Best Boat-Motor-Trailer Packages Under $30,000
Looking to buy a new boat that’s fully outfitted and ready to launch for under the $30,000 mark? Here are some top picks.
Modern boats aren’t exactly cheap, and many people with a hard red budgetary line will be looking at used boats. For many other people, however, there’s a desire to buy new. That way you get an unblemished beauty that should be mechanically sound and you know has never been abused. On top of that, it also gets you a warranty—and considering the buyer-beware nature of used boat purchases, that’s a major consideration. Let’s say, for the sake of argument, your boat-buying budget hits the ceiling at $30,000. You want a complete boat-motor-trailer package, and you want it to be brand-spanking new. You won’t have unlimited options, but yes, you can get a new rig at this price point. Here are some of our top picks.
- Bayliner M17
- Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport
- Crestliner XFC 189
- Hobie 16
- Lowe Stinger 195C
- Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC
- Ranger RT178C
- Sea Doo Switch Sport Compact
- Sunchaser Vista 7518 LR
- Tracker Pro Guide V-175 WT
Bayliner M17
Built on Bayliner’s unique M-hull design, which offers the stability of a tri-hull, the M17 comes packaged with a 60-hp Mercury FourStroke and a single-axel painted trailer with a swing-away tongue for $22,620. It’s a relatively simple, small boat but is also very comfortable, with molded-in seating and swim platform, a filler cushion that turns the bow into a sunpad, plenty of drink holders, and a 12-V outlet at the helm. Take the extra money in the budget and add in some options like the ski-tow pylon and a comfort package, and you’ll have a great runabout that delivers one heck of a bang for the buck.
See Bayliner Element 17 boats for sale on boats.com.
Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport
The Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport may be the smallest boat in our roundup, but hey—you’ll have a Whaler. With their fiberglass-foam-fiberglass sandwich construction these boats are 100-percent unsinkable, plus Boston Whaler boats retain their resale value far better than most other brands. The 130 Super Sport comes equipped with a bench seat, side rails, a swim ladder, navigation lights, and a pair of drink holders. Pricing starts at $22,258 with base power (25 horses), which means you could upgrade to a 40-hp FourStroke without breaking the bank.
See Boston Whaler 130 Super Sport boats for sale on boats.com.
Crestliner XFC 189
With a MSRP of $29,140 (including a 90-hp Mercury FourStroke and a painted bunk trailer), the Crestliner XFC 189 just makes it under our pricing bar. This is an aluminum multispecies rig that lake and reservoir anglers will appreciate for battling bass and catching crappie, and it comes armed with a 23-gallon livewell, pedestal fishing seats and multiple pedestal mounts, rod boxes in the bow, and a bow panel with a trim switch, trolling motor plug, and room for a seven-inch fishfinder screen. A nice touch is the fiberglass console, which features lighted toggle switches and a flush mounting space for units up to 12”. Note that you can knock around $4,000 off the price tag by downsizing to the similar XFC 179, which would leave room in the budget for plenty of extras and options.
See Crestliner XFC 189 boats for sale on boats.com.
Hobie 16
Although Hobie doesn’t advertise MSRP pricing, their 16 Catamaran—a classic fun machine if there ever was one—generally lists for under the $20,000 mark. That leaves plenty of cash left over for a trailer and thanks to the power of the wind no motor is necessary. With a sail area of 218 square feet, a weight of 320 pounds, and a draft of just 10” with the rudder up this is the boat that made Hobie famous and countless sailors have felt the thrill of “flying” a hull while sailing at speeds that would put plenty of powerboats to shame.
See Hobie 16 Catamaran boats for sale on boats.com.
Lowe Stinger 175C
Dedicated bass anglers will be looking for a rig like the Lowe Stinger 175C, which is advertised at $23,913 with a 25-hp Mercury and a painted trailer. That’s a bit thin on power so most of us would want to upgrade that outboard to 60-hp, which puts the cost at $26,799. This is an all-welded aluminum rig with a 0.1” thick hull, bow and stern 23-gallon livewells, a rod locker than can swallow six rigs up to 7’6”, and a MotorGuide E X3 45-pound-thrust 12-V electric trolling motor on the bow. You’ll want to add on one of the optional fishfinders, for which there’s plenty of extra room in the budget.
See Lowe Stinger 175C boats for sale on boats.com.
Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC
The Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC posts a “No Haggle No Hassle” price tag of $24,995 with a Mercury 60 ELPT outboard, sitting on a custom single-axel galvanized trailer with Super Lube hubs. You’ll be rather shocked at how well outfitted the boat is, too, including goodies like an eight-gallon livewell under the console seat and a second 19-gallon well in the stern, a 65-quart rotomolded helm seat/cooler, elevated fore and aft casting decks, and five vertical rodholders. This rig is based on Mako’s Inverted V hull, which boost stability and handling in a chop, and the stock 60-horse powerplant provides speeds in the 30-mph range. At this price point there’s room in the budget for angling upgrades like a fishfinder and a bow-mount electric trolling motor, and you won’t be worrying about big-money repairs for quite a while because this boat comes with a five-year stem-to-stern warranty and a limited lifetime structural hull warranty.
See Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC boats for sale on boats.com.
Ranger RT178C
Ranger’s RT178C is a good choice for freshwater fisherman looking for an all-around fish-catching machine that may be small but boasts top-shelf features. It comes in at $28,970 with a 60-horse Merc, sitting on a nicer-than-average trailer with a swing-away tongue, custom aluminum wheels, and retractable tie-downs. This boat looks sharp thanks to touches like a high-gloss metallic paint job, a fiberglass console, and custom two-tone upholstery. And it comes rigged for fishing with better components than most, including a peppy 70-pound-thrust bow-mount electric trolling motor and a Lowrance Hook Reveal 7 fishfinder/chartplotter.
See Ranger RT178C boats for sale on boats.com.
Sea Doo Switch Sport Compact
If you want to buzz around the lake and enjoy watersports from a stable but potent platform, the Sea Doo Switch Sport Compact is right up your alley. Posting a $28,299 sticker price, this 13’ Polytec pontoon boat boasts a whopping 170 horsepower Rotax ACE jet engine and comes with a trailer. It’s steered via PWC-like handlebars, has all the zip and pizazz of a PWC, and comes fully featured with goodies like a Bimini top, a ski-tow eye, a 100-watt stereo system, and a sun pad and sport lounge. Also remember that all Sea Doo Switch models have the LinQ attachment points, allowing for on-the-fly customization of the layout and accessories.
See Sea Doo Switch Sport Compact boats for sale on boats.com.
Sunchaser Vista 7518 LR
If you want a pontoon boat for milling about at the lake and cruising around at fast speeds isn’t a priority, a Sunchaser Vista 7518 LR with a trailer and a 15-hp Mercury MSRPs for $29,909. You may not break a plane, but you and your crew will be able to kick back and relax with three full couches plus a corner seat and helm seat. After swimming you’ll be able to reboard with a five-step retractable ladder, there are integrated cupholders at the console, and there are both stern and bow platforms outside the fence. Note that this is a great pick if you have a big family, with the ability to haul—and seat—up to eight passengers.
See Sunchaser Vista 7518 LR pontoon boats for sale on boats.com.
Tracker Pro Guide V-175 WT
Just barely scraping in under the cap with a MSRP of $29,995 (with a 90-hp Mercury and a powder-coated trailer), the Tracker Pro Guide V-175 WT will be of interest to lake, reservoir, and bay anglers who want an aluminum deep-V boat to handle larger, open waters. This model has a 35-degree entry and a 20-degree transom deadrise, and is crafted from 0.1” thick 5052 marine aluminum alloy. The tall wrap-around windshield protects the helm and cockpit from rain, spray, and wind. Fishing features are also complete, including 19- and 29-gallon livewells, a 55-lb thrust Minn Kota PowerDrive electric trolling motor, three movable pedestal fishing seats, rod boxes for rigs to eight feet, and a Lowrance Hook2 5X fishfinder.
See Tracker Pro Guide V-175 WT boats for sale on boats.com.
These boats may not be the biggest nor the fanciest on the water, but they do prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that you can find a new boat for under $30,000. Plus, each of these comes with a warranty, eliminates the possible risk of encountering hidden problems in used boats, and is bound to deliver hour after hour of fun on the water. So… who’s ready to go boat shopping?
