4k boat

[Wurming67]

Got 4k to spend on a bass boat would love to hear from you guys in what direction I should go. I was think thinking buying a new 14ft Jon boat, new trailer and a new 9.9 hp I already have a brand new 55lb trolling motor  and optima gel battery, just to go all new and not have anyone's old problems but I got friends telling me look at older boats that are all decked out..... HELP!!! Lol!!! 

[12poundbass]

It really all depends on what you're looking for and what your needs are. At 4k I'm willing to bet you could go up in size a little which would give you more room and stability. Your concern about someone else's problem are valid. A couple ideas to think about...if you're handy enough you could buy cheap and fix what needs to be fixed you could do it pretty cheap and with aluminum you can pretty much make an old boat look new. Or save another couple grand and look for a bass tracker 2000-2005 or so model year. Another thing you can do to cover your hind end buying used is have a marine mechanic look over the outboard. Hope this helps, good luck with your purchase! 

[iabass8]

You're going to have to find a diamond in the rough for a bass boat that's only 4k. Add in 1-200 for a mechanic to check out the motor, insurance, taxes, all coast guard mandatory equipment, likely things you'll have to replace (batteries, fuses, wiring, oil, plugs) add another 1k. A used boat is almost never "drive away and hit the water.". you can luck out but it's highly unlikely for 4k. There's usually a reason they are that cheap. For every 2-3 people that get a steal on a boat, there's 50 that had the motor blow, hull crack, transom split, boat take on water, and other major issues after a few uses. If you aren't prepared to spend a little more, then go your jon boat route. If you can add 3-4k to your budget, you'll be able to find a better boat. You can deck out a tin 1656 jon boat to be a fishing machine /w a 9.9 for small waters and be completely happy. 

 

Used boat buying-

Break

Out

Another

Thousand

[S Hovanec]

For $4k you should be able to find a good used 16' tin with possibly a 20 or 25.

[slonezp]

1 hour ago, Wurming67 said:

Got 4k to spend on a bass boat would love to hear from you guys in what direction I should go. I was think thinking buying a new 14ft Jon boat, new trailer and a new 9.9 hp I already have a brand new 55lb trolling motor  and optima gel battery, just to go all new and not have anyone's old problems but I got friends telling me look at older boats that are all decked out..... HELP!!! Lol!!! 

If you're keeping that rig for a long time, go for it. If not, buy used. The package you just mentioned will surely lose about 50% of its value the minute you drive it off the lot. I just bought this rig as is for under a grand. 14ft, trailer in real good shape with new lights, and a 2.3hp motor. I bought both a bow mount and transom mount trolling motor and a helix 5 for $600. Add 2 batteries and I'm at $1700

[Wurming67]

I want to keep it simple I'm not very mechanically incline I fish in my 10ft Jon boat now carrying it and it's becoming to much work carrying it over levees and all the gear with it and I got the everglades in my Backyard 

[S. Sass]

I would not buy a New boat. You can get way more for your money used. And just because it's used doesn't mean it about to blow up geeez. Sure it can happen but so can cars and trucks etc but millions used cars trucks and I dare say boats sell that aren't about to explode.  Man there are tons of boats just do some shopping and I am confident there is a decent used boat for 4k besides a jon boat.  If you dont like it move on and keep looking. Its free to shop. Also once you find one you like do some research on the problem areas on that specific boat educate yourself on the exact motor and hull etc. 

 

 I am guessing Florida from the county you listed and just looked on craigs list. 4k before negotiating.

https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/boa/5928446485.html

or here

$3500 

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/boa/5897665285.html

 

Here is a decent looking boat for $3700 before negotiating. 

https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/5919191848.html

Or here 

https://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/5925906910.html

[gulfcaptain]

I would say look, look, look, and look some more.  Look into what you want, what kind of fishing you're wanting to do, the size of the lakes or bodies of water you're wanting to fish, and then what you're totally comfortable in spending.  Mine was $20K and took 9 months to find the boat I wanted.  But as mentioned above, boats cost $$$ and if you think buying new will fix that problem it won't.  New boats have issues too.  And ALWAYS test drive a boat before you buy it.  If you buy a boat without test driving it then find it doesn't handle well, isn't stable, and basically isn't what you thought it would be, well too late, you know own it.

[fishnkamp]

Look for deals like this http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/boa/5842830913.html or this  http://orlando.craigslist.org/boa/5900296463.html.  Take a good look at this this is a well made hull. http://ocala.craigslist.org/boa/5913895844.html. Xpress boats are real good hulls and this one has a big Yamaha on it. I would call, if he is asking $3700 you should be able to get it for a bit less, maybe $3400.  Give him a call and go look at it. It is hard to tell its condition from the pictures but it looks pretty good. 

[Wurming67]

Thanks guys I'm just real leary about these old engines

[fishnkamp]

Some of these old engines are  really good ones. This is where you have a mechanic check it out.  Also you ask for a test ride.  In the past I have offered to pay some fuel money and the steak dinner was on me if a seller was willing to meet  and go for a test run. Believe me a steak and a beer goes a long way towards learning about the boat and the seller.  My current boat has a 2000 Mercury 75 hp engine and it runs ny boat great.

[12poundbass]

A motivated seller should offer to meet you at a lake. No test ride no sale for me. 

[Way2slow]

The older/cheaper the boat, the better of a mechanic you need to be.  For what it cost to get outboards worked on now, one breakdown can cost you more than you saved not buying one that still has the full warranty on it.  If you can't do a lot of maintenance and repairs on them yourself, a cheap boat can be the most expensive boat you will ever own.

Now, I'm not saying you can't and shouldn't buy a 14' jon with new or almost new motor and trailer for $4,000, that's doable.  I'm referring to buying something like an 18' boat with a big V4 or V6 outboard for $4,000.  While that's doable, and people do it all time with great results, you have to be prepared to bite the big one, if the hidden gremlins show up and if you can't work on them yourself, it could turn into a very bad experience. 

Heck, I've even bought some that turned into very bad experiences and I'm a guy that only buys other peoples junk and makes it useable because I don't buy new.  However, other than the electronics and other parts that are sealed units so they can't be opened and repaired, there just not much about one I can't fix, so I can take a chance on buying a boat that's a steal of a deal that needs some work.  However, I have still bought some I wish I had walked away from.

Also, you need to have someone like me along with you when you check it out.  BEFORE the money changes hands.  That way you won't have to get on here asking what's wrong with the boat you just bought.

[Wurming67]

Just found out it's dropped to $3k so now I'm torn, just keep my 10ft Jon boat with seats and 55lb trolling motor or keep looking for a diamond in the rough??? 

[AC870]

I bought a 98 Xpress with a 60-HP Yamaha 2 years ago.  It had a 70 lb Minn Kota Edge TM, an older depth finder. It was great. I'd look used. There are some great boats out there. I'd still be fishing it but it was just a tad small for Guntersville. Fished it 2 years, sold it for $3,800. Coulda got more but priced it for a quick sale to buy my '98 Triton. I'll never be able to buy a new boat but there are some fun used boats out there. 

[neatoneto]

Just like you @Wurming67 I'm in the market for a boat and there is a lot of good advice in this thread!

[Wurming67]

Yes there is great guys in this forum. 

[bagofdonuts]

I fish out of an express. Its a great tin boat. I'd take a hard look at that one with a yamy on the back. Have the engine checked out and plan on some new trailer tires and your in business.