Is an Old Boat with New Everything Worth it?

[Brett's_daddy]

I'm in the market for a small bass boat and have a limited budget of about $3000. I've seen a couple of ads for aluminum boats in the mid - late 80's that say stuff like everything new last year, electrical, decks, bilge pump, flooring, seats, new paint, motor redone by a professional boat mechanic etc., etc. Are these boats worth $2500 - $3000?

[Master Bait'r]

It really depends on the boat, but generally yes.  It's a means to float on water, whatever fits your budget will fit the bill and if it's got a decent motor, TM and trailer You're already at that price anyways.  

[WIGuide]

Figuring out the value of older boats that are redone is always tricky. As long as everything is done right it should have significantly better value that something that's the same age. Given your price range though, it doesn't take much anymore to be worth that much so depending on the boat, it could be a good purchase. 

[tracker01]

If the boat does not leak and the TM and gas motor are in great shape, go for it.

[Junk Fisherman]

Of course you can find something in that price range.  Here's an example- I am getting about ready to sell my '92 Lowe for 2k or less and if you put a new TM on there, it will be a fishing machine.  Semi-deep V with a bassboat layout.  Motor runs great. It will easily give someone 5 good years of fishing.  

[Brett's_daddy]

I found a 1989 Lowe 16ft. Model 161 at one my local boat dealer. It's aluminum with a modified welded v-hull, 1989 2-stroke Yamaha 50hp outboard, 1989 Johnson trolling motor, Eagle fish finder, 3 pedestal seats,  live well and 1989 trailer (with all new wheels and winch). The decks are in great shape. My boat dealer is asking $2800 for it but I'm pretty sure I can get him down to $2400 - $2500. I know weight is a concern for me as I would be towing it with a small 4 cyclinder SUV with a 1500lbs. max towing capacity. People have said i should stay under 10% of my maximum towing capacity which would be 1350lbs., this boat according to NADA weighs 435lbs., the motor weighs 164lbs., trailer weighs about 300lbs., the miscellaneous other stuff (gas, trolling motor, batteries, gear etc.) comes to about 1150lbs. which should be an okay towing weight for me. Do you think this boat would be worth it?

[Fish the Mitt]

I bought a 1981 DuraCraft SS w/ 1977 Chrysler 55HP & Johnson TM for $1500. The guy I bought it from re-did everything (as that is what he does as a side hobby). It's an old boat, no doubt, but it works flawlessly. Things were done right and an inspection of what was done verified this. 

 

[Ratherbfishing]

I think it depends on WHO has done the work and for WHAT.  I can lay a pretty mean carpet but don't ask me to rewire a boat-unless you LIKE electrical fires.

 

[S Hovanec]

On 4/3/2016 at 9:50 AM, Brett's_daddy said:

I found a 1989 Lowe 16ft. Model 161 at one my local boat dealer. It's aluminum with a modified welded v-hull, 1989 2-stroke Yamaha 50hp outboard, 1989 Johnson trolling motor, Eagle fish finder, 3 pedestal seats,  live well and 1989 trailer (with all new wheels and winch). The decks are in great shape. My boat dealer is asking $2800 for it but I'm pretty sure I can get him down to $2400 - $2500. I know weight is a concern for me as I would be towing it with a small 4 cyclinder SUV with a 1500lbs. max towing capacity. People have said i should stay under 10% of my maximum towing capacity which would be 1350lbs., this boat according to NADA weighs 435lbs., the motor weighs 164lbs., trailer weighs about 300lbs., the miscellaneous other stuff (gas, trolling motor, batteries, gear etc.) comes to about 1150lbs. which should be an okay towing weight for me. Do you think this boat would be worth it?

 

That actually sounds like a decent boat, especially if you can get it for $2500.  see how it fishes as is and maybe upgrade the sonar one year and the trolling motor the next.