Need Help. Many Questions

[shootermcbob]

I am hopefully going to be able to get a small fishing boat this spring.

I am going to have a budget of 1500 or so. I know nothing about boats or motors or trolling motors. What brand or brands should I be looking for? aluminum or fiberglass? any brands I should stay away from? I am going to be posting questions regarding this purchase as I value and trust the opinions of all the experienced folks here. Thanks for your help.

[Jig Man]

With that budget you will need to determine the size of the bodies of water you are going to fish.  Once you have made that determination, you will have to decide how big or little of a boat you will require for safety and comfort.  Then you can start looking around to see what is on the market.

[cart7t]

If people would just bother to read all the information that's available on this website they could save themselves a whole lot of time.

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/buying_a_boat.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/buying_first_boat.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/a_new_boat.html

Here's the entire section

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/bass_boats.html

[shootermcbob]

Thanks Cart7t, I have already been there. I was asking more in lines of which brands you guys have  had luck with. For instance, I fish small lakes in Ohio and most likely going to have to go aluminum based on my budget. Sea nymph has been recommended as alumacraft. I would rather buy fiberglass but it is probably unlikely to be in my price range. I am hoping to get a "package" boat with 9.9 motor, trolling motor, fish finder. Thanks for your input.

[Jig Man]

It sounds like you are way down the road to getting what you need.  The main thing I'd be looking for in the boat is one that doesn't leak.

[NBR]

Considering your budget and preferred package you need to save a lot longer.

[nick76]

You are well on your way.  You have outlined what you are looking for, but not you are going to have to seach your area to find if that is available.  I bought a new aluminum Mirrocraft 15 footer with a small motor on it.  Paid way more than that, but you can find some great deals right now.  Beware.....make sure the motor is in running condition, make sure you see it run.......You can always add a trolling motor later and a fish finder.....chances are you will not find the boat you want with the fish finder that you want!!  I started basic and have added more and more as I had the money to do.  Keep your eyes open, search the local papers, drive around, and check out any boat places in your area.....sometimes they have a small board with boats for sale.  Good luck.

[Wayne P.]

shootermcbob, the PM function keeps screwing up. The picture you requested is at:  http://charlottesville.craigslist.org/boa/940141952.html

[fourbizz]

with a low budget, i would stay away from limiting yourself to specific brands and find the boat that is in the best shape regardless of brand. you are probably gonna end up with a 20 year old boat and motor so you should try and find one that his been taken care of. A good way to do this is pay more attention to the seller than the boat. Generally speaking a boat that is in an old man's garage, with the garage being meticulously organized and clean will be an indicator that the boat was meticulously maintained as well. You could find a great name boat with a merc on the back that is sitting underneath an oak tree, full of leaves and acorns, that will cause you nothing but troubles.

That being said, I run an 85 Sea Nymph with a merc 90 and it is a very very solid boat for its age. IMO the Sea Nymph hull is very nice but all of the "extra" stuff is low quality. That being lights, switches, carpet, etc.

In my opinion, with a low budget, just shop hard for something well maintained, not something with the right stickers on it

[Wayne P.]

schootermcbob, I can't reply to your last PM (function still screwed up and the suggested remedy still does not work) so send me an e-mail so I can respond.

Thanks for asking

purdum43@aol.com

[Branuss04]

with a low budget, i would stay away from limiting yourself to specific brands and find the boat that is in the best shape regardless of brand. you are probably gonna end up with a 20 year old boat and motor so you should try and find one that his been taken care of. A good way to do this is pay more attention to the seller than the boat. Generally speaking a boat that is in an old man's garage, with the garage being meticulously organized and clean will be an indicator that the boat was meticulously maintained as well. You could find a great name boat with a merc on the back that is sitting underneath an oak tree, full of leaves and acorns, that will cause you nothing but troubles.

I wish you would of told me that before I bought your old boat    Very good advice though, I never thought about it that way before.

[shootermcbob]

Thanks for all the input. I agree with everything being said. I especially apprciate your comments fourbizz. Makes alot of sense. All I really need, at least for now, is something that does not leak, with a motor that runs. If the price is right, I can always add fish finder, trolling motor, etc later.

[fastcasterjo]

Take your time. You don't want to rush into buying a boat and find out 2 months later you got ripped off. Plus waiting will offer more oppurtunities to find your best offer. I waited a couple months to buy my boat and ended up getting a ten year old 16 footer with a 25 merc for around 1500. so basically dont go rushing into a deal just because you have spawn fever. you will probably see a lot of cheaper boats with the economy the way it is. 1500 is the new 2500 if you know what i mean.  ;D GOOD LUCK