth, a variety of electronics and trolling motor upgrades and outboards to 90 horsepower form Mercury, Evinrude, Yamaha, Suzuki or Honda.

Tracker Pro Team 175 TWX

Tracker Pro Team 175 TWX

• MSRP: $16,996 with Mercury 60 hp four-stroke
• Length: 17′ 7″
• Beam: 7′ 5″
• Dry weight: 1,009 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 21.5 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 4
• Maximum power: 75 hp

Tracker’s Pro Team 175 TXW comes with a Lowrance Hook 4x CHIRP fish finder, an all-welded hull made from .100 gauge aluminum, a bilge pump, courtesy lights, a two-bank battery charger, elevated bow and stern casting decks, a 21-gallon aerated live well and a Minn Kota Edge 45-pound thrust electric motor. An equally impressive list of options let buyers customize the boat to their own tastes.

Triton 17 TX

Triton 17TX

• MSRP: $20,395 with Mercury 75 hp four-stroke
• Length: 17′ 8″
• Beam: 92″
• Dry weight: 1,075 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 21 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 4
• Maximum power: 75 hp

Triton’s 17 TX comes with a standard Minn Kota Edge 45-pound thrust, 12-volt electric motor, a Lowrance Elite 3x fish finder at the console, a bilge pump and tackle organizer storage boxes. Popular options include various onboard battery chargers, electric motor upgrades, electronics upgrades and engines from Mercury, Yamaha and Evinrude.