Top 10 Boats Under $30,000 in 2027
The Bayliner Element E16 is the best boat under $30,000: a 16 ft 2 in deck boat for 6 people with a 75 HP Mercury, starting at $27,024. The Tracker Pro 170 ($22,495 with motor and trailer) is the best value, and the Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL Select ($19,795) is the lowest price.
At a glance
| # | Pick | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bayliner Element E16 | Starting at $27,024 | Families who want a fiberglass deck boat for cruising, swimming and lake days, with a 75 HP Mercury and Convenience Package standard |
| 2 | Tracker Pro 170 | $22,495 with a 40 ELPT FourStroke (2027, boat, motor and trailer, national price) | A first bass boat with a Minn Kota Edge trolling motor and Garmin STRIKER 4 fishfinder included |
| 3 | Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL Select | $19,795 with a 20 ELPT FourStroke (2027, national price; trailer optional) | Easy family fishing on calm lakes, with a 9-gal aerated livewell and a 7' bimini top |
| 4 | Lowe Stinger 175C | Starting at $24,935 with a Mercury 25 ELPT | Bass and multi-species anglers who want a 39 sq. ft. bow deck and dual 23-gal. livewells |
| 5 | Tahoe T16 | $23,595 with a 60 ELPT FourStroke (2027, boat, motor and trailer, national price) | A small sport boat for tubing and lake days, packaged with a trailer |
| 6 | Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC | $25,995 with a 60 ELPT FourStroke (2027, boat, motor and trailer, national price) | Skinny-water inshore fishing in bays and creeks, with a saltwater-ready trailer |
| 7 | Crestliner 1650 Kodiak | Starting at $23,390 | An all-welded Deep-V for fishing, camping trips and big-water days |
| 8 | Smoker Craft Pro Angler 165 SC | Starting at $27,100 (includes 60 HP motor and trailer) | A side-console fishing boat with a built-in 18-gallon tank |
| 9 | Starcraft GX | Starting at $23,970 | An entry-level family pontoon, from a 16-foot for horsepower-restricted lakes to a 22-foot tritoon for watersports |
| 10 | Lund 1650 Angler | Starting at $21,396 | A simple Lund fishing boat in tiller, side console or full-windshield layouts |
Pick by what you want
The ranking
Bayliner Element E16
The Bayliner Element E16 is a 16 ft 2 in deck boat for up to 6 people, with a 12-gallon tank and up to 75 HP, starting at $27,024. It comes with a 75 HP Mercury and a Convenience Package (Bimini top, covers and a waterproof stereo) as standard.
Tracker Pro 170
The 2027 Tracker Pro 170 is a 16 ft 8 in aluminum fishing boat for 4 persons, rated for up to 50 HP, at $22,495 with a 40 ELPT FourStroke and trailer. A Minn Kota Edge trolling motor, Garmin STRIKER 4 fishfinder and a new aft deck livewell are included.
Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL Select
The 2027 Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL Select is an 18 ft 5 in fishing pontoon for 7 persons, with a 9-gallon tank and up to 50 HP, at $19,795 with a 20 ELPT FourStroke (trailer optional). It has a 9-gal aerated livewell and a standard 7' bimini top.
Lowe Stinger 175C
The Lowe Stinger 175C is a 17 ft 7 in all-welded bass and multi-species boat for 4, rated for 25-90 HP with a 19-gallon tank, starting at $24,935 with a Mercury 25 ELPT. It has a 39 sq. ft. bow deck and dual 23-gal. livewells.
Tahoe T16
The 2027 Tahoe T16 is a 16 ft 5 in sport boat for 6 persons, with a 13-gallon tank and a 75 HP maximum, at $23,595 with a 60 ELPT FourStroke and trailer. It has a 7" touchscreen display and an available TurboSwing for watersports.
Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC
The 2027 Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC is a 17 ft 2.5 in center console skiff for 6 persons with an 8-inch draft and up to 75 HP, at $25,995 with a 60 ELPT FourStroke and a saltwater-ready trailer. Mako calls it its most popular skinny water skiff.
Crestliner 1650 Kodiak
The Crestliner 1650 Kodiak is a 16 ft 4 in all-welded Deep-V for 5 people, rated for up to 60 HP with a 12 gal. portable tank, starting at $23,390. It has a 17-gallon aerated livewell and comes in side-console and walk-through windshield layouts.
Smoker Craft Pro Angler 165 SC
The Smoker Craft Pro Angler 165 SC is a 16 ft 2 in side-console fishing boat for 5 persons, rated for up to 70 hp with an 18-gallon tank. It starts at $27,100, including a 60 HP motor and trailer.
Starcraft GX
The Starcraft GX is an entry-level pontoon series from 16 ft to 22 ft 10 in, with a 96-inch beam and up to 150 HP, starting at $23,970. Starcraft offers a 16-foot model for horsepower-restricted lakes and a 22-foot tritoon set up for watersports.
Lund 1650 Angler
The Lund 1650 Angler is a 16 ft 5 in aluminum fishing boat for 5 people, with a 6.5-gallon tank and a 16-gallon front livewell, starting at $21,396. Lund offers it in tiller, side console (SS) and full windshield (Sport) layouts.
How we ranked these
Questions people ask
What is the best boat under $30,000?
The Bayliner Element E16: a 16 ft 2 in deck boat for 6 people with a 75 HP Mercury standard, starting at $27,024.
What is the cheapest boat on this list?
The Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL Select, at $19,795 with a 20 ELPT FourStroke (trailer optional).
Can you get a new bass boat with a motor and trailer for under $30,000?
Yes. The 2027 Tracker Pro 170 is $22,495 with a 40 ELPT FourStroke, boat, motor and trailer.
What is a good saltwater boat under $30,000?
The Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC, at $25,995 with a 60 ELPT FourStroke and trailer, with an 8-inch draft.
Starting or national price (USD) at a glance
Official sites
- Bayliner Element E16 · bayliner.com
- Tracker Pro 170 · trackerboats.com
- Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL Select · suntrackerboats.com
- Lowe Stinger 175C · loweboats.com
- Tahoe T16 · tahoeboats.com
- Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC · makoboats.com
- Crestliner 1650 Kodiak · crestliner.com
- Smoker Craft Pro Angler 165 SC · smokercraft.com
- Starcraft GX · starcraftmarine.com
- Lund 1650 Angler · lundboats.com
Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.