Looking for a boat and advice

[Junior897]

I have never had a boat before, but have driven quite a few. I am looking for somewhere around a 16-17 footer with 50-75 horse motor. What is the average going price on the fiberglass ones out there?

It just seems like everyone is selling there boats, but I don't want one of those big gas hogs. Plus I don't want to spend over about $5000 on one. I thought that would be a good range for a pretty good used boat.

[Flash5150]

If you are unfamiliar with boats, then I recommend starting with a good used aluminum boat like a Tracker. Especially in the size range you mention. My first boat was a tracker that I fished for 10 years everywhere from Florida to Michigan. I then stepped up to a Ranger. The reason I say start with aluminum is that there are mistakes you will make that are much easier to take with an aluminum boat and i am talking about scratches, dings, etc. I didn't mind bouncing my aluminum rig (I bought it new by the way) off of a dock, but if I did that in the Ranger, I would have a nice beauty mark for sure. Once you are familiar with the doers and don'ts, then you can step up to a fiberglass rig. You will also get more bang for the buck you have to spend if you look for aluminum. Also, the fuel ecomomy and places you will be able to go with the aluminum boat are nice. Hope this helps. Good Luck!

[rme hunter]

I sent you a PM. You need to put what you are looking for in the classieds you will get people that have some boats for sale.

[Junior897]

I have driven quite a few boats over the years. Most of what I have used were between 18 to 21 feet, but am looking for something small because I am the only one fishing out of it. Also looking for something a little better on fuel.

[daking]

Aluminum is far lighter than glass. That means it's going to take less gas to pull it and less gas to power it on the water. I think the aluminum advice is very good.

There's a lot of good choices. G3 makes a great boat, as does Lowe, Alumicraft, Crestliner, Lund and so forth. You can get the performance you want with a whole lot less motor on an aluminum boat.

[str8 shot]

I would definatley look into the bass tracker line of boats..you can find good used ones at the price range your lookin for

[quackrstackr]

A glass boat of the size/hp that you describe is probably going to be a hard thing to find unless it is an old tri-hull boat.

There should be plenty of used aluminum rigs out there that meet the criteria you are looking for. You won't touch a new one of that description for $5k.

[shogan]

Step up to Aluminum! is my vote for your needs.

Fiberglass is pretty.

Pretty heavy, Pretty sure to rot, Pretty sure to crack, Pretty sure to loooose value fast.

Aluminum is light right and more durable to the muck of fishing.

I saw a nice mid 90's tracker 2 weeks ago for under $3000.

[quackrstackr]

Beware older tin boats with wooden decks and floors......

that's a nightmare in the making unless it has always been garage kept or tightly covered and will continue to be.

[wcpickens]

A friend of mine has a 1860 War Eagle, early 2000 model. 75 hp merc, live wells, 2 depth finders, new trolling motor and 3 new batteries. If you're interested pm me and I'll give you his name and #. I think he's asking $7200 for it. But would probably take less.

[notimlmit]

I've sent you a pm about my bass tracker which I'm selling this year

[gobblergetter]

Sounds like everyone is telling you to go aluminum. To answer your question though, I saw a 1985 17 ft Champion fiberglass with a 160 and trolling motor on it for 3000 yesterday. Hope that gives you an idea of what they're going for. The 160 is bigger than you want so take that into account when you see the price of 3000. I've always heard 100/horsepower new. That seems a little high but that's what i've heard as a rule of thumb.

[Auk1124]

My opinion, for either aluminum or glass:

1. There's no such thing as too big of a bass boat. A fishing boat that's too small won't leave the trailer.

2. The second happiest day of your life is when you buy your boat. The happiest day of your life is when you sell it.

3. Nothing has the potential to make something as enjoyable and peaceful as fishing neither enjoyable nor peaceful, as a crappy boat motor. Get as good a motor as you can afford. Then borrow some more money and get an even better motor. Then steal an even better one.

[Junior897]

Well l I think I have found what I am looking for. It is between two for about the same money. One is a 89 16 foot Pro Craft with a 90 on the back of it. The other is the same year Winner with a 115 on the back. The price is right on either, and think I will pick one of them up this week.

[kybasser]

My opinion, for either aluminum or glass:

1. There's no such thing as too big of a bass boat. A fishing boat that's too small won't leave the trailer.

2. The second happiest day of your life is when you buy your boat. The happiest day of your life is when you sell it.

3. Nothing has the potential to make something as enjoyable and peaceful as fishing neither enjoyable nor peaceful, as a crappy boat motor. Get as good a motor as you can afford. Then borrow some more money and get an even better motor. Then steal an even better one.


I disagree with the happy day quote above!!! I had to sell my first bass boat because of family health problems, and I had to choose to pay bills instead of fish. Now my health is failing, and I have to sell my 21' Triton. Selling the boat will be one of the saddest days in my life.

As for metal vs. fiberglass, well it is really about how you will use the boat. But, fiberglass will not rot as suggested in the one post above... LOL. My boat has no wood in it, so it will not rot. It is much faster than any metal boat I have encountered, though speed is not what I bought the boat for. In fact, I very rarely open my boat up wide open. When I bought the boat new, I did check the speed with my GPS, and I hit 79 mph before the boat began to chine walk, and I backed off. I don't think I have ever gone that fast again. Just no need to do so. I don't troll for fish, but even if I did, I don't think I could keep the bait in the water at that speed... LMAO Besides, everyone I have talked to that have blown an engine, said they were going Wide Open throttle.

I absolutely love my boat, and hate the fact that I have to sell her. I had it ordered to suit my needs perfectly.

Sad, but sure....

Danny

[daking]

I have a friend who has an older Procraft 16' fish and ski with an old "tower of power" Mercury 90 on it. Boat runs pretty strong and fast enough to suit most folks. Those old Mercs were a little thirsty, but otherwise pretty OK motors.