10-12K Older Boat, What was built well

[Bandersnatch]

I'm looking for a most likely older boat that will be kept in south Florida at my parents house. It's become clear that driving a boat back & forth from northern Michigan to south Florida is just not going to work. This boat wouldn't be used a ton so it doesn't have to be special. Reliable and decent would be nice. Also, is it possible that anything older is going to have rod lockers big enough for a 7'11 flipping stick? Highly unlikely ? What older glass or even tin boats could be had in that range with decent hulls, decent motors and a good size deck. Any info is appreciated. It doesn't have to be a boat that's actively on sale just something to look for. 

[Dirtyeggroll]

You can probably find an excellent Ranger R80 or 82, or 460 series in that price range. 
 

From the factory you may not be able to get an 8’ rod in the locker, but you can easily modify the ends of the rod locker to fit a close to 9’ rod.

 

I have the R70 (17’ version, the R80 is the 18’ version) and with about 20 minutes with an oscillating tool in the bow end of the rod lockers, I can easily fit my 867 Dobyns swimbait rod.

 

 

[Bandersnatch]

24 minutes ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

You can probably find an excellent Ranger R80 or 82, or 460 series in that price range. 
 

From the factory you may not be able to get an 8’ rod in the locker, but you can easily modify the ends of the rod locker to fit a close to 9’ rod.

 

I have the R70 (17’ version, the R80 is the 18’ version) and with about 20 minutes with an oscillating tool in the bow end of the rod lockers, I can easily fit my 867 Dobyns swimbait rod.

 

 

Awesome, thank you so much!

25 minutes ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

You can probably find an excellent Ranger R80 or 82, or 460 series in that price range. 
 

From the factory you may not be able to get an 8’ rod in the locker, but you can easily modify the ends of the rod locker to fit a close to 9’ rod.

 

I have the R70 (17’ version, the R80 is the 18’ version) and with about 20 minutes with an oscillating tool in the bow end of the rod lockers, I can easily fit my 867 Dobyns swimbait rod.

 

 

What years are  you thinking in that price range? Obviously, condition matters 

[Dirtyeggroll]

1997 to early 2000's. I think in 1999 they updated the top cap to make them look a little newer. They were introduced as the R80 (single console) and R82 (dual console) and then when they were updated were called R81/R83.

[TOXIC]

Ranger is a good choice but any boat in that age will have to stand on its own.  I’m sure there are good ones but there will also be some that show their age.  Having lived in Florida I have seen what the elements there can do to a glass boat.  It’s brutal.

[Jig Man]

Champion would be another good choice as would Bass Cat.

[BigAngus752]

3 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

driving a boat back & forth from northern Michigan to south Florida

You should buy that boat in Michigan or Wisconsin and make that drive one final time!  Don't buy it in Florida.  If I buy a used Harley I make sure it comes from a northern state.  The southerns use their warm weather toys more than twice as much as the northerners.  There are always exceptions of course, but you won't have to look as hard up north to find one that has less time on it.  

[WRB]

I sold my 2005 Triton TR-175 w/115 Merc Opimax (52 hrs engine time) this year that was always garaged, new tires, MG 82 Digital TM in excellent condition for $12K. The rod locker on this 17’6” single console held 2 of my 8’ SB rods and 12 other rods. Lots of storage.

Take your time there are some good boats available.

Tom

[GaryH]

52 minutes ago, BigAngus752 said:

You should buy that boat in Michigan or Wisconsin and make that drive one final time!  Don't buy it in Florida.  If I buy a used Harley I make sure it comes from a northern state.  The southerns use their warm weather toys more than twice as much as the northerners.  There are always exceptions of course, but you won't have to look as hard up north to find one that has less time on it.  

Good advice. I lived in Florida for 8 years and I can tell you I put more hours on my boat in a year than I do up north in 3 years. 

[Bandersnatch]

1 hour ago, BigAngus752 said:

You should buy that boat in Michigan or Wisconsin and make that drive one final time!  Don't buy it in Florida.  If I buy a used Harley I make sure it comes from a northern state.  The southerns use their warm weather toys more than twice as much as the northerners.  There are always exceptions of course, but you won't have to look as hard up north to find one that has less time on it.  

Great idea! 

34 minutes ago, WRB said:

I sold my 2005 Triton TR-175 w/115 Merc Opimax (52 hrs engine time) this year that was always garaged, new tires, MG 82 Digital TM in excellent condition for $12K. The rod locker on this 17’6” single console held 2 of my 8’ SB rods and 12 other rods. Lots of storage.

Take your time there are some good boats available.

Tom

Thank you! I do have time. Great advice 

[Bluebasser86]

Shop around for sure and don't buy the first thing you find just because it's in your price range. I bought my 2012 Stratos 189 VLO with 8 hours on the motor for 17k. You just have to be ready to move quickly when a deal like that pops up. I found mine and was driving 7 hours to the Iowa/Wisconsin border that night ?