Vinny Chase Posted September 21, 2009 Posted September 21, 2009 I am looking for my first fishing boat to start doing tournaments. I want the typical Ranger type bass boat (fiberglass), but i can only spend around $4000. Is there any companies that sell these types for cheaper than the well known ones? I have been looking on craigslist for a used one that is newer than'99 but no luck so far Thanks, VC Quote
soccplayer07 Posted September 21, 2009 Posted September 21, 2009 You will have a tough time finding a ranger that is 99' or newer in that price range. I picked up an 86' a few months back for close to that price. To be honest I think you will have a tough time with those requirements for any make bass boat. I wish you luck though. Craigslist, eBay and local newspaper are all great resources. Quote
Super User senile1 Posted September 21, 2009 Super User Posted September 21, 2009 Yeah, Vinny, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to find a post-1999 fiberglass boat (including the engine) in good shape for $4000. If you want a boat model from the last decade you will need to look at aluminum boats with very small engines for that price. What size of boat and motor are you looking for? Quote
Vinny Chase Posted September 21, 2009 Author Posted September 21, 2009 You will have a tough time finding a ranger that is 99' or newer in that price range. I picked up an 86' a few months back for close to that price. To be honest I think you will have a tough time with those requirements for any make bass boat. I wish you luck though. Craigslist, eBay and local newspaper are all great resources. Yea i am not looking for a ranger. I meant the ranger style boat Quote
Vinny Chase Posted September 21, 2009 Author Posted September 21, 2009 Yeah, Vinny, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to find a post-1999 fiberglass boat (including the engine) in good shape for $4000. If you want a boat model from the last decade you will need to look at aluminum boats with smaller engines for that price. What size of boat and motor are you looking for? Honestly i dont really care about the size motor i just want it to be in good shape Quote
Super User cart7t Posted September 21, 2009 Super User Posted September 21, 2009 You're going to have to look at something in the mid- late 80's to early 90's for that kind of money. Regardless of brand. Quote
Super User senile1 Posted September 21, 2009 Super User Posted September 21, 2009 I would check out every resource I could for used boats . . . iboats.com, craigslist, newspapers, etc. You may have to buy an older boat. If you aren't familiar with boats and boat motors and you find a boat that appeals to you, have a mechanic check it out before you buy. It will cost you around $100 - 150 depending on how thoroughly the mechanic checks it out, but it is better to spend this small amount up front than the amount you would spend further down the road if you make a bad purchase. Quote
Edro Posted September 21, 2009 Posted September 21, 2009 I got my first boat last year. A 1995 glassport with a 1996 evinrude fast stike for 4500. the boat was in great shape. The deals are out there but you may have to spend a lot of time looking first. Quote
Super User fishfordollars Posted September 21, 2009 Super User Posted September 21, 2009 Yeah, Vinny, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to find a post-1999 fiberglass boat (including the engine) in good shape for $4000. If you want a boat model from the last decade you will need to look at aluminum boats with smaller engines for that price. What size of boat and motor are you looking for? Honestly i dont really care about the size motor i just want it to be in good shape You need to rethink that statement. The absolute worst thing you can do is buy an underpowered boat. It will not perform and you will hate it shortly. Quote
Vinny Chase Posted September 21, 2009 Author Posted September 21, 2009 Yeah, Vinny, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to find a post-1999 fiberglass boat (including the engine) in good shape for $4000. If you want a boat model from the last decade you will need to look at aluminum boats with smaller engines for that price. What size of boat and motor are you looking for? Honestly i dont really care about the size motor i just want it to be in good shape You need to rethink that statement. The absolute worst thing you can do is buy an underpowered boat. It will not perform and you will hate it shortly. i really dont think i could hate any boat...right now i have a pontoon... I just want something that will allow my to try out other lakes, but at the same time be fiberglass so i have better control in the water... For a 16 1/2' boat would a 60-90 hp be fine? I really dont need the biggest motor out there Quote
haveme1 Posted September 21, 2009 Posted September 21, 2009 I agree with yall. Your gonna get stuck with a underpowered boat and somebodies problems if you get a glass one for that price. I found that Nitros were a decent price compared to others of the same years that were overpriced (imo). 7K is about the least you'll need to get a reliable glass, imo A aluminum with a 50hp is gonna be 4k. Shop as much as you can stand ! Privet sales are the way to go ! Quote
Super User cart7t Posted September 22, 2009 Super User Posted September 22, 2009 If you have 4k to spend and want something reliable that isn't going to turn out to be a problem your best bet is to go with an aluminum. While no used boat can be guaranteed to not have problems, investing 4k into an aluminum will get you a much newer boat than the same amount in a fiberglass. Quote
ArcticCat500 Posted September 22, 2009 Posted September 22, 2009 I've been beating the boat scene for several months, and if you're comming up with 4K you can get yourself a REAL nice tin boat, and like others have mentioned newer then a glass boat. Im not a tourny fishermen so 14ft wide jon boat loaded will do the trick just fine for me. But theres always that G3, BassTracker, Lund or Lowe that pops up....keep looking you'll find it. Quote
kms399 Posted September 22, 2009 Posted September 22, 2009 I see you are from MN just happened upon this while looking for a little jon for myself in case you haven't already seen this one. http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/boa/1358447600.html Quote
soccplayer07 Posted September 22, 2009 Posted September 22, 2009 You can still get a glass boat you just need to look at older models. I have an 86' ranger with a 150 hp engine that I bought in your price range that I love. It is not the most ascetically pleasing ride but its built like a tank and I can fix the seats, carpet, etc...as I go. It did take a few months to track her down. Be patient and don't settle. I highly recommend having a mechanic come out and check everything out for you. That ran me 200. Well worth it. Good luck Quote
Super User senile1 Posted September 22, 2009 Super User Posted September 22, 2009 You can still get a glass boat you just need to look at older models. I have an 86' ranger with a 150 hp engine that I bought in your price range that I love. It is not the most ascetically pleasing ride but its built like a tank and I can fix the seats, carpet, etc...as I go. It did take a few months to track her down. Be patient and don't settle. I highly recommend having a mechanic come out and check everything out for you. That ran me 200. Well worth it. Good luck Soccplayer07 is right. You can still buy an older fiberglass boat, but you will find that most boats of this age will need some work, whether it is minimal stuff like seats and carpet, or major items like engine repair. You don't want to buy a $4000 1980s boat and then find out after the fact that the engine needs a rebuild, or the transom is flexing. I mentioned in an earlier post that you should take a possible purchase to a mechanic. That is especially true for older boats. Quote
JuniorFisherJJ08 Posted September 22, 2009 Posted September 22, 2009 I am looking for my first fishing boat to start doing tournaments. I want the typical Ranger type bass boat (fiberglass), but i can only spend around $4000. Is there any companies that sell these types for cheaper than the well known ones? I have been looking on craigslist for a used one that is newer than'99 but no luck so farThanks, VC 1998 18ft procraft w\125hp mariner motor. Great condition runs nice. Trailer needs minor work, still useable 5500obo. Quote
Bigs Posted September 30, 2009 Posted September 30, 2009 around here I have seen alot of 99-01 nitros going for right around 4-5 grand. Usually 16 or 17 feet. If you can find a 17 footer with a 90-115hp motor for less then 5 grand then you're golden. Not the best boats but far from the worst. Perfect starter tourney boat and affordable too. Decent in 2 foot swells and will run around 50mph plus when you upgrade in a few years you can still sell it for what u paid. Good luck Quote
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