Used Boat

[jbsoonerfan]

Okay, so I am coming to this forum with questions for guys who have experience.

Last year was my first year to fish tournaments as a boater. I "borrowed" my Mom and step Dads boat to fish these tourneys. It is a 1998 Champion 17' with a 115 and a 35lb TM. I am always worried about borrowing something from people.

Well I plan on fishing the tounraments again this year and have the chance to buy a 1995 Skeeter 17.5 ft with a 115 and a 74 lb Minn Kota. I have enough cash to buy the boat.

I can continue to "borrow" my Moms boat or I can have a boat of my own.

I don't know how many of you have ever had to borrow a boat, but it isn't the most pleasurable thing to do.

SO, if you were me, would you buy the Skeeter, or borrow again and hope to buy something nicer down the road.

BTW, the Skeeter is in great shape, just isn't real big or with a real big motor.

I just think I would rather be the proud owner of my own boat, as opposed to using something borrowed.

[BassnChris]

I hate borrowing anything...old or new. Does not matter. If it breaks while I am using it then I have to have it fixed or buy them a new one.....and the net result is I have to pay for it and still have nothing of my own.

I have never borrowed a boat.....not sure I could do that.....with the unknowns lurking under the surface and the downright stupidity of other boaters or water craft users.

I would say purchase a boat of your own......but do not settle or you will not be happy. If you know what you have in mind then wait until that boat comes along. Anytime you buy something used you run risks but with research and a good mechanic you greatly reduce the risk of ending up with a lemon.

Maybe you can take out some insurance on your moms boat to cover any damages you might incur......while waiting for your boat to show itself?

Good luck....I know you are anxious but think it all the way through.

I am sure others with more experience will chime in.

Chris

[Jig Man]

Buy your own boat.  There are too many things that can go wrong and you get the blame with a borrowed one.

[flyfisher]

My question is it your mom's boat or your step dads?  To me that makes a difference in this situation.  if it is your mom's then to me it is no different than using their car before you get your own etc...

 

That being said if the boat has been checked out by a boat mechanic and everything looks sound then by all means go for i because there is nothing better than having something of your own.

 

Maybe you can buy your mom & step dad's boat for a good price then let them borrow it from you when they want to use it and then you will have your own boat and know all the history behind it....and if they want they can get a different boat.

 

Just throwing some ideas out there.....

[Christian M]

You have a couple options here.

 

Option #1- If you have enough cash to buy the boat without hurting your pockets, then go for it, but don't break the bank buying a boat. Also, have a mechanic go over the boat if you choose to go this route. You'll probably want to replace the trolling motor for a boat that size. I have a 55lb in front and back of my 14.5' boat and most of the guys I know that have 16'+ boats have powerful TM's (65lbs-110lbs).

 

Option #2- I don't know what kind of tournaments you're fishing, but if you have the opportunity to fish as a rider, that's a great option. You'll be able to fish as a rider when you can, its' a great way to learn, and you can continue to save up. Then you can borrow the boat when you absolutely have to.

[Christian M]

You have a couple options here.

 

Option #1- If you have enough cash to buy the boat without hurting your pockets, go for it, but don't break the bank buying a boat. Also, have a mechanic go over the boat if you choose to go this route.

 

Option #2-  Fish as a rider when you can, its' a great way to learn, and you can continue to save up. Then you can borrow the boat when you absolutely have to.

[grampa1114]

You asked if you should wait for something better.....Are the bodies of water that you fish, compatible with a 17' boat? If so then by all means get your own rig. If you are fishing larger bodies of water then perhaps you should wait for more boat. You have to ask yourself if the borrowed boat filled the bill for you. But.....fishing out of the back of someone else's boat for the first couple of tournament years is priceless experience. JMHO

 

Grampa

[jhoffman]

Do you not want or cant afford a boat payment? Cause if you have the cash thats a pretty substantial payment on a new boat.

 

You can buy 19ft tracker pro team with all new gear for 18k, last years model and maybe even cheaper. If you have $8000 down youre talking 233 a month.

 

We need to know what your price range is. My buddy bought a really nice triton for 8k used, its 21 feet. Keep in mind the power you need to tow a big glass boat too is significantly more than aluminum.

 

I fish a 17ft aluminum... take it out on the biggest inland lake in pa but I would never run it open water erie without immaculate conditions.

[jbsoonerfan]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

I will try to answer a few of the questions. It is my step-dads boat and that is the reason I am not keen on borrowing it. If something were to happen, I wouldn't want it to cause problems between him and my Mom.

 

He does not want to sell it, already tried that.

 

There are only 2 tourneys that the boat is a little too small to be running out on open water. The other 6 are perfect for a 17 ft boat.

 

I could afford to go out and buy a boat. The only thing I owe on is my Truck (10 payments left) and my house. After being in debt over my hair for the last 10 years and finally crawling my out at 33 years old, I don't really want a payment at this time. Now, talk to me in 10 years when the child support is done, lol.

 

I went and looked at the boat again today and I think I am going to give it some time to think it over. It is actually a friend of mines and he isnt in a hurry to sell it. I could get it for $3,300 so it would be something that I could just use any time without having to worry about it.

 

Thanks again for the replies.

[TRYTOFISH]

B.O.A.T. Break out another thousand

[jhoffman]

If its in good shape with good maintenance id jump. Check the trailer, the lower unit, everything. Make him take you out on the water and you be there from the time the boat goes in to see how it starts cold.

[Ima Bass Ninja]

Yea like others have said if the boat is in good shape and has been checked out I would jump on it. Nothing like being the proud owner of your own boat. Plus if you do well you can invest and upgrade as necessary.

[Crookedneck]

I hear you on where you are at in life....

 

I just got a 17.5' boat this last year.  Saved up and paid cash.  Only difference was I wanted an aluminum, v-bottom bass boat (not the easiest rig to find), as I fish the Menominee River, north of Green Bay, WI.  And the water can get pretty skinny, and when the water gets skinny, there are rocks... 

 

My advice is this, 2 options.

 

1.)  Get your step dad to start fishing tournements with you and use his boat.  Spend the time with him.  Save your money until you find exactly what  you are looking for. 

 

2.)  After you get the boat checked out by a good marine mechanic, then buy it.  My boat is fine with just me fishing.  I am not afraid to take it into big water under the right conditions.  I have taken it into some rough water on the mouth of the bay when others won't even attempt it.  Having my own boat is awesome.  My level of confidence and ability grew 100% last year. Fishing 2 people in a tournement isn't bad out of my boat.  You just have to be organized.

For me cost was a factor.  I didn't want a payment.  I didn't want to burry myself.  And in the end my boat catches just as many fish as some of the others.  And every once in a while,  more...   

 

Spend what you are comfortable spending.  Don't burry yourself.  It is alot more fun fishing out of a boat that belongs to you straight up.  Then use your winnings and savings to buy another one in a couple years. 

 

Good luck!

 

Mike