10 Best Boats Under $50,000

Four Winns is no stranger to the boating world. If you’re looking for an entry-level bowrider boat that fits within the under-50k price range, you can’t go wrong with the Winns Horizon 190.

The H190 model retails at around $36,000 while the H190 RS goes for around $38,000, which is pretty affordable for a boat with its specs. It can comfortably sit up to nine individuals without feeling too cramped and is pretty stable on the water thanks in large part to its large V-hull. So, you can make some sharp turns at moderately high speeds without losing balance.

Overall, the Winns Horizon offers great value for money and is perfect for a day out on the open water.

Center Console boats, or CCs for short, are excellent multi-purpose crafts. They have wide walkways that surround the cabin, which makes it easy for passengers to get around without obstructing each other.

The Boston Whaler 280 Outrage is an excellent option if you’re looking for a functional CC that delivers on both performance and utility. Although the new 2020 model retails for over $200,000 depending on the custom features you want to be installed, it is possible to find older used models that retail for $50,000 or slightly less.

The cabin can comfortably sleep three adults and comes with standard features like a fridge, lockable storage, toilet, and microwave. The Outrage also has standard amenities that include a 30-gallon Livewell, insulated fish boxes, deck rod holders, transom rod holders, and a bait prep station that comes equipped with a sink.

A great deck boat you can get for under $50,000 is the 2017 Hurricane SunDeck 2200 DC OB that costs between $35,000 and $45,000 depending on the features it has. The price of a brand new 2021 SunDeck 2200 DC OB could range anywhere from $61,000 to $80,000 and is fully customizable according to your tastes and preferences.Deck boats look a lot like bowriders except for the seating capacity and the shape of the hull. They can accommodate more people and have a rounded V-hull, which makes them more spacious than bowriders. This makes them perfect for good old-fashioned fishing or entertaining.

Standard features include a half canopy, cup holder, cell phone holder, charging port, keeper netting, helm storage, center-deck bi-fold door, and lots more.

Fishing boats generally come in two flavors – bass boats and aluminum fishing boats. Both of these are fairly similar, although bass boats have uber-powerful trolling motors that allow them to catch largemouth bass. Another difference is the fact that anglers can cast at the front or back to get just the right angle.

A great bass boat to consider is the Ranger Z175 that retails for around $30,000, although the price can go up depending on the add-on features you want to be installed. While it may not be as powerful as some of the premium bass boat models around, this fiberglass craft still delivers outstanding performance at every turn.

It can comfortably accommodate two to four anglers at a go and comes with pretty swanky onboard Lowrance electronics, in addition to fuel, speed, trim, and tach gauges at the helm. It uses a Minn Kota Edge 70 24V trolling motor and has a high-performance anti-feedback steering wheel.

Aluminum fishing boats are generally favored by most anglers because of the stability they offer. If you like the idea of a budget fishing boat, then you’ll like what the Crestliner 1750 Bass Hawk brings to the table in terms of performance and functionality. It boasts a roomy casting deck and can comfortably accommodate up to five anglers at any given time.

It has a total of 13 storage compartments and even has a central rod locker that can hold up to 15 rods measuring up to 8 inches in length. You might also like the 28-gallon Livewell to store your catch. The 1750 Bass Hawk retails for around $30,000, although the price can go up depending on the custom features you want to be installed.

The price is inclusive of the boat, the Mercury 115 HP EFI 4-stroke engine, and a Shoreland’r Trailer. That’s a pretty sweet deal if you ask us.

Pontoons are essentially flatboats mounted on top of hollow tubes or “pontoons” to remain afloat. They come in several different versions ranging from catamaran-type crafts to the inflatable kind – although these tend to be less durable in the long term and don’t come with exciting features worth mentioning. They are, however, pretty cheap and are a great option if you don’t want to spend a whole lot of money on a boat.

If you’re looking for a decent pontoon craft with a host of comfort and convenience features, the Bennington SX24 Swingback is a great choice and retails for around $46,000. It has a well-thought-out floor plan that supports dual seating capability. So, passengers can sit facing forward or backward depending on the furniture position.

Standard features include mood lighting, a weatherproof audio system, $50 HP 4-stroke high thrust 20-inch engine, base furniture with Simtex (SX) upholstery, co-captain seat exchange, rod holders, and lots more.

Sailboats are exactly what they sound like – boats that use sails to harness the power of the wind to propel them and maintain their cruising speed. Some often come equipped with motor engines to help them navigate rough waters, or on days when the wind is not sufficient.

These vessels come in several different flavors, each of which brings a little something different to the table. There are cruisers, racing sailboats, and daysailers, each of which may have a mono-hull, dual-hull (catamarans), or a tri-hull (trimarans). The prices for each vary depending on the comfort, convenience, and performance features it offers.

The Catalina 22 Sport is an excellent option for individuals looking for sailboats in the $40,000 to $50,000 range. It not only looks great but also comes fully-loaded with the latest accessories and gear you would expect to find in a cruising sailboat.

It has an open cabin that can comfortably sleep a small family of four, making it ideal for overnight stays. It handles well and is quite stable even in rough waters, making it ideal for racing too. Overall, the Catalina delivers a ton of value for its price.

If you’re crazy about water skiing and are looking for a budget ski boat that’s built for speed and handles well, the Gekko Revo 6.7 might interest you. It looks great on the water and has a solid fiberglass hull that’s designed for surfing and riding.

The best part about it is its price tag, with the 2017 model retailing for between $40,000 and $45,000 depending on the specs. Standard features include an infinity sound system, digital dashboard for speed settings, CIPA 360 vision mirror, fast-fold tower, and a Boatmate trailer.

It also comes with Sirius Satellite Radio and an iPad/iPhone control. The Revo 6.7 also delivers a ton of fun in marine sports.

Bay boats essentially bridge the gap between small flats boats with shallow drafts and large vessels with deep hulls built for open waters. So, what you end up with is a hybrid boat that can navigate inshore water bodies but stable enough to handle deeper offshore waters.

When looking for the best bay boat, the keyword to remember is versatility. You want a craft that can do just about anything, whether you’re using it inshore or offshore. The Scouts 231 XS bay boat fits the bill perfectly. A brand new one retails for around $78,000, although it is possible to find a used model that costs between $50,000 and $65,000.

Keep in mind that because of the hybrid nature of bay boats, most of them come with a hefty price tag attached. So, finding a new one that costs under $50,000 is nearly impossible. If you can find a used one that’s in great shape and save tens of thousands of bucks in the process, go right ahead!

Standard features of the 231 XS include a self-bailing cockpit, bow storage, flush mount cup, and rod holders, an aerated baitwell, console rod racks, lockable storage boxes, and lots more. The hull is made from 100% hand-laid fiberglass, which makes it one of the most durable bay boats we’ve come across.

As far as basic utilitarian boats go, the most recognizable ones of the bunch are Jon boats. They are typically made of aluminum, although there are few you’ll come across that are made of fiberglass or polyethylene.

They are simple, with most having nothing more than a few built-in bench seats and a motor at the back. Of all the different types of boats that exist, these are the least expensive. This, however, comes at the expense of comfort and convenience.

If you’re not looking to spend more than $10,000 on a boat, the Roughneck 1760 might be just the thing for you. It has a passenger capacity of five people and an outboard HP range of between 15 and 50. It has a tough all-aluminum construction with a Mercury 4-Stroke engine that comes with a factory-installed steering console.

It also comes equipped with a pedestal fishing seat assembly, a Livewell for your catch, and is available in a host of colors ranging from dead grass green to Mossy Oak camouflage. Standard Roughneck 1760 Jon boats retail for $9,800.