Buying my first boat and have some questions. .

[pathfinder]

Hey guys here soon I am going to start looking into buying my first bass boat and I have never bought one before so I am at a complete loss. I am looking for a good used boat and am a bit apprehensive because I don't want to get a lemon because I know how finicky Outboards can be so I have some questions.

First should I buy from a private party or a dealer. If a dealer anyone have any reccomendations?

What do I need to look at to make sure the boat and motor are sound?

What should the boat have at a minimum to make it a good tournament boat?

Any other advise or answers to questions I don't even know to ask would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance for all of the help!

 

[stratos21xl]

Usually....you can get a better deal buying a used boat from an individual BUT most dealers that have used boats for sale will do a thorough inspection on the boat before they take it in on trade. The best time to buy one is in the winter but when a deal comes along you better have cash in hand and be ready to buy it because they don't stick around long. The used boat market is tough right now, with the economy the way it is and the price of new boats, good used boats priced right are tough to find. If you find one from a private person you are interested in, get all the info on the boat, motor, and trailer...model and serial numbers. Any dealer can pull the history on the motor for service/repair history and or warranty work performed on the engine. I would also highly recommend lake testing the boat. This gives you the chance to check out all working components like live wells, recirculation pumps, bilge pumps, trolling motor, and the engine. If the owner denies a lake test then you don't want the boat. Be sure to check the trailer out good too, if the boat is in the water check the hardware on the trailer that secures the bunks and the bunks themselves to make sure they are not rotted out. I would ask for a compression and leak down test on the engine to see what kind of shape the cylinders are in. The motor is about half the price of the rig and a rebuild or powerhead replacement isn't cheap. If all else fails and you are still unsure, ask the owner if he will take it to a shop and have it checked out. Even if it costs you a hundred dollars it might save you thousands.

 

[Voldaddy]

Trust me on this one...take it to James Perry (Wrechin2 on the forum) and have it checked out.

I had a compression check done on the boat that I bought and it was perfect, but the leak down test showed I had major problems, which resulted in a rebuild on my engine.

If the seller isn't willing to let you take it to James and have it checked out, keep looking until you find one that will.

Just remember that BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand.

 

[Mr.Finesse]

Hey buddy, I was in your shoes about 2 months ago. I am a new boat owner that wished he would have taken some lessons on boating and outboards before he dove in head first. All the advice these guys are giving you is really good. The motor is number one, hull is number two, and trailer/electronics are number three. Cosmetics will be obvious and can fool you BIG TIME! The important things are unseen and not obvious. When you go to look at a boat, be mindful of what you are doing. Don't put on the blinders that many buyers of big, fun toys do. You will buy the boat and then take it home and see it a new light, when it becomes yours something changes.

1: Have an experienced boater and/or mechanic bring tools and go with you. A bad engine can easily start right up on a garden hose and be DEAD in the water.

2: After the engine checks out look at the Hull, inside and out. Look for screws through the hull, deep gouges on the very bottom. Inside, step on the floor, even take about a 2-3" hop and see how the floor reacts. Stringers that are not rotted will NOT give way or move. Check the the transom look for any misshaping, cracks, bulges, discolorations around through hull ports. This is just to name the majority of things to look at with the hull.

3: This is pretty easy, check all switches and electronics. If they are trying to sell you a boat without a battery something is wrong.

4: Lastly, take it to the water, NEVER NEVER NEVER(did you get that..lol) BUY A BOAT WITHOUT WATER TESTING....This will show you leaks, functions of aerators and livewell pumps, function of the motor and propeller, fish finder and what not. If the buyer wants to sell his boat for the price he is asking, he WILL take it to the water with you and/or disclose issues.

I wish I knew what I know now. If I could go back I would, I might still have bought the same boat but it would have been for a bit less, that's for sure.

 

[Davo]

Be sure to check out this one http://chattanoogafishingforum.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=55297&posts=20

Wrenchin actually rebuilt this engine and the boat is perfect for tournaments. Huge livewell, never had a fish die.

 

[Mr.Finesse]

I am afraid that that is not a boat for a new boat owner....He wouldnt know what to do with it. It would take him two months to figure out everything that is does..

 

[pathfinder]

I actually ended up buying a 2005 triton and I love it. As for knowing how to use everything I didn't realize not owning a boat means you don't know how to use it.

 

[stumpknocker]

Dont waste your time buying anything before year 2000 make sure its a no wood boat all composite if its fiberglass or get aluminum boat , the motor is easy to have checked out before you buy .. also if its a newer ask for all service records .. but basically a boat is a boat they all are expensive BOAT = Bring out another thousand! Dont buy it cause its pretty buy it cause its safe, and has been well service and runs good

 

[fishnboy]

Triton is a very good boat.DD22fish has had one for a while and he loves it.And they have a pretty good ride.And if you fish alot on chick you need a boat to handle rough water.And lifts like a bullet.He just has 225 on it and not many boats gets him on short run.Think you have made a good choice. emoThumbsup emoThumbsup

 

[Oldman]

i saw his triton friday and it is a nice boat.he wouldn't put me on any fish. dang it

 

[pathfinder]

Lol thanks old man. It was good seeing you out there. I can't put you on fish if I'm not on em on the firat place. Lol. I had a horrible day trying to find em. I was following schools of baitfish all morning with no luck getting any bass to bite. Couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong.