1st Bass Boat

[Brett's_daddy]

Okay, I am contemplating buying my first bass boat this year. I don't have a lot of money so a new boat is out of the question due to other unexpected necessities that popped up earlier this year. I really can't afford much more than $2500. I know this will limit me to older bass boats like in the late 80's and 90's, are there any boats/motors that you would avoid like the plague during this age range? I'm looking for one in good shape with a steering wheel, front and rear decks w/pedestal seats and a functioning livewell. I'm thinking a 16ft. or maybe 17ft. aluminum boat is what I'm looking for as I have a small SUV (Honda CR-V) with a 1500lb. max towing capacity. Is that possible or should i just give up the dream and stick to fishing from shore until I can afford a better boat?

[Mikeyslikz]

U can get a nice 14-16 ft John decked out for bass fishing with live wells and all the bells and whistles if your patient . I have a 15ft sea nymph decked out and carpeted seats 2 trolling motors 3 batteries and the seats  for bad fishing and I picked it up for 2000$ . It's a bad ass fishing machine ! It's a 1982 completely redone with a 97 load rite trailer . Just take your time. Search Craigslist that's where I found all my boats . ! Good luck and happy fishing ! 

[gulfcaptain]

Take your time, research, look, test drive, think about it for a week or so if you find one you want (ask if you can leave a deposit to hold it if possible that can be refundable although this could be harder with a private seller), and remember it's a used boat.  Just because they ask a certain price doesn't mean that's what it costs.  You may find a $2500 boat and get it for $2000 if your smart about it.  Also look at trailer conditions.  Just make sure you check everything before throwing down your hard earned money on something you may want in the moment only to regret in a week after you get it home and then really look through it.

[Brett's_daddy]

Yeah, I will definitely be bringing a friend who knows boats along with me as I know nothing about boats (you put them in the water and they float or are supposed to...lol).

[gulfcaptain]

42 minutes ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Yeah, I will definitely be bringing a friend who knows boats along with me as I know nothing about boats (you put them in the water and they float or are supposed to...lol).

Test drive, get it out on the water and run it.  If the owner/seller doesn't or won't let you test run the boat with him......thank him and walk away.  Move on to the next boat.

[Brett's_daddy]

Not sure a test drive will be possible where i live...most people that are selling boats privately don't live next to a lake or pond so you'd have to drive somewhere. How about having them just start it up...would and make sure everything works like it should, would that be enough?

[gulfcaptain]

I made the dealer drive the boat 30mi to the closest lake without a speed limit as so I could see how the boat felt on the water.  I personally want to see how the boat runs and handles before I buy it.  Better to test it and see instead of buying and being disappointed.  That's just my opinion.  They want my money for their boat.  If they really want me to buy it, it's going to a lake and see how it runs and handles or they can find someone else to take it off of their hands as it won't be me.

[Brett's_daddy]

Hmmm, I'll keep it in mind, definitely if I buy from a dealer but most likely I'll be looking at private sales as I think you tend to get more for your money as a dealer doesn't have to make his profit.

[Bluebasser86]

11 hours ago, gulfcaptain said:

I made the dealer drive the boat 30mi to the closest lake without a speed limit as so I could see how the boat felt on the water.  I personally want to see how the boat runs and handles before I buy it.  Better to test it and see instead of buying and being disappointed.  That's just my opinion.  They want my money for their boat.  If they really want me to buy it, it's going to a lake and see how it runs and handles or they can find someone else to take it off of their hands as it won't be me.

The same goes for a private seller for me, probably even more so. I found one that I liked while I was shopping and the guy refused to take it out because it was winterized and he didn't want to have to pay to do it again. I was ready to buy it but I walked away because of that. Glad I did because I'm much happier with the boat I have now than I think I would have been with that one. If I can't at the very least hear it start and shift in and out of gear, it's a deal breaker. 

[Fishing Rhino]

1 hour ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Hmmm, I'll keep it in mind, definitely if I buy from a dealer but most likely I'll be looking at private sales as I think you tend to get more for your money as a dealer doesn't have to make his profit.

There's another factor you forgot.  A dealer will usually give you a warranty, be it a month, two months or six months.  A dealer will also go through the boat and fix up the problems.  They'll also clean it up.  They won't waste their time on a boat that belongs on the scrap heap.

People like a private sale because they think it's cheaper than buying from a dealer.  The seller likes the private sale because he gets more from the sale than if he sold it to a dealer.

Most dealers want to keep you as a customer and will go out of their way, a little bit at least, to keep you happy.  With a private sale, you leave with the boat, and the seller has your cash.  From this point on, you are on your own. 

 

[Brett's_daddy]

That is true too! Hey is this a good deal?

2002 Fischer Bass Boat ($3100)

The boat is in good condition. The motor 25hp four stroke Mercury runs great. The trailer is also in great condition and has a spare tire. The boat has a trolling motor, fish finder. Plenty of room for storage. Multiple batteries with built in charger. Also has down riggers. No trades. Cash talks.

[J._Bricker]

2 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

That is true too! Hey is this a good deal?

2002 Fischer Bass Boat ($3100)

The boat is in good condition. The motor 25hp four stroke Mercury runs great. The trailer is also in great condition and has a spare tire. The boat has a trolling motor, fish finder. Plenty of room for storage. Multiple batteries with built in charger. Also has down riggers. No trades. Cash talks.

It's a 14 year old aluminum boat that's in "good" condition.   Would you prefer "great" or "excellent" condition?  Is a 25hp going be enough motor to move you and say two other people with gear safely and expeditiously across any body of water you may fish?  Are those manual or electric downriggers?  gulfcaptain and Bluebasser86 make very good points about a test ride to answer your questions and whether everything works.  

Enjoy the process as the right boat is worth your hard earned monies

[Brett's_daddy]

Don't forget I have $2500 maybe possibly $3000 to spend...a boat that's in excellent condition and only about 5 years old most likely is not going to be in that price range.

[gulfcaptain]

7 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said:

Hmmm, I'll keep it in mind, definitely if I buy from a dealer but most likely I'll be looking at private sales as I think you tend to get more for your money as a dealer doesn't have to make his profit.

Well a private dealer wouldn't have came down $3000 off the sale price, installed all the equipment I wanted plus re-mounted the motor with new marine sealant at the bolts, gave me a new HDS 5 GPS unit for the console to replace the old Eagle that didn't work (yep freebie), cleaned it up, registered it as so it would be current for me, and also gave me a boat cover.  But they know I will bring it in every year to keep the engine maint. up and continue to use them when I want upgrades.  And used boats from a dealer, they don't want them sitting there, so odds are they will give you the used boat at almost what they paid for it or possibly below if they know they can make some money on the back end of the deal.  I'd say I got way more then I would have with a private owner.

[Brett's_daddy]

I'm not against buying a boat from a dealer...just saying that I don't believe that I can find a small 16ft. bass boat newer than 10 years old in excellent condition at a dealer for $3000 or less is all...if I can, great but I'm just thinking the odds are stacked against me is all.

[gulfcaptain]

Odds are it's going to be tough either way. But keep looking. 

[slonezp]

Fisher Aluminum were known leakers. Tracker acquired Fisher around that time. I would stay away.

I know you're worried about a dealer making a profit off you. Keep in mind a dealer has a reputation to protect. A private seller, not so much. There are risks either way

You are not going to find a "perfect" boat on a $2500 budget no matter how long you look. You can however find a decent reliable boat. be patient and be diligent.

[Brett's_daddy]

I thank you all for the information, it is all very useful. Back to the part of my question where I asked if there are any boats/motors that I should avoid in that age range, are there any known problem child's that i should stay away from? For instance I've heard that Fisher boats are leaker's and I've also heard that Force motors are junk...anything else along those lines about boats and motors that i should stay away from if i don't want headaches?