Wanting A Bass Boat

[RHuff]

 Got the itch hard for a bass boat. I don't even care of it is a used boat that is older that runs good. I have a family that includes three small kids. Money is tight and we always try to budget. How in the world to some people go out and by big expensive boats? How do you save money for a boat? How do you go about buying a first bass boat? 

[Choporoz]

Sell the kids

[tomustang]

Many new boats are on 10-15 years loans, that's how lol

Do the research first about boat sizes with what motors. You might look into a walleye/multispecies boat

[EmersonFish]

First of all. it's important to remember that a lot of guys you see with those "big expensive boats" you mentioned are not really able to "afford" them in the sense of the word you or I might consider affording them. They might be able to make the payment, but they did not make a sound financial decision when they bought the boat. Obviously many people CAN afford new trucks and boats, but not as many as you see out on the lakes and highways. So if money is tight, you are budget conscious, and you are looking for a boat that runs great and is big enough to accommodate your family needs, you can forget about keeping up with the Joneses. By the time you save enough money, the kid part will take care of itself, that is for sure.

You'll need to look for a good, quality used boat, and with three small kids, a bass specific boat might not be ideal from a safety perspective. Like tomustang mentioned, a boat with a front deck but fishes a little deeper out of the middle and the back might be better for now. As far as buying a used boat; do your research, don't get in a rush, look for information online as to what questions to ask and what to look at when you are checking out boats that are for sale, and if you can, have some cash in your hands while you are out shopping. Prices tend to come down when people see greenback stacks.

[buzzed bait]

Sell the kids

 

i just lost it......

[NotnatsSamoht]

Me and my wife are considering kayaks, less maintenance and still put us on the water, I get mad when I have to fix the car, if my boat broke I'd lose my mind.

[badhatharry]

Some of the best fishing, and memories, I ever had were in a 10 fiberglass rowboat. Start with what you can afford and work your way up. I doubt very much that those youngins care what kind of boat they're sitting in, as long as they're fishing with Dad. Believe me, I know. And BTW, I was 50 years old before I got my first "bass boat".....it was a used tin boat 10 years old.

[Way2slow]

Well, when I started, the term bass boat had just come to be and those were the Bomber boats. 

 

From how you describe your situation, I would strongly recommend staying away from anything you have to finance more than a couple of years.  Also understand, unless you pick up a good deal from an individual, anything you buy is not going to be resale able for near what you paid for it, and the longer you finance it, the more upside down you are going to be, and for a much longer time.  That's why you see people advertising just take over payments, and it's not even worth what they still owe on it then.   The auction companies make big bucks every year off repossessed boats because the buyer finds out what it really cost to have and operate one and can't get out from under financial burden.  

 

You also have to realize, just buying the boat is only part of the expense.  If it's a very large boat, it takes a fairly large vehicle to tow it.  If towing very far, cost of gas gets expensive, not counting what the boat is going to burn.  If it's financed, you have the insurance you must carry on it.  Then you have the expense of just maintaining one.  Two or three batteries at $100 or more each, every few years.  Engine maintenance and if the motor happens to break, it can be super expensive to get them worked on/repaired, and most any are subject to break. 

 

Find you some kind of a 15'-17' aluminum boat for starters from the early 90's to the early 2,000s that has a 40 - 70hp motor on it, have it checked out by someone that knows their stuff.  There are some great deals to be had, if you are patient, and now is when you want to start looking.  The season is coming to an end soon and people will want to start getting rid of them while there is time.  Then you have Christmas coming soon and people are looking at them out there in the yard, thinking that would be some quick Christmas money, and right behind that comes taxes due. 

[Further North]

 Got the itch hard for a bass boat. I don't even care of it is a used boat that is older that runs good. I have a family that includes three small kids. Money is tight and we always try to budget. How in the world to some people go out and by big expensive boats? How do you save money for a boat? How do you go about buying a first bass boat? 

Here you go: http://www.skeeterboatcenter.com/InventoryDetail.aspx?boattype=Used-Boats&model=&stocknumber=S1518A

[RHuff]

I appreciate the advice. I was thinking of trying to find a Bass Tracker 160 or 170 from the mid to early 90s. My kids won't be fishing with me much for a long time. This is Daddy's toy lol. I just feel like every single boat I look at is just a hair outside my budget. If fact, i have no budget right now.

[Further North]

First of all. it's important to remember that a lot of guys you see with those "big expensive boats" you mentioned are not really able to "afford" them in the sense of the word you or I might consider affording them. They might be able to make the payment, but they did not make a sound financial decision when they bought the boat. Obviously many people CAN afford new trucks and boats, but not as many as you see out on the lakes and highways. So if money is tight, you are budget conscious, and you are looking for a boat that runs great and is big enough to accommodate your family needs, you can forget about keeping up with the Joneses. By the time you save enough money, the kid part will take care of itself, that is for sure.

You'll need to look for a good, quality used boat, and with three small kids, a bass specific boat might not be ideal from a safety perspective. Like tomustang mentioned, a boat with a front deck but fishes a little deeper out of the middle and the back might be better for now. As far as buying a used boat; do your research, don't get in a rush, look for information online as to what questions to ask and what to look at when you are checking out boats that are for sale, and if you can, have some cash in your hands while you are out shopping. Prices tend to come down when people see greenback stacks.

Great advice!

[Further North]

I appreciate the advice. I was thinking of trying to find a Bass Tracker 160 or 170 from the mid to early 90s. My kids won't be fishing with me much for a long time. This is Daddy's toy lol. I just feel like every single boat I look at is just a hair outside my budget. If fact, i have no budget right now.

Your budget is the key point...what can you really afford?

 

What are your COL (cost of living expenses),  What are you setting aside for retirement (hint: We've done 20% - 30% for 30-some years and that'll work out well), what percentage of the left-over discretionary income does it take to keep the wife/family happy...what is left over is what you get to spend...

[BaitMonkey1984]

Me and my wife are considering kayaks, less maintenance and still put us on the water, I get mad when I have to fix the car, if my boat broke I'd lose my mind.

You wouldn't like used boats than hahah.

[Way2slow]

I recently help a friend sell his 93, 17' Bass Tracker with a 40 on it for $2,000. Very low hours on it and it had been sitting under a shed for five years. Three years ago, was paying a guy to replace the carpet and redo the seats, and some other stuff to get it back in nice shape. Just after the guy got it all stripped apart, he got killed in a car wreck and left the boat in a mess, but nothing a little time and TLC couldn't fix. Then my friend had triple bypass surgery and finally decided he was done with fishing. Several times I considered just paying him for it and keeping it, but that small motor turned me off, plus with five boats, I don't really need another. I just keep thinking a small, easy to handle tin can might make it more enjoyable to go by myself.

[Further North]

Well, when I started, the term bass boat had just come to be and those were the Bomber boats. 

 

From how you describe your situation, I would strongly recommend staying away from anything you have to finance more than a couple of years.  Also understand, unless you pick up a good deal from an individual, anything you buy is not going to be resale able for near what you paid for it, and the longer you finance it, the more upside down you are going to be, and for a much longer time.  That's why you see people advertising just take over payments, and it's not even worth what they still owe on it then.   The auction companies make big bucks every year off repossessed boats because the buyer finds out what it really cost to have and operate one and can't get out from under financial burden.  

 

You also have to realize, just buying the boat is only part of the expense.  If it's a very large boat, it takes a fairly large vehicle to tow it.  If towing very far, cost of gas gets expensive, not counting what the boat is going to burn.  If it's financed, you have the insurance you must carry on it.  Then you have the expense of just maintaining one.  Two or three batteries at $100 or more each, every few years.  Engine maintenance and if the motor happens to break, it can be super expensive to get them worked on/repaired, and most any are subject to break. 

 

Find you some kind of a 15'-17' aluminum boat for starters from the early 90's to the early 2,000s that has a 40 - 70hp motor on it, have it checked out by someone that knows their stuff.  There are some great deals to be had, if you are patient, and now is when you want to start looking.  The season is coming to an end soon and people will want to start getting rid of them while there is time.  Then you have Christmas coming soon and people are looking at them out there in the yard, thinking that would be some quick Christmas money, and right behind that comes taxes due. 

More great advice.

[dcmclassic]

A good tin rig in the 17ft to 18ft range is a great start. On the other hand so is a flatbottom with a tiller handle or a kayak. I've caught fish from all those and the bank too.  A good option just to get on the water may be a basic tin boat with a tiller, there are tons of modifications you can do to one.  I still find myself fishing from my flatbottom even though I have my Bass Cat. 

 

To answer your other question I can comfortably afford a bass boat because I'm blessed to have a good paying job, low mortgage(compared to some buddies), and my truck is on a lease program with work. I had the option to finance or pay cash, I chose to finance for 5 years.  The one I have now is my first new one. Started from the bank and bumming rides lol, then flatbottoms then glass boats.

 

Anything would be a start, and you don't have to start with a 35k or higher glass boat. I promise you can catch just as many fish from a yak or tin rig, and probably more fish than me

[Further North]

You wouldn't like used boats than hahah.

If you do your homework (what they call "due diligence" in business), used boats are an excellent choice.

 

...But I've walked away from a lot of boats...and cars, trucks, and other stuff...because they did not meet my requirements.

 

Gotta be willing to do that.  Just because it's a "great deal" doesn't mean its a good choice.

[BaitMonkey1984]

Your budget would be helpful. However, if you do your research, and are patient, with a bit of luck you will find an affordable deal to suit your needs. I purchased my first bass boat  10 years old but mint condition 19ft Ranger with 150hp. Does everything I need it to do and was big step up from my aluminum in regards to fishability. Hull, Motor, and trolling motor is the order of importance in my opinion.

[Surfcaster]

I to am trying to keep my eye out for a good deal on a good used bass boat.  My sons (14yrs and 9yrs) and myself are starting to outgrow our Old Town Tripper canoe and would like something easier for 3 people to fish out of.  But even used fiberglass bass boats from the 90s seem to fetch in the 4-6 thousand dollar range here which seems to me too high, but then again a brand new fiberglass boat is in the 30-50 thousand range.  I will tell you if money were not an issue I think I would seriously consider a Lund aluminum boat.  After reading a post on here about Lund boats I went on their website and feel like they could be some of the  best fishing boats available.  They seem to be more prevalent in the north.  I think there is one Lund dealer in NC.   But the canoe has served us well and you may want to consider one or a simple fishing boat first just to get on the water.

[BaitMonkey1984]

If you do your homework (what they call "due diligence" in business), used boats are an excellent choice.

 

...But I;ve walked away from a lot of boats...and cars, trucks, and other stuff...because they did not meet my requirements.

 

Gotta be willing to do that.  Just because it's a "great deal" doesn't mean its a good choice.

I agree they are excellent choices and although I probably could afford new boats in the next year or so, I do not see that ever happening.

 

My quote simply meant that boats have issues, things wear, things break, and there are mishaps. I take great care of my boat- waxing it once a month, always covered, always charged batteries but used boats have used items. Use cocktail of additives in every fuel up with premium gas.

 

However, used items wear out. Trailer bearings need to be greased, motors tuned up, trailer tires replaced, batteries replaced, trolling motors replaced, electronics replaced and this is all barring the expensive motor issues. Therefore, I simply meant that they require upkeep and repair and the post I responded to here, not the OP, stated that he would get mad if he had to pay to fix his boat. That is all.

[Further North]

Here you go: http://www.skeeterboatcenter.com/InventoryDetail.aspx?boattype=Used-Boats&model=&stocknumber=S1518A

I posted this...not because I think you're gonna buy it...you're in WV, I'm in NW WI...but because it's exactly what a results focused buyer will zero in on.

 

It's a flawed boat (Purple?  Really?) offered by an exceptionally reputable seller, where a fair amount of due diligence will reveal that it's a great value for dollars spent.

 

...the last boat I bought - the one I'll have until I die, unless something stupid happens - Was the same kind of deal - a little above market...until I dug into it.  10 years old, set up like a wanted, and virtually unused (literally less than 4 hours on the motor) good performance, great components...I had it inspected by a dealer I selected...and I wrote the check...

[Logan S]

Bring

Out

Another

Thousand

 

Surprised no one said it yet .  Seriously though, there is some good advice in here so I'll just add this....If you are prepared for the unexpected expenses and don't overextend yourself to buy it, you'll be doing fine.  Just remember that it's a whole package.  Boat, motor, and trailer...All need to be vetted and all need to maintained regularly.  

 

I have done my best with my boats and they have still left me headaches and empty wallets every now and again...But I can't imagine not having mine.  

 

As for affording it, only you can answer that.  The biggest mistake you can make is overextending yourself to buy it, because it will add an extra layer of stress when something goes wrong.  You need to go in expecting to lose money, because you will.  Not meant to be doom-and-gloom, just reality....I love owning my boat despite the expense, that's just part of it for me.  

[Further North]

I agree they are excellent choices and although I probably could afford new boats in the next year or so, I do not see that ever happening.

 

My quote simply meant that boats have issues, things wear, things break, and there are mishaps. I take great care of my boat- waxing it once a month, always covered, always charged batteries but used boats have used items. Use cocktail of additives in every fuel up with premium gas.

 

However, used items wear out. Trailer bearings need to be greased, motors tuned up, trailer tires replaced, batteries replaced, trolling motors replaced, electronics replaced and this is all barring the expensive motor issues. Therefore, I simply meant that they require upkeep and repair and the post I responded to here, not the OP, stated that he would get mad if he had to pay to fix his boat. That is all.

Well said, and right on target.

 

We have to have a realistic assessment of potential costs - both operational and replacement - before we jump off the ownership cliff.

 

What will it cost to put gas into, and maintain that sweet 20 ft, 250 HP bass boat with 900 hours on it?

 

If the motor blows up - because the seller overstated how well it was taken care of (true about 80% of the time), what will it cost to replace?

 

Are the electronics OK...or will I need to replace them with something more modern?  What might that cost?

 

What is the quality of the post-purchase installations that have been done?  That's a solid indicator of the level of care and attention to detail the previous owner(s) put into the boat...if you find a wire connection under the dash to a top-of-the line piece of electronics that is only done with twisting wires together and wrapped with tape...you know it's not been treated the best.

 

Do a thorough inspection - if you're not fully qualified, hire someone who is.  A couple hundred buck that gets you out from under a potentially bad deal is money well spent, no matter how things shake out.

[K_Mac]

Way2slow offers great advice. Most first time boat owners have no idea of the cost of ownership. For others the passion for fishing comes and goes, while payments for a high-end rig can go on seemingly forever. Buy what you can afford. If you can't afford something now, find someone you can fish with and share expenses. Good luck.

[Ski213]

You're getting a lot of great advice here.

As has already been brought up, purchase price is only the beginning. You're way better off spending little on a smaller boat that doesn't require a ton of capital to operate and maintain but still gets you out on the water catching fish.

I've always heard boat stands for break out another thousand. I've learned that is based on math, it's not just a saying.

You've got to have a toy, just heed the advice others are giving and make sure you get a toy that you can play with without it stressing you out.