First Bass Boat!

[Vinny Chase]

A couple of WAYYYY better boats in your area....

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/1626934500.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/boa/1626297411.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/1626038640.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ank/boa/1625823667.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/boa/1625741604.html

You get the idea....

I realize these may be out of your price range, but you'll get a lot more out of one of these than some rotted out POS.

Like i said before it has everything i want. Storage, trolling motor, pedistal seats, been taking care of (besides the floor).

If the floor is a very small area should i give it a shot?

The other boats you showed dont really have what im looking for

[J Francho]

Wow i thought i would get a better response!

I didnt even think about it being fiberglass...Is that really a big deal when on the lake?

When its a 30 year old boat already exhibiting problems, yes.

[Vinny Chase]

Wow i thought i would get a better response!

I didnt even think about it being fiberglass...Is that really a big deal when on the lake?

When its a 30 year old boat already exhibiting problems, yes.

Not what i wanted to hear but thanks

[MSPbass]

Aluminum boats, in my opinion, are easy to maintain and tougher on the water (and ramp). Plus, they're a lot lighter, so trailering and storing is easier. They float a little higher on the water too.

[rodnreel11]

Wow i thought i would get a better response!

I didnt even think about it being fiberglass...Is that really a big deal when on the lake?

When its a 30 year old boat already exhibiting problems, yes.

Not what i wanted to hear but thanks

I was in your shoes a couple of months ago. I know all these "negative" comments are probably discouraging you from buying your first boat, but they should be seriously considered. What's the point in forking over $1k if you have to spend another $2-3k fixing a rotten floor and transom? Why not just save that money and buy a nicer/newer rig? This is definitely not a decision you want to rush. There are a ton of boats out there, plenty have been added to this thread for you to see. Make sure to consider what these guys are talking about because so far everything I've read is very sound advice. If I were you, I'd spend some time and save a little bit more back so your starting point is higher.  All of the rigs Francho posted up look 10x better than the 2 you're considering.  Trust me, you do NOT want to be stuck with a black hole for your first rig.  Keep looking around and you'll eventually find the right one.  Good luck finding one!

[Vinny Chase]

Wow i thought i would get a better response!

I didnt even think about it being fiberglass...Is that really a big deal when on the lake?

When its a 30 year old boat already exhibiting problems, yes.

Not what i wanted to hear but thanks

I was in your shoes a couple of months ago. I know all these "negative" comments are probably discouraging you from buying your first boat, but they should be seriously considered. What's the point in forking over $1k if you have to spend another $2-3k fixing a rotten floor and transom? Why not just save that money and buy a nicer/newer rig? This is definitely not a decision you want to rush. There are a ton of boats out there, plenty have been added to this thread for you to see. Make sure to consider what these guys are talking about because so far everything I've read is very sound advice. Good luck finding one!

yea ll probably pass on this one and wait for a tracker to come along in my price range

[MSPbass]

The other boats you showed dont really have what im looking for

You need to look at those boats again my man. 3 out of 5 have exactly what you asked for.

You're probably not far from St. Anthony, right? It looks like that Sea Nymph is at a dealership. Go check it out this weekend before you see the fiberglass boat. Seriously. I think it will help you out a lot.

[Vinny Chase]

The other boats you showed dont really have what im looking for

You need to look at those boats again my man. 3 out of 5 have exactly what you asked for.

You're probably not far from St. Anthony, right? It looks like that Sea Nymph is at a dealership. Go check it out this weekend before you see the fiberglass boat. Seriously. I think it will help you out a lot.

I wouldnt mind that boat at all, but i dont have $3500 and if i did i would be all over a bass tracker

[Lund Explorer]

While in the end its going to be your choice, asking for advice around here means you are going to get just that.

When someone says "watch out for the soft spot", what they are telling you in a nice way is that it has already happened to them.  That why somebody can quote a price for that kind of repair, because they've already shelled out that kind of money.

I won't repeat that same advice though, because I think you may want to consider something else.

Take Your Time.......

You've still got a month or so before you can float anything you buy.  Spend some time looking at other used boat sites besides craigslist.  Boat-trader.com, local marina websites, and don't forget the local banks have repo lots or have companies that auction their stuff.

When you're buying a boat, the only thing that needs to go fast, is the boat itself.

Good Luck

[Grey Wolf]

These fella's are giving you some great advice .

[hootersdoug]

Try checking out any local tourney websites.  The people who fish in these normally take good care of their boats, are looking to get a new member to fish on thieir circut, probably know the boats they will reccomend, and may be willing to sell you their boat on a payment plan????  I got my boat this way and have had a solid 95 boat for the last 7 years with no major problems!

[Vinny Chase]

Try checking out any local tourney websites. The people who fish in these normally take good care of their boats, are looking to get a new member to fish on thieir circut, probably know the boats they will reccomend, and may be willing to sell you their boat on a payment plan???? I got my boat this way and have had a solid 95 boat for the last 7 years with no major problems!

Do you know how i would go about finding one of these sites?

[Vinny Chase]

The guy with the boat that has the rotten spots got back to me with this email:

"The couple of soft spots are hardly serious, it's just flooring, has absolutely nothing to do with the integrity of the hull and there is zero risk involved other than it can be annoying (which is why I suggested putting a piece of treated wood over it).  If you actually looked at it you would be able to see that it isn't really a big deal at all"

[zerofivenismo]

The guy with the boat that has the rotten spots got back to me with this email:

"The couple of soft spots are hardly serious, it's just flooring, has absolutely nothing to do with the integrity of the hull and there is zero risk involved other than it can be annoying (which is why I suggested putting a piece of treated wood over it). If you actually looked at it you would be able to see that it isn't really a big deal at all"

Walk away.....very fast.  If it was as easy to repair the areas as the seller explained it, he should have done the floor work before listing it.  You'll quickly find the hull when your foot goes thru the soft spots....which I disagree with the comment of zero risk involved.  I agree with some of the guys who suggested the tin boats.  More bang for the buck.

[donmac]

From reading your posts, it sounds like you want to spend as little as possible and don't want a project. If that is the case then I'd stick with basstracker style tin boat - unless you plan on spending most of your time covering large distances of water across large lakes.

If that is the case that tin boat is going to beat the crap of you (unless of course it is a later model high-end Lund, Crestliner, etc - which, being from MN, you should be familiar with, and know you will not get for cheap money and will not necessarily be a bass-boat style boat. )

Regardless of what kind of boat you are shopping for, you should be looking for as little wood as as possible in the boat. Lots of older boats had wooden floors and transoms. Not necessarily a bad thing if they were fiberglass encased, but if there have been many holes drilled over the years that were not properly sealed - you'll see rot like in that skeeter.

Have fun shopping - just get whatever feels right for you.  If it runs you'll have fun with it.  Odds are this will not be your last boat.

[simplejoe]

My last project had a couple soft spots on the floor and it Really wasn't a big deal. I wanted to put new carpet on it anyway. If you like the boat go check it out and look it over real well. Look at the transom, get up on the motor and see if the transom flexes, if it does run away. See where the soft spot are, if there near the drains on the boat then, that's just something all boats do over age. But what he recommended by slapping another piece of wood over the old, you're asking for trouble. Do it once and do it right, is the way it should be done. Just prepare yourself it's going to be some work. We can help you through it.

[Vinny Chase]

My last project had a couple soft spots on the floor and it Really wasn't a big deal. I wanted to put new carpet on it anyway. If you like the boat go check it out and look it over real well. Look at the transom, get up on the motor and see if the transom flexes, if it does run away. See where the soft spot are, if there near the drains on the boat then, that's just something all boats do over age. But what he recommended by slapping another piece of wood over the old, you're asking for trouble. Do it once and do it right, is the way it should be done. Just prepare yourself it's going to be some work. We can help you through it.

Thanks alot!

I decided to just wait for a newer bass tracker. Not only did the floor scare me on that boat, but it being 33 years old did as well. I also thought if it was so easy to fix why didnt you just do it in the first place to get a better profit on the boat?

[simplejoe]

When were talking floors, there's no easy fix. That's why he didn't want to do it and rather just sale it.

I'm glad you're looking for a newer boat.