Trials of buying that first boat

[Flatrock]

I have been looking for a boat for better than 6 mos...   I started looking at small puddle jumpers, then realized I would be limited where I could go.  So I started looking at Bass Trackers, Alumacraft, Lowe,ect... Most everything on the market is 25-35 yrs old.   I have a suspicious nature, why are so many boats at this age for sale ?   I missed out on a several super buys because I'm on the road so much due to work.  Then I decided, because of this site, that I need to bite the bullet and buy a newer boat, one that I know will be reliable.  I mean what is the sense in buying a 25 - 30 yr old boat for 3-4 grand and finding out that the motor is bad...  Also most of these guys don't have the titles which limits to whom I can sell to.  

 

So I had this guy offer me a 2016 Lowe for pay off or 12,500 .   I looked the the review and fell in love with what I saw...  Side note; OK at this point after looking at older boats, these new ones have come a long way...    Anyhow, He said it had it had a couple scratches , but it was in good shape and the boat was going to come with everything and some.  He did tell me he fish several times a week and hunted from it, so I expected some wear.  The boat is in another state.  Today he sent me detailed pictures of the hull and the outside of the hull.

 

Now I believe a man pays for his boat he can use it any way he see's fit...   But I never seen a hull so scratched up and gouged, even the port side was all boogered up.   I just can't bring myself to pay that kind of money on a boat that looks like its been dragged thru a gravel pit.   My heart just sank more and more as I looked at each picture.  Needless to say I sent him a note declining his offer.    I realize paint is just cosmetic, but I'm anal about my things... not OCD level.  I might have been able swallow the bottom of the boat being scratched up, but 6" gouges on the bow and dings and paint chip on the sides was too much... sigh.

 

On a bright side I did find a 2018 Bass Tracker 175 Team w/ a 75 Merc for 15K , used 4 times (so he says) and its located 40 miles from me.  From what I can see, its garage kept and in immaculate condition.  I'm not going to make any claims at this point, but I did tell him I wanted to see the boat and talk to him after Christmas...   So we'll see.   

 

Buying a boat should not be this hard...

[Dirtyeggroll]

4 minutes ago, Flatrock said:

 

Buying a boat should not be this hard...

 

Find a couple of dealers. You may pay a little more but most reputable dealers will triage out all of the junk and get any used boat up to date on maintenance.

 

Many times dealers will sell used boats on consignment with a mark-up for potential fixes a boat might need once they really start digging into it when an interested buyer comes along. If the boat doesn’t need much work, the price will come down immediately. A lot of times the markup price will include new batteries and water pumps. Things that typically need replaced after a few years or so.

[A-Jay]

42 minutes ago, Flatrock said:

Buying a boat should not be this hard...

Buy a new rig.

You know what you're getting ~ Unused. 

 Still challenging but not nearly as 'Hard'.

Good Luck and here's a decision matrix to help make it 'easier'

 

A-Jay

 

 

[TnRiver46]

The Hull matters not, all the importance lies inside the cowling. Or at least the expensive importance...........

 

 

serioisly though, I have been burned on some Craig’s list deals. The most important thing is a test drive/fish. Launch the boat before you buy it, pretty easy to tell if it leaks. Then put the hammer down, a lot of boats run great in a barrel full of water but put them under a load and they go half $&@. 

 

Then you have the matter of a transom. They are a pain to replace for a regular joe like me. I have done it but it will take up all your free time

for a weekend or 3. To see if transom is rotten, grab the skeg of the motor and shake it up and down while watching the transom. If it wiggles and it’s made of wood, you will need to replace the wood . If the whole boat and trailer shakes instead of the transom then you are good to go 

[Jig Man]

If you are in an area where they have boat shows, take one in.  Lots of dealers are willing to give some very good deals at boat shows on new and used products.

[slonezp]

If the scratches are cosmetic you can put a wrap on the boat for a grand or so. Im looking at the pics on my phone and best i can tell, it appears that the scratches on the bottom are from beaching the boat and scratches on the side are dock rash.

[Flatrock]

10 hours ago, slonezp said:

If the scratches are cosmetic you can put a wrap on the boat for a grand or so. Im looking at the pics on my phone and best i can tell, it appears that the scratches on the bottom are from beaching the boat and scratches on the side are dock rash.

Yes there are thing I could do, but would you spend 13 grand for a 2 yr old boat that is this beat up ?   I'm sorry I can't.

I'm going to take a look at this boat tomorrow 

 

2018 BT Pro 175 Team w/75 Merc aprox 20 hrs

 

[A-Jay]

8 minutes ago, Flatrock said:

Yes there are thing I could do, but would you spend 13 grand for a 2 yr old boat that is this beat up ?   I'm sorry I can't.

I'm going to take a look at this boat tomorrow 

 

2018 BT Pro 175 Team w/75 Merc aprox 20 hrs

 

Good Luck -

That rig should still have some serious warranty life left.

A-Jay

[slonezp]

11 minutes ago, Flatrock said:

Yes there are thing I could do, but would you spend 13 grand for a 2 yr old boat that is this beat up ?   I'm sorry I can't.

I'm going to take a look at this boat tomorrow 

 

2018 BT Pro 175 Team w/75 Merc aprox 20 hrs

 

Beat up and cosmetic imperfections are 2 different things in my mind. It doesn't look as if there are deep gouges or anything that could compromise the boats seaworthiness. Maybe I am different than most as I feel a boat is a merely a tool to hunt and catch fish. 

[Flatrock]

Its a done deal...  Made him an offer, he accepted.   (YaY)

 

Its been a long yr searching but I'm very pleased with this deal...  for my 1st boat.  

 

I realize some are rolling their eyes because its not a $60,000 Triton fiberglass boat, but I think I can suffer thru it.. LOL

[slonezp]

1 hour ago, Flatrock said:

Its a done deal...  Made him an offer, he accepted.   (YaY)

 

Its been a long yr searching but I'm very pleased with this deal...  for my 1st boat.  

 

I realize some are rolling their eyes because its not a $60,000 Triton fiberglass boat, but I think I can suffer thru it.. LOL

Congrats...but nobody cares it's not a $60k Triton...until you start winning tournaments.

[Flatrock]

I'm confused about my boat... already.    Its supposed to be a 2018  175 Pro Team but comparing specs... the boat and storage compartments,  BT site shows its a 2019 175 TRW Tournament.   Am I missing something ?  Could have Bass T put a 2019 deck spec in 2018 ?

[slonezp]

Anything's possible depending on what time of year it was made. 

[Flatrock]

As crazy as this all may be, but judging by the storage configuration (Dual rod boxes)... and talking to the Bass Pro tracker salesman this morning, this boat is a early 2019 model and not a 2018. He also told me that the front deck is all Aluminum on the 2019 models... I think I have stumbled on a once in a life time cherry deal 

[Goldstar225]

I tend to agree.  When I saw the middle passenger seat I thought it was a 2019.  Have you seen the boat in person or just photos?

[Flatrock]

5 hours ago, Goldstar225 said:

I tend to agree.  When I saw the middle passenger seat I thought it was a 2019.  Have you seen the boat in person or just photos?

Yes I have seen the boat, struck a deal and shook hands.  I questioned the yr model when I noticed it had dual rod boxes.   I was supposed to pick the boat up Yesterday but the guy was sick with some stomach bug, so now I'm supposed to pick the boat up Thursday, I hope. 

[flyfisher]

40 minutes ago, Flatrock said:

Yes I have seen the boat, struck a deal and shook hands.  I questioned the yr model when I noticed it had dual rod boxes.   I was supposed to pick the boat up Yesterday but the guy was sick with some stomach bug, so now I'm supposed to pick the boat up Thursday, I hope. 

stomach bug or no stomach bug it doesn't take much to sign over a title and accept some money lol

[slonezp]

3 hours ago, flyfisher said:

stomach bug or no stomach bug it doesn't take much to sign over a title and accept some money lol

Yeah, but I'd sure hate to get the Hershey squirts as a sidebar to buying a boat. It would be difficult to get the stains out of the boat carpet.

[flyfisher]

2 hours ago, slonezp said:

Yeah, but I'd sure hate to get the Hershey squirts as a sidebar to buying a boat. It would be difficult to get the stains out of the boat carpet.

Valid point....

[12poundbass]

If you are getting an early 2019 Tracker 175 TXW with a 75hp for $15k or less then you're getting a major steal. I'm a glass half full guy, but something seems off to me and seems too good to be true. The stomach bug is plausible but seems coincidently timed for him. This boat should be closer or over $20k. Hopefully it really works in your favor because that's a hell of a deal and the 19's look sweet, but I have my apprehensions. Good luck! 

[Flatrock]

10 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

If you are getting an early 2019 Tracker 175 TXW with a 75hp for $15k or less then you're getting a major steal. I'm a glass half full guy, but something seems off to me and seems too good to be true. The stomach bug is plausible but seems coincidently timed for him. This boat should be closer or over $20k. Hopefully it really works in your favor because that's a hell of a deal and the 19's look sweet, but I have my apprehensions. Good luck! 

 

I get you and I'd be lying if changing his mind didn't cross my mind. He told me he paid 20K and he is the one that stated what he wanted...  I offered money down and he refused, we shook hand a couple times over our deal....   I'm of the older generation, a hand shake is worth more then a piece of paper.  He understood I had to arrange finances in order to buy the boat. 

 

But knowing that the stomach bug is going around and the fact that he works in the medical field, I'd say its very likely.  So I'd say he was sick, I wouldn't want to be on the lake, never mind in a moving car if I was hurling at both ends. Besides I requested that we take it out on the lake before I handed a check... I mean you don't buy a used car without taking it around the block.   So all I can do is wait a few more days and hope he is a man of his word. 

[12poundbass]

18 minutes ago, Flatrock said:

 

I get you and I'd be lying if changing his mind didn't cross my mind. He told me he paid 20K and he is the one that stated what he wanted...  I offered money down and he refused, we shook hand a couple times over our deal....   I'm of the older generation, a hand shake is worth more then a piece of paper.  He understood I had to arrange finances in order to buy the boat. 

 

But knowing that the stomach bug is going around and the fact that he works in the medical field, I'd say its very likely.  So I'd say he was sick, I wouldn't want to be on the lake, never mind in a moving car if I was hurling at both ends. Besides I requested that we take it out on the lake before I handed a check... I mean you don't buy a used car without taking it around the block.   So all I can do is wait a few more days and hope he is a man of his word. 

I'm not from the older generation, but from and live in fairly rural community so a hand shake is all it takes most time here. It sounds like you're getting a once in a lifetime deal on your boat! Go buy a lotto ticket. Can't wait to see the end result! ?

[Flatrock]

If I wrapped anything in a pink Kitty wrap... The guys I know would never let me live it down.  However I would be willing to be a Minion 

[Goldstar225]

Just touching base to see if the deal for your boat went through?  Good luck.

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, Goldstar225 said:

Just touching base to see if the deal for your boat went through?  Good luck.

Yup I'm wondering too. Hoping so 'cause that's a fine boat and a steal of a price.