Buying A Pro Staff Boat. Anything I Need To Know?

[Stingray23]

I have an opportunity to buy a 2013 Bass Cat Puma FTD next year from a pro staffer. Its gonna be loaded. I get to pick the options and colors too. My question is, are there anythings I should know before I agree to it? This will be my first boat and I just want to be sure. Has anyone here done the same? The boat will have a Merc. 250 ProXS with less then 75 hrs. Lowrance HDS10's, power poles, MK 101 Fortrex, Hot foot, pro trim, 4 bank charger, structure scan, hambys, etc....

[00 mod]

Just make sure the "pro staffer" doesn't run it in the ground first. They don't keep the boat for the long haul, so they tend not to take as good of care as most would like!

Jeff

[NBR]

I heard one pro comment that his break in period on the motor was 50 feet or 15 minutes which ever was the shortest from the ramp. Having said that I wouldn't be too concerned.

[NitroZ9]

You can pretty much look at a boat and tell if he takes care of it or not. When you can buy a boat for a big discount and get the colors and options you want, it's a good deal. Ask him for references from former buyers and give them a call. They will be able to tell you if you want his boat or not.

[Jig Man]

Do you know if he is a factory pro staffer or a dealership pro staffer.

Does he title the boat or just run it till he sells it so you get a new warranty on everything?

[Nice_Bass]

I would find out about the warrenty...not sure i would want a used 2013 boat, might as well get a new 2013 boat. Engine break in is really important to the warrenty as well if it is transfered to you. The gear sounds nice to come with it- but have a local hook the laptop and hose up to the engine and let you know it all looks good. Will give you exact hours and everything else you need to know.

[Dwight Hottle]

Do you know if he is a factory pro staffer or a dealership pro staffer.

Does he title the boat or just run it till he sells it so you get a new warranty on everything?

X2

I bought a pros's boat from the sponsor dealership. The boat, motor, trailer & all equipment came with full warranties because it was never titled. I had a hull warranty problem come up after two years and the boat manufacture fully accepted all responsibility and repaired the problem above & beyond my expectations. I would do it again if I was looking for a replacement boat. I saved about $13,000 on the transaction as opposed to ordering the same equipped boat brand new.

[Stingray23]

Thanks guys! He said he has sold 2 boats like this before and he also bought one like this too. He said I will have 6.5 yrs warranty on the motor and the boat has a transferrable lifetime warranty. I will ask about the electronics warranties. He told me he can save me over $15K. As is right now, the price would be $48K. He said he can give me a reference too.

[Stingray23]

Ok, here is some new info I found out. He is a Bass Cat rep that travels less then 100 miles from home to fish. He works 6 days a week so he obviously doesnt fish everyday. He does only local tournaments. He lives 10 minutes from Champlain. He garages his boats and does full maintainence with the best fluids. He baby's the boat. All warranties transfer over. He will be the first owner on the title and I will be the second. If anything needs replacement before I pick it up, for example, lights, rod straps, anything, it will be fixed or replaced by Bass Cat before delivery. He is puting me in contact with a previous buyer of his boat. And, thats pretty much it. If you guys can come up with any other questions I should ask, let me know.

[Quillback]

If it's 48K, I think you can find new boats with a Merc 250 in the same range - I've got a Phoenix 619, and Phoenix makes a great boat. The Phoenix 721 is a tad bigger than the boat you're looking at, and it would not hurt to call the local Phoenix sales manager and tell him what you're looking at and see if they can match it. I'd certainly check out other brands too. Phoenix has a great warranty and I've heard many stories of how they'll go way out of their way to make things right if you have a problem.

 

If you have any other questions, shoot me a PM, I'm not a Phoenix dealer, but it's a great boat. If I was looking at a 48K boat, I would definitley be looking at some other options, it will also give you some bargaining power with the guy who is selling to you if you can quote a new comparable boat in that price range.

[Stingray23]

Thanks, but is the comparable phoenix as loaded as this bass cat? This bass cat has everything, including the extended warranty for the motor. He said the $48K is on the high end of his quote because he hasnt gotten a price yet on the motor. It will be lower then $48K. I will look into them, but I am pretty sold on bass cat right now.

[Quillback]

Yep, I'd say you could get a new comaprably loaded Phoenix around that price range - maybe minus the power poles. But the Bass Cats are a great boat also, so get the boat you'll be happiest with.

[hike4steel]

Sounds like buying a demo car from a car dealer. You get what you pay for.

[Glenn]

Read these before signing anything:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/buying_a_boat.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/buying_first_boat.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/boat_buying_license.html

[scbassin]

I bought a Ranger Z-21 with a 250 HP Yamaha HPDI that was loaded from a dealer that sponsored a pro that had less than 60 hours. It was not titled so I got the extended warranty. I had them hook the computer to the engine to the engine & it checked out. This was in 08 & I still own the boat. Ranger has fixed some minor things that have popped up along the way so all is good. I would buy one again.

[Stingray23]

good to hear.

[cody161]

How do these "pros" get away with not having to title the boat? Does the dealer leave it in their name and register it?