10 of the Best Fishing Boats Under $20,000 For 2018

A new fishing boat doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Don’t believe us? We’ve put together a list of 10 of the best fishing boats under $20,000.

Fishing continues to grow in popularity as more and more people put down their video games and discover the great outdoors. According to the Alexandria, Virginia-based American Sportfishing Association, there are nearly 46 million licensed anglers in the US, with about two-thirds of them focused on fishing in fresh water.

Fishing is always better from a boat, since you can access more spots and get away from the crowds. Fortunately, fishing boats aren’t expensive at all – it’s possible to buy some surprisingly well equipped fishing rigs for under $20,000. Here are 10 of the best fishing boats we could find for under $20K.

So what are you waiting for?

Crestliner 1650 Discovery

Crestliner 1650 Discovery

• Length: 16’ 6”
• Beam: 75.5”
• Dry weight: 835 lbs
• Fuel capacity: Portable tank
• Passenger Capacity: 5
• Maximum power: 60

Available in both tiller and side console versions, the Crestliner 1650 Discovery offers a raised front casting deck that houses three large storage compartments plus an 11-gallon aerated live well. There’s more gunnel storage in the main cockpit, and a huge in-floor rock locker that holds eight fully-rigged rods in individual tubes. The Discovery even comes with Crestliner’s SureMount gunnel accessory system that lets you mount accessories anywhere without drilling holes.

G3 Sportsman 16 SS

G3 Sportsman 16 SS

• Length: 15’ 10”
• Beam: 71”
• Dry weight: 700 lbs
• Fuel capacity: Portable tank
• Passenger Capacity: 3
• Maximum power: 50 hp

The G3 Sportsman 16 SS is made for good times afloat with comfortable seating or three people and a 10-gallon aerated live well to keep the catch of the day fresh. Standard features include a Minn Kota 45-pound electric trolling motor, a Lowrance Hook 3x fish finder, lockable rod storage, tackle trays, cup holders and a black powder-coated trailer.

Lowe Fishing Machine FM 160 S

Lowe Fishing Machine FM 160 S

• Length: 16’ 1”
• Beam: 75”
• Dry weight: 711 lbs
• Fuel capacity: Portable tank
• Passenger Capacity: 5
• Maximum power: 50 hp

With its raised bow casting deck and open stern design, Lowe’s Fishing Machine FM 160 S is a versatile multi-species platform that’s equally at home casting for shallow water bass or trolling or deep water walleye, stripers or lake trout. A standard Lowrance Hook2 4Xfishfinder makes finding the best spots a breeze, while the aerated 23-gallon live well keeps the catch of the day happy and fresh. Anti-feedback steering, a locking port rod locker and 16-ounce marine carpet are all standard.

Lund 1625 Fury XL

Lund Fury XL 1625ss

• Length: 16’ 3”
• Beam: 80”
• Dry weight: 862 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 12 gal.
• Passenger Capacity: 5
• Maximum power: 60 hp

Lund offers its 1625 Fury XL in tiller, side console and dual console versions, the latter with a walk-through windshield. All offer in-floor rod storage for six fishing rods of up to eight feet in length, a big 16-gallon aerated live well in the bow complete with an integrated bait well, plenty of storage for gear and a concealed 12-gallon portable fuel tank for all-day range. It even comes with a raised stern casting platform and a four-step boarding ladder.

Polar Kraft Outlander 156 T

Polar Kraft Outlander 156 T

• Length: 15’ 6”
• Beam: 81”
• Dry weight: 776 lbs
• Fuel capacity: Portable tank
• Passenger Capacity: 4
• Maximum power: 50 hp

The Polar Kraft Outlander 156 T makes the most of its 15-foot, six-inch length with a versatile tiller layout that provides maximum interior space. A raised bow casting deck houses a 25-gallon aerated live well with auto and manual timer control, while its standard Lowrance Hook 4x fish finder and 45-pound thrust electric trolling motor keep you on the fish. Lockable rod storage for nine rods to 8.5 feet in length and two fold-down seats come standard, along with a single axle trailer.

Ranger MPV 1760

Ranger MPV 1760

• Length: 17’ 6”
• Beam: 86”
• Dry weight: 925 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 21 gal.
• Passenger Capacity: 5
• Maximum power: 75 hp

A Ranger for under 20 grand? Absolutely – the Flippin, Arkansas-based bass boat builder offers an extensive line of durable aluminum boats that make the marque more affordable than ever. The MPV 1760 features raised bow and stern casting decks with tons of locking storage space for gear, rod storage in individual tubes and an aerated live well with a timer in the front deck. It even comes with a custom-built Ranger Trail single axle trailer. What else are you looking for in one of the best fishing boats under $20,000.

Smoker Craft 161 Pro Angler XL

Smoker Craft 161 Pro Angler XL

• 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 DC

Starcraft Renegade 168 DC

• Length: 16’ 11”
• Beam: 89”
• Dry weight: 975 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 24 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 90 hp

The Renegade is a lot of boat for the dollar, with tournament-ready features like raised bow and stern casting decks, dual aerated live wells (18 gallons in the bow, 25 gallons in the stern), massive in-floor rod storage with a second in-floor rod rack located in the main cockpit floor and a durable vinyl floor that dries faster than carpet and wears like iron. Its built-in, 24-gallon fuel tank provides all-day range without taking up valuable deck space, while a big walk-through windshield offers protection from foul weather.

Tracker Pro 170

Tracker Pro 170

• Length: 16’ 8”
• Beam: 6’ 5”
• Dry weight: 878 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 11.4 gal.
• Passenger Capacity: 4
• Maximum power: 50 hp

Huge raised bow and stern casting decks with plenty of in-deck storage make the Tracker Pro 170 feel bigger than it really is, while standard features like a Lowrance Hook 3x color fishfinder, no-feedback steering, 16-ounce marine carpeting, a Minn Kota electric trolling motor, a 15-gallon bow live well and custom fit, single axle trailer give it real value. New for 2018, the Pro 170 adds Tracker’s VersaTrack accessory mounting system so you can mount accessories anywhere without having to drill holes. All of this combines to make the Tracker Pro 170 one of the best fishing boats under $20,000.

Triton 17 TX

Triton 17TX

• Length: 17’ 8”
• Beam: 92”
• Dry weight: 1,075 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 21 gal.
• Passenger Capacity: 4
• Maximum power: 75 hp

The Triton 17 TX packs pro tournament features into a compact and easy-towing aluminum bass boat. Standard features include raised bow and stern casting decks, a massive 30-gallon aerated live well, storage for rods to eight feet in length, a Minn Kota electric trolling motor, a Lowrance Elute 3X fish finder, an onboard battery charger, plenty of in-deck storage for gear, no feedback steering and a custom built Marine Master trailer.