Down to 3 Boats Which One Should I Buy?

[Fishing guy 77]

Hey bassresource gang how's it going? I need help. I'm trying to figure out which boat I should buy to take my boys out with but not too familiar with all the brands to be honest but I think I've found some good ones and I'd like someone's opinion on which boat to buy. I was looking around on Ebay and narrowed the list down to these 3 here :

 

 

1973 LUHRS. 27.2 Ft

ENCLOSED CABIN. BOAT WILL NEED 1 PROP. TWIN 302 FORD MOTORS (RATED AT 180HP EACH).



1995 Sea Ray Sundancer 26 ft. Bravo 3

Comes with cabin boat, bathroom w/shower;sink,fridge,dual fuel stove, aft. 
cabin; new upholstery in cockpit area.  Comes with EZ loader roller trailer with electric hoist.


2002 Sea Ray, Sundancer 260

Comes with a 2 feet swim platform. Boat is in fair condition.
Needs cleaning from being dry docked at the marina. 250.9 hours on the engine. Seller says replaced hot water heater 3 years ago. Stove, microwave, and refrigerator. 6667 lbs dry weight. Trailer not included. 
 

So if anyone knows a little bit about these 3 boats here PLEASE let me know. Thanks 

 

[WRB]

Do you plan to keep the boat on fresh or salt water, trailered or docked? What is your primary use for this boat?

Do you have a tow vehicle if trailered?

I would avoid boats with 2 gasoline auto engines below covered deck like the Lurhs can be high maintenance and unsafe regarding fire.

Tom

[Fishing guy 77]

5 hours ago, WRB said:

Do you plan to keep the boat on fresh or salt water, trailered or docked? What is your primary use for this boat?

Do you have a tow vehicle if trailered?

I would avoid boats with 2 gasoline auto engines below covered deck like the Lurhs can be high maintenance and unsafe regarding fire.

Tom

Fresh water,  traialered, and my primary use is to take my boys fishing every once in a while im not really going to use it frequently.  I do have a F150 with a tow hitch.

[S Hovanec]

Imo, every one of those is pushing or exceeding the limits of a half-ton truck.

[Fishing guy 77]

31 minutes ago, S Hovanec said:

Imo, every one of those is pushing or exceeding the limits of a half-ton truck.

Good point hadn't thought of that. Probably gonna have to rent a truck if I end up buying.  You think a 250 will do?

[J Francho]

What kind of fishing and where?  Two are all cuddy cabins, the other a tour boat, not what I'd call a fishing boat.

[Junger]

What bodies of water are you thinking of? I wouldn't buy any of those boats for fresh water fishing in the DMV area.

[boostr]

If your willing to spend that much, just get a brand new Bass Tracker Classic.

[Fishing guy 77]

4 hours ago, J Francho said:

What kind of fishing and where?  Two are all cuddy cabins, the other a tour boat, not what I'd call a fishing boat.

Yeah I kinda figured I might be barking up the wrong tree how about this one here I think it's probably more suitable for fishing affordable too

 

1977 Gamefisher

1 hour ago, Junger said:

What bodies of water are you thinking of? I wouldn't buy any of those boats for fresh water fishing in the DMV area.

Probably fresh water. What would you suggest for this area or nearby? I'm willing to travel a little ways shoot I can even make it a little road trip for the boys.

1 hour ago, boostr said:

If your willing to spend that much, just get a brand new Bass Tracker Classic.

I'm not really looking to spend that much those were just the one that stood out. Just window shopping for now till I make the best choice. Who sells the Bass Tracker Classic?

 

Does it look something like this one ?

 

2016 Bass Tracker Pro Team 190 TXW

 

[J Francho]

I would search using categories: Boats > Bass Fishing Boats, then check Aluminum under hull material.  That will give you a really good selection of boats that would work well for you and your boys.

[Junger]

25 minutes ago, Fishing guy 77 said:

Probably fresh water. What would you suggest for this area or nearby? I'm willing to travel a little ways shoot I can even make it a little road trip for the boys.

Per your profile, you're in Orange County VA, so my guess is that you'd be spending a good amount of time on Lake Anna which is a decent size body of water. $10K will get you a nice used boat, or something new like the Tracker Classic which I think is a little smaller than I'd like for Lake Anna.

 

https://www.boattrader.com/boats/zip-20854/radius-100/price-1000,11000/year-2000/sort-price:desc/

 

This is a nice used boat that can handle the Potomac, LKA, and even do some bay boating, but you'd need to add a trolling motor and some electronics, which could run you another $1,500 or more. It seems to be listed just above average retail, so there may be some wiggle room to get it down to like $9,500. https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2006-mako-1801-103624051/?refSource=standard+listing

 

 

[WRB]

2 hours ago, Junger said:

Per your profile, you're in Orange County VA, so my guess is that you'd be spending a good amount of time on Lake Anna which is a decent size body of water. $10K will get you a nice used boat, or something new like the Tracker Classic which I think is a little smaller than I'd like for Lake Anna.

 

https://www.boattrader.com/boats/zip-20854/radius-100/price-1000,11000/year-2000/sort-price:desc/

 

This is a nice used boat that can handle the Potomac, LKA, and even do some bay boating, but you'd need to add a trolling motor and some electronics, which could run you another $1,500 or more. It seems to be listed just above average retail, so there may be some wiggle room to get it down to like $9,500. https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2006-mako-1801-103624051/?refSource=standard+listing

 

 

Glancing through the links there is a 16' AlumaCraft that would be safe for fishing where you are located. The 18' Mako is a center consol boat that is very seaworthy but little room for kids to fish. 

I am thinking a aluminum boat like the Alumacraft between 16' to 18' would be ideally suited for you and your family. Your truck can easily towed it, not too big to store in a standard garage and high enough freeboard for safe boating.

Tom

[slonezp]

Such an odd thread.

[Fishing guy 77]

20 hours ago, Junger said:

Per your profile, you're in Orange County VA, so my guess is that you'd be spending a good amount of time on Lake Anna which is a decent size body of water. $10K will get you a nice used boat, or something new like the Tracker Classic which I think is a little smaller than I'd like for Lake Anna.

 

https://www.boattrader.com/boats/zip-20854/radius-100/price-1000,11000/year-2000/sort-price:desc/

 

This is a nice used boat that can handle the Potomac, LKA, and even do some bay boating, but you'd need to add a trolling motor and some electronics, which could run you another $1,500 or more. It seems to be listed just above average retail, so there may be some wiggle room to get it down to like $9,500. https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2006-mako-1801-103624051/?refSource=standard+listing

 

 

Thanks for the recommendations I will take a look at these now ?

20 hours ago, Junger said:

Per your profile, you're in Orange County VA, so my guess is that you'd be spending a good amount of time on Lake Anna which is a decent size body of water. $10K will get you a nice used boat, or something new like the Tracker Classic which I think is a little smaller than I'd like for Lake Anna.

 

https://www.boattrader.com/boats/zip-20854/radius-100/price-1000,11000/year-2000/sort-price:desc/

 

This is a nice used boat that can handle the Potomac, LKA, and even do some bay boating, but you'd need to add a trolling motor and some electronics, which could run you another $1,500 or more. It seems to be listed just above average retail, so there may be some wiggle room to get it down to like $9,500. https://www.boattrader.com/listing/2006-mako-1801-103624051/?refSource=standard+listing

 

 

Thanks for the suggestions I'll take a look at these appreciate the help

[boostr]

On 10/17/2019 at 1:04 PM, Fishing guy 77 said:

 

I'm not really looking to spend that much those were just the one that stood out. Just window shopping for now till I make the best choice. Who sells the Bass Tracker Classic?

 

Does it look something like this one ?

 

2016 Bass Tracker Pro Team 190 TXW

 

Yes similar to that but 16.5 ft instead of 19ft. Bass Pro Shops sells them and that one as well. Tracker is Bass Pro Shops line of boats. Seem like a Tin deep V hull is more what you need so check Lund, Tracker makes them as well.

[Fishing Rhino]

22 hours ago, slonezp said:

Such an odd thread.

Odd indeed.  It occurs to me that the original poster has nothing but a passing knowledge/familiarity with boats.  Getting into one of those rigs or getting it on the road behind a tow vehicle is begging for trouble.

 

My thought is that if the op wants a boat that's comfortable and roomy enough to take the kiddies fishing from time to time, then a party barge would serve quite well.  It wouldn't require such a stout tow vehicle, it won't draw much water and a few dings or dents won't be traumatizing.

[Further North]

5 hours ago, Fishing Rhino said:

My thought is that if the op wants a boat that's comfortable and roomy enough to take the kiddies fishing from time to time, then a party barge would serve quite well.  It wouldn't require such a stout tow vehicle, it won't draw much water and a few dings or dents won't be traumatizing.

Good thought...but they are miserable to tow for any serous distance.

[Shimano_1]

I'd suggest maybe a pontoon.  Kind of sounds like you're wanting something you can enjoy leisure time on as well as fish. If strictly fishing I agree with the above posts I'd look at something like a bass tracker or any other brands of aluminum bass rigs. Craigslist can also be helpful I've purchased 2 boats from there. I'd keep doing your research and make sure you're getting something that will actually serve your purposes.  The 3 originally listed I wouldn't call fishing boats by a long shot and definitely too much boat for half ton trucks. Good luck

[James Krack]

I think a jon boat would be a much better option. Easy to tow. Not much at all needed motor wise, especially a flat bottom. I recently bought one and went with Weldbilt. They can build you a 80 gauge boat for what Lowe and Alumacraft will charge you for a 60 gauge boat. I got a little 1248LW which is just big enough for 2 people and can still plane easy with a unmodified 9.9hp 2 stroke if it's just me.

 

You would probably want something bigger for a family or lakes bigger than 2,000 acres. A 1448LW runs $1750 and a 1648LW $2k plus $900 for a bear trailer.

 

 

[DanielG]

Depending on your towing distance I'd opt for a smaller/mid sized pontoon boat. You've got the deck hands to assist in launching.

My take on it:

I'd look for an old one (read: a lot less $$) with good pontoons and bimini top. Then make it a project to fix whatever needs fixing, The kids would love it and it would be a great project to bond and learn from. Being not new, you can do whatever you want without feeling guilty. Drill into the deck and add stool seats. Mount a bbq and cooler, add bait storage cabinets. Make a deep well out of a cooler and plumb it through the deck. Mount a trolling motor, plenty of battery room for sure. Add rod racks and holders. You can add to or alter things each year if you want. A work in progress. The family fishing barge. If the kids take part in it's development and fish from it I'll bet it becomes a family heirloom over time. You can also, anchor and park it as a swimming/sun bathing platform.

 

I do stuff like this. I actually have a heavily modified fishing barge.. my second one. It's fun if you've of a mind to enjoy this type of thing and are a bit handy with tools.

[boostr]

Majority of marinas on big lakes let you rent pontoons or tins, so this could be an even better option.