Super User Catch and Grease Posted May 16, 2015 Super User Posted May 16, 2015 My parents just dropped a bombshell and said they might buy me a boat for my graduation present.... But Idk where to start, I've found some boats that look like incredible deals that I wanna go look at but what about all the dirty work? My parents know less about boats than I do and I don't know much... What do you do after buying a used bass boat like registration and stuff? If a person doesn't have the title to a boat do you just take it off the list and not even think about buying it? Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted May 16, 2015 Super User Posted May 16, 2015 If its a lean.... It can be a little more sketchy... At least when it comes to trucks. So I would look for something where they do have the title... That said they're are plenty of sales on leans that go fine... So all my opinion. Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted May 16, 2015 Author Super User Posted May 16, 2015 What is a lean? Sorry haha.... Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted May 16, 2015 Author Super User Posted May 16, 2015 Well most of those incredible deals were to incredible lol, I called most of the people and they are all sold but I'm still looking... Quote
EvanT123 Posted May 16, 2015 Posted May 16, 2015 Well most of those incredible deals were to incredible lol, I called most of the people and they are all sold but I'm still looking... There's a good lesson right there. Sometimes you have to strike while the iron is hot. I would narrow down exactly what you want and wait till you find a deal on something you know will work for you. It would stink to get a "great deal" and then realize it's not what you were looking for. Being a young man I would recommend an aluminum. Most likely a lot less headach$ I bought my boat from an 85 year old man that was liquidating some of his things and he could not find the title. States are different and I was lucky to have a friend that contracts for the dmv so he helped me take care of a new title and registration. Researching it on my own was a major headache. Good luck have fun and be safe! Quote
ClackerBuzz Posted May 16, 2015 Posted May 16, 2015 no boat title in my state is easy. you fill out a form and request one. the only catch is they run the hull number and if it comes back as 'stolen' you are SOL. no title for the trailer? i stay away b/c it's a PIA in pa b/c you have to go to a special mechanic that is qualified to inspect it, let alone go thru paperwork to register it. in other states any mechanic can inspect it. just like a car it's safest to exchange money at an auto tags shop that will transfer ownership on the spot. having a guy sign the back of a title paper can end badly unless you know all the rules Quote
Super User tomustang Posted May 17, 2015 Super User Posted May 17, 2015 (edited) Go check out a your local notary, they should be available to provide you with all the info and forms you'll need for transfers. Here in PA it was a breeze for me, I didn't even need to do anything but have the numbers written out, cost (you can make up any number) and a bill of sale with the sellers name on it. But you will have to check your local regs. Edited May 17, 2015 by tomustang Quote
Super User F14A-B Posted May 17, 2015 Super User Posted May 17, 2015 Make sure it floats! Make sure it's titled & police checked.. Have fun on your hunt & lets us know how it goes Quote
Super User HoosierHawgs Posted May 17, 2015 Super User Posted May 17, 2015 What is a lean? Sorry haha....It means the bank is holding the title. Quote
Evintos228 Posted May 17, 2015 Posted May 17, 2015 It means the bank is holding the title. Lien. 1 Quote
livemusic Posted May 17, 2015 Posted May 17, 2015 He meant lien. It would help if you indicated your budget. You talking $500, $5,000 or $50,000? 1 Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted May 17, 2015 Author Super User Posted May 17, 2015 He meant lien. It would help if you indicated your budget. You talking $500, $5,000 or $50,000? Probably around 3000. Maybe more maybe less but thats around what it would be... Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted May 17, 2015 Author Super User Posted May 17, 2015 I saw a basstracker that didn't look half bad and its local, might go check it out tomorrow. He is selling it for 3000 on craigslist. I called him and he said he didn't have the title but had the bill of sale. Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted May 17, 2015 Author Super User Posted May 17, 2015 Do you guys think I'd be better off slowly buying each piece seperatly, like the trailer, boat, trolling motor, engine, etc or just wait and try to find a good deal with the whole kit and kaboodle? Quote
EvanT123 Posted May 17, 2015 Posted May 17, 2015 Whole thing at least boat, motor, and trailer. Look up the prices of new motors and you will understand. Let alone used two strokes. 2 Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted May 17, 2015 Author Super User Posted May 17, 2015 Whole thing at least boat, motor, and trailer. Look up the prices of new motors and you will understand. Let alone used two strokes. Yeah I know that motors are ridiculous.... Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted May 17, 2015 Super User Posted May 17, 2015 I think you are leaving out some very important considerations. What kind of water do you mostly fish? Big glass boats totally suck in small bodies of water. Small Jon boats can be used on most any body of water, but kinda suck on large lakes, especially large enough to get big waves in hard wind or where you may have to go several miles. What are you going to be towing with? Big boats burn transmissions up in smaller vehicles and can get down right dangerous when trying to stop under adverse conditions. You also have to realize you are looking for a boat right in the peak of the bass boat buying season. After the season is over is the best time, not at the beginning of the season. To buy a descent boat for $3,000, it's either going to be small, or it's going to require some work. If you don't have the skills/knowledge to do most engine and boat work yourself, you can wind up with a very, very expensive $3,000 boat. Shop rates for any kind of repair will eat you lunch, so don't think you will buy one and have it fixed. Quote
curtis9 Posted May 17, 2015 Posted May 17, 2015 For 3k, I'd look for a jon boat with a casting deck and tiller motor. Something like a 1648. You'll have a lot more room than a similar sized bass tracker in that budget. 1 Quote
livemusic Posted May 17, 2015 Posted May 17, 2015 I just bought my boat, a 1997 Bass Tracker 17' with 40hp Merc and 37 lb Motor Guide troll motor, for $3,500 and it runs great. I also bought a fully rigged 15 year old Sprint 17' boat with 90hp Force 2 yrs ago for $5,000. Sold it last year, wish I had it back. Deals can be found but you have to shop and also be patient. I don't have any idea why you are having such problems with titles. That seems odd to me, that people do not have a title. In addition to hoping to find a fully rigged bass boat, a couple of possibilities. A new 10hp motor can be had for $2,000. A 7.5hp, I dunno what they cost, maybe $1,700? You could put it on a 14' jon boat, which you could buy new for $400. Your trailer is the problem, they are not cheap. I saw one for $1,200 for a 14 footer. If you could buy used on the trailer (or any of this stuff), that would help. Another thing that intrigues me is one of these plastic boats that have two seats in them, pond jumpers. You could buy a trailer and a boat and a troll motor and batteries and really rig it up for $3,000. Much less if you buy used. I also picked up a 5hp Nissan outboard that runs like a top for $150. You need to get around good ol' boys. During my years as a young boy and man, I caught a TON of bass in a jon boat with a used 10hp Merc. I trolled with a paddle, sitting at the bow. Made a figure 8 sculling motion with a short paddle. That's how we used to do it before troll motors came along. You can also rig a hand-controlled regular troll motor at the bow OR stern on a jon boat, I've done it a lot. In fact, I have a 14' jon boat, the 5hp Nissan and $200 Minn Kota that I put at the stern and I fish "backwards" down the lake. EDIT: If you want to fish alone, down here (LA), they make troll motor "pirogues" made of fiberglass. Like an electric powered kayak. They are awesome for one man. They make a two-man but I'd use it as a one-man, just have more room. Here is a good one -- http://watermoccasin.net/water-moccasin/-- the two-man, I called about it and I think it is $3,280. Another manufacturer, I forget the name, makes one with troll motor on opposite end. There are advantages to either end. Quote
Super User Master Bait'r Posted May 17, 2015 Super User Posted May 17, 2015 What is a lean? Sorry haha.... He means "Lien" which basically means a 3rd party- usually a bank- actually holds the title while the owner you're buying it from is making payments to them. I wouldn't buy a lien boat. Just find someone who has the title and is selling by owner. It will just be simpler. As far as what boat to get, I'd go 14-16.6' or so, and the wider the better. Any Jon boat will get you there, it's just a question of what you really want out of it and how much you have to spend. I would go at least 42" wide though, bare minimum. The wider the better though, with Jon boats the width and hull shape is almost more important than the length!!! Quote
livemusic Posted May 17, 2015 Posted May 17, 2015 About 30 yrs ago, I bought a 12' jon boat that was "wide and deep," as opposed to your regular 1232 or whatever they are. I loved that boat and my buddy fished with me a lot, so, two could fish it for sure. I didn't even have a trailer, we hauled it in my pickup to local lakes and ponds and also Toledo Bend many a day. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.