FAIR TRADE OR NOT?

[BASSEDOUT]

hey I'm new on here, and relatively new to bass fishing, at least serious bass fishing. anyway I just bought a tracker jon boat 1436 that is hooked up pretty good with gps/side scanner/depth finder, shallow anchor stick it, 35 trolling motor, 2.5 merc, decked floors, agm battery and battery box , trailer, and a few other things, all in all I have 3200 in her and  everything is 2014 or newer on her, and If I would have bought everything new on it myself it would have been around 4,000. I have a guy that may be willing to trade a 1988 fs 1800 bass tracker fiberglass hull with a 150 merc, jack plate, hot foot pedal, two fish finders, and a 75 trolling motor on her. he wanted 3500 for it or a trade of a smaller jon boat. mine is a little smaller then he was looking for but still might be willing to trade. assuming that when I have his boat looked at by my mechanic and everything checks out, would you do this trade? I am going to try and post pics of both boats on here is I can. thanks.

I cant find much info on the fs 1800, I have tried. I am just leery of a boat that is 29 years old. I don't want it to become a money pit. I am tourney fishing local small ponds currently with my 1436 and I know its going to last me years with little to no maintenance. any additional info on the fs 1800 would be greatly appreciated. thanks. here's a few more pics of fs 1800. 

[fishnkamp]

I owned that exact boat, same model same year.  That is a wet boat, in fact the wettest I ever owned and I have owned 11 of them.  Most were aluminum but some of them were fiberglass.  In my opinion I would skip that boat. If you seriously want a bigger boat save your money and find a nice aluminum bass boat.  There are plenty of larger Alumacrafts,Lowes, Trackers etc.  Aluminum is so much less work and maintenance.  The newer boats are wider and handle better than the older boats did.  My big boat was a fiberglass ProCraft, it was a20 footer with a 200 hp on it.  It topped out at 72 mph. BUt every time you pull out of a lake, river, or tidal water you need to wipe it all down, keep a good wax job on it, and more to maintain its looks.

 

Here is my current boat.  Look for something like this.  This is a 2010 boat.  There is tons of storage and it nearly fishes as good as any of my fiberglass.  The only reason for me to go back to fiberglass is if I fished big water only.

 

[BASSEDOUT]

thanks for the reply and info boss. I just pond fish but I really wanna start river fishin and doing some tourneys on the river. but there is no way on my 1436 lol. nice set up by the way!

[12poundbass]

I wouldn't do it. Your boat is nice and its new! That other one is getting up there in age. You could sell yours and have a down payment, save money and sell yours for a bigger down payment. If you're ok with getting a loan, have you looked into terms of boat loans? Some are ok with loans and some aren't. If you are you might be surprised how cheap the payment. You'll pay for it for several years but it'll be cheap. So its a trade off.

[neatoneto]

Your boat looks so new and you did a great job to get it where its at. My advice would also be pass. I looked at a 98 ranger R80 that was in great shape and had the cash in pocket for it but decided to pass and find a small 12ft v-hull to build up. I did exactly this and love it. I only have a 8hp which is great for small lakes but I feel your pain.

[fishnkamp]

I see you live in PA.  Where?  I lived in New Buffalo for 5 years (just above Duncannon).  You mentioned you might want to get into fishing the river tourneys,  Did you mean on the Susqy.  I use a boat like my current boat to fish tournaments but they were on places like Conowingo, and the section of river above the fiber dam at Sunbury.  That is my favorite section I loved a few spots up om the western branch, up close to Milton.  Seriously I did that with a 17 1/2 aluminum bass boat and a 50 hp propped motor. I did own the first jet boat setup in that area. I had to purchase the jet lower unit and assemble it myself. I used it for a while till we hit on a ledge near Halifax.  This was back in 1989 and the factories were not selling them as a package yet.

The boat setup that is king om the river is the jet outboard. Boats like that are available but not cheap.

http://www.townemarine.com/pre_owned_detail.asp?veh=4737925 

This is an example of what I mean. Deals on them come up from time to time.

If you intend to fish the deeper lake sections of the river a boat like mine or a fiberglass can work.  lets stalk about where you would like to fish in depth more.

 

 

[BASSEDOUT]

I live in Delaware I bought the 1436 off of a guy in PA, the river I would want to fish would be the Delaware river and Nanticoke river. not sure on depth, never been out there, I'm sure someone on here knows that. I do know the current rips like crazy here in de.

[J._Bricker]

BASSEDOUT- Welcome to Bassresource and the Forums!

 

As for your questions on this trade, I believe you probably already know the answer, but I'll say it anyway. The other guy will definitely be getting a relatively new, tricked out Jon boat tailored to you as opposed to a fishable 29 year old, 18ft, "Fish n Ski" Tracker. The cushions in front of the consoles are to allow a passenger to sit, legs stretched out, while the boat is under power. At least that was what the pictures in the catalogue portrayed at the time I considered buying one. I ended up getting a used Ranger by the way

 

Above, fellow posters agree this trade wouldn't be in your best interest. Holding on to your boat and saving for another boat, either new or used, would be a wise decision in both in time and money. From the pictures, I'd like to say your current ride shows your pride of ownership and you shouldn't have much trouble when it comes time to sell.

 

You mentioned wanting to start fishing tournaments, however have you considered doing so a co-angler, either in a club or a local circuit? I suggest this as a way to get an opportunity to talk with other boat owners, "test ride" different makes and models and see which layout you like prior to buying your new boat. 

 

Just my opinion and I hope it helps, good fishing, JB 

 

[BASSEDOUT]

thanks again for all the info and comments, I'm actually surprised, I really thought it was a no brainer to trade for the older bigger bass boat. I love my 1436 and planned on keeping her for 3 to 5 years then upgrading until this opportunity presented itself. looks like I will be keeping my 1436. I tried to get in on the club/local circuit but I kinda got the run around since I didn't have a boat and would be fishing on someone elses boat, after about two months I decided to buy the 1436 and do the local pond tournaments. I will try again to do the co angler club thing because I think they fish on Saturdays anyway and my tournaments are on sundays. I really wanted to do the co angler so I would have a chance to learn a lot. now I am still learning but its youtube and trial and error, lol.

[fishnkamp]

Since you are located in Delaware that changes things.  I have a friend that lives in  Seaford and belongs to a bass club there. I would be happy to get you in touch with him.  He regularly fishes tournaments with them. 

Send me an email at   fishnkamp@comcast.net   I will get you in touch with him.  As for ponds you do not lack at all, you have a ton of really nice ones to fish.  

 

The Delaware river is a special deal as far as running it, much of it has a huge tidal rise and fall. Up in the northern section around Philly and above it has like a 6 foot or larger tide change. Here on the Upper Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries like the Potomac we have maybe a 2 to 3 foot tide change.

 

I would recommend you look into the rivers like the Choptank above Denton MD, the Nanticoke as you mentioned, also the Wicomico and the Pocomoke.  All of these can be great, An 18 to 19 foot fiberglass boat would work well enough on those rivers, but so would a boat like mine or a nicer one like a 19 foot model.  You would get more storage, a bigger motor and a better ride.

If you wanted to change to fiberglass a boat like this may be a better choice https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/boa/6084172934.html 

or try and work out a price with this guy https://easternshore.craigslist.org/boa/6090730382.html

 

https://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/6080763415.html

This is a boat worth going and looking at. It is located here in Dundalk MD. I have met this guy selling it.  I can go look at it if you are interested.  It is a gem.  I want you to read an article my friend wrote about buying a used boat. Bryan is one of the best anglers and writers I have ever fished with.  Take a bit of time and Bryan's article, http://www.baybass.com/node/200

 If this get censored just send me an e mail and I will send it again.  If you seriously want a nice affordable rig I would check all of these out. I would be happy to continue searching for you.

 

 

[fishnkamp]

Since you are located in Delaware that changes things.  I have a friend that lives in  Seaford and belongs to a bass club there. I would be happy to get you in touch with him.  He regularly fishes tournaments with them. 

Send me an email at   fishnkamp@comcast.net   I will get you in touch with him.  As for ponds you do not lack at all, you have a ton of really nice ones to fish.  

 

The Delaware river is a special deal as far as running it, much of it has a huge tidal rise and fall. Up in the northern section around Philly and above it has like a 6 foot or larger tide change. Here on the Upper Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries like the Potomac we have maybe a 2 to 3 foot tide change.

 

I would recommend you look into the rivers like the Choptank above Denton MD, the Nanticoke as you mentioned, also the Wicomico and the Pocomoke.  All of these can be great, An 18 to 19 foot fiberglass boat would work well enough on those rivers, but so would a boat like mine or a nicer one like a 19 foot model.  You would get more storage, a bigger motor and a better ride.

If you wanted to change to fiberglass a boat like this may be a better choice https://philadelphia.craigslist.org/boa/6084172934.html 

or try and work out a price with this guy  https://easternshore.craigslist.org/boa/6090730382.html

 

https://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/6080763415.html

This is a boat worth going and looking at. It is located here in Dundalk MD. I have met this guy selling it.  I can go look at it if you are interested.  It is a gem.

 I want share with you an article my friend wrote about buying a used boat. Bryan is one of the best anglers and writers I have ever fished with.  Take a bit of time and read Bryan's article,

 http://www.baybass.com/node/200

 If this get censored just send me an e mail and I will send it again.  If you seriously want a nice affordable rig I would check all of these out. I would be happy to continue searching for you.

 

 

[Largemouth21]

I would say keep your Jon boat.

[BASSEDOUT]

fishnkamp I will shoot you an email when I get off of work tonight I would love to get on another boat and learn. as for upgrading boats, right now its just not in my budget,  my wife would end me, lol. I was willing, or so I thought, to make a trade but that is out of the question now. its funny you sent me that picture of the nitro I actually offered them 5,000 for it and was in contact with them for a while, they were willing to move but not that much. so I ended up with a sweet jon that I could afford and it had everything I needed on it to competitively fish the pond tournaments around here.2,900 for everything on the boat, but around 3,200 total with the travel and registering her in de. in about three years or so I will definitely be upgrading so I can river fish. but hopefully your friend can help me out and I can get on a few different boats and go from there. and if you don't mind I will def. keep your email and follow you on here as well as others as it seems there is a wealth of knowledge on a wide range of topics on here.

I have other questions about jon boat maintenance/upkeep/fixing things but I will search for an answer first and If I cant find it then I will start a new thread so I don't tangle topics on here. thanks again for everyone's input.

[fishnkamp]

I have learned a little over 40+ years, and 11 boats. Many were purchased to fill specific needs in order to fish the conditions that my fishing waters required.

 

I met Andy just as I have met you, on one of the fishing boards I belong to.  It was The Bass College, which is a tiny bit of what it once was.  He actually met me over near Denton and purchased a depth finder I was selling.  Anyway he purchased a used Nitro, in very nice shape, and has been fishing out of it ever since.  He has also been busting on me to come over and fish the Nanticoke River, which he lives about 5 minutes from.

I believe we will be doing that this fall.  I am considering spending a week of vacation in Seaford ("tent camping at the local Motel 6 LOL) and will launch and dock my boat at the local marina. There is no reason your boat will not work launching in the same marina.  You could launch there and head upriver.  There is an entrance that takes you into Williams Pond. He really likes that area.

Keep in touch. Around the fall I will invite you to come to Baltimore and tear up some light tackle stripers.  Be ready for stripers, big blue cats and maybe a snakehead or two.

By the way you built a very nice rig. That will fish so many lakes ponds ands smaller river sections, the areas on the rivers big bass boats can not safely go.

[BASSEDOUT]

will brackish water tear up my boat/motors/electronics? I assumed if it wasn't a pond I was not goin in her.

[fishnkamp]

No,  just remember to hose off the trailer, boat and engine after use. A garden hose is fine.  I am not so good at doing that myself.  I would run the motor in fresh water soon after, or throw it on a garden hose and some earmuffs.

Your electronics will not even notice.  By the way when we are talking brackish water, it is a constant mix of tidal bay water and fresh river water.  It is not as corrosive as ocean salt water.  Also the further upriver you are the more the fresh water has a bigger influence. By the time you get up to Seaford I am sure the fresh water has a great deal of influence. By the way there are few rivers in our area as beautiful t boat on then the Pocomoke River up near Shad Landing State Park.  Those cypress trees, the tannin colored water, the tree lined banks and I realize you are chasing bass, but the colors on the sunfish/ bluegills are just bright and on fire.  There are plenty of tasty crappie there as well.

[slonezp]

This topic has come up before and @boostr has my previous response as his signature

 

Quote

"Would you trade a beautiful, petite, young, gently used woman for a big old worn out tramp?" - slonezp 

 

[BASSEDOUT]

lol, that's funny, and makes sense..... but... big, old gals need lovin too

[bassguytom]

I would keep the Jon Boat you have and fish the heck out of it. By the end of the season you will probably be looking for a bigger motor is my guess. In the meantime for fish the heck out of that that thing! 

[Master Bait'r]

I'd keep the jon.  That thing is MINT and while it may not go everywhere and do everything, it looks pretty perfect for what it is!  No sense in trading it for someone else's problemfruit that's about to ripen.  

 

Save up, take your time figuring out exactly what you want and get exactly that.  Maybe check out the grizzly metal crossover boats too, lots of guys running those and loving them!  

[WIGuide]

If I remember correctly the FS had some issues with the layout as well as stress cracking and some other issues as well. I would hard pass on it and save up for something better. You can use what you have in the meantime, and it will probably be easier to sell when you're ready to upgrade.