New Outboard- Wwyd

[Amarley]

I have been getting into bass fishing over the past couple years. Last year, I bought my first bass boat. I went fairly inexpensive to make sure that my interest in bass fishing stuck. Needless to say, I'm hooked now and am looking to get more serious about traveling to different lakes and possibly fishing in clubs.

 

My current rig is a 17.5 ft Procraft with a 40hp Mercury. That's right only 40 hp. The motor runs great and is plenty to get me around lakes by myself, but if I add a passenger it's pretty slow going. I'd like to take buddies/family fishing, and have a co-angler if I join a club. My boat is rated for up to a 125hp. So here are my options:

 

1. Upgrade to a 115 hp- new or a very good used motor. Keep my same boat for a long time. I'm happy with the size and layout.

2. Sell my current boat as-is in the spring and look for something else.

3. Upgrade the motor, sell my boat and upgrade to something bigger. Do a "flip job".

 

I've spent a lot of energy on this boat to get it to be very dependable, but that will also help with resale. I'm having difficulty figuring out what my best option is.

 

Any advice from people who have had a similar decision to make?

 

Thanks.

[S Hovanec]

Thats a tough call. A 17' bass boat with a 40 is a hard sell IMO. On the other hand, once you get a 115 on that boat, you'll want more. I'd look for a 18'-19' with at least a 150 hanging on the back.

My boat progression was 12'/electric motor 14'/9.9hp to a 16'/25hp to a 17'/135hp......all in a 4 year window. I've had the 17' since 2005, so you could say I'm the happiest I've ever been with that boat. Only regret is not getting the 18'/150hp. I had delusions of using the 17' with a 20hp kicker on the limited lakes. Thought it would be more manageable with the kicker than the 18'.....I was wrong. I've since sold the kicker and don't bother with limited lakes anymore.

[J Francho]

 

2. Sell my current boat as-is in the spring and look for something else.

 

This is what I'd do. 

[slonezp]

I would base my decision first on need then on money. You've already decided you need more. So how much are you comfortably willing to spend for what you want? I'd imagine a new 115 is going to run over $12k. You didn't mention the age of your boat, but adding a 12k motor to your boat will increase its desirability but not increase it's value by 12k, so unless you get a heck of a deal on a motor, flipping it is probably out of the question.

 

I'm on my 3rd boat. I've grown out of each boat as I have grown as a fisherman. Something to think about

[Siebert Outdoors]

I would base my decision first on need then on money. You've already decided you need more. So how much are you comfortably willing to spend for what you want? I'd imagine a new 115 is going to run over $12k. You didn't mention the age of your boat, but adding a 12k motor to your boat will increase its desirability but not increase it's value by 12k, so unless you get a heck of a deal on a motor, flipping it is probably out of the question.

 

I'm on my 3rd boat. I've grown out of each boat as I have grown as a fisherman. Something to think about

 

 

This!!!  I'm on my 4th boat.  I had a 16ft 20hp then a 17ft with a 40hp then I went to a glass 17.5 135hp.  Now I have a 20ft with a 225. 

 

Slonezp is dead on imo.  As I grew as a fisherman and started wanting to fish bigger lakes and traveling further.  I as a fisherman had to progress in boat and skill.

[Brian Needham]

its never enough.... I was lucky to start with a 18ft /150 and I just upgraded to a 21ft/250.

I did this because I wanted to fish bigger water.

 

You say you really like your boat and layout. If you like your boat then keep it. I only say keep it if you are going to continue to fish the same water you are now (you didn't say what type of water). how much can you sell your current motor for and difference of buy a really good used one?

 

but if you are going to jump to bigger impoundments then you might want to look for a bigger set up.

 

 

don't worry about size in joining a club, I got friends that dominate their club in a tracker 175 w/ 70hp.

[Amarley]

I mainly fish 5,000-10,000 acre lakes in Kentucky and smaller private lakes. I'd like to make trips to Dale Hollow, Guntersville, KY Lake, Douglas, Pickwick, Chickamauga, etc. I'm in Southern KY, so all of those are within a 4 hour drive. Perfect for weekend trips. Thanks for the advice. My motor is in good shape, I could probably get a little over $2k on the private market. Tough decision!

[MacP]

If you like your boat, get a new motor. 

 

http://www.golsn.com/listings/recreational_vehicles/boats-water_crafts/3661800.html

 

I saw that this week and thought it was a good deal.

[Amarley]

That's awesome. Thanks for sharing the link!

[FD.]

I would base my decision first on need then on money. You've already decided you need more. So how much are you comfortably willing to spend for what you want? I'd imagine a new 115 is going to run over $12k. You didn't mention the age of your boat, but adding a 12k motor to your boat will increase its desirability but not increase it's value by 12k, so unless you get a heck of a deal on a motor, flipping it is probably out of the question.

 

I'm on my 3rd boat. I've grown out of each boat as I have grown as a fisherman. Something to think about

 

 

Yep.  You will want a bigger boat as you fish bigger water.  I'm on my 3rd also.  You will want a bigger boat eventually and you will probably not get your investment back if you just upgrade motors.

 

The Procraft is a nice ride but the difference between 17.5' and 20' is huge.