Cheap fishing boats aren't as uncommon as one might think and the average middle-class American angler can probably afford one of the cool new bay boats under $50,000 we checked out a while back, or maybe one of the 10 top center console fishing boats under $20,000. But we know that times are tight and taking on a boat with a thirsty fuel tank will be challenging in this day and age. What if those relatively inexpensive boats are still beyond your current financial flexibility? Don’t worry, we feel your pain. Just about everyone’s strapped at one time or another – but that doesn’t mean you have to go boatless. Here are five new boats that are dirt cheap, but have some serious value to us anglers. (Editor's note: please remember that prices change with time and recently they've been changing rapidly. There's a fair chance that by the time you see this the MSRPs will have changed from what was originally published. This article was last updated in May of 2026).
Bass Raider 10E
The Bass Raider 10E is the only cat of sorts in this cheap boat round-up, yet even at just 10’2” long and 4’2” wide it can handle 3.5 horses on the transom. Not that you don't need to get a gasoline outboard, because a 40-pound-thrust electric will move it along just fine at jogging speeds. For protected waters like ponds and small lakes this small but mighty cheap fishing boat will do the trick.
Price: $1,199 on Amazon.
Up-Sides: The cat design makes stability and tracking far better than expected. It fits in the bed of most pick-ups, and comes with two swivel seats, a pair of vertical rodholders, carry handles, and is pre-wired to put the motor on the bow.
Down-Sides: Both rod holders are located on the bow, so you’ll want to add some aft. Be careful not to drag the Ram-X plastic hull across the boat ramp, or eventually you’ll wear a hole in it.
Visit: Amazon.
Pond King Rebel
Pontoon boats are incredibly popular, and this is one spectacularly cheap pontoon. The Pond King Rebel can be bought in finished form or as a kit. It's modular, and you can choose between basic, plus, delux, or ultimate trim levels.
Price: $2,699 for the basic version.
Up-Sides: Pontoons are welded and detach from the frame with pins, so you can disassemble the entire boat and transport it in the bed of a pickup truck.Pond King also offers customization options.
Down-Sides: Some assembly is required even with the full boat version, since the deck and pontoons ship unassembled. Pond King doesn’t advertise a maximum rating for gasoline outboards, which means you’ll be limited to electric power or an exceedingly small engine.
Visit: Pond King
Sun Dolphin Pro 102
In a nod to the millennial way of life, the Sun Dolphin Pro 102 is regularly available via online outlets and it's rare to see one in a store. This little pond-hopping machine is surprisingly stable and comfortable for a pair of anglers fishing for hours at a time. However, while it still appears current on Sun Dolphin's website it's out of stock at most retailers and we saw the dreaded "discontinued" on one.
Price: It used to go for around $1,700 new; we saw it listed in used boats on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist for $500 to $1,500.
Up-Sides: Though it’s rather tiny the Sun Dolphin Pro 102 is seriously jazzed up with fishing features. It has two swivel seats, an aerated livewell, three integrated rodholders and horizontal racks for two more rods, molded-in cupholders, a battery box, navigation lights, and it’s pre-wired for a bow-mount trolling motor. On top of that it’s amazingly stable for its size and with the 56-inch beam, slides right into the bed of a full-sized pick-up.
Down-Sides: Be careful not to drag the polyethylene hull across the boat ramp, or eventually you’ll wear a hole in it. Also, with two people aboard and all the gear you need for a day of fishing, it can feel a bit cramped at times.
Visit: Sun Dolphin Boats to see the manufacturer's take, but plan to do an internet search for used boats if you want to actually get one.
Tracker Grizzly 12
You want plain and simple? It doesn’t get much simpler than a Tracker Grizzly 12. In fact, its features are limited to a pair of bench seats, oarlocks, and carry handles. That said, there's also lots of room for customization here.
Price: $1,795
Up-Sides: This boat has a .063” 5052 aluminum alloy hull 11 feet long and 4'4" wide. That’s a lot of boat for the bucks, and this is the largest rig in our round-up by a long shot. Yet at 130 pounds, a couple husky guys can still wrestle it into a full-sized pickup bed or onto a stout roof rack, so you may not need to get a trailer. (One's offered for $1,295). Plus, this boat can be powered with an electric for small waters or an outboard with up to 5 horses for more range.
Down-Sides: Those aluminum bench seats, oh, my aching back. Also, like most aluminum jon boats, the stability isn't great and shifts in weight have a big effect.
Visit: Tracker Boats
Vibe Yellowfin 120
Cheap fishing kayaks will naturally be a consideration for many anglers on a budget, and we included the Vibe Yellowfin 120 on our list because while there are certainly cheaper kayaks, most have molded-in seats which are incredibly uncomfortable and limit your ability to fish for more than a couple of hours.
Price: $949.00
Up-Sides: Fishing basics like molded-in rodholders, tacklebox holders, and gear tracks for adding accessories are included. At 65 pounds, just about anyone can easily load and unload the Yellowfin 120 into or on top of most vehicles.
Down-Sides: This is obviously limited to a single occupant. Be prepared for a workout as this is the only boat in our round-up that’s limited to self-propulsion. Though a step above the seats in uber-cheap kayaks, the one in this Vibe can’t be adjusted for height and may fit some people better than others.
Visit: Vibe Kayaks
Whether you're a beginner angler or an old salt on a budget, one thing's for sure: owning a fishing boat, even a cheap one, will help you catch more fish. So start considering your options and pry open that wallet, before the next fishing season begins.
You say you have a bit more to spend and you want a little more boat, but aren't ready to spend $20,000 to $50,000? Then check out our 10 Best Fishing Boats Under $10,000 article.