First Time Boat Buyer

[B@ssCrzy]

My other option I guess is tricking out a Jon boat......

 

or just looking at some aluminum boats with smaller motors. Deep V, or modified V...You can get into a nicer aluminum boat for a lower price.  I bought an aluminum boat 5 yrs ago and glad I did.  It is my first boat and have learned a lot things to do and not do.  Had I had a glass boat not sure how I would have fared.   My 70 hp motor is plenty hp for me.  I admire that you are paying cash for something and not getting into a loan for 30 years.  My brother-in-law just lost his 21ft glass boat, 225hp motor, and all the bells and whistles to the repo man because he couldn't afford it.  If I were looking for a new boat in your price range I would be looking for aluminum with somewhere around a 50-70hp motor on it.  It will get you to where you need to go and give you time to learn the in's and out's of being on the water. 

[ZB85]

What do you guys think of this boat? http://lincoln.craigslist.org/boa/4173869084.html

I would swap the trolling motor this boat has with a foot controlled trolling motor that my brother in law has.

[Dwight Hottle]

I don't want to rain on your parade but if your budget is $3000 for a used boat you are going to be in trouble when you have your first mechanical issue. A 20 year old outboard can be very expensive to repair unless you have a wealth of mechanical experience. I think you would be happier if you get a jon boat like you mention & keep things that can go wrong to a minimum.

[Smokinal]

Take your time man, look around. There are deals to be had. Just a few that looked decent. I know they are a little higher than where you wanna be but they would come down some.

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/4114916207.html

 

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/4121542316.html

 

http://nh.craigslist.org/bod/4138594675.html

 

http://nh.craigslist.org/bod/4233067477.html

 

http://maine.craigslist.org/boa/4215583039.html

 

The right one will come up for ya.

 

[ZB85]

I don't want to rain on your parade but if your budget is $3000 for a used boat you are going to be in trouble when you have your first mechanical issue. A 20 year old outboard can be very expensive to repair unless you have a wealth of mechanical experience. I think you would be happier if you get a jon boat like you mention & keep things that can go wrong to a minimum.

Your not raining on my parade. If anything your helping me from making a bad decision.

[ZB85]

Take your time man, look around. There are deals to be had. Just a few that looked decent. I know they are a little higher than where you wanna be but they would come down some.

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/4114916207.html

 

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/4121542316.html

 

http://nh.craigslist.org/bod/4138594675.html

 

http://nh.craigslist.org/bod/4233067477.html

 

http://maine.craigslist.org/boa/4215583039.html

 

The right one will come up for ya.

New Hampshire is a little far of a drive from Nebraska haha

[Smokinal]

lol, I know. Just giving some examples that some deals are out there. Now is a good time to buy one right. Even a better time in another month or so.

[ZB85]

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/4252663482.html  What do you guys think of this boat.  I think this boat might be THE ONE

[EvanT123]

First off my boat ownership experience is extremely limited. Bought my first one an haven't gotten it wet since the river is iced over.

I've been around boats for quite awhile not bass boats but jons and pleasure and with boats something will inevitably go wrong at sometime. The question I would ask myself is how prepared am I to handle a malfunction or problem. Both financially and mechanically. Like others have said servicing and engine can be an expensive proposition. If you have engine problems on the water how capable are you of diagnosing that problem and making it home? I remember one time being on a pleasure boat and the electric start died the guy I was with was able to get it started with a rope. Things like this you need to take into consideration.

I look at boats like every other major purchase or decision I make wether it be cars, animals or housing. Can I afford it? Is it right for me? Is this something I will use/like/appreciate down the road. I waited almost three years to buy a boat because most of the ones I looked at weren't exactly what I wanted or had issues that I didn't want to deal with plus people around here want crazy money for pos boats. All I can say is be deliberate and don't just buy one bcause you have money burning a hole in your pocket.

[B@ssCrzy]

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/4252663482.html  What do you guys think of this boat.  I think this boat might be THE ONE

 

Looks like it might be a good one if the motor checks out ok.  My boat is set up almost identical to that one, but mine is a deep v.  My only concern would be if you fish any lakes that get really big waves on them, but in most places it should not be a problem. 

[ZB85]

Looks like it might be a good one if the motor checks out ok. My boat is set up almost identical to that one, but mine is a deep v. My only concern would be if you fish any lakes that get really big waves on them, but in most places it should not be a problem.

I usually just fish small to medium sized lakes.

[B@ssCrzy]

Definitely seems like something that is worth a look. What kind of electronics does it have on it?

[ZB85]

Definitely seems like something that is worth a look. What kind of electronics does it have on it?

not sure, just says fish finder

[Chris186]

One more thing I would do, is when you go and look at a boat you like, ask the owner if they can take you out in it for a demo. Most of the time they will be glad to take you out, as long as they dont have anything to hide. This way you can make sure you like the way the boat feels in the water, and also test everything to make sure it all works. The last thing you want to do is buy a boat, take it out on the water and find that you hate the way it fishes or dont like the balance of it etc.. Make sure the boat "fits" you.