How Much Does a Bass Boat Weigh? 7 Examples

ByGarrett Durham

As freshwater fishermen know, the bass boat is the pinnacle of fishing machines for getting onto the lake fast, being the first to the best fishing spots, control while trolling, and ability to get into hard to reach areas.  There is a reason so many boat makers keep spending time and money developing bass boat technology. 

The bass boat market continues to grow as people experience the tactical advantage of using such a specialized boat.  If you are in the market for a new bass boat, there are a lot of things to consider when making the decision that’s right for you.  The average weight of a bass boat is a probably high up on the list.

I’ve taken the time to research several bass boat models to answer your question.  Keep reading and we’ll dig into boat weight.

Table of Contents

How Much Does a Bass Boat Weigh?

How much does a bass boat weigh? Anywhere from 982 lbs. to 2,909 lbs., not including gear, fuel or a trailer.

bass boat

Part of what makes bass boats great freshwater fishing boats is their speed, stability, and ability to get into hard to reach and shallow water.  This presents a challenge for builders, though, because they are building boats with more equipment on board while keeping the weight low. 

Even the largest bass boat we are going to talk about is relatively lite, but it is packed with technology.  Knowing how much your boat weighs is important when it comes time to tow

Bass Tracker Classic XL – 16 Ft 8 In

Tracker is an aluminum boat manufacturer that sells in Bass Pro Shops around the country.  They have a lineup of bass boats, deep-v hull boats, and jon boats. 

They build affordable, high-quality boats.  The Bass Tracker Classic XL comes standard with a trolling motor, color fishfinder, and the ability to mount up to 50 HP.  In this boat, you will find a no-frills version of any fishing amenity you would want – plenty of storage space and other storage compartments, large casting platforms, live well, and holders for fishing rods. 

  • Dry Weight – 982 lbs. with a 40 HP outboard.  The boat comes standard with 40 HP, but you could choose up to 50 HP for a little more speed.
  • Gear and Fuel Weight – approx. 340 lbs.  This assumes about 35 lbs. for fuel.
  • Trailer Weight – approx. 723 lbs. for a single axle galvanized trailer.
  • Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) – 2,045 lbs.  Sometimes known as the towing weight or trailer weight, this is the combined weight of the boat, motor, gear and fuel, and trailer.

Xpress Boats X17 Pro

Xpress is another manufacturer of high-quality aluminum boats.  They’ve been building boats since 1966 and have been innovators in the aluminum boats since day one. 

Xpress has a boat in their lineup to fit almost any need you have – bass boats, bay boats, skiffs, catfish boats, crappie boats, hunting boats, utility boats, and jon boats. 

The X17 Pro is the smallest in their Xclusive Pro Bass Series line, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t packed with features to make your day on the water easier.  Coming standard with a trolling motor, fishfinder, cooler, live well, and plenty of storage, everything you need is at your fingertips.

  • Dry Weight – 1,310 lbs. with a 90 HP outboard.
  • Gear and Fuel Weight – approx. 410 lbs. with about 110 lbs. coming from fuel.
  • Trailer Weight – approx. 780 lbs. for a single axle galvanized trailer.
  • Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) – 2,500 lbs. 

Phoenix Boats 818 Pro

Coming in at 18’6” with a 36-gallon fuel tank and ability to handle 175 HP, the 818 Pro is a serious 18-foot bass boat. And it makes sense, Phoenix Boats has dedicated themselves to building some of the best, most tournament-ready bass boats available. 

It’s clear from one look at their website that they want to be the premier tournament boat, they even offer Phoenix boat owners to earn money when fishing one of their boats in tournaments. 

Offering everything you need – plenty of storage, trolling motor, and live well, plus impressive styling, this boat is sure to turn heads.

  • Dry Weight – approx. 1,975 lbs. with a 175 HP outboard and standard features.
  • Gear and Fuel Weight – approx. 515 lbs. with about 215 lbs. coming from fuel.
  • Trailer Weight – 790 lbs. for a single axle galvanized trailer.
  • Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) – 3,280 lbs.

Nitro Z19 Pro Bass Boat

One of the more well-known bass boat manufacturers, Nitro has been around for a long time and is one of the brands sold in Bass Pro Shops around the country, making these boats widely available and very common on the water. 

Coming standard with a trolling motor, fishfinder, and a 200 HP outboard, you’ll not only have everything you need on board but will also be among the fastest on the water. Also, for a 19 Ft. boat, the Z19 Pro has a huge casting platform on the bow.

  • Dry Weight – 1,850 lbs. including the standard 200 HP outboard.
  • Gear and Fuel Weight – approx. 650 lbs. with about 300 lbs. coming from fuel.
  • Trailer Weight – approx. 1,400 lbs. for a tandem axle galvanized trailer with surge brakes and a fold-away tongue.
  • Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) – approx. 3,900 lbs.

Ranger Z520L Bass Boat

This boat is part of Ranger’s Z Comanche L Series and, as their website says, “designed to be the most performance-minded, angler-friendly, and feature-rich rig in the 20-foot class.”  It sure seems like they hit the mark with the Z520L. 

It’s equipped with a massive front casting platform, a ton of under deck storage, top of the line trolling motor, and a 16-inch screen in the dash.  The fish won’t be able to hide because you’ll see them from a mile away. 

With a 250 HP outboard, you’ll be up on plane and cruising across the lake in no time, and with Ranger’s premium handling, nothing will slow you down.

  • Dry Weight – 2,425 lbs. with a 250 Hp outboard
  • Gear and Fuel Weight – approx. 755 lbs. with about 305 lbs. coming from fuel.  The estimated gear weight here is about 450 lbs., slightly higher than on the previous models we’ve looked at.
  • Trailer Weight – approx. 1,450 lbs.
  • Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) – 5,080 lbs.

Skeeter ZX250 Bass Boat

At just under 21 Ft., the ZX250 has just about everything you could ask for in a bass boat, all from a company with about 70 years in the industry.  Skeeter has proven they are around for the long haul because they make high-quality boats that are made to last. 

Their boats are infused with the technology they’ve developed over the years, pulling from experience and some of the best boat building minds.  The ZX250 comes standard with a power pole, trolling motor, top of the line electronics, and a huge storage box.

  • Dry Weight – 2,750 lbs. including a 250 horsepower outboard.
  • Gear and Fuel Weight – approx. 715 lbs. with about 265 coming from fuel.
  • Trailer Weight – approx. 1,450 lbs. for a tandem axle galvanized trailer with trailer brakes.
  • Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) – approx. 4,915 lbs.

Bass Cat Jaguar – 22 Ft.

Bass Cat has been building boats since 1971 and, for the duration of their history, has been committed to building some of the top-performing boats money can buy.  They were the first to bring recessed trolling motor pedals and vacuum molding to their designs. 

The Jaguar is the largest boat in the Bass Cat line up, and with some of the largest casting platforms in the bow and stern, and the ability handle up to 450 HP, you’ll be cruising with speed and fishing in comfort.  The Jaguar is all about fish-ability and performance and won’t leave you wanting for anything.

  • Dry Weight – 2,909 lbs. with a 450 HP outboard, but with less HP you can drop a couple of hundred pounds.
  • Gear and Fuel Weight – 810 lbs. with about 360 lbs. coming from fuel.
  • Trailer Weight – 1,400 lbs. for a tandem axle galvanized trailer with trailer brakes.
  • Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) – approx. 5,120 lbs.

Final Thoughts

How Much Does a Bass Boat Weigh?

If you are looking for a freshwater fishing boat, a bass boat may be just the boat to fit your needs.  As you can see, there are a wide range of boats that are available, some smaller and others a little larger, all with the same goal in mind – get you to the fishing spot fast and reliably while still providing all of the features you could ask for. 

Technology continues to improve as the manufacturers are continually working to improve the boats they are producing.  Over the last several years bass boats have become faster, lighter, and more stable on the water than their predecessors, all while offering more storage, better electronics, and more reliability. 

If you plan on towing your boat behind your car, pickup truck, or SUV, be sure to know both the Gross Trailer Weight (GTW) of your boat and your vehicle’s maximum towing capacity.  Keeping your average weight well below the max capacity will help keep you safe on the road and will help with the longevity of the power train in your vehicle because you won’t be putting more strain on it than it’s able to handle.

Get out and catch something!

How Much Does a Bass Boat Weigh? 7 Examples