I need your honest opinion about a boat offer

[abelfisher]

I have been looking for a new boat for some time now.  I think I am getting close.  One offer is below.

I came across a dealer with a brand new 2004 (never used) Fisher Pro Hawk 180 (18'1")

New 115 HP 4 Stroke EFI Mercury

standard Motorguide 46# thrust 42" shaft

Lowarance x-47 FF

Nice trailer too,  painted .steel fenders, chrome wheels

along with all the standard boat features, ie, livewell, two batteries, etc.  You know the drill  .....

Because they still have it in stock, they are willing to sell for $18, 900 out the door. (Includes sales tax, prep, shipping, etc.  That is an out the door price.

What do you guys think of the offer???

[cart7t]

That's around 700-800 less than a comparable Bass Tracker equally equipped. I'd say it's a pretty good deal.

[Madhouse27]

Man, hasn't stuff gotten expensive. I guess I'd compare it to some similar G3s, Polar Krafts, Lowe's and Lunds. I see that Cart thinks it stacks up well price wise to the Trackers. Can you post a pic of it?

[KU_Bassmaster.]

What would it cost to get a brand new '06 model?  I would compare it to that.  

Are you set on an aluminum boat?  Are you set on brand new?

[cedar1]

Just my opinion, but if your spending that kind of money I would consider fiberglass.

[abelfisher]

Just my opinion, but if your spending that kind of money I would consider fiberglass.

What make and model 18 foot fiberglass would you advise  for the money?

[abelfisher]

Man, hasn't stuff gotten expensive. I guess I'd compare it to some similar G3s, Polar Krafts, Lowe's and Lunds. I see that Cart thinks it stacks up well price wise to the Trackers. Can you post a pic of it?

http://www.fisherboats.com/boat/index.cfm?boat=1804

Madhouse, here is a link to the boat.  I hope I did it right LOL!  Not much different than 2006.

[abelfisher]

What would it cost to get a brand new '06 model? I would compare it to that.

Are you set on an aluminum boat? Are you set on brand new?

A new 2006 runs around $22K. (plus dealer prep, shippoing and sales tax, an additional $2600 altogether)

Not set on aluminum, but for the money I don't know what quality I could get in fiberglass.

Not set on brand new, would consider a good used one.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Just my opinion, but if your spending that kind of money I would consider fiberglass.

What make and model 18 foot fiberglass would you advise for the money?

Stratos ..... the best bang for your buck out there!!!!

[KU_Bassmaster.]

What would it cost to get a brand new '06 model? I would compare it to that.

Are you set on an aluminum boat? Are you set on brand new?

A new 2006 runs around $22K. (plus dealer prep, shippoing and sales tax, an additional $2600 altogether)

Not set on aluminum, but for the money I don't know what quality I could get in fiberglass.

Not set on brand new, would consider a good used one.

If I were you and are willing to spend that kind of dough on a boat, I would get a used 2 or 3 year old 19 to 20 ft. Fiberglass that has all the bells and whistles you could ever want.

[Madhouse27]

Abel, it looks like an awesome rig. The specs and the layout all looked great. Have you read any reviews on the Fisher brand of boats? I've heard their name but I'm not super familiar with them. Up here I see quite a few Lunds and the occasional Lowe and Alumacraft. This could be a real steal for 18 grand but I would certainly do some calling around to make sure. That's alot of money. I'd like to know what an 18' G3 with a 115 Yamaha goes for just for comparisons sake. If you were going to at least look at fiberglass in that price range my first thought would be to head toward Stratos. These guys seem to put out a well designed, good looking ride for a reasonable amount of money.

[Madhouse27]

Ha Ha, looks like KU beat me to the Stratos comment. One other thing to keep in mind is that I would be looking for a significant discount on a two year old boat even if it is in showroom condition. When you go to finance it or sell it in the future it is a 2004 boat. Although it's nice my gut tells me that for 18 thousand freakin bucks we can get a comparable 2006 model, or like KU said we can get a 2 or 3 year old true tournament style big rig with lots of good toys on it. I'm probably not helping here. I agonize way to much over these kinds of decision. A good place to at least window shop is on ebay. It will give you a real good feel for how far 18k goes in the used bass boat world.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Madhouse, you and I sound a lot alike ...lol.  I agonize over purchases and one of the first places I go to see how far I can stretch my dollar is Ebay.  I hardly ever buy anything off there, but look at prices of things quite often.

[cart7t]

If you're set on a new boat, with all the warranties,  you're going to have trouble touching $19k in a fiberglass boat.  Most entry level 18 footers from people like Nitro, Pro-Craft or Stratos with a base 150hp will run you $20-21k easy and that engine won't be a 4 stroker or even a fuel injected model either.

If you'll be fishing big water most of the time then I'd definitely recommend a glass boat. If you're fishing smaller, skinnier water then I'd go with aluminum.

[fishwish]

For what it is worth -- I have owned 2 Fishers, a 16 foot w/25 HP Merc and a 18'6" w/ 115 Merc.

They were both good boats.  I run the 18 now on inland lakes, as well as the great lakes and Lk. St Clair, but it is a deeper V.  I don't know about the big water/fiberglass debate for that boat.

I'd love to have that 4 strk.  Is it a 2004 also?

You might try to offer the dealer less, if you like the boat.

FYI - you can get an idea of what a used boat or motor range of value is at

http://www.nadaguides.com

Hope this helps and good luck

[Madhouse27]

Abel, the latest issue of Bassmaster magazine had a nice advertisement for Fisher boats in it.

[cart7t]

Fisher marine has been around at least 30 years. They were one of the first at building Aluminum bassboats.  They were sold to Bass Pro Shops about 10 years ago and are now part of the Tracker Marine division.

[Triton_Mike]

Listen to KUbasser..  Used fiberglass boats are the best deal going.  You can get a 5 or 6year old 19-20ft boat for almost 19K and probably cheaper if you look hard.  The key is knowing what to look for in buying a used boat.  I will NEVER EVER buy a new boat again.  Too much depreciation when you drive that bad boy off the lot.  Boats are by far the worst investment you could ever purchase.  Best place to look is the Boat Trader magazine or several Boats 4 Sale places on the internet.

T Mike

[tunnelengineer]

I would look used before buying.  The fisher is an awesome boat, but you really can get into a full fledged bass boat with 150-175 HP outboard that is a few years old for that much scratch.  

On the other hand, if you are going to be beating this boat off stumps or rocks, buy aluminum.  

Also as far as the cost goes, I think the Triton aluminum boats are in that price range and are top notch boats.  If you can find a used Triton aluminum boat (or even Xpress) you can probably save another $3-4,000 off that 18K.

[Madhouse27]

Used is definately the way to get into a bass boat with your shirt and wallet still intact. The next few years of boat shopping should be great as a good selection of these new age aluminum bass boats hits the market. They have gotten so wide and well layed out in the past few years. It's going to be awesome to buying a two or three year old G3 or PolarKraft boat for about 60 percent of the new price. I like my Skeeter alum but back in 98 they were a bit on the narrow side compared to todays rides.