First Boat, New Or Used?

[FlipSide]

I'm looking to buy my first boat... And I'm stuck between a few models and new or used. I can't decide if I want to buy a mid 2000's Bass Tracker or G3 used. Or if I want to take the money I have saved up and put it towards a new Ranger Aluminum series boat.

I definitely want an aluminum boat for my first boat and I plan on fishing small club tournaments out of it.

[KDW96]

I personally would opt for the used ones, IF, everthing checks out ok with it. You will save alot of money in the long run. Most importantly take your time. If something dont settle right with it-let it go. There are alot of boats for sale,and the right one will come your way. Good luck to you....................

[FlipSide]

Thanks for the reply man, I'm gonna have my father in law check it out with me when I find one to look at. He has had boats all his life. Can anyone that has a bass tracker chime in and give me the pros and con's you have found with it

[S Hovanec]

If it's your first boat, I'd say go used for a couple reasons:

1.  You WILL make mistakes with it and scratch and dent it.  You would hate to do that to a new boat.

2.  You really don't know what you want in a boat yet.  You may go through a couple used boats before you find what you really like.

 

I started by rebuilding a 14' Starcraft.  I fished it for a year or so and found I wanted something bigger.  Bought and rebuilt a 16' Sea Nymph.  Got a year out of that one before I ordered a new 17' Lund.  Been in that one for 9 years.  I'd say I found what I was looking for!

[FlipSide]

That's exactly the reason I want something aluminum, being my first boat I know I'm gonna hit something and I don't want to put a hole in fiberglass lol

[S Hovanec]

I like aluminum boats.  If I had my choice of boat with no budget, I'd end up in another tin rig, just bunches bigger than 17'!

[FlipSide]

I think I'm going to try and find a boat art least 17.5ft.

[Jig Man]

If you are looking aluminum decide what you want to have as far as storage, t motor, and cranker.  Don't just jump on the first thing that comes along or you'll be sorry in a little while.   Most Trackers are made for first time buyers and are way under powered both with tmotor and crankers.

[FlipSide]

I'm going to try and find a boat with a motor at the top of the max HP rating. And preferably a trolling motor with at least a 55 lb thrust

[Fishes in trees]

Just my opinion, but even 55 isn't enough for a 17' tin boat.  I think you are taking too big a chance of running out of power.  I'd go 24 volt, probably an 80  lb Minn Kota.  You can't have too much trolling motor..

 

If you can swing it, I'd say go for the new Ranger aluminum model.  They are very well thought out boats.  They come with a warranty, which used ones don't.  You are in charge of the maintenance from the start.  There isn't any chance of you inheriting some one else's problem.

 

Just depends on how you want to pay for it.

[jhoffman]

If you have the money I say swing for the fence. You just never really know what someone did to an outboard.

[FlipSide]

I'll def have a good chunk of cash for a down payment on a new boat. I just have to wait until my credit builds up(I'm 21, not bad credit, don't have any at all). I was just hoping to get into a boat by the fall

[Crappiebasser]

I'll def have a good chunk of cash for a down payment on a new boat. I just have to wait until my credit builds up(I'm 21, not bad credit, don't have any at all). I was just hoping to get into a boat by the fall

Get a used boat you can pay cash for. IMO a boat is a foolish reason to go in debt. Used boats depreciate a lot slower than new so when/if you do want to upgrade you won't take a beating on the resale.

[FlipSide]

Get a used boat you can pay cash for. IMO a boat is a foolish reason to go in debt. Used boats depreciate a lot slower than new so when/if you do want to upgrade you won't take a beating on the resale.

I'll def keep this in mind. I know when I get use to having a boat I will want to upgrade. It will be a couple years down the road for sure and I know I will want a glass boat when I do upgrade

[tcbass]

Just my opinion, but even 55 isn't enough for a 17' tin boat.  I think you are taking too big a chance of running out of power.  I'd go 24 volt, probably an 80  lb Minn Kota.  You can't have too much trolling motor..

 

If you can swing it, I'd say go for the new Ranger aluminum model.  They are very well thought out boats.  They come with a warranty, which used ones don't.  You are in charge of the maintenance from the start.  There isn't any chance of you inheriting some one else's problem.

 

Just depends on how you want to pay for it.

 

 

I agree on the TM power.

 

 

I bought my 1st big boat last year, a used 2000 17.5' Crestliner Fishhawk with a used trolling motor. Without a foot pedal indent I couldn't use the trolling motor, so I ended up going with a new Ipilot 80lbs thrust. Best thing I ever did. I love that trolling motor.

 

 

 

Because kids threw rocks in at the landing I took out a chunk of skeg when I was backing up from the dock. I was mad, but not nearly as mad as I would have been with a brand new boat.

 

 

I would definitely recommend a used boat, that way when it gets beaten up you won't be so mad and you will learn a lot about boating and not do it to your new boat. Plus, you can afford a new trolling motor or any other necessities.

[martintheduck]

I bought my first REAL boat at 23 (im 25 now) and went through EXACTLY what your talking about --- new-vs-used in the tin rig department. I was going to buy a new Tracker 175 and bailed on that idea after some investigation --- I found I could find an AWESOME used rig for the same price point. I eyed craigslist for a few months to see what was selling and the prices. 

 

 

After 6 or so months of eyeing craigslist, I got serious and started looking at boats in person. I looked at 3 used boats off craigslist and all 3 had problems. I took them all out for test runs and whatnot. I turned all 3 boats down and got frustrated and then decided to up my price range $5,000 and see if I could find some nicer rigs. I found an Xpress h18ss w/ a yamaha 150 pop up for sale shortly after and went to see it the next day. Sucker was in mint condition with only around 10 hours on the motor MAYBE. I was shocked. Talked him down to $19,000 and bought that sucker! So basically, I got a much better rig than a tracker for the same price... and ultimately I felt like I bought a new rig, not a used one. It was a stellar experience --- waiting it out and checking stuff out then finally finding the perfect fit for me.

 

 

Moral of the story? Don't buy new, buy used boat in good condition. Find someone who has taken good care of their baby and don't settle for anything less. I turned down one of my 3 boats because the guy let "his buddy" do all the maintenance  on his boat and couldn't provide receipts for any of the parts he allegedly bought (the look of the boat didn't reflect that he cared too much too). 

 

 

On another note --- I don't know how popular they are in KY, but look into Xpress boats. They ride literally, like glass. That hyperlift hull is a great ride. And as for tracker boats --- the problems I was hearing about involve minor issues (like a compartment latch breaking or a switch being bad) Nothing extreme. Solid first boat for sure.

 

 

I'll leave you with this bit of wisdom my buddy gave me and it has rung 100% true to me: "Whatever boat you buy, you'll have it for 6 months and want something else." That advice led me into going as "big" as I could afford and it has paid off in spades for me. Sure, I'd like a longer boat and more storage, but until I decide to make that endeavor, I 'm completely comfortable in my 60mph tin rig!

 

Cheers!

[FlipSide]

I bought my first REAL boat at 23 (im 25 now) and went through EXACTLY what your talking about --- new-vs-used in the tin rig department. I was going to buy a new Tracker 175 and bailed on that idea after some investigation --- I found I could find an AWESOME used rig for the same price point. I eyed craigslist for a few months to see what was selling and the prices. 

 

 

After 6 or so months of eyeing craigslist, I got serious and started looking at boats in person. I looked at 3 used boats off craigslist and all 3 had problems. I took them all out for test runs and whatnot. I turned all 3 boats down and got frustrated and then decided to up my price range $5,000 and see if I could find some nicer rigs. I found an Xpress h18ss w/ a yamaha 150 pop up for sale shortly after and went to see it the next day. Sucker was in mint condition with only around 10 hours on the motor MAYBE. I was shocked. Talked him down to $19,000 and bought that sucker! So basically, I got a much better rig than a tracker for the same price... and ultimately I felt like I bought a new rig, not a used one. It was a stellar experience --- waiting it out and checking stuff out then finally finding the perfect fit for me.

 

 

Moral of the story? Don't buy new, buy used boat in good condition. Find someone who has taken good care of their baby and don't settle for anything less. I turned down one of my 3 boats because the guy let "his buddy" do all the maintenance  on his boat and couldn't provide receipts for any of the parts he allegedly bought (the look of the boat didn't reflect that he cared too much too). 

 

 

On another note --- I don't know how popular they are in KY, but look into Xpress boats. They ride literally, like glass. That hyperlift hull is a great ride. And as for tracker boats --- the problems I was hearing about involve minor issues (like a compartment latch breaking or a switch being bad) Nothing extreme. Solid first boat for sure.

 

 

I'll leave you with this bit of wisdom my buddy gave me and it has rung 100% true to me: "Whatever boat you buy, you'll have it for 6 months and want something else." That advice led me into going as "big" as I could afford and it has paid off in spades for me. Sure, I'd like a longer boat and more storage, but until I decide to make that endeavor, I 'm completely comfortable in my 60mph tin rig!

 

Cheers!

 

Thanks man! This helped a ton, I appreciate the input from someone who was in a simialr situation. Im not in a rush by any means on getting a boat. But I do want one lol.

 

 

Im just going to keep searching craigslist and local boat dealers for the right deal to come along.

 

so far I have gotten that I need:

 

Outboard near the Max HP rating for the boat

 

24v TM or a little wiggle room to upgrade when I buy the boat

 

Storage that fits my needs

 

The longest boat I can get for my money

 

 

 

 

I appreciate everyones help!

[tcbass]

Thanks man! This helped a ton, I appreciate the input from someone who was in a simialr situation. Im not in a rush by any means on getting a boat. But I do want one lol.

 

 

Im just going to keep searching craigslist and local boat dealers for the right deal to come along.

 

so far I have gotten that I need:

 

Outboard near the Max HP rating for the boat

 

24v TM or a little wiggle room to upgrade when I buy the boat

 

Storage that fits my needs

 

The longest boat I can get for my money

 

 

 

 

I appreciate everyones help!

No ones ever said, "I wish I got this boat just a bit smaller."

Boats always appear bigger out of the water.

[FlipSide]

No ones ever said, "I wish I got this boat just a bit smaller."

Boats always appear bigger out of the water.

I know what you mean there

My 12 ft Jon boat looks a lot bigger when it's not in the water

[FlipSide]

What do you guys think about this.

http://lexington.craigslist.org/boa/4491622893.html

[slonezp]

What do you guys think about this.

http://lexington.craigslist.org/boa/4491622893.html

NADA lists the value for $3k less than the ad is asking. That boat probably cost $10k new. Way overpriced

[FlipSide]

It seems like every boat like that in my general area costs more than the booking price. Greedy ppl lol

[slonezp]

It seems like every boat like that in my general area costs more than the booking price. Greedy ppl lol

The inflated prices of new boats have driven up the prices of used boats. Banks and insurance companies use NADA as a guide for valuing boats. Be patient. Owning a boat is not an investment. It is a hobby.  I bought my 3rd and possibly last boat last year and it took 3 years of research and boat "hunting" to finally make the purchase. Good deals come along on used boats. You need to be informed and ready when it happens. If you don't already have one, find a trustworthy boat mechanic that can give the motor the once over before you pull the trigger. Truth be told, I've had more difficulty finding a good jon boat for a decent price than I had buying my Lund 

[FlipSide]

The inflated prices of new boats have driven up the prices of used boats. Banks and insurance companies use NADA as a guide for valuing boats. Be patient. Owning a boat is not an investment. It is a hobby.  I bought my 3rd and possibly last boat last year and it took 3 years of research and boat "hunting" to finally make the purchase. Good deals come along on used boats. You need to be informed and ready when it happens. If you don't already have one, find a trustworthy boat mechanic that can give the motor the once over before you pull the trigger. Truth be told, I've had more difficulty finding a good jon boat for a decent price than I had buying my Lund 

 

Thanks for the advice man,

 

Im def gonna take my time with this. I know eventually a good deal will arise.

 

I don't have a mechanic to look it over, but I have my father in law. He has owned boats all of his life and knows a good deal about outboards so Im going to take him along for the ride lol

[WIGuide]

What do you guys think about this.

http://lexington.craigslist.org/boa/4491622893.html

That boat is over priced and it's got a great big old "don't go there" hanging off the back. That motor, although says made by Mercury is still a Force motor. You probably don't know but those are about the worst motors in the history of outboards. There are a very select few that haven't had many problems, but the vast majority do. Before the company was bought out by Mercury the motors would test out severely under the 10% horsepower rating. (new motors are allowed to be within +/- 10% of their rated horsepower). I know their older 150's were only putting out about 85 HP. I've heard a lot about their horrible tolerance on parts as well. You can order a part for the motor you have and it won't fit the same as what was on there. A lot of times when you see boats with them on the back for sale, they have problems selling even at deep discounts since you'd be better off buying one without a motor. 

 

As far as NADA goes, it's a little on the low sided. They've been doing some updating lately so it's a little more accurate but if you can find one close to that price it's usually a pretty good deal unless it's all beat up. 

 

My friend has an 05 Tracker PT 175. It's a pretty nice boat. It'd be a good starter boat for you, even though there are some things they do with them that just don't make sense but it would do the job for you. I've heard really good things about the Ranger aluminum boats too. Ranger might not be the cheapest, but that's because they're the best.