Looking For A Used Bass Boat. Need Advice

[JohnDubs]

Title says it all. I don't have the best credit so buying a new bass boat ain't in the picture. I do have around a 4k budget. What type of bass boat do you think that'll get me? What should I look for when buying a used boat and should I try to get the trailer included in the deal.

 

Thanks for reading and any info would be greatly appreciated. 

[clh121787]

You could probably find a 15 year old boat in decent shape for an 18 foot glass. I've owned 4 boats and and 1 was a money pit. I'd suggest aluminum they are more forgiving and I made a lot of mistake my first few years. What ever you buy make sure it's lake ready, reliable, good tires greased wheel bearings. Take it to the lake and drive it. Spin the prop with your hand and look for a wobbly hub. Ask what gas he runs. (Preferably ethanol free) at most <5, bring a volt meter check voltage at t.m. plug. Run the t.m. at the lake.plus all pumps. If you can have a leak down test done. My first boat was a 16 foot hand me down jon boat. With a 15 horse johnson. That I still have. It was a great boat to learn and it got me on the water for many great days of fishing and still does (trotlines duty). That would be my route with a 4k budget.

[A-Jay]

Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

 

Good Luck on your search.

 

A-Jay

[Skeeter Dan]

You can buy a good used aluminum boat with a 40 or 60 hp. motor for that price.  Must try out boat in the water first. check to see if live wells are working. Check to see if boat is leaking if so run bilge pump. Make sure it is working. If boat doesn't leak while in the water you can check it out by encerting  boat plug and use water hose to put in enough water in the boat to run the bilge pump.  Make sure Trolling motor works. Check the lower unit of the motor. Spin prop while in neutral. Make sure it doesn't wobble. Remove lower unit drain plug to see if any milky oil comes out. If so look for another boat. If the owner won't agree to any of this. Go find another Boat. Also a compression gage will help you see if the motor  has good compression. Remember its a used boat and trailer. You will  more than likely  have to do a little work to it.

[Cmiller]

Make sure to check the transom on any fiberglass boats, any cracks or flex means it needs a transom job which is quite the project. In my area (midwest) 4k doesn't get you a whole lot, but down south I see quite a few decent boats in that price range. I was in the same budget range and ended up getting a brand new 15' jon boat and a 10 year old outboard and trailer for about 3500.

[WIGuide]

Take your time and look around. 4K isn't a ton of money to spend on a boat and it really depends on what you're looking for, but you can definitely find a decent boat in that range. I bought these two for well under 4K. Sure I looked for a long while, but those type of deals are out there. 

 

[Brent Christian]

No reason you shoulndt be able to get a good boat fot that price i bought a 18 footer with a 150 for right at 2, this is the best time to buy one. Check transom, lower unit and tm for sure and if at all possible compression check

[Ohio Archer]

Do your homework.  Read up on all the good and bad stories about buying a used boat.  If you have a friend or know someone who is familiar with boats, take them with you when you go look. 

[(='_'=)]

some months ago i got me a ready to fish 1994 Javelin with a 150HP, 24V trolling motor, brakes on the trailer, everything as good as it could be for a 20 year old boat, for less than $4200. the deals are out there, you just have to look for them carefully.