Going To Purchase A New Boat.

[Fishing N Boots]

I just got approved through the bank for a loan of $6,000.00 that I am going to use towards purchasing a bass boat. I was just wanting to know if you guys wouldn't mind helping me pick out a boat that is good for the price, as this will be my first bass boat purchase. Basically, if I find one i like, ill post pictures and information on the boat and you can help me in determining if it's a good price for the boat and if it will be worth the resale in the future.

[Fishing N Boots]

Right now i have about 4 that i am currently deciding on...

 

1. 1993 Procraft Dual Pro. This sucker is in fantastic condition. Has 3 brand new marine batteries, had the entire steering system lubricated 1 year ago. The interior has no rips. Has a fish finder and also Motorguide trolling motor. Has a Mercury 150 XR6. http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/boa/3673055624.html  $5500 obo the gentleman selling it told me he is getting it detailed and repolished tomorrow.

 

2. 1994 Skeeter 200zx. Seems to be in good condition. Check it out at the following website. www.boattrader.com/listing/1994-skeeter-200zx-101963505 $5750

 

3. 1997 Nitro 700LXSC - Good Condition. www.boattrader.com/listing/1997-nitro-700-lx-sc-101963248  $5250

 

4. 2000 Nitro NX 750 - Good Condition. http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/boa/3681245141.html

 

I think my two favorite would be the 1993 Dual Pro and the Skeeter.

 

Any ideas or suggestions would be great.

 

Thanks.

[slonezp]

On a boat that old, first and foremost you need to have the transom checked and then the motor. The first boat looks like it was taken care of better than the others. See if they will let you take them for test rides and let you have a mechanic chek it out.

[Sam]

Stay away from the ProCraft.

 

Transome is plywood and I know of an instance where heavy water tore it off a boat.

 

Check out the Skeeter's electrical system.

 

Have a compression check on the motor.

 

Invest some money and have the boat checked out by a service shop. They may not do a detailed inspection but they know what to look at and to test.

 

Just remember you will be replacing parts (livewell pump; bildge pump; circuit breakers; batteries; lost plugs; spare motor keys; accessories to meet your state's boating safety requirements; and no telling what else so start a savings account to cover these expenses.

 

Post a pic of the boat you get and tell us its nickname. Every boat has a nickname. Mine is the Goose.

[jhoffman]

I have a hard time believing a 17.5 dual console glass boat with a 90 runs 56mph. Maybe on glass at midnight with a tail wind if its lucky.

[slonezp]

I have a hard time believing a 17.5 dual console glass boat with a 90 runs 56mph. Maybe on glass at midnight with a tail wind if its lucky.

40 tops

[Fishing N Boots]

What are some signs to look for when looking over a boat? Just incase I am not able to take it on the water for a test drive. I do have the clamps to hook up to the motor and start it up though. Obviously I'm looking for deep scratches or cracks in the hull, yet what other things can I look for? I plan to purchase tomorrow and am going to look tomorrow.

 

Sam: You got me nervous/worried now, because after talking to the guy on the 1993 ProCraft, i am very interested in this one. He told me that it is very smooth on rough waters. He mentioned that he is going to get it detailed and polished up today. He informed me that he has no problem hooking up the clamps and starting the motor. Told me that everything runs perfect and has always been covered. I know you can never trust sellers of something they own, but just wondering.

[J Francho]

That kind of cash, I'd be looking at aluminums.  A lot more bang for the buck....Xpress, Alumiweld, Crestliner, G3 are all good brands.

[jhoffman]

You sell yours yet J?

[J Francho]

Not yet.

[BrettD]

That kind of cash, I'd be looking at aluminums.  A lot more bang for the buck....Xpress, Alumiweld, Crestliner, G3 are all good brands.

This you also alot less likely to run into glass and rot problems on a aluminum boat vs an older glass boat.

[J Francho]

A lot easier to see issues with a tin boat.

[Fishing N Boots]

What do you guys think of the 1997 Nitro #2 on my post above? Also the #1 above. Those are my 2 favorites so far that i will be going to look at tomorrow.

[Fishing N Boots]

Is there anything that I can do to test out the condition of the Transome on the ProCraft? Reason I ask, is because I am starting to lean towards this one. After speaking to the gentleman he is down to earth, knows alot about the boat. I will be viewing it tomorrow and having him start it up. So was just wanting to know if you have any pointers or anything that I need to check out while there. It's going to be difficult to get it to a mechanic to check out, so it will have to be done with me.

 

 

Stay away from the ProCraft.

 

Transome is plywood and I know of an instance where heavy water tore it off a boat.

 

Check out the Skeeter's electrical system.

 

Have a compression check on the motor.

 

Invest some money and have the boat checked out by a service shop. They may not do a detailed inspection but they know what to look at and to test.

 

Just remember you will be replacing parts (livewell pump; bildge pump; circuit breakers; batteries; lost plugs; spare motor keys; accessories to meet your state's boating safety requirements; and no telling what else so start a savings account to cover these expenses.

 

Post a pic of the boat you get and tell us its nickname. Every boat has a nickname. Mine is the Goose.

[J Francho]

There's a ton of info in our articles section: http://www.bassresource.com/content/search?SearchText=buying+a+used+boat&BrowsePageLimit=30

[Teal]

Personally, im not super impressed by them, but i would def want to take a close look and maybe take them to a shop.

I found this one in the OkC craigslist.

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/boa/3695337147.html

This one is an aluminum that reallyy caught my attention, it is 1600 bucks over the loan you got, but i would think that you could get it for 6750.. or so... worth a look.

Good luck to ya.

[Fishing N Boots]

Thanks for that find. I definitely just can not get into aluminum boats for some reason. Something about the way they look throw me off.

 

Personally, im not super impressed by them, but i would def want to take a close look and maybe take them to a shop.

I found this one in the OkC craigslist.
http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/boa/3695337147.html

This one is an aluminum that reallyy caught my attention, it is 1600 bucks over the loan you got, but i would think that you could get it for 6750.. or so... worth a look.

Good luck to ya.

[jhoffman]

So you would rather have someone elses reject glass boat over an aluminum due to looks? I thought we were fishing not going to a boat show?

 

It looks like this is also a first boat. Aluminum would serve you well.

[Fishing N Boots]

Thank you, for some reason I never thought about looking at the articles. I only read them every day.

[jhoffman]

You can drill a hole from the inside to check for rot. Although you might not still see it. Ive been through a rotten transom and helped a buddy with a rotten transom and I wouldnt ever want to do it again.

[slonezp]

So you would rather have someone elses reject glass boat over an aluminum due to looks? I thought we were fishing not going to a boat show?

 

It looks like this is also a first boat. Aluminum would serve you well.

He just wants to look sexy on the water

 

That's a good price on that Xpress.

[B@ssCrzy]

Bought my first boat 4 years ago, deep V aluminum boat, set up with bass platforms on the front and back.  Only thing I would change about it is I would probably get an aluminum with a lower profile due to the wind blowing you around.  However, that being said I am really happy I got an aluminum.  There is somewhat of a learning curve to having your first boat, things happen on the water you are not experienced/prepared for and the durability of aluminum can save you from some serious issues.  (i.e. wind blowing you into things when trolling motor acts up, stumps/rocks you don't see, etc.)There have been times when the aluminum saved my skin.  Also, in buying an older boat you are going to want to be doing some updating to the electronics, trolling motor, etc.  For me working on an aluminum boat seems easier than working on a fiberglass boat where you can crack the fiberglass, etc.   If you are really set on buying fiberglass go for it, but you could probably get a newer model aluminum boat for the money that you have to spend.  Which a newer boat means a newer engine which can really save you money in the long run.  Just my .02.

[Teal]

He just wants to look sexy on the water

That's a good price on that Xpress.

Thats a VERY good price on that express. People around here are selling their used G3 and Express boats for a couple grand more than that one...its extremely hard to find a steal on an Express Boat down in NC. ....we have cheap trackers everywhere tho..

When i had researched and found that one for him yesterday, i had the feeling that this was a "first boat"

Thats why i tried looking for a newer Aluminum boat. Theres going to be some bumps and hic cups as being a new boater and boat owner, so why not utililize a metal boat, smaller more economical engine, and less potential problems with the vessle it self while you are still learning to use it and MAINTAIN IT. And that Xpress already has a Nice trolling motor and Nice electronics

Its just really hard sometimes to find a REALLY NICE fiberglass bassboat with that budget.

i did it, Jbsoonerfan did it as well as several of you guys...

My suggestion is hold on to your loan money, add a much to it as you can and keep looking.

[slonezp]

Thats a VERY good price on that express. People around here are selling their used G3 and Express boats for a couple grand more than that one...its extremely hard to find a steal on an Express Boat down in NC. ....we have cheap trackers everywhere tho..

When i had researched and found that one for him yesterday, i had the feeling that this was a "first boat"

Thats why i tried looking for a newer Aluminum boat. Theres going to be some bumps and hic cups as being a new boater and boat owner, so why not utililize a metal boat, smaller more economical engine, and less potential problems with the vessle it self while you are still learning to use it and MAINTAIN IT. And that Xpress already has a Nice trolling motor and Nice electronics

Its just really hard sometimes to find a REALLY NICE fiberglass bassboat with that budget.

i did it, Jbsoonerfan did it as well as several of you guys...

My suggestion is hold on to your loan money, add a much to it as you can and keep looking.

I just sold my 17' deep v, powered with a 90 ELPTO a year older than that Xpress for almost 2k more than the asking price of the Xpress. 

 

Stop taking credit for purchasing the boat the wifey bought for you

[Teal]

I just sold my 17' deep v, powered with a 90 ELPTO a year older than that Xpress for almost 2k more than the asking price of the Xpress.

Stop taking credit for purchasing the boat the wifey bought for you

Hahaha she may have made the deal, but it was my scouting report and diggin.