Looking to buy my first boat

[SWOhioFishing012020]

Hi all.

I would like to apologize for a question that probably has been asked many times before.

 

I am looking to buy my first boat. Zero experience boating. I live in Southwest Ohio thus will be primarily fishing Caesars Creek, Cowan Lake and East Fork Lake. I have two kids 3 and 5 that love fishing and will be going with me from time to time. Also have a younger brother who is always with me during fishing trips. Budged is around 3-4k.

 

I looked up a 1995 Bass Tracker Tournament V-17 deep V. Here is a link: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/332432171352860

The boat looks to be in good shape. Asking price is 4800 but I think the seller is willing to reduce the price. 

 

What do you think? Any suggestions to look elsewhere? I would appreciate any feedback and pointers.

 

Thank you!

 

[GaryH]

First welcome aboard.. I can't really answer your question without knowing the size of those lakes or what are you fishing for. A little more info and I'm sure you'll get some good advice.

[KYRANGERMAN]

Looks to be in pretty good shape.  Questions to ask:

 

1) How many hours on the motor.

2) Does he have service records for the motor.

3) Are there any hull leaks.

4) How old are the batteries.

5) When was the last time the bearings on the trailer were serviced.

6) Any electrical issues.

7) Does it need new tires.

 

I'm sure others will chime in with additional things to look for and ask about, but this will get you started.  Also, I would never buy a used boat without first taking it out on the water and running it through it's paces.

[mcipinkie]

Heck man,  I'm 74 years old and have owned at least 30 boats.  I have 4 now.  Still haven't found the right one.

 

You expect to get it right first try.  Not going to happen.  LOL !!

 

That's a 25 year old boat.  If you buy a boat that old, you need to be able to work on it yourself, or else you'll find out in a hurry how much money you can throw into a hole in the water.  All of minnow's ideas are sound, but for a 25 year old boat, you need some experienced eyes, either yours, or some else's.

 

My gut feel, without seeing the boat, is that the price is way too much.

[FishinBuck07]

Caesar Creek and East Fork are good size lakes for Ohio from what I know of them, Cowan is much smaller in size.  I think you would be fine on all three with that boat, the two larger ones may get a little rough on a busy weekend, but you will most likely be ok in that boat.  I don't know a whole bunch about any of those lakes but think you would be ok in that boat.

[SWOhioFishing012020]

Thank you everybody for the replies. The size of the lakes are not too big, especially Cowan lake which has a 9.9 limit. I am pretty handy so can fix most of the mechanical and electrical issues myself. I will keep looking to see what's out there.

[Kirk McLinn]

Stay away from a Tracker OB.  Low end Mercury private label.  

[SWOhioFishing012020]

Hi all. Thank you for the help!

 

I passed on the Tracker because I had to loan my truck to my brother for work. Now I will be pulling my future boat with Honda CRV 2015 rated at 1500 pounds.

 

I found another boat. This time it is a 1992 Lund 16 foot Pike edition ($4500, no fish finder). Searched around the web and looks like it weighs about 450 pounds. The engine is a low hours Evinrude 50, weighs about 220 pounds. Looked a similar trailer which weighs around 400 pounds. Gear, gas, batteries etc. I think I should be safe pulling with the Honda.

 

Here is a link to the posting:https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/409565600440698

The boat looks to be in great shape.

 

My main concern is pulling the boat with the Honda. Any thoughts? Anything I did not think of?

 

Thank you

[KYRANGERMAN]

Towing wise I think you would be OK.  Comparing the two boats, even though I know the Tracker has already sold, . . . 

 

1)  The Tracker was 1' longer than the Lund, which gives you more room in the boat and it would probably be a little bit smoother ride in choppy water.

2)  The Tracker had console steering, the Lund tiller steering.

3)  The Tracker had front and rear casting decks, the Lund doesn't.

4)  The Tracker had some electronics (Garmin), the Lund doesn't.

5)  The Lund has a slightly larger (50 HP vs. 40 HP) motor than the Tracker did.

6)  The Tracker was a 1995 model, the Lund is a 1992 model, so it's a few years older.  Priced the same but older boat with bigger motor.

 

You didn't say what type of fishing your were going to be doing the majority of the time.  If your main type of fishing is going to be bass then the raised casting platforms are going to serve you better.  However, with two small kids the Lund, without the casting platforms is probably going to be a bit safer (harder for them to fall out of the boat).  If it was me, because I bass fish mostly, I would pass on the Lund and keep looking.

[kjfishman]

The Lund  is a nice boat and from the photos in good shape but $4500 for a 92 seems a little steep.  As another person said it is a safe boat for taking kids out. You could add a front deck later.

[NoShoes]

I bought a 2008 tracker 175 tx two months ago 5k. I think they’re asking too much for a boat 13 years older. 

[SWOhioFishing012020]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will go over my situation.

1. Kids safety is obviously very important so deeper boat is a plus.

2. The biggest issue with the tracker is the weight. I dont think i can pull it safely, otherwise i really liked the first boat i linked.

3. The Lund has a fishfinder, the owner left it in his cabin but agreed to ship it when he picks it up.

4. I can definitely say that I am a multi species fisher. I like catfishing, bass, saugeye, stripers, carp etc. so a casting deck is not as important. As Kj said, i think i could build a deck up front if needed.

5. The motor is a 1998, with about 60 hours. The boat was used 3 times in the last 15 years and has been garage kept all it life. At least thats what the owner said. He is open to test drive etc.

6. As a first time boat owner, tiller seems better for me. Less lines to deal with. More space for fishing. Most lakes i fish might take 15-35 minutes to circle around.

 

Last question is price. Is it fair? If not, what would be fair? I looked up estimates, and most are on average 3,000. So i think it is not too far off based on condition.

 

Nice, NoShoes, lucky man!

 

Thank you!

[MT204]

Boat prices around the country are interesting.

I'm in Montana and just sold a 1995 Lund Rebel with a 28 horse, electric trolling motor and older fish finder. Sold in 1 day for $6500 and 3 people waiting in line if the first fellow didn't take it!

The Rebel and Mr Pike are almost the same.

I owned the boat for 15 years and got to say it was a great boat.

Don't over think it, as one person said tough to find the perfect boat, for that price don't think you could go wrong.

My newer boat? 2010 Lund Pro Guide, getting close to the perfect for our fishing boat.

 

[SWOhioFishing012020]

Thank you MT! Im going to check out the Lund this week.

[Kirk McLinn]

If you’re going to fish by yourself get the console over the tiller.  Depending on your weight, tillers can be very hard to get on plane w/o having someone up front to help weigh down the bow.

[DaubsNU1]

Tillers up on plane, depends on the boat. I put Doel-Fin on my 20HP Merc, gets me up on plane quick and I can manage 23 MPH on the GPS with this set up. 14' Rich Line. 

 

Stick with a v-hull. My Dad and brother have a tri-hull...it's rough.

 

Get the best boat you can afford...buy once, cry once.

 

Now is a good time to look for boats...people get sick of them, don't want to winterize, don't want to store them.

 

Keep looking...bound to find something that fits your needs.  

 

 

 

[SWOhioFishing012020]

Hi all.

 

Quick update. Went a head and bought the Lund Pike 16'. Everything looks good. Cant wait to take it to a local lake after paper work is done. Thank you all for your suggestions.

[A-Jay]

49 minutes ago, SWOhioFishing012020 said:

Hi all.

 

Quick update. Went a head and bought the Lund Pike 16'. Everything looks good. Cant wait to take it to a local lake after paper work is done. Thank you all for your suggestions.

Congrats & Best of Luck with your New Rig !

A-Jay

[gim]

4 hours ago, SWOhioFishing012020 said:

Hi all.

 

Quick update. Went a head and bought the Lund Pike 16'. Everything looks good. Cant wait to take it to a local lake after paper work is done. Thank you all for your suggestions.

Make sure you post some photos in the “show your ride” thread.

[Kirk McLinn]

Nice.  You’ll enjoy it.

[WRB]

Safety 1st the V hull deeper freeboard boat is much safer for kids and will enjoy the boat more.

Good decision.

Tom