Aluminum Bass Boat

[elway1983]

I'm looking to buy a new aluminum bass boat. I'm looking at Crestliner, Lowe and Lund at this point. Trying to stay around 18k, I know next nothing about boating and boats. Need all the help I can get. Is used an option with zero boating experience? thanks

[gim]

What size boat are you looking at?  Crestliner and Lowe make some smaller size alumninum bass boats whereas the smallest version Lund makes is the Renegade series.

[elway1983]

17 foot

[Junk Fisherman]

Going used is a great option.  Since you are a new boat owner you are going to have growing pains.  Getting an older boat with some scratches and dings will make it easier when you run into the dock or have some other inevitable mishap.  Obviously, you need to make sure the motor is in good running shape so you'll want to get a compression check at a marine shop before buying.  Just running the motor on the driveway is not enough- trust me I know about this one.  A 17' Tracker would be a good starter boat.  They are a no-frills boat.  As long as the motor is in good shape you can replace, upgrade anything else.  But I'd go used and then in a few years upgrade once you are a more experienced boater.  Good luck.

[gim]

2 hours ago, Junk Fisherman said:

A 17' Tracker would be a good starter boat. 

 

I agree, Tracker comes to mind in that size.  Crestliner makes a model in that range too.  Lund does not in a bass version.

[Junger]

Also a factor typically not considered is the price of insurance for a new boater. My $3,000 boat cost me about $120/year in insurance with lots of coverage as a new boater. My updated insurance with a much more expensive boat, and 4 years of boating experience is about $230/year. If I had to get insurance as a new boater with a new boat, I think it'd be well over $500/year.

[papajoe222]

By the time you add an outboard and other options, you're looking at $25K+ for a new aluminum boat. Although 'complete packages' offer most everything you'd want, that price tag can be a turn-off for many newcomers to boating.  The upside is the fact that a new boat comes with a warranty and trust me when I say that used boats can be money pits when/if something goes wrong.  If you decide to go used, I recommend you purchase it from a dealer. Their reputation is what their dealership relies on and if you do have an issue after purchase, most will bend over backwards to get it corrected.

[gim]

7 hours ago, Junger said:

My updated insurance with a much more expensive boat, and 4 years of boating experience is about $230/year. If I had to get insurance as a new boater with a new boat, I think it'd be well over $500/year.

I don’t think boating experience is factored into a boat insurance policy. It’s almost strictly based on the value of the boat. I pay the same premiums I did 6 years ago when I bought my boat as I do today. It may be dependent on what state you reside in too.

[Junger]

For me I shopped around and one gave me a bigger discount for boating experience.

[gim]

11 hours ago, Junger said:

For me I shopped around and one gave me a bigger discount for boating experience.

 

I recently did the same last winter when the company I used for 4 years raised my premiums for no apparent reason.  They stated they were raising their rates "across the board" for everyone by $100/year.  My agent found me another insurer with the same policy as I had before.

[elway1983]

All great advise and thank you. I'm leaning toward new for the warranty and quite honestly I know nothing about boat motors. 

[Captain Phil]

New boat prices have risen steeply in recent years.  Ten years ago, I bought a new 16' Lowe Roughneck with a 60 HP 4 stroke Mercury, trailer and Minn Kota trolling motor for $12,000.  That same boat today would be closer to $18K.  By the time you rig out a 17' aluminum Tracker bass boat, you will be somewhere in the mid $20K range.  If you move up to a quality aluminum boat, you will be closer to 30K. Finding a bought to buy will also be a challenge.  Before I bought my Ranger 178, I went to the Bass Pro Shop in Orlando.  Normally, the lot is covered up with boats for sale.  They had one lone Tracker 17 on the floor and they wouldn't sell it to me.  They said I would have to order one and wait.  I asked how long and they couldn't give me a time.  Boat insurance is not overly expensive, but it is part of owning a boat.  So is gas, tackle, tires, and maintenance.  I paid $400 just to put trailer hitch on my car.  I wouldn't hesitate to buy a used boat these days.  If you stick with known brands less than five years old and four stroke Mercury or Yamaha outboards, you should be fine.  Better yet, find one with warranty left.

[elway1983]

That's great advise but my main concern is the motor. I know nothing about outboards or motors in general. That's why I was thinking new  

[NHBull]

The Renegade  given it doesn't  require a lot of motor is a great choice.  A lot of boat for the money, but it ain't cheap.  Also take into consideration resale and there is where Lund shines

[Captain Phil]

52 minutes ago, elway1983 said:

That's great advise but my main concern is the motor. I know nothing about outboards or motors in general. That's why I was thinking new  

The motor is always the unknown.  When I bought my new Ranger, I purchased the Mercury extended warranty.  It wasn't cheap.  I didn't buy it for myself.  I bought it for the next owner when I sell it.   A warranty is only as good as the company behind it.   If the warranty comes from the manufacturer, it adds value to the boat.  If the warranty is from an outside party, you are taking a chance. 

[elway1983]

Thanks

[Mizzoumn]

1 hour ago, elway1983 said:

That's great advise but my main concern is the motor. I know nothing about outboards or motors in general. That's why I was thinking new  

If the boat is relatively new (say 2015+) the four-stroke engines are very reliable and should provide minimal issues. Obviously there is always the possibility of a major costly repair happening, but I would feel very confident in any newer four stroke engine (Yamaha, Mercury, Suzuki and etc). I have seen rental boats with Mercury and Yamaha 115-150 HP have close to 1000 hours with the only maintenance being the routine oil/lower unit changes, water pump, and spark plugs.

[E-rude dude]

Boats are not an investment, have never been an investment, and never will be an investment. Only spend what you can afford to lose. Financing a boat is a big mistake if you are spending over 20k. You will pay double the purchase price or sell it for a loss. If your lucky you break even. 
 

The biggest thing new boaters don’t know is the high operating costs of boat ownership. Gas, insurance, tackle, gear, and upkeep all cost money. A basic rule of thumb I’ve used over the years is this. The average operating cost is $1 for every horsepower per fishing trip over the time of ownership. 
 

 

[gim]

21 hours ago, E-rude dude said:

The biggest thing new boaters don’t know is the high operating costs of boat ownership. Gas, insurance, tackle, gear, and upkeep all cost money.

Not to mention a towing vehicle and a place to store it.
 

I look at it as kind of like maintaining another automobile for half the year.

[Junk Fisherman]

22 hours ago, E-rude dude said:

 

The biggest thing new boaters don’t know is the high operating costs of boat ownership. Gas, insurance, tackle, gear, and upkeep all cost money. A basic rule of thumb I’ve used over the years is this. The average operating cost is $1 for every horsepower per fishing trip over the time of ownership. 
 

 

I think it really depends on what type of boat you have, whether you can do your own maintenance, and if you have mechanical issues.  With my last boat, a 17' Lowe, it was pretty inexpensive.  It had a 70 HP and running it at 30 mi/hr did not require much gas.  My boat was 10-15 years old so I only had liability on insurance.  I did all the trailer and motor maintenance which did not cost much in terms of materials.  Tires and batteries ever 5 years where the only real expensive replacements I needed.  But the boat/motor/trailer were reliable and I only had to take it in a couple times in the 15 years I owned it.

 

My father had a 16.5' Alumacraft and he experienced the same thing I did.  He did all his own maintenance, only had liability insurance, and only really replaced batteries and tires over the course of owning the boat.  Now I will say that I have had many more issues with my 2016 boat but I wouldn't say that owning a boat is necessarily some endless money pit.  Yes, there are expenses but they don't have to exorbitant.    And if you can do your maintenance you can save a lot of money.  

 

 

[WRB]

My suggestion is hire a guide that has a boat similar to what you are thinking of buying. Most guide boats will be 18’+ but you ask all the questions you have during the outing. Tell the guide you are new to boating and want to learn, worth the money as most guide love to teach.

Today it’s a sellers market next year maybe a buyers market. Never hurry into buying anything you are unfamiliar with.

Tom

[Junk Fisherman]

34 minutes ago, WRB said:

My suggestion is hire a guide that has a boat similar to what you are thinking of buying. Most guide boats will be 18’+ but you ask all the questions you have during the outing. Tell the guide you are new to boating and want to learn, worth the money as most guide love to teach.

Today it’s a sellers market next year maybe a buyers market. Never hurry into buying anything you are unfamiliar with.

Tom

Or join a bass club for a year as a non boater.  A fella can learn a lot that way about owning and running a boat if he’s observant.