My First Bass Boat

[Vinny Chase]

I am about to start looking seriously for my first bass boat. I really want to get a newish bass tracker for under  $3000. Where would the best place to look for a deal like this? If you guys have any other information that would be helpful that would be great.

Thanks,

VC

PS. I do know about how light the bass trackers are and im not worried about having a lighter boat

[Carrington]

try craigslist

[DINK WHISPERER]

try craigslist

X2, all my boats have been found here.

[Vinny Chase]

Do you guys know of a brand i should check out that would be an the lower end of my budget. I have been checking Bass Trackers and Lowe, but if you guys know of other ones i could look out for that would be great

Thanks,

VC

[Grey Wolf]

I am about to start looking seriously for my first bass boat. I really want to get a newish bass tracker for under $3000. Where would the best place to look for a deal like this? If you guys have any other information that would be helpful that would be great.

Thanks,

VC

PS. I do know about how light the bass trackers are and im not worried about having a lighter boat

You are not going to get a newish bass tracker for under 3000. You are probably going to have to settle for an oldish one instead.

[Vinny Chase]

I am about to start looking seriously for my first bass boat. I really want to get a newish bass tracker for under $3000. Where would the best place to look for a deal like this? If you guys have any other information that would be helpful that would be great.

Thanks,

VC

PS. I do know about how light the bass trackers are and im not worried about having a lighter boat

You are not going to get a newish bass tracker for under 3000. You are probably going to have to settle for an oldish one instead.

Yea i guess i was thinking the newest i could possibly get is a '01

[brgbassmaster]

ya man i have a tracker and i paid 3000 for mine and its an 88 but it looks sick now. put all new everything except a motor. motor runs like a champ. you will probably have to settle with an 80s model honestly.

[Carrington]

i personally bought a procraft a few weeks ago and am now doing a full interior redo.  it will look sweet when im done.  but check out nitro, ranger, procraft, and some other brands.

[Vinny Chase]

ya man i have a tracker and i paid 3000 for mine and its an 88 but it looks sick now. put all new everything except a motor. motor runs like a champ. you will probably have to settle with an 80s model honestly.

I have seen some in the mid 90's for around 3000 so ill probably jump on one of those soon

[harpoon]

Craigslist has been really good for me over the years.  Last year I also got my first fishing boat. I scored a 94 Starcraft Fishmaster for $3,000. Was in great shape and the family loves it.

I wish you luck on finding your new boat.

Harpoon

[Bigs]

I bought 3 boats last year, 2 aluminum and one 20 foot glass and all 3 were found on craigslist. I also got all 3 for dirt cheap. I would troll craigslist for a deal every day. When I bought my 2005 16 foot tracker I paid 4900 bux!! I ended up selling it for 5500 maybe 4 months later when I got bored with it. So you can def get something in the 3 grand range from the late 90's if you know how to negotiate a deal. Look for a boat thats listed for around 4 grand and bring 3 cash with you. At least half the sellers out there will take it. Its very very hard to sell a boat, trust me. Sellers will take serious cash offers on the spot esp during the winter.

I wouldnt get an older aluminum boat tho unless its all welded. Those rivets scare me. They leak like crazy and you never know when youre gonna bump into something that springs a nasty leak.

[MSPbass]

I got my first boat off the Mpls/St.Paul Craigslist from a guy in Eden Prairie just this Fall. There were so many boats on there I couldn't believe it. However, winter was fast approaching and folks were looking to sell rather than store for another season. People seemed mostly honest, but pics were sometimes misleading. Just go out and check the boat out in person. Sometimes the prices were way off too. But I was keeping track, checking in just about every day, and would see the same boat posted again and again with a price drop each time. But the ones that were "priced to sell" went fast. The only other thing I'd say is if you're serious about buying, you might want to wait till you can actually put a prospect in the water to test out. Happy hunting though!

P.S. I ended up with a fully decked v-hull. Don't be afraid to look at the aluminum v-hulls on there too. Lunds and Alumacrafts still fetch top dollar, but if your patient, you can find a deal. Here's one to watch: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/1604704837.html

[IwillChooseFreeWill]

TIP: the best time to buy a boat of any kind is usually fall and winter...

Boat sales usually correspond to the weather, the warmer it gets the faster they sell and higher price they sell for.

So if you do find a boat for a good price, you better contact them within 24 hours of it being posted or it may already be sold.

[bweave09]

My buddy just decided to sell his the other day. He texted me a few minutes ago and I thought of this thread. I've been out on it a few times and we have never had any problems. Here's the link: http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/1605204321.html

[silverbullet32]

one bit of advice... it doesnt matter how new a boat is as long as it floats and serves a comforting purpose. im in the same boat as you are (no pun intended) and trackers seem about the cheapest, especially used

[Vinny Chase]

Yea i really do not care about the boat year itself, but the motor...I want something that will last me a good ten more years until i can get myself a ranger

[Vinny Chase]

I got my first boat off the Mpls/St.Paul Craigslist from a guy in Eden Prairie just this Fall. There were so many boats on there I couldn't believe it. However, winter was fast approaching and folks were looking to sell rather than store for another season. People seemed mostly honest, but pics were sometimes misleading. Just go out and check the boat out in person. Sometimes the prices were way off too. But I was keeping track, checking in just about every day, and would see the same boat posted again and again with a price drop each time. But the ones that were "priced to sell" went fast. The only other thing I'd say is if you're serious about buying, you might want to wait till you can actually put a prospect in the water to test out. Happy hunting though!

P.S. I ended up with a fully decked v-hull. Don't be afraid to look at the aluminum v-hulls on there too. Lunds and Alumacrafts still fetch top dollar, but if your patient, you can find a deal. Here's one to watch: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/1604704837.html

Hey thanks for all the tips!

I cannot wait for the day where i can fish till the afternoon, take my boat out of the water and go straight to Target field for a Twins game!

This summer is going to be great

[Brush Hog20]

Not to steer the convo away from your original question Vinny, but serious congrats on yalls new ball field.  I am a big baseball guy (Cards fan) and the worst place i have ever watched a baseball game was that stinking dome yall played in.  I have been to independent league games that were more enjoyable.  Looks like yall have a gem now! 

[MSPbass]

I cannot wait for the day where i can fish till the afternoon, take my boat out of the water and go straight to Target field for a Twins game!

You don't have children, Vinny, do you. :-?

Hey, I still check the listings for kicks every now & again. If I happen to see something worthwhile, I'll PM you; but you really should be checking every day yourself. Once Spring Fever hits (fishing, not baseball) prices are going to shoot up. If you see something you're at all I interested in - call. I just happened to call the guy I got my boat from within 2 hours of him posting it. In 3 days it was in my driveway. You have to be diligent because, like I said, the good deals go fast.

And if you didn't know, like I didn't, no title for boats under 16'. Trailer has one though. And lifetime plates transfer to new owner of trailer. That's a bonus to look out for.

[Vinny Chase]

Not to steer the convo away from your original question Vinny, but serious congrats on yalls new ball field. I am a big baseball guy (Cards fan) and the worst place i have ever watched a baseball game was that stinking dome yall played in. I have been to independent league games that were more enjoyable. Looks like yall have a gem now!

Yea i agree the dome was a horrible place to watch baseball, but a great home field advantage.

Cant wait though for some outdoor baseball unless its still snowing  :-/

BTW i love Busch stadium that place is beautiful

[Vinny Chase]

I cannot wait for the day where i can fish till the afternoon, take my boat out of the water and go straight to Target field for a Twins game!

You don't have children, Vinny, do you. :-?

Hey, I still check the listings for kicks every now & again. If I happen to see something worthwhile, I'll PM you; but you really should be checking every day yourself. Once Spring Fever hits (fishing, not baseball) prices are going to shoot up. If you see something you're at all I interested in - call. I just happened to call the guy I got my boat from within 2 hours of him posting it. In 3 days it was in my driveway. You have to be diligent because, like I said, the good deals go fast.

And if you didn't know, like I didn't, no title for boats under 16'. Trailer has one though. And lifetime plates transfer to new owner of trailer. That's a bonus to look out for.

haha nope i dont have kids still in college.

Thanks for looking out and letting me know about that title tip!