Need Advice, Sell Or Keep My Boat

[Christian M]

About 3 years ago I bought a 1974 14.5' Glastron Trihull that was converted into a bass boat. The guy that I bought it off of did a decent job on the boat. When I went to look at it I liked the fact that the inside of the boat was a wide open deck with fresh wood and carpet, and the outside had a fresh paint job with bottom paint. The boat came with a switch panel that had running lights, a bilge, and even a stereo wired into it. It also came with 2 trolling motors and batteries. Since I bought the boat I've put a lot of work into it; New bow mount trolling motor, fish finder, batteries, lights, seats, stereo. I even wired switches into the panel for a livewell that I built which works great, I used quick connectors for the wires so that the livewell is easily removed. The trailer that the boat came on is a 2004 Loadrite which I also rebuilt; new bunks, brackets, lights, keel rollers, winch, & wheel jack.

The boat has served me well since I bought it, I get a lot of compliments on it, and I even used it this past season to fish tournaments. However, The one thing that the boat lacked when I bought it was an outboard motor, which I wasn't too concerned about since I live in New Jersey and there are only a handful of lakes that allow gas motors. Well, I'm at the point now where I am fishing in tournaments on bigger lakes that require a gas motor, and I'm not sure whether I want to invest money in an outboard or sell the boat and start shopping for a new one. I paid for it $2000, and think if I clean the boat up and wait for the beginning of next season, I may be able to get my money back, maybe a bit more. By then I'll have enough $$ saved to buy a decent used Bass Boat, probably out of state, seeing how most bass boats in NJ are over-priced. What do you guys think?

[tnriverluver]

For the price of a decent outboard and having it installed you should easily be able to find a good used bassboat set up and ready to go.

[slonezp]

Sounds like you've got your mind made up.

[Marty]

Given the fact that you'll be fishing tournaments on larger waters, I'd get something else. Virtually every other competitor will have a bigger boat and you'd be at a disadvantage as far as ability to get to your spots and you wouldn't be able to handle rough water as well as the others.

[Nitrofreak]

Some of the best fishermen I know fish from boats like yours, they fish tournaments all the time and do well on places they know very well, but they also tell me they do not wish to fish tournaments on bigger waters due to the fact of safety, some places they go now are difficult on rough water conditions with their boat, they are limited to the areas they can fish when there is a lot of boat traffic, small boats are not easily seen by some boaters, and rough waters are difficult to navigate at times, there have been some close calls that they have had they tell me so they limit themselves to coves and bridge pilings.

The most important thing to think about is safety imo, if you do decide to get a bass boat make sure it's a safe and dependible one, if your not mechanically inclined enough to be familure with an outboard engine, please have it checked out by a good tech, sounds as if you have some pretty good knowlage of things in general around marine equipment so you should be comfortable knowing what to look for.

I too agree with Sloan, just don't rush a decision on which bass boat, look around and take your time !!!!

[TRYTOFISH]

i have found that generaly when selling a used boat is that your boat is worth a lot more to you than you would ever get out of it. if possible i would consider keeping your boat, (sounds like you put a lot of work and heart in it), and just getting another bigger boat for bigger water. have the motor checked for sure because thats where the majority of the money is. good luck and make it fun.

[Christian M]

I think I'm gonna keep my boat and wait to buy a bigger, better rig for tournaments and larger waters. I can always fish as a non boater until I get the boat I want.

[BrianSnat]

Tough decision. If you get the bigger boat you're locked out of all but a handful of NJ lakes because you can't use the motor. Some won't let you on with a motor even if you aren't using it. Maybe your ultimate goal should be to have 2 boats, one for tournaments and something you can use in NJ, perhaps with a 9.9 HP on the back so you can use it on the lakes that have HP limits.