Help, Buying my second bass boat!!!!!!!!!!!

[huntforever]

Looking at getting a new or used bass boat this fall. I will be using the boat in Arkansas on big lakes, small lakes and rivers. I'm planing on doing a lot tournament fishing with the boat. Here are some questions I have.

What length of boat should I be looking at?

What brand of motor?

If I go used, what is a lot of hours for a motor and what is considered few hours for a motor?

What time of year will I find the best deals?

I'm leaning more towrads a 19ft or 20ft used Basscat. My budget is around 25,ooo to 30,000.

Do you really gain a lot with a 21 ft boat over a 20ft boat besides paying more money. I've Even thought about getting a 19ft.

Thanks for all the help.

[SnowBass23]

Congrats on picking up your next boat!  I can't really add anything to the topic on what to look for, other than the time of year.  Over here in Alabama, I would imagine is very similar to Arkansas (I assume that is where you plan to buy).  Hands down, the time to buy is in the fall.  When we hit that transition period where hunting seasons are starting and the weather is turning cooler I see ALOT of good deals in the paper and on used lots.

When people start thinking about hunting fishing/boating becomes the back-burner hobby.  Around here a lot of guys are trying to off load older boats to go out and buy all that new hunting gear.  

For the price range I'd imagine you could get a rocking new boat.  If you are planning on buying something a few years old (or older) then I'd imagine you could find one heck of a ride with decent hours and wear on it.  Good luck with your search!

[huntforever]

I was thinking about getting my boat in fall too. Thanks for the help.

[SnowBass23]

Also, depending what happens with the gas situation (meaning I only expect it to go up!) that will help the price in your favor too.  The cost of gas may not be a huge factor in boating at the moment, but I think it will become bigger as the price goes up.  As it does many folks will look to get rid of gas guzzlers.  That means you could inherit someone else's gas guzzler, but also that if nobody wants to buy a gas guzzler, they might have trouble offloading it for as much as they might want.

[Garnet]

For that kind of # you should get a Prp Staff boat. Most come with full warranty's and  no leans.

Check around who for runs the Basscat pro staff. Also look at Skeeters and Rangers.

They are very well looked after (part of deal) and you can get a printout of hrs on motor and how they were brokein and any service.

Also check for certificate boats won in tourneys they are serail #ed and you can check with manufacter and upgrade to your likes color and opptions.

Garnet

[huntforever]

That for all the help guys, really. Does anyone have opinions on these questions.

What length of boat should I be looking at?

What brand of motor?

If I go used, what is a lot of hours for a motor and what is considered few hours for a motor?

What time of year will I find the best deals?

[jdw174]

Length of boat:  If you're gonna be fishing tournaments on BIG waters I wouldn't go smaller than 20', although some 19's could work.

Motor Brand:  ya pays your money and ya takes yer choice.  Personally, I'd put Merc at the bottom of my list, but that's MY choice.  I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

I agree with contacting someone on the pro staff of Bass Cat if that's what you're interested in.  Many of them will make a deal where you can order THEIR boat in your choice of colors, etc with the idea that you will buy at the end of their season.

[huntforever]

Why is Merc at the bottom of your list?

I thought about a pro staff boat but don't they put a a lot miles on a boat?

[Garnet]

They put plenty of miles on the trailer. The motor thats why you get the printout for the motor. And you get day 1 warranty and priced right.

That means you go into Basscat dealer find out the price for the pro staff boat and then get price from the pro.

Garnet

[RobbyZ5001]

Personally I wouldn't get a pro staff boat. They beat the hell out of their boats. If you plan on fishing tournament trails like the Flw route- BFL/Stren/ etc, you want to check the contingency eligibility. Same with B.A.S.S. weekend series and such.

The flw:

Ranger Bonus Eligibility

Boater Guidelines:

1. Be the registered original owner of a Ranger boat.

2. Furnish proof of ownership when entering but in no case later than tournament registration.

3. Use the eligible boat during all days of competition.

4. No competing boat sponsor logos may be worn.

I also think their is a Yamaha contingency & Frabill.

If you plan on fishing stren you better have a ranger 2004 or newer. If you do win and you don't have a ranger 2004 or newer you lose out on a $40,000 boat.

These are just examples of contingencies for the FLW route. B.A.S.S. has some contingencies as well you may want to check out.

I agree with jdw174 on the size. I wouldn't go any smaller then 20 ft with a 200hp. My buddy runs a 19ft 150, and I think he is upgrading this year.  Nothing like eating big waves on the way back to weigh in.