Nolan Hunter Posted May 29, 2015 Posted May 29, 2015 I'm on a budget because I'm only 21 but I was wondering if it would be smart to buy a used boat off of craigslist. Quote
Nolan Hunter Posted May 29, 2015 Author Posted May 29, 2015 I'm on a $3,000 budget left that part out Quote
Super User gardnerjigman Posted May 29, 2015 Super User Posted May 29, 2015 Get a compression test and if you don't know anything about boats take someone who does with you. You can get aluminum boats for that easy and mid 80's model glass boats. If you go glass, look at champion boats in that year range. Probably the best boat made then IMO Quote
Nolan Hunter Posted May 29, 2015 Author Posted May 29, 2015 That's what I was thinking I just don't want to get jipped Quote
joefish Posted May 29, 2015 Posted May 29, 2015 Used boats are a gamble, just make sure to find one that is clean. If the previous owner kept it clean he probably took care of maintenance as well. Quote
Super User slonezp Posted May 30, 2015 Super User Posted May 30, 2015 Used motor up to 15hp-$400-$800 Used trailer in good shape-$500-$800 Used 16ft bare aluminum hull in good shape-$1000 +/- The above in package form < $2k Used aluminum rig with storage and livewells and such in the $3k range are going to be 15+years old Used glass rig in the $3k range is going to be 20-25 years old and chances are in fair condition. Good CL deals get scooped up quick. The ones that you see on CL week after week are still there for a reason 1 Quote
Nolan Hunter Posted May 30, 2015 Author Posted May 30, 2015 Thanks guys I will remember this for when the big day has come. Quote
livemusic Posted May 30, 2015 Posted May 30, 2015 I got my Tracker with 40hp, fully rigged bass boat, 1997, for $3500 and had been taken care of, not many hours really. It looks terrific, the seats look brand new (but are not). Runs great. I also talked with a guy yesterday who has one with a 60hp and it's $3,500. Sounds like a good deal, he has a lot of gear with it and reworked a lot of it. Deals can be found. I bought a fully rigged glass boat two years ago for $5k, 90hp engine. I saw a 2 year old 15hp motor on craigslist for $1,250. I'd offer $1,000. Then you could buy a used jon boat and trailer, used troll motor, buy a battery. It would fit your budget. Take your time, that is the key. Quote
Nolan Hunter Posted May 30, 2015 Author Posted May 30, 2015 I got my Tracker with 40hp, fully rigged bass boat, 1997, for $3500 and had been taken care of, not many hours really. It looks terrific, the seats look brand new (but are not). Runs great. I also talked with a guy yesterday who has one with a 60hp and it's $3,500. Sounds like a good deal, he has a lot of gear with it and reworked a lot of it. Deals can be found. I bought a fully rigged glass boat two years ago for $5k, 90hp engine. I saw a 2 year old 15hp motor on craigslist for $1,250. I'd offer $1,000. Then you could buy a used jon boat and trailer, used troll motor, buy a battery. It would fit your budget. Take your time, that is the key. Yea that's has been kind of my thought process the past few days so I figured I would ask my friends at BR. I've seen a lot of what seem to be good deals but time will tell. Quote
EvanT123 Posted May 31, 2015 Posted May 31, 2015 I would second the comments on take your time and good deals go quick. It's a balance and I think the most important part is knowing exactly what you want. I looked for almost two years. Saw a lot of 60 year old 12 foot v hulls beat to crap and people asking 2-3 grand. Are you kidding me? One day I saw a nice 1448 with a 10hp. Called the guy and he said a guy was coming from Connecticut on Thursday to look at it. I took Wednesday off. Went and looked at it and it was mint. Mind you the guy was 84 he basically bought it and never used it. Wanted $1800, I offered him 1400 he said the other guy said he would pay full price walked away with it for 16. Having a stack of hundreds can play a big part in getting the job done. Quote
Nolan Hunter Posted June 2, 2015 Author Posted June 2, 2015 Thanks for all the replies guys just bought a brand new alumacraft with motor and trailer for 3000 on the dot had to do some haggling but we got it 2 Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted June 2, 2015 Super User Posted June 2, 2015 Can you post some pictures of your new boat? If you don't mind... I'm looking for a boat too and have about the same budget and I'm just curious what deal you snagged... Quote
Super User Catch and Grease Posted June 2, 2015 Super User Posted June 2, 2015 Well.... I just boat my first boat too! A 15ft Lowe aluminum with a 25hp mercury. Quote
thomas15 Posted June 2, 2015 Posted June 2, 2015 I got my boat last year, it's a 2005 that was not abused. However, it took me (and a merc mechanic) 4 boating months to work out all of the kinks in the propulsion system. In the end, the biggest kink was actually quite simple and basic and I fixed it on my own. I say this to warn you to be prepared to hit some rough and stormy seas in this adventure. Coming up on a year of ownership and just now starting to gain some trust in the outboard. Not as much trust as I want, but moving in the right direction. Quote
thomas15 Posted June 2, 2015 Posted June 2, 2015 Well.... I just boat my first boat too! A 15ft Lowe aluminum with a 25hp mercury. Congratulations!!! Quote
Skeeter Dan Posted June 2, 2015 Posted June 2, 2015 This is not the time of year to buy used boats. Unless you find some one who is really pressed for money. The BEST time to buy is in late Fall thru the winter. I bought my Skeeter two years a go and there where a lot of boats on CL FROM 4500.00 ON DOWN. So LOOK AT THE ONES THAT ARE CLOSEST TO YOU AND CHECK THEM OUT REAL GOOD OVER AND UNDER. Make sure that everything works. You should be able to score nice boat. Quote
LuckyGia Posted June 2, 2015 Posted June 2, 2015 B.O.A.T. break out another thousand do yourself a favor and buy a kayak Quote
Nolan Hunter Posted June 3, 2015 Author Posted June 3, 2015 Can you post some pictures of your new boat? If you don't mind... I'm looking for a boat too and have about the same budget and I'm just curious what deal you snagged... Yes I can I'm taking it out Friday it's it's just a 14' Jon but will get the job done for me. The resin I got it for 3,00 is because it's a 2015 brand spanking new. You can get them all day long for way cheaper than that it's just I want to trick it out for what I want. Quote
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