Sellersrobe Posted February 13, 2018 Posted February 13, 2018 Hello! I am in high school and really, really want a bass boat. Unfortunately, my wallet shows the fact that I am a high schooler. Does anyone know of any bass boats that are very very very cheap? Yes, I know that I should wait, but after losing tons of baits to trees, dozens of ticks, etc + the fact that I want to compete in tournies, I have decided to take the plunge (hopefully). Quote
bobbyg Posted February 13, 2018 Posted February 13, 2018 I have been looking on Craigslist (I know, buyer be ware) and am hoping for the diamond in the rough to pop up there. Actually a lot of boats on there surprisingly enough. Quote
Sellersrobe Posted February 13, 2018 Author Posted February 13, 2018 Just now, bobbyg said: I have been looking on Craigslist (I know, buyer be ware) and am hoping for the diamond in the rough to pop up there. Actually a lot of boats on there surprisingly enough. Me too. Been begging my parents for a loan, but surprising they don't want me to take 3k out of my college fund. Why would that ever be? Quote
PECo Posted February 13, 2018 Posted February 13, 2018 There's a lot that you have to consider. Do you already have a Safe Boating Certificate? Do you have a tow vehicle? Do you have a place to store a boat? Can you afford a boater's liability insurance policy? If your minimum goal is to get off the shore or bank, I'd suggest getting a kayak, first. 2 Quote
Sellersrobe Posted February 13, 2018 Author Posted February 13, 2018 Just now, PECo said: There's a lot that you have to consider. Do you already have a Safe Boating Certificate? Do you have a tow vehicle? Do you have a place to store a boat? Can you afford a boater's liability insurance policy? If your minimum goal is to get off the shore or bank, I'd suggest getting a kayak, first. Yes, yes, yes, possibly (applying to a good job) Quote
Bent Posted February 13, 2018 Posted February 13, 2018 You are probably not going to like my advice, but disciplined management of your finances early on will enable you to do so much more once you are financially independent. If you are college bound within the next few years, whatever steps you can take now to minimize your student loans will save you a ton of money in the long run. Don't trick yourself into financing a boat today with extra student loans in a few years. Also, boat ownership (and tournament fishing for that matter) is far from a one time cost. What good is a boat if you can't afford to use it/keep it running? You wouldn't bear much risk of costly repairs with a kayak, and if you want to tournament fish look into kayak tournaments in your area or consider joining a bass club as a co-angler. 3 Quote
Sellersrobe Posted February 13, 2018 Author Posted February 13, 2018 2 minutes ago, Bent said: You are probably not going to like my advice, but disciplined management of your finances early on will enable you to do so much more once you are financially independent. If you are college bound within the next few years, whatever steps you can take now to minimize your student loans will save you a ton of money in the long run. Don't trick yourself into financing a boat today with extra student loans in a few years. Also, boat ownership (and tournament fishing for that matter) is far from a one time cost. What good is a boat if you can't afford to use it/keep it running? You wouldn't bear much risk of costly repairs with a kayak, and if you want to tournament fish look into kayak tournaments in your area or consider joining a bass club as a co-angler. I sadly think you're right. But I can hope an awesome deal comes along! Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 13, 2018 Super User Posted February 13, 2018 Why not get a simple tin boat with a tiller, and fish tournaments as a non-boater? 2 Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted February 13, 2018 Super User Posted February 13, 2018 Let's turn this around and start with your interest in the tournament fishing. Here is the way to start. Go find out about your local bass. There is several options. In many places around the country Kayak fishing clubs are popping up. They are just as fun as any other and if you go this way you can get offshore at minimal cost. Fishing with others will help you learn to outfit your boat to suite your style of fishing and comfort. Option two is to find a local bass club and go as a rider on someone else's bass rig. The best all around starter bass boat is a 17 to 19 foot aluminum "tin rig" This is something you could save up towards or look into after college. While you are in college there may be a bass club there as we 1 Quote
Dirtyeggroll Posted February 13, 2018 Posted February 13, 2018 Join a bass club. I would bet if you join one with 20+ members there will be plenty of them that fish frequently enough for you to get out on the water on a regular basis. Additionally, you will likely learn about what kind of boat is good to start with and whats worth it. Quote
CroakHunter Posted February 13, 2018 Posted February 13, 2018 Getting into debt when you are young absolutely sucks. Trust me I know. If you wanna get off the bank that bad I'd suggest and bass raider or similar. Or also a small John boat that you can make your personal bass boat. Those plastic two man boats can be caught in sale for under $300, plus $100 for trolling motor, $70 for a battery, $20 for a charger, and $10 for some ratchet straps to strap it in the bed of a truck and for $500 bucks you have your own personal bass boat. Getting a good job isn't everything either. most of the time people get a good paying job, start making good money and then get over their head in debt and bills and cant ever afford the "fun" things in life. The more you make the more you spend. All in all my advice would be to try and save up 500 bucks and get a small plastic boat or kayak then, by next spring save up a few thousand dollars and buy an aluminum John boat and turn it into a bass boat and pay with cash to avoid debt and to get instant return in investment when you go to sell it. Quote
Weedless Posted February 13, 2018 Posted February 13, 2018 tin boat with 10hp and trolling motor is all you should invest in for now. It will accomplish everything you want except Tuna fishing. Then when you graduate and get a job and not get a wife or girlfriend you will be able to afford your dream boat. I have been looking on craigslist for 3 years for a glass boat steal within 800 miles diameter...I found a few but they are taken within a 12 hours....but good luck. Quote
Fish the Mitt Posted February 13, 2018 Posted February 13, 2018 My first boat was a 15' 1981 DuraCraft consoled jon boat with a 1979 55hp Chrysler. It was brown (literally light poop brown). Was it fast? HAHAHA No. Was it durable? Yep. I made sure. Was it the cats meow? Not at all. But it worked just fine. Now I own a Skeeter/Yamaha rig. My point. You don't need the best, or even close to it, when you're starting out and young. Enjoy the time learning, get a kayak, grow as an angler, and in time, it will come. B - BUST O - OUT A - ANOTHER T - THOUSAND (As cliche as this sounds, it ain't far off). Quote
Pro Logcatcher Posted February 13, 2018 Posted February 13, 2018 I am on my high school bass team and several of my friends have boats. I just hitch rides with them because I don't have enough money. @SemperBass is right, I have seen my friends go through a ton of money on new bells and whistles. Just when they get it just the way they want it, something new breaks! I would recommend a kayak instead. Quote
ratherbfishin1 Posted February 13, 2018 Posted February 13, 2018 They have these poles that extend to get your lure unsnagged and out of trees, problem one solved. For the ticks they make bug spray that repels ticks, great stuff. And for tournaments you can partner with someone who already bought a bass boat with their college savings. JK, but i'm with everybody else get a kayak or even a little jon boat instead. Good Luck! Quote
Sellersrobe Posted February 14, 2018 Author Posted February 14, 2018 Thank you all for your advice. I think I knew that would be the logical thing to do, but I was hoping someone would tell me to buy one Oh well 1 1 Quote
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