Going To Purchase A New Boat.

[Fishing N Boots]

This is not my first ever boat, it's my first ever purchase of a bass boat. My brother gave me a 1988 fiberglass stratos before and loved it, but sold it. I have since owned a 1998 Glastron. This will be my first ever bass boat purchase and I am not very knowledgeable on them. I understand that the Aluminum Xpress could be a better purchase for the price, but it is just not what I am looking for, may seem weird, but it's just me.

 

I went and looked at that Skeeter today, it was a 1994 20ft long very nice interior, but the exterior coating was fading very bad with alot of cracks. It needed to be replaced, he was asking 5750 and wouldnt take even 5500.

 

I am about to go look at a Nitro 18ft that has a tore up bench seat but the rest is brand new, carpet, other seats, trolling motor, batteries. 5k

 

I also found a 1993 Cajun that is VERY VERY NICE, looks like it has been garage kept. They are selling for $6k, its a dealer, and is going to make sure all gauges are working and will guarantee the motor up to a certain point. He did a compression test while i was there and it came back perfect and he wont sell unless we take it on the water. How are Cajun boats? Are they good boats? It has 1 fish finder at front with trolling motor, it has a 1993 Johnson 175. They did replace the carburator on it though because it had an fuel leak.

 

So does anyone know about Cajun's and if they are good boats? It's very nice, like i said, looks brand new really. Everything will be working on the boat and if anything was to go out soon after purchase they will replace, even if motor locks up he will refund the money for up to a month after purchase. They are a very well respected dealer here in oklahoma city. E&R Boats is the name.

[J Francho]

Cajuns were good hulls. As long as its all straight, you should be good. Dull gel coat and crazing is pretty formal for boats that age. Gel coat repair is very expansive. Don't ask me how I know.

[Flukeman]

I had a friend with a Cajun, he told me it would get the job done. but he likes his skeeter a hole lot more. what you need to ask yourself is "what kind of water do I fish"? If you are always on smaller waters then boat size and HP won't be as big a deal. Most guys around here like to buy the biggest boat and motor they can because of our big water. once you figure that out, then you will be able to compare various boats a little better.

[Fishing N Boots]

I will be fishing lakes like Lake Murray, Konowa. I will also be fishing Grand Lake alot (where the classic was held). The Cajun is very clean, like i said the exterior is spot on and so is the interior. I guess my main concern is it's a 1993 that is in pretty close to pristine condition he is asking $6000 with the bench seat redone (couple of sun cracks and minor fading) or $5600 without. Does that seem like a good price for it? Keep in mind it will have a working motorguide 24v trolling motor, and all gauges and motor working fine. Everything was checked and in order except for small leak in the carburetor so they are currently replacing that.

[Teal]

You got a photo of it?

[Fishing N Boots]

Unfortunately I do not. Like i said, the thing is very very nice. I know it's hard to guess what something would be worth without seeing it, just mainly wondering a ball park I guess. I did some research on them but it seems they are either around 4k to 8k. 

 

I am trying to find me a 20' just in case there is rough waters, there just doesn't seem to be many popping up.

[slonezp]

A drive but might be worth checking out

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/3712159136.html

[Teal]

A drive but might be worth checking out

http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/3712159136.html

For an old boat, that one appears to be great. The amount of info provided shows that the owner was very meticulous with it.

[Fishing N Boots]

Just purchased a 1994 Skeeter w/1993 Evinrude 150hp. She is 18'8" so should do pretty good on rough waters. She is in very good condition and the pictures do not do her justice. Took her to the lake, she fired right up after choking her, planed out real smooth. It has 3 brand new batteries, a 3 bank minn kota charging system, 2 livewells, alot of storage. Everything works on the boat except for MPH Gauge, Trim Gauge, the transducer on the fish finder on the trolling motor needs replaced, and the fish finder at the steering wheel needs to be replaced (turns on and goes black). The carpet is in perfect condition, the exterior seemed to be in perfect condition, no cracks, minor scratches, transome was perfect, no fade in anyway, super shiny and sparkly. Obviously the seat is a little banged up but I can get it replaced for around $400. I will clean her up and post better pictures yet they were offering $6,000.00, I got him down to $4,500.00. The reason being was i drove 2 hours to see it, and he told me everything worked, yet he let his son borrow it the weekend before to fish a tournament and these issues arose (he seemed about 75-80 years old).

 

Please give me an honest opinion of what you think. I really believe I could turn around and sell it for $6,000 here in the city, since it will see more customer then someone living 2 hours from the closest big city.

 

[Fishing N Boots]

[Teal]

I think you did good. I would use the left over loan money to go ahead make the repairs, replace the seats and get a couple of good fishfinders/gps...(or one good one)

It looks good. Take it to your marine mechanic and have him go through it first and foremost.

[Fishing N Boots]

Yeah I planned to take it to the marine mechanic and take the rest of the money to fix everything and redo the plastics. 

 

Quick question: I was thinking about upgrading both fish finders, will I have to rewire or are they plug and play? I can do some stuff on my own, but not sure about wiring and boats. The fish finder at the front of the boat that has the broken transducer is a Humminbird Wide Portrait, the one at the wheel is an Lowrance X52. Seems they both are old and out dated. The Humminbird Wide Portrait still turns on but the transducer is broke, in which i can not find a replacement transducer so far. The Lowrance turns on and just goes to a black screen. 

[slonezp]

Congrats.

Why risk electrical issues with the finders. The hardest part of installation is running the wires. With any luck, the old wires are loose in the gunwales. All you'd have to do is tape new to old and pull thru.

[Teal]

If they do not work or are outdated, remove them. Tape and pull works great if they are loose. Personally, i would replace BOTH of them. If your not sure, maybe you have a buddy thats done it before. If not your marine mechanic can make suggestions or do it.

[Teal]

The more i think about it, personally, i could live with the seats like that for a while and would make sure money is spent to correct the guages, have outboard gone through by mechanic, and replace electronic units.

Id much rather have good electronics than new seats

[Fishing N Boots]

Just purchased an lowrance elite 4x and an lowrance elite 5x dsi but i have to wait for it to be shipped. Dsi is going on TM.

[nocluefisher]

You have yourself a nice boat, hope it brings you lots of great days on the water

[Fishing N Boots]

Thanks noclue.

[BassinB]

My buddy has that exact same boat and outboard rig. We fish tournaments outta it often and his runs out in the high 50's top end. Its a pretty solid rig, weve beat it in some pretty nasty water before (green bay) and it held up well. I wouldn"t hesitate to buy a skeeter of that age after ive looked through it. They fish pretty well, front deck is a little narrow but other than that, no complaints. 4500 is a fair price.

[Fishing N Boots]

Awesome bassin b feels good to hear someone with first hand knowledge.

[Fishing Rhino]

Good luck, and have fun with her. 

 

You are correct about choosing new electronics over replacing the seats. 

 

I would suggest duct tape (it's available in colors) to patch up the damage on the seats.  Those are very efficient at grabbing the line when you move rods around.  And, Murphy's Law being what it is, it will happen at the most inopportune time.

[Fishing N Boots]

Good idea, with them being blue I bet i can find a color that matches. I installed one fish finder last night the other one I'm awaiting in the mail.

[Fishing Rhino]

They (whoever they is) used to make patching kits for vinyl and naugahyde.  (search vinyl naugahyde repair kits)   Looks like they still do.  Check them out.  Should be better than duct tape.  Here's one.  Search vinyl seat repair and you'll get plenty of "results".

 

http://veada.com/marine-vinyl-boat-upholstery.html?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=adwords

[Fishing N Boots]

Awesome man, thank you very much! I may get some of the clear patch, going to check out bass pro shop first.