5 of the Best Cheap Fishing Boats

While it’s fun to drool over pricey bass boats and expensive offshore trolling rigs, it’s still possible to find cheap fishing boats packed with all the essential features and at prices anyone can afford.

These boats are all about versatility and value. They’re more than just cheap fishing boats, they’re incredibly good buys that deliver way more smiles per mile than you pay for. While they may not come with all the high-end bells and whistles included, most of those goodies can be added later if you like, spreading the cost of ownership over a more manageable time frame.

Even so, the five cheap fishing boats presented here all sell for somewhere around $20,000 or less, so you’re looking at a monthly payment so low that you’ll wonder why you didn’t get aboard years ago.

Looking for a great cheap fishing boat? You can’t go wrong with any of these.

G3 Guide V150 T

G3 Guide V150 T

G3 offers an enormous, raised bow casting deck in its Guide V150 T, with space for two anglers to fish in comfort. Below that wide deck are no less than three substantial and lockable storage compartments for gear, plus an aerated live well. Full vinyl decks provide years of hard wear while facilitating end-of-day cleanups. The boat comes with an 800 gph bilge pump, two pedestal-mount fishing chairs, an all-aluminum transom and a matching trailer – all standards.

• Length: 14’ 11”
• Beam: 73”
• Dry weight: 596 lbs
• Fuel capacity: Portable tank
• Passenger capacity: 4
• Maximum power: 40 hp

Princecraft Resorter 160 BT

Princecraft Resorter 160 BT

Canadian boat builder Princecraft enjoys an international reputation thanks to its high quality aluminum fishing boats, which deliver mountains of value for the dollar. Built from heavy 5052-H36 marine-grade aluminum, the Resorter 160 BT features a reverse-chine hull design for a smooth, dry ride, loads of secure storage spaces, 7-foot rod storage, a huge 34-inch, 13-gallon aerated live well with electric fill and overflow protection, two folding seats with pinch-free hinges, multiple drink holders and more.

• Length: 16’ 0”
• Beam: 73”
• Dry weight: 588 lbs
• Fuel capacity: Portable tank
• Passenger capacity: 4
• Maximum power: 40 hp

Smoker Craft 16 Angler T

Smoker Craft 16 Angler T

Smoker Craft packs a lot of boat into its Angler 16 T, starting with a big, raised casting deck in the bow that conceals a huge storage compartment beneath, as well as a massive 25 gallon aerated FreshCatch live well. Full vinyl flooring ensures a lifetime of hard wear, while a huge in-floor storage compartment secures still more gear. Two pedestal-mount fishing chairs come standard, along with a raised bow pad for adding an electric motor. There’s even an integrated storage well for the foot pedal and in-deck drink holders.

• Length: 16’ 4”
• Beam: 78”
• Dry weight: 625 lbs
• Fuel capacity: Portable tank
• Passenger capacity: 4
• Maximum power: 40 hp

Starcraft Freedom 160SC

Starcraft Freedom 160SC

Boats that are great value don’t have to be small, as evidenced by Starcraft’s remarkable Freedom 160 SC. With plenty of space and the power to handle bigger waters, the Freedom comes with two pedestal-mount seats standard with additional seats available as optional equipment. Full vinyl flooring ensures long life and easy cleanups, while an oversized 25-gallon FreshCatch live well handles the catch of the day. Locking storage space, a raised bow casting platform, rod storage, a side console and more make this a great boat for anglers who fish on larger waters or just need more space.

• Length: 16’ 10”
• Beam: 89”
• Dry weight: 925
• Fuel capacity: 17 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 90 hp

Tracker Super Guide V-16T

Tracker Pro Guide V16T

Tracker’s Super Guide V-16 T features an all-welded hull that’s unitized by a full-length stringer and a box-beam transom, making the boat extremely durable and stable in choppy conditions. Standard features include two pedestal-mount fishing seats, six flip-up cleats, a 15-gallon aerated live well and a 500 gph bilge pump. What’s more, it also comes complete with a trailer and a Minn Kota Powerdrive foot control electric motor as standard equipment.

• Length: 16’
• Beam: 6’ 4”
• Dry weight: 875 lbs
• Fuel capacity: Portable tank
• Passenger capacity: 4
• Maximum power: 40 hp