I Love My Kayaks, But.....

[Mr_Scrogg]

Man, a bass boat would be sweet!!!! Ever since I was young, Ive wanted a Bass Tracker. Maybe it was watching Bill Dance growing up. And having time fishing out if the back of one, makes me long for the freedom of walking and moving on deck.

There are things in my way of realizing this dream. Like hsving a vehicle that can toe it. Wife has an Honda Odyssey and Im blessed with a WRX Wagon. Next is I know NOTHING about maintenance or anything.

Anyone have any good sources to read that is in depth with boat ownership?

[Darren.]

Don't do it!! 

 

Just kidding. All I know is your expenses will go up, taxes, trailer registration, gas, blah blah blah. But seriously, if I could afford one, I'd have one, if for nothing else than to take the family out on the water for skiing, fishing, and general fun.

[rmcguirk]

I don't have any good sources, but I'll give you some added encouragement.  After fishing out of my kayak for the previous 5 years or so, last year I bought a boat.  Like you, I'd never owned one before and I was nervous about a lot of things.  There is a lot of good advice on here, there are boating safety courses, and more than enough resources to get you started.  But, there is no substitute for time on the water getting comfortable using and handling your boat. 

 

If you don't have a "guru" you can turn to with the multitude of questions (like I didn't), you might consider renting a slip at a full-service marina, like I did.  That will increase your costs, but it will provide you with resources and direct help on how to maintain your boat, etc.  

 

My bottom line:  if you can afford it, do it.  On cost, remember that even if you buy a new boat (and thus have no immediate high-ticket maintenance items), there are a lot of additional up-front and ongoing costs you have to deal with, everything from legally required equipment on board to insurance, to gas.  While fishing out of the yak is fun and has plenty of advantages, I much prefer fishing from my boat.  It has opened up a whole new world of fishing. 

[jhoffman]

Biggest thing about it is making sure you dont buy a lemon if you go used, knowing to ask questions about maintance and where to check for the lies associated with it. Someone will tell you to drive an hour to see a boat and before you ever leave you ask "hows the transom" they will reply that its great. You get there, reach back under the back deck and feel it disengrate in your hand. They didnt even know or just played dumb.

 

Theres lots of little things on boats that nickle and dime you. Things like a ripped cover or bearings or impellers but the only way to know is to dive on in and accept that you will have to learn as you go. Most people do learn as they go.

[Ken Browning]

I purchased my first boat last fall. I bought a 91 Pro16 Bass Tracker because like you, I always wanted a Bass Tracker. I didn't really know why I wanted a Bass tracker per se, but now that you mentioned it, I use to watch Bill Dance every chance I got. He was the only pro I was really familiar with. At any rate, There were things that I had to consider when purchasing a boat. It had to be light weight as I have to pull it with a 97 Ford Ranger with a four cylinder. I also wanted something reasonably priced and gas efficient. My Tracker meets all requirements.

 

I couldn't be happier. My boat was owned by a guy who took good care of the boat and kept all maintenance records and kept it in a garage when not in use. My tracker has a 25 hp motor and while I'm not going to win any hole shots, it does move two people down the lake at about 21 mph. I can run it all over the lake all day long on 3 gallons of gas.

 

My expenses are minimal with respect to my boat. I have to mix my oil and I will only run ethanol free gasoline which is about 40 cents more per gallon.

 

The biggest expenses I have is all the gear and tackle I've "had" to purchase since purchasing my boat!.

 

One more note......I've caught more fish than ever before since I have my own boat.......and I hooked and fought (but lost) the biggest fish I have ever hooked into last weekend.

 

I really like my Bass Tracker.

 

 

[Fishes in trees]

Step A is to find out how much you can tow with the vehicles you got.   You can put an after market hitch on  nearly any vehicle.   Call up manufacturers and find out how much each vehicle is rated to pull.  That will tell you how much boat you can buy.

 

The whole boat ownership thing is a learning curve, but it is a pretty well traveled curve and there is lots of help out there when you look around.

[kylek]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-boats/

 

 

here are a bunch of articles on boats.

[Mr_Scrogg]

Thanks for the replies. Wifes van has a aftermarket

hitch. But I dont know about pulling a boat with it.

There are other things that take priority. But I do see myself purchasing a boat.

I love the simplicity and ease of just tossing the yak on my car and going, but theres the freedom of a boat that could open a whole new world.

d**n hobbies are so expensive. Lol

[Marty]

Thanks for the replies. Wifes van has a aftermarket

hitch. But I dont know about pulling a boat with it.

There are other things that take priority. But I do see myself purchasing a boat.

I love the simplicity and ease of just tossing the yak on my car and going, but theres the freedom of a boat that could open a whole new world.

d**n hobbies are so expensive. Lol

 

I own a canoe, but it's similar to a kayak for purposes of this discussion. Being a kayak owner, you already know what a huge difference it makes between owning a very small boat and being shore-bound. You can get out on ponds, rivers and even large lakes in the right spots and/or right conditions.

 

If you want a bass boat and can find a way to swing it, then by all means go for it and enjoy it. Until that happens, just think of all the great things you can do with what you already have. In my case I consider that to be a lot.

[clayton86]

My old man always said B.O.A.T......Bust Out Another Thousand.

[Mr_Scrogg]

Lol. I showed the wife a new Tracker 160 on their site. She said "THAT AINT CHEAP". LOL

More than likely, it will be used. Im liking the Trackers, but have found the Lowe might be a good option too.

Ive found plenty that have the remarks "Ran great, been sitting a while and now I cant get it running" ads.

[jhoffman]

Those ran great but wont start ads are usually carb issues. If you find the right one tell them up front that if they dont have the money you will take it out of the final sale price to hear it run. If theyre not cool with that then walk. The agreement has to also be that if it doesnt run after the work they pay you what you paid for to give it a shot. Some people have a boat, wanna sell it but dont have money to figure out whats wrong. Compression tests dont lie.

 

All in all I would say just keep looking, its not easy. Trackers are very sought after because they are affordable. If your wife thinks a new pt16 is expensive you should show her some of the real bass boat prices.

[fstr385]

take a compression gauge with ya. the place I got mine from had it in the water ready for a test ride, and allowed me to check compression, and go over everything. I found a few things including a 2nd fish finder in the add that was missing that allowed us to go down in price $500, which is funny because I found the other finder a month later inside wrapped up in a towel lol. Ive never had anything other than a tiller drive john, so I asked the guy to show me how to load it, drive it, tilt, bilge, troll ect ect.

 

Some used sellers will run the motor before you come, heat it up so it sounds like it starts right up when you get there. Check to see if its at all warmed up. Other than that, theres not much to it. Get a manual that matches you motor for tune ups. Make sure oil injection alarms working if it has one, ect. Check local laws on what you need onboard such as lights, flares, horns....

 

Some fuel treatment and stabilizer doesn't hurt.

 

 

I like the tracker boats too. I was set on getting one, but found the deal on my nitro (still tracker anyways) I think theyre nice for what they cost. I think when I was looking anything 160-175 decent was running around 5-9k used.