Aluma-Bass Posted October 3, 2013 Posted October 3, 2013 Been wanting a bass boat for a while now. Not talking bass tracker style or aluminum. I'm wanting a used fiberglass setup. Is it possible to get something decent for around 5k? Something that can compete in local tournaments. I understand for this price ill prob be replacing carpet ,electronics and trolling motor as it would prob be a older hull. Just want something that runs good and structurally sound. May start looking this off season. Quote
Super User tomustang Posted October 3, 2013 Super User Posted October 3, 2013 Deals are out there, you have to be on the lookout all the time for them though. You also have to know what you're looking for too. 1 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted October 3, 2013 Super User Posted October 3, 2013 Decent is a relative term. Check CL and boattrader. I'm sure you can find something in your price range. I'd recommend you have a mechanic check it out. Quote
Sun Fish Posted October 3, 2013 Posted October 3, 2013 Yes, I paid 4,500 for my boat. It's a 1995 Nitro 180 and I've been running and fishing it for a season and a half no complaints. Constantly check craigslist and you will eventually find what your looking for in your price range. Just make sure you check it out thoroughly before finalizing a deal. 1 Quote
Super User AK-Jax86 Posted October 4, 2013 Super User Posted October 4, 2013 I was going to suggest Craig's list as well. Check out other areas close to you if you know someone in that area they can check it out for you. Quote
MacP Posted October 4, 2013 Posted October 4, 2013 As for someone who would never own a 'glass boat, I've got to ask, why no aluminum? All welded aluminum boats are the most durable boats you could buy. Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted October 4, 2013 Super User Posted October 4, 2013 I'm curious as to why no aluminum also. IMO, that's where where you'll get your best deal. If I had $60k to spend on a boat right now.....is still be getting a tin boat. 1 Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted October 4, 2013 Super User Posted October 4, 2013 Deals are always out there. I picked up a 1987 19ft Monark glass boat with Evinrude 150 for 2k. It was just the boat/trailer and outboard but I've gotten everything for it to make it tournament ready and I'm at 4k now. This is including all new seats,carpet,3 batteries,2 fish finders,24v TM,rebuilding the carbs and vro pump ect ect. Quote
noway Posted October 4, 2013 Posted October 4, 2013 I'm curious as to why no aluminum also. IMO, that's where where you'll get your best deal. If I had $60k to spend on a boat right now.....is still be getting a tin boat. Wow! That's loyalty. Quote
Super User S Hovanec Posted October 5, 2013 Super User Posted October 5, 2013 Wow! That's loyalty. Don't know about loyalty, but to get the boat that I want and rig it how I want, that's about how much I'd have in it. Quote
jessejames556 Posted October 5, 2013 Posted October 5, 2013 I bought this for $4,650.00 "for sale by owner" and am pretty happy with it.. 1995 Skeeter 1650, 75 HP Mercury, 50lb TM and basic fishfinder included.. I have since then put new tires on the trailer and replaced the two Optima TM batteries along with general maintenance. Quote
jessejames556 Posted October 5, 2013 Posted October 5, 2013 I had to pass up a nice 17 foot Javelin Venom for $6,000 because total length with trailer included was too long for my storage. You are right where my price range was and I found at least three nice boats that I could have purchased. Quote
Sun Fish Posted October 5, 2013 Posted October 5, 2013 As for someone who would never own a 'glass boat, I've got to ask, why no aluminum? All welded aluminum boats are the most durable boats you could buy. Once you go glass you never go back. He probably has a friend who has one. You just can't beat the stability compared to aluminum. The durability of aluminum rigs are great but the stability is just never going to be there. I don't understand why people buy aluminum other than fear of damaging a glass boat, a small vehicle that can't tow glass, primarily fish rivers or the silly mentality that they are heavy and more difficult to launch and load. There are so many great used glass boats out there for the same price as many aluminums. Glass boats are just as easy if not easier to launch and load on electric only and power boat lakes. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted October 5, 2013 Super User Posted October 5, 2013 Once you go glass you never go back. He probably has a friend who has one. You just can't beat the stability compared to aluminum. The durability of aluminum rigs are great but the stability is just never going to be there. I don't understand why people buy aluminum other than fear of damaging a glass boat, a small vehicle that can't tow glass, primarily fish rivers or the silly mentality that they are heavy and more difficult to launch and load. There are so many great used glass boats out there for the same price as many aluminums. Glass boats are just as easy if not easier to launch and load on electric only and power boat lakes. I beg to differ. Not all 'glass boats are built the same and neither are all aluminum boats. Fear of damaging a glass boat is a valid point, but there are other factors well. Initial cost as well as cost tow own/maintain is normally less. Fishing skinny water is another reason. My Lund will handle most water as well as any 'glass bass boat and will handle rough water better. I won't be spearing any waves. I can throw a 60" musky in my livewell. Can you? 1 Quote
Sun Fish Posted October 5, 2013 Posted October 5, 2013 I beg to differ. Not all 'glass boats are built the same and neither are all aluminum boats. Fear of damaging a glass boat is a valid point, but there are other factors well. Initial cost as well as cost tow own/maintain is normally less. Fishing skinny water is another reason. My Lund will handle most water as well as any 'glass bass boat and will handle rough water better. I won't be spearing any waves. I can throw a 60" musky in my livewell. Can you? Your Lund is a special aluminum, totally different class, I'm not sure one would consider the Predator a "bass boat" as opposed to a multi species big water boat. Nor do I think a used one would ever go for 5K but I may be wrong. I'm more so referring to what OP is related to as far as a 5K bass boat goes. I constantly hear people in smaller boats talking among themselves when they see myself or other glass boats on local small electric only lakes say things like that boat is way to big for this lake, I wouldn't want one of those they're to heavy, those things are a pain to launch and load if you can't drive it on etc etc. Quote
BassResource.com Advertiser FD. Posted October 5, 2013 BassResource.com Advertiser Posted October 5, 2013 You are going to be looking for a 90's hull to be in that price range. I have a 91 Stratos 201 pro that I paid 6k for. Upgraded the motor for another 5 k. They are out there but you have to look. Now is the time to look as most of the country will be putting their boats away for the winter and there should be some deals out there. 1 Quote
Super User rippin-lips Posted October 6, 2013 Super User Posted October 6, 2013 They launch and load the same. I went from a 15ft tin boat to a 19ft glass boat. Honestly the new one is easier to load due to trailer design. Yes it's heavier but it's also more stable and doesn't beat your kidneys to death when running the big motor in rougher water. Quote
Global Moderator Bluebasser86 Posted October 8, 2013 Global Moderator Posted October 8, 2013 Once you go glass you never go back. He probably has a friend who has one. You just can't beat the stability compared to aluminum. The durability of aluminum rigs are great but the stability is just never going to be there. I don't understand why people buy aluminum other than fear of damaging a glass boat, a small vehicle that can't tow glass, primarily fish rivers or the silly mentality that they are heavy and more difficult to launch and load. There are so many great used glass boats out there for the same price as many aluminums. Glass boats are just as easy if not easier to launch and load on electric only and power boat lakes. I had a fiberglass but went back to aluminum and my next boat will be aluminum too. I like to get into places others can't and the lighter boat is easier to pull, even though my truck is big enough to pull any glass boat. There's less upkeep involved and when I get back into the thick stuff I don't have to worry about gouging the gel coat on a big glitter sled. The nice tin boats have the same features as a nice glass boat and fish very nice. It's a preference thing and aluminum boats suit my needs better than glass so I'll continue to fish them. There's nothing wrong with either, but for the OP's price range I'd be willing to bet he could get a nicer, newer tin boat than what he'll get in a glass boat. 2 Quote
MacP Posted October 10, 2013 Posted October 10, 2013 You can get a 17-18 foot aluminum with a 70hp-115hp for like 6 grand now. Late 90s early 00s too. Those boats are bomb proof too. Quote
daiwaguy Posted October 18, 2013 Posted October 18, 2013 I found my 98' Nitro 700LX a few months ago on CL and talked the guy down a bit and ended up getting it for 3200.00. Has a 115 Mariner with very low hours just has some oxidation, and I have a good buffer, so said deal.Came with GPS finder/plotter at dash and finder at bow. 55lb. MK. Got a great deal worst part the right tire blew on the trailer on the way home which was no fun but had a spare so it wasnt bad.. So keep looking you will totally find someting. Quote
Bass Assassin Erwin Posted October 22, 2013 Posted October 22, 2013 I have aluminum boat and my buddy has a glass boat. When we go fishing together he always ask me you wanna take your boat out on the water today and I always say no because the glass boat is so much smoother than a aluminum boat. Quote
cadman Posted October 23, 2013 Posted October 23, 2013 Wow, A lot of good info here. I had a Tracker 17' aluminum split window boat for 17 years. I can't say anything bad about that boat. Used to run it up the river. I could beach it on the sand or gravel, without worrying about scratching the bottom. Took it to Canada twice. It served me well for many years, and I wouldn't hesitate to buy another one, although I would buy a Lund this time. I now have a glass boat. It has everything I want in it plus some. I don't use it on the river because I don't want to damage the hull. It does tow better, easier to put in straight on a trailer and is better when it is windy because it is heavy. It also does run smoother across a windy, choppy lake than my aluminum because of the weight. With that said, look at what and where you are mainly going to fish. If you fish a lot of rivers, get an aluminum boat as it has a lot less maintenance than a glass boat does. JMO Quote
Aluma-Bass Posted October 24, 2013 Author Posted October 24, 2013 Thanks for the info guys! Ive since been looking around and have found several boats in great shape for under 7k or so, which i guess is doable for me if the setup is really nice. I'm going to wait till after the new year to make a purchase though and save more money. On another note, how are Stratos boats compared to some of the other brands out there? Quote
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