I'm looking to buy a boat this year. This will be the first one so anyone have any tips on what to look for that would be awesome. I've been reading up on some and know the very basic things to look for such as lower unit and such but anything else would help. Thanks.
My mom has a 1968 Crestliner 16ft for sale with a 3.5 hp motor. Pretty old, but still pretty solid. Comes with trolling motor mount, rowing oars, and anchor. Can't remember how much she's asking, but I'll post up an ad for it tonight after work if I remember to.
oh sorry i forgot that....the boat will be for mostly fishing and maybe take some friends and families out for a good time...no skiing/wake boarding...price range anywhere from $3-$5k max...i would like something newer...and lighter so the Odyssey can tow it around and go in and out of boat launches with no problem...
sorry but these two things don't go together. you aren't going to get a newish 19ft boat that actually has a decent sized engine for 5k. 10k is barely pushing it. what kind of fishing? you could maybe get a 19ft john boat with an ok engine for under 5k. if you can only spend 5k, you'll need to settle for either a smaller boat or an older boat.
newer as in 90's and on...but if the boat looks good and is much older, that's fine too. for fishing wise, usually just the usual panfish, walleye, bass and such...i know you can fish for those from the shore but it's so limited to where you can go...
just asking about types of fish as the style of boat would differ. Look at Tracker brand boats - they tend to be a bit cheaper than equivalent Lund, Crestliner, or Alumicrafts
Yep, Lund is king...if you can find one cheap. Tracker is a budget oriented brand but does end up being decent products. Crestliner is somewhere in the middle, a good brand but not quite Lund rugged construction. Alumicraft is similar. Avoid Bayliner. Avoid Northwoods. Sometimes you can step into a fiberglass boat cheaper then you can an aluminum boat. Something with a full bow and a place for a seat pedestal will function just as well as an aluminum variant. About the only thing you don't get is a deep-v design that can be had with some aluminum fishing boats. Boats are NOT cheap...unless you go really old or the seller doesn't know better. I'll make a small note that larger boats sometimes don't cost much more then smaller ones. Even 30 foot cuddy cabins once on with age are about the same price as a small ski boat. Shop around...a LOT. As well, the better time to be looking is towards the fall and heading into winter. It's when everyone is done with and has to put away their toys is when the are more willing to sell them cheap.
yes be careful what you buy - boats are bigger money pits than cars. and that 19ft range is somewhat hard to shop for if you purely want a fishing boat. does it have to be 19? you'll find that a 17.5 with a very wide beam will be larger than you think. my next boat will either be a pro-v if i stay Lund, otherwise it will be a warrior or tuffy
Boats have come way down lately. I just saw a 32' Wellcraft St Tropez with $8000 worth of recent work for $5500 on Craigslist, no trailer though. I'm sure the small ones are still up a bit, and I know newer wakeboard boats are selling like hotcakes. My buddy just ordered a brand new 26' Mastercraft with all the options. Can't wait to surf behind that puppy.
yeah...doesn't have to be 19ft, i was just told since anything over 20ft you need some kind of special permit to drive, 19ft is the cut off point to where you wouldn't need it...please someone confirm this... thanks for all the tips and advice...keep'em coming...
I fished out of a 16' Lund Pike D for over 20 years, and that was more than adequate on 25,000 acre lakes like Namakan, Kabetogama, and the like. A decent motor is key. The '94 Yamaha Pro 50 still runs like a champ, and all we've even done to it is change the spark pulgs.
yea pretty much the same story here - 16' Lund Rebel with a 40hp evinrude tiller. This size boat is great but I would like something a bit bigger (mainly wider)
I have a cheap bass boat for sale...its an early 80's Forester 17' Bass boat with 115hp Mercury 2-stroke motor. The boat is pretty good condition considering its age, and the motor is rock solid. It comes with a trailer and I'll also include the fish/depth finder. PM if you are interested and I'll send you a price and pics.
Here is a picture of the boat...17ft Forester with a 115hp Mercury 2-stroke and trailer. It comes with 2 deep cycle batteries, working bilge pump, working lights, etc... I will also include the Humminbird Fish/Depth finder. There are 2 problems with the boat, first the instrument panel on the dash isn't working(but I never needed it) and the prop will eventually need to be replaced (I am including the replacement prop). I want to get $1500 for the boat, but I'm open to offers.
