Opinions On A Used Boat...

[fishingator]

I'm just throwing this out there for conversation as I am just a newcomer to bass fishing and this is probably getting in way over my head...

My short bass fishing experience has been mostly from land and occasionally from canoe. Of course I always "wish I had a boat" to fish from. Ironically, today someone I know happened to mention he is selling his boat. He's an older gentleman who is hanging up his fishing pole. He has an '83 Ranger Commanchee 90 hp Johnson on trailer with a 54lb thrust GW trolling motor. He's bought it new/top of the line and it's been garaged since day one and it is immaculate. He is asking $3900. So my questions are...assuming excellent condition, would you consider a boat this old? What would be your concerns or questions? Thanks!

[NCLifetimer]

If its nice and the engine is solid, then go for it. You can get a newer boat with a bigger/newer motor for the same price(late 80's/early 90's). But knowing that someone took good care of the boat adds value to a boat, in my opinion. Just don't expect good gas mileage haha.

[Daniel My Brother]

So my questions are...assuming excellent condition, would you consider a boat this old? What would be your concerns or questions? Thanks!

I don't know that I would assume anything on a boat this old. There's a lot of wood to go rotten in the floor and the transom. I would only consider this a good deal if boat mechanic I trusted told me it was.

A couple other things to consider. Is a big fiberglass boat the right choice for the waters you like to fish? Do you have a vehicle that can tow a 2,000 pound boat safely?

[Fishes in trees]

To echo the above post, I'd get it checked out and assuming its ok, you know the guy and how he took care of it, I think it is a fair price. How soon before that boat becomes a collectors item?

[fishingator]

I don't know that I would assume anything on a boat this old. There's a lot of wood to go rotten in the floor and the transom. I would only consider this a good deal if boat mechanic I trusted told me it was.

A couple other things to consider. Is a big fiberglass boat the right choice for the waters you like to fish? Do you have a vehicle that can tow a 2,000 pound boat safely?

Interesting thank you. I saw a pic of it and didn't consider it a big boat. Currently I can't really compare how I fish now to how I would fish with a boat. My bf has a cummins diesel right now so I assume that would tow it however this would be my boat and I drive a lifted Tahoe so another thing I would have to look into!

[fishingator]

To echo the above post, I'd get it checked out and assuming its ok, you know the guy and how he took care of it, I think it is a fair price. How soon before that boat becomes a collectors item?

I know him through work so not personally but over the years. I saw a pic of it on CL and was impressed but that is a picture. I was thinking the same thing about your last statement lol. I am a sucker for throwbacks though. I'm a Chevy kind of girl but I will take a mint 1960s/1970s Ford truck anyday lol.