Bass Boat Value

[mcjama76]

Greetings everyone,

 

Longtime lurker, first time poster.  Currently looking to get my first *real* bass boat.  However, I am having a hard time determining if a used boat is a good deal or not.  I seem to be stuck in the mindset that "For just a couple thousand more, I can get a brand new boat".  When seeing 20+ year old boats selling for top dollar.  My current budget is around $10k but if a brand new boat makes sense, I could go higher.  I was looking at the Tracker Bass Tracker Classic/Pro 160 and Lowe Skorpion series boats.  Both of these models would be perfect for what I need in a boat but are, as mentioned, a few thousand over my desired budget.

 

One used boat in particular though, has caught my eye.  My quandry?  I can't tell if it is a good deal or not.

 

2011 Lowe Skorpion 16 with 40hp Mercury outboard.  Looks stock for the most part with the only additions I can see are an electric trailer winch and a boat cover.  The marine shop selling it says it was used sparingly and has very low hours.  Was garage stored.  I have not seen it in person yet but the boat looks to be in excellent shape, inside and out.  Their asking price is $10.5k.  A brand new Skorpion 16 with the 40hp motor option is around ~$14k.  

 

Is this a decent deal or are they asking waaaaaay to much for this boat?  Do boats seriously hold their value this strongly, when considering proper care and maintenance occur?

[slonezp]

Probably a $7k boat with no other info

[Brew City Bass]

I'd buy the newest boat you can AFFORD. If you can spend $15k on a newer boat without ever missing that $15k then go for it. Enjoy the new ride. 

If $10k is the most you can spend without missing it, then stick with the older rockets. If they've been kept in good condition they're just as reliable as a new one. They really haven't changed much. The bolt-ons have changed more than the actual hull / motor technology. 

Personally, I'd be the type of guy to buy a little older boat that's been kept in immaculate shape, and throw $5,000 in electronics and trolling motor / power poles on. 

[OnthePotomac]

Don't guess, get all of the details on the boat and go on NADA and see what they price it at.

[Fishingmickey]

Do more research especially on the motor. Sounds significantly over priced to me. Are they offering any warranty to go with that "lightly used 8 year old boat". IMHO keep looking. Good luck!

FM

[Catt]

FYI you can look up boats on Kelly Blue Book  ?

[Jay B.]

On 6/10/2019 at 10:51 AM, mcjama76 said:

Greetings everyone,

 

Longtime lurker, first time poster.  Currently looking to get my first *real* bass boat.  However, I am having a hard time determining if a used boat is a good deal or not.  I seem to be stuck in the mindset that "For just a couple thousand more, I can get a brand new boat".  When seeing 20+ year old boats selling for top dollar.  My current budget is around $10k but if a brand new boat makes sense, I could go higher.  I was looking at the Tracker Bass Tracker Classic/Pro 160 and Lowe Skorpion series boats.  Both of these models would be perfect for what I need in a boat but are, as mentioned, a few thousand over my desired budget.

 

One used boat in particular though, has caught my eye.  My quandry?  I can't tell if it is a good deal or not.

 

2011 Lowe Skorpion 16 with 40hp Mercury outboard.  Looks stock for the most part with the only additions I can see are an electric trailer winch and a boat cover.  The marine shop selling it says it was used sparingly and has very low hours.  Was garage stored.  I have not seen it in person yet but the boat looks to be in excellent shape, inside and out.  Their asking price is $10.5k.  A brand new Skorpion 16 with the 40hp motor option is around ~$14k.  

 

Is this a decent deal or are they asking waaaaaay to much for this boat?  Do boats seriously hold their value this strongly, when considering proper care and maintenance occur?

I don't know you're located, but that seems a bit high. I'm selling my 2016 Tracker Pro 170 for $11k. Just saying...