Buying A Used Boat

[Jacob Krahenbil]

hey yall i am 18 and i run a 25 HP bass tracker. i know i am really lucky to even have a boat at my age. However i have been saving up to buy a used boat with more HP a little bigger, nicer ect. I was wondering when i do have enough what should i look for in a used boat? i want one that will last me a long time so i want one fairly newer. are there any warnings or advice yall could give me? thanks 

[LuckyGia]

All depends on the budget.

Are we talking $5,000 or $25,000 ?

[papajoe222]

It all depends on your own expectations. I'd say to list the features your tracker has that you like and then list what more you'd like. Add the two together and find a used boat that has ALL of them. Then you can concern yourself with the price and more importantly, the condition of that boat.

[Choporoz]

Not EVERYTHING you need to know, but good start of things to think about

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/148227-boat-options/

[gardnerjigman]

You can typically find a 1982-89 18' champion with a 150 hp on it for around $3-6k. Super dependable boat, the old 150 merc black max that came on a lot of them was a great motor. If  you look hard enough you will find one that has been taken care of and will last you years and years until you are really ready to upgrade and have a better understanding of what you "want" and what  you "need". ( yes... there is a huge difference!)

 

Good luck on the hunt. 

[LuckyGia]

IDK.

I will take price and condition over expectations any day

[gardnerjigman]

IDK.

I will take price and condition over expectations any day

Care to elaborate? About as clear as mud...

[MidwestF1sh]

I'm 18 as well and purchased a boat of my own this spring. I tookout a loan just so I could afford a "decent" first bass boat. I got it paid off now and love it. one tip is make sure the trailer and wheel bearings are solid. Also don't fall in love with a boat before you look at it in person and have something to compare it too.

[WRB]

You have a good entry level bass boat that can plane and run about 20 mph with all your gear.

Are you looking to upgrade to a larger size 17' tracker a fiberglass bass boat?

Aluminum boats have few worries about hull problems, the outboard engine is the main issue so check how many running hours it has, if it has a hour meter. 300 hours is about max before it needs some serious maintenance. Always plan on changing the water pump, minor maintenance and batteries.

Fiber glass boats weigh more, needs a vehicle that can pull it safely and good condition trailer, bearings, tires, etc. The fiber glass hull is subject to dry rot if the boat has wooden glassed over transom and stringers, common for pre 1990 era. If the boat was garaged, not outside covered, the boat should be in good condition.

Tom

[Basspro3106]

When checking out the outboard remove the cover and check for signs of overheated heads if they look brown, copper dark the engine was overheated. 

 

to check the seals in the lower unit back the oil screw and check the oil if its milky white seals are bad.

 

make sure you ask if it was ever ran in salt water. if so ask if they rinsed it out after each use. 

 

ask them to take it out on the water for you if they give you excuses pass asap.  

[IntroC]

Its pretty easy to see if a boat was well taken care of. Definately wait for one that is set up the way you want or can modify to your liking. Low hours on a motor is a big plus. I alway shied away from tourney boats. They are usually ran pretty hard. People get stupid when money is on the line.

[Way2slow]

It has been almost three weeks since he posted, so he must have found one or decided he didn't need any advice.