Starter Bass Boat

[Vlkter]

Looking for a first bass boat. Im 22 and have an extra $4000. Ive been checking on craigslist but im not sure which ones would be worth checking out. any suggestions? Looking for a boat i can just hitch and take to the lake. dont want to have much problems with it. Any info will help! Thanks!

[GeordyBass]

what are you looking for? Aluminum or Fiberglass? I can guide you through it... if you want to be dvl legal, 4 stroke nd most likely a 17' Aluminum type boat with a 25-50hp 4 stroke... Fiberglass will be for haulin arse and high speeds.... tournament style boat,,,

GIve us some more info in what you need it for and i'll help u find out a good boat,,,

[Vlkter]

what are you looking for? Aluminum or Fiberglass? I can guide you through it... if you want to be dvl legal, 4 stroke nd most likely a 17' Aluminum type boat with a 25-50hp 4 stroke... Fiberglass will be for haulin arse and high speeds.... tournament style boat,,,

GIve us some more info in what you need it for and i'll help u find out a good boat,,,

Thanks for your reply. I wanted a fiberglass one but i cant seem to find one for the price range im in. Ive seen some late 80's fiberglass bass boats that I really want to pick up. I dont see much of those but any boat will be good i think. im looking for something in the 90+hp range though. i deff want something i can just take out i dont want to have to buy alot of stuff for it. should include fish finder, live well, bass seat, the norm. Thanks Geordy

[Socal Bassman]

There's not too many fiberglass bass boats in that price range that won't need some type of work done. You'll see one on CL every once in a while though. Just depends on how patient you are. If you do find one of interest, you want to make sure you check the transom over real well. Get underneath the boat and look for any hull damage. Look inside the bilge area. Sometimes you'll see boats where the stringers are separating from the transom. Definitely not a good sign. Chips in the gel coat where fiberglass is exposed below the water line can lead to water intrusion and wet stringers. Walk around the deck and feel for soft spots. Soft spots is usually a tell tale sign of rotten wood and needs to be replaced.

Another thing you should do or have done is a compression test on the motor. Also, ask the seller if you can water test it. If so, be there early so you can see him/her start the boat when the motor is cold. If a water test can't be done, you can also check how the motor runs using a garden hose and muffs. If the seller turns the motor on without attaching it to a hose... Walk away. It only takes a few seconds without water to damage the water pump.

There is definitely a lot more to check on fiberglass boats than aluminum boats. But I think it's well worth it if you take your time to check everything out and be patient.

[Vlkter]

There's not too many fiberglass bass boats in that price range that won't need some type of work done. You'll see one on CL every once in a while though. Just depends on how patient you are. If you do find one of interest, you want to make sure you check the transom over real well. Get underneath the boat and look for any hull damage. Look inside the bilge area. Sometimes you'll see boats where the stringers are separating from the transom. Definitely not a good sign. Chips in the gel coat where fiberglass is exposed below the water line can lead to water intrusion and wet stringers. Walk around the deck and feel for soft spots. Soft spots is usually a tell tale sign of rotten wood and needs to be replaced.

Another thing you should do or have done is a compression test on the motor. Also, ask the seller if you can water test it. If so, be there early so you can see him/her start the boat when the motor is cold. If a water test can't be done, you can also check how the motor runs using a garden hose and muffs. If the seller turns the motor on without attaching it to a hose... Walk away. It only takes a few seconds without water to damage the water pump.

There is definitely a lot more to check on fiberglass boats than aluminum boats. But I think it's well worth it if you take your time to check everything out and be patient.

Didnt know it was such a dime in a dozen. maybe i should start looking into aluminum boats

[Vlkter]

how do you guys feel about trackers?

[GeordyBass]

Almost all aluminum boats(Bass) have just about the same quality more or less, there aren't many with over 75hp but that'll scoot a 17' or 18' at about 40mph,,,

Also, Stay away from a boat with a FORCE/Chrysler/U.S. Marine outboard.... bad rep and quality....


some listings:

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/boa/1502256642.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/boa/1513137206.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/boa/1515271576.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/boa/1538724276.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/boa/1535827973.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/1537724910.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/1517475309.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/1510691476.html


Needs work but you will have 2500+ to repair!

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/1533298829.html


You'll find the same engine(or better) for about 1k more

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/1535874515.html


Also buy a compression tester at your local auto shop for about $20....
You'll need to take off all the spark plugs and stick it in each cylinder and crank the engine over... then you'll need to do it on all cylinders and make sure they are even! they can be up to 10lbs of p.s.i off of each other. If 1 is more than that off it will require rebuild. Compression on American Engines(Mercury, Evinrude/Johnson) must be about 120-160lbs psi evenly.... Japanese(Yamaha, Nissan/Tohatsu, Suzuki) from about 110-150psi... the more compression the less it has been used....

Check for any oil leaks by or around the prop and also make sure the motor is pumping out water from a water spout next to the exhaust or powerhead area and touch the powerhead to see if it is heating up, it has to run cool enough that you can keep your hand on the powerhead without burning yourself...lol...

Let it run for a few minutes, make seller put it in gear rev/fwd, check for any clunking and hitting in the prop area.... There are a lot of things to check out like someone stated, stringers, softspots on the floors....

Check for anything that may be repairable use as a reason to lowball!:Envious:

[NoHo ART]

here is a nice fish & ski
http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/showthread.php?t=41214

or

http://fishingnetwork.net/forum4/showthread.php?t=40255

[Vlkter]

Wow thanks for all the help guys!

[El Weirdo]

i have a tracker pro team 190 with a 90 hp love it to death...one draw back is when it's windy it is hard to stay in place
here check this out
http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3242
not bad for this price you will have a new boat ..and not have any hassle with fixing
stuff on an older boat. not the 90hp you are looking for but at this price it is a new boat
with all the fixings
my 2 cents..
good luck on your quest

EL..

p.s with 3500 down payment is round 100 bucks of so check out the payment calculator
on lower left side

[Vlkter]

i have a tracker pro team 190 with a 90 hp love it to death...one draw back is when it's windy it is hard to stay in place
here check this out
http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3242
not bad for this price you will have a new boat ..and not have any hassle with fixing
stuff on an older boat. not the 90hp you are looking for but at this price it is a new boat
with all the fixings
my 2 cents..
good luck on your quest

EL..

p.s with 3500 down payment is round 100 bucks of so check out the payment calculator
on lower left side
omg I think im going to get this boat. I have a new spending limit of $10k :) prob going to get a really nice 16'

[fisherman from long beach]

damn ,that seems like a great boat not tooo expensive,plus your spending limit went up to 10k.you have extra cash to get life jackets,beer,some hoop nets,custom rods!lol

[GeordyBass]

damn ,that seems like a great boat not tooo expensive,plus your spending limit went up to 10k.you have extra cash to get life jackets,beer,some hoop nets,custom rods!lol
if your not only looking for a bass boat get this one!!!!!

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/boa/1541752649.html

best deal for the price!

[GeordyBass]

omg I think im going to get this boat. I have a new spending limit of $10k :) prob going to get a really nice 16'
It'll come up to 11k after taxes.... You'd be better off looking for a nice and newer boat,,,

[El Weirdo]

since all trackers prices are set..give anglers marine in anaheim a shot..if you buy from them...you will
get like 10 to 15 percent off any tackle you buy from them after
have fun with your new boat

plus these boats don't weight that much so you don't need a full size rig to tow it SAFE..
my 4runner tows my 19 with no problem

more 2 cents ..am up to 4cents...almost got a nickles worth of comments..
once again good luck

[MAVERICK27]

Hey ARt, thanks for pimpin off my boat!! If he wants it...I may deal... PM

[Socal Bassman]

Just saw this one on CL.

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/boa/1542815162.html

[Vlkter]

still looking for a boat for under $4000 can someone help me out?