Your First Boat And Your Experience?

[martintheduck]

I'm really interested: What was your first boat? Did you ever upgrade? After how long? Did you buy new or used? How long did you own it? What was your experience with it? What were the pro's and con's of that boat?

 

 

 

[tbone1993]

It was a great boat. Bass Cat Jaguar with a 250 on the back. Two hds 10s one up front one in the consol. Power poles / jack plate in the back. Thing flew on the water and fished great until that dreaded moment I woke up from my dream and realized I am still a broke ass college student...

[Ken Browning]

Actually, I just got my first boat late last summer. I bought a used 1991 Bass Tracker Pro 16 with a 25 hp Evinrude. The boat is in new condition. I've added a Lowrance 4 elite at the console and plan on adding a new unit up front. I've really enjoyed the boat. I can run all day long on 6 gallons of gas. It's no rocket ship but it gets me on the water.

Over all, a great boat.

[Downeaster2010]

I bought a 1978 Glastron 178 bass boat.  I kept it for 6 years, and caught a lot of bass.  Unfortunately it was not the

fastest and had a max of 140hp motor.  Many Rangers were coming out that could beat it with only a 115hp Merc

or Mariner.  So I upted to get a new Ranger with a 150 hp motor.  Two of my friends went right down (100) miles

and bought my Glastron.  Two Rangers later I still missed the Glastron boat.  It was the best of my bass boats. It

lacked high speed, but could go on plane in any weather condition, when other boats were shelter bound.  It lacked

a decent rod storage, but was hands down the best bass boat I ever owned.  It was a big mistake of mine letting

it go.  I watched that boat get passed around in my bass club from one friend to another.

[Nitrofreak]

First boat is a 1972 14' sea king, still have it, although it's still in need of repairs from last years storm that came through, got her in 1974.

 

 

. 

It spread the beam on it and crushed the seats and the bracing that the seats attach to, but all is coming along, I am going ahead with a complete restoration, this boat taught me a lot about navigation and how to handle waterways.

 

 

Pro's, you can go just about anywhere you want, it handles 3 people quite nicely, it's very rugged, on hot days you can take your shoes off and the hull will be as cool as the water is, and it's still mine lol !

 

Con's, slightest little breeze and you stay on the trolling motor, it's not too comfortable to fish up front with the "V" at your feet, it has a tendency to wobble side to side, it's ok if there is just me or me and a friend, but a third party moving around and you need to pay attention, it's just got a high center of gravity,

 

 

I upgraded to my first glass boat since then in 2001, and never looked back, somehow I just cant seem to upgrade from that, I would love to have a Z-9 and maybe someday I may but for now, I am still in love with my little Nitro !!!

[KevO]

I bought my first boat last year.  Its a 2005 Polar Kraft HP 180 pro w/ a 150 Yamaha HPDI.  I went with aluminum for my first boat because I figured I would bang it up learning to drive it, and its faster than most 18' glass boats with a 150 too.  I will eventually upgrade to a bigger glass boat but not any time soon.  It's perfect for me, I've upgraded the trolling motor and 2 HDS units w/ SS.  All its missing is a power pole. 

[slonezp]

My first boat was a 17ft 1988 Chris Craft ski boat with a 75hp Johnson VRO which I bought for a steal in '96 from a couple that was getting divorced. It wasn't a fishing boat but it got me on the water. Anchor up and cast, move, anchor up and cast, and so on. After maybe 3 years the VRO system became a nightmare and after having 3 pumps replaced and missing a ton of time on the water I found a new mechanic and had the system bypassed, now having to premix the fuel on my own. Sold the boat in '04 for more than I paid for it. Bought a new 2004 17ft Mirrocraft with a 90 ELPTO which I fished out of until the end of last season. I now have a new Lund 2010 Predator with a 225 ProXS which I took delivery of this past March.

[jhoffman]

First boat was a 1979 Terry 14' Jon boat on a trailer with 5hp briggs n straton air cooled 5hp motor and a transom mount trolling motor. I paid $500 for it and drove 2 hours to get it. Immediately I replaced a rotten transom which cost me, added decks, carpet, new fish finders. In the end by the time I fixed everything I easy had $3000 in it which is insanity for what it was. It got me on fish, it got a TON of compliments. I sold it to save a house from forclosure but only got 2k out of it. It was esentially a brand new decked 14ft bass boat.

 

Lessons:

 

14 ft isnt enough for my waters

5hp is a joke

I hate tiller steering

 

 

Bought my current boat last year, 92 tracker 17 pro with a 25hp evinrude 2 stroke. Boat VERY sound, trailer neglected and needed new bearings, wheels, tires. Motor neglected but not blown up... $3000(hindsight about $1000 too much). Its in the shop right now cause the bonehead before me over torqued the starter bracket and weakend the stud, when I redid my carbs the stud snapped off so it needs a helicoil(a friend is doing it). When its running right it fishes awesome, easy on gas, easy to tow. I would trade my 25 for a 60 in a millisecond.

[southtexasbassin]

Started on a two seater Pelican with a 2 HP johnson and a 54 pound thrust trolling motor.  Had it for about 1 year.  Then I bought a Nitro X-5 with a 115 hp and 70 pound trolling motor new as an upgrade.  Love the boat but after a while it got to small to fish from. Had the nitro for 4 years. I just recently (Two weeks ago) bought a new Skeeter.  Bigger everything. So far I am very pleased with the upgrade. 

[Christian M]

My very first boat, if you can even call it that, was a Sevlor 360 Fish Hunter, got it brand new it for $300 with an electric west marine pump, new battery, new Minn Kota trolling motor, and lots of rope, I fished from that raft til it couldn't hold air for more than 2 hours. lasted one season

 

I Upgraded to a 14' Scanoe which was awesome to fish out of but a nightmare to load up. I got it for $220 on sale then discounted because they lost the title & were missing bolts for the middle bench seat, I did some tweaks to it & put a cheap FishFinder on it.

 

Then bought a 1976 Glasstron Tri-Hull that was converted into an open deck electric bass boat. I bought it for $2000, which was a steal because everything had been redone, from the stringers, to the wiring on the boat & trailer, to the wood, carpet & paint. Plus it was sitting on an 06 loadrite trailer that was worth $1500 easily. The boat came with everything I needed, All I did was upgrade the bow mount motor & build a livewell for tournaments.

 

Finally this Spring I sold the Scanoe & Trihull which I had for about 3 years. Got a steal on a 96 Tracker Pro Team w/a Merc 9.9 4 stroke that was hardly ever used, plus its got a built in gas tank that fills up just like a car from the outside. I paid $2700, EVERYTHING is in mint condition,The trailer has brand new wheels & tires w/new bearings, bearing buddies & protectors. I swapped out the stock Motorguide 36lb for my 55lb MinnKota PowerDrive. I also swapped the cranking motor out for an Optima redtop. I bought a 31M Bluetop & installed a 50amp breaker for My Trolling Motor. I kept the lead acid cranking battery on the boat because its new. I bought a new Minn Kota 210D onboard charger, and last but not least I bought a new Humminbird 581i HD/DI/GPS combo for the deck & mounted the transducer to the Trolling Motor. All thats left is a kicker bracket for my 55lb transom mount Minn Kota trolling motor, but it's all money well invested. I could turn around and sell it for way more than I paid, but thats not gonna happen for a long, long time.

 

Sometimes I miss the trihull because it was so simple & solid...Then I look at my Tracker & think about how hard I worked to get it & how long I wanted one. Not to mention it runs & fishes like a dream.

[B@ssCrzy]

Bought my first boat 4 years ago.  It is a 1994 Grumman 17' Deep V Aluminum hull bass boat.  Has bass platform in front and back.  Fishes 3 comfortably.  Has a 70 hp Johnson motor, aerated live well, and 2 bank battery charger.  Just installed a new Minnkota Terrova 55lb thrust (which I love!!), and updated sonar unit to a 597 HD/DI combo.  It is a great boat.  Best thing about it is that I paid cash for it!!  No need to worry about making payments I can just go out and enjoy it.  Over the past 4 years I have made a lot of memories with that boat.  The best thing is that my son, who loves to fish, is only 5 years old so I know that there will be many more memories to come!!  Only down side is that with it being aluminum and deep V the wind tends to catch it and blow it around a bit.  However, with the Terrova auto pilot and soon to be purchased Ipilot system that has not been as big an issue.  I think I will keep this boat for many years to come. 

[Christian M]

Bought my first boat 4 years ago. It is a 1994 Grumman 17' Deep V Aluminum hull bass boat. Has bass platform in front and back. Fishes 3 comfortably. Has a 70 hp Johnson motor, aerated live well, and 2 bank battery charger. Just installed a new Minnkota Terrova 55lb thrust (which I love!!), and updated sonar unit to a 597 HD/DI combo. It is a great boat. Best thing about it is that I paid cash for it!! No need to worry about making payments I can just go out and enjoy it. Over the past 4 years I have made a lot of memories with that boat. The best thing is that my son, who loves to fish, is only 5 years old so I know that there will be many more memories to come!! Only down side is that with it being aluminum and deep V the wind tends to catch it and blow it around a bit. However, with the Terrova auto pilot and soon to be purchased Ipilot system that has not been as big an issue. I think I will keep this boat for many years to come.

X2...I bought my Tracker cash in full, Its a proud feeling knowing your boat is all yours. My tracker may have a few years on her but you would never know by looking at it or fishing from it. I was going to spring for the 597 but all they had was the 581, I'm happy with everything and I also plan to keep my baby for many years to come

[BrianSnat]

My first boat was a canoe.  Then I fished an old 10 ft Sears aluminum jonboat out of the weeds at our family lake house. It hadn't been used for years because the transom had rotted out and there was a hole in the bottom.   I put in a new transom, patched the hole and used it on my local lake for several years.

 

Then I bought a 14 ft Sea Nymph and my dad gave he a 9.9 HP Force  motor from his garage. Been using that for four years. Today I came home with a new boat (well new for me)  and put a for sale sigh on the Sea Nymph.  It's still 14 ft, a Grumman, but "bigger" than the Sea Nymph. About a foot wider and about double the freeboard.  And best of all no bench seats to climb over.  It has a flat, carpeted floor and pedestal seats. And a better motor, still 9.9 HP, but I went from crappy old Force to a newer Yamaha.

 

 

[topwaterrob]

My first boat was a 1986 Tracker with a 50hp Merc.  Unfortunately I spent more time fixing that thing then fishing out of it.  It was before the hulls were welded, only riveted.  It leaked like crazy...  Sold that and went to a 1993 Cajun with a 150hp Mariner. Ireally learned alot in the Cajun, like rebuilding livewells, wiring etc...  Sold that and now have a 2001 Procraft Super pro with a 200 Merc.  I just put on a new Maxxum 80lb TM & absolutely love this boat...  Hopefully in about 2 more years ill be in the market for something newer... 

[Sfritr]

First boat was a 96 18ft Stratos 278 w/ a 150 Johnson.  Still fishing out of it.  The best bass boat I have ever owned. (and the only one).  I am the third owner and it still looks new.  Hits 63mph on the water with normal loads, is very good in rough water, and fits in my garage.  BTS on the outside and Seafoam on the inside religiously. I've had to replace two power packs, and one set of steering cables. 

 

I paid 5k for it 6 years ago and could still get 5k for it in my opinion.  Treat them well and safely and they will treat you the same...

[JCOX2011]

I purchased my first bass boat this weekend.  It is a 93 Skeeter 200SX with the original 200 Mercury on it.  I love it so far, but I find myself being nervous as I have never owned a boat before and I'm sure that by the end of summer that will be a thing of the past.  Took it out on Sunday but the 25mph wind was just too much for me so after 5 hours of getting beat up I had to put it back on the trailer. 

[wnybassman]

First boat was a '63 Crestliner closed bow that I opened up into a fishing boat.    About 2 or 3 years with that then bought a 1988 Stratos Fish-n-Ski.  Ran that for a few years (never again will I have a Fish-n-Ski) and bought a 1990 Stratos 201.  Ran that for 4 years then bought the boat I have now, a 1998 Ranger 481VS.   I've had it for nearly 10 years now and hope to have it for a few more, it's been a great boat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Skeeter Driver]

I've been with Skeeter my entire life. First one was a 18ft fish and ski. That worked until I got hooked on bass fishing. Then I made the mice to a purpose-built boat, my current 1997 202c with a 200 Yamaha. Now there re lots of great boat brands, and I put Skeeter among them.

[haydenf96]

Just bought my first bass boat, a 1995 Procraft 210 dual pro with a 225 mariner. But I had a little 14 foot portabote with a 9.9 hp engine. Caught loads of big fish with that thing and was great for the small 30 acre pond I lived on at that time.