Forums59
Topics1,039,185
Posts13,960,544
Members144,192
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
How old is too old?
#11856626
09/30/16 02:15 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
SlowDown
OP
Extreme Angler
|
OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286 |
Am thinking of buying something like a 16' Tracker bass or crappie boat. I don't see many for sale that are less than ten years old, most much older. Considering the age of the outboard and the motor, how old would you consider buying?
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11856634
09/30/16 02:21 AM
|
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340
Bobby Milam
TFF Team Angler
|
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,340 |
All depends on the condition and maintenance. My current boat is a '94 champion. It is in great condition and has needed very little work from me.
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11856638
09/30/16 02:23 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
SlowDown
OP
Extreme Angler
|
OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286 |
Bobby, thanks for th reply. Appreciate it.
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11856674
09/30/16 02:58 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 110
SheldonMOAC
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 110 |
I just purchased a 2009 Fisher aluminum boat with 50 HP. Hours on the boat were less than 30. Had all maintance records. May have to shop around but there are some deals out there. Found mine on Craigslist in Kentucky
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SheldonMOAC]
#11856693
09/30/16 03:07 AM
|
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 911
guntz67
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 911 |
I have a 93 Champion still running strong knock on wood
Just pitch and Grind you never know when you are going to get LUCKY !!!!!!!!
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11856857
09/30/16 11:44 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,420
Okie Poke
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,420 |
I drive an '07. I would put it up against many a boat that is newer than it. It all depends on how the previous owners have maintained it. Inside storage a must....you can look at a skeg on a lower unit and pretty much tell if it's been rode hard.
😎 Dallas Cowboys....eventual Superbowl Champions 😎
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11856868
09/30/16 11:51 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8,384
Jpurdue
TFF Celebrity
|
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8,384 |
It's just like anything else, it all depends on how it was maintained and probably a little bit of luck on how it was originally built. Personally, I'd take a 12 year old boat that was garage kept and meticulously maintained over a 2 year old guide boat that was relentlessly used and abused.
"Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish goes home through an alley." -A.L. www.LunkerLore.com
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11856871
09/30/16 11:54 AM
|
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 917
C130
Pro Angler
|
Pro Angler
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 917 |
I bought my 08 Bass Cat in Tennessee. Boat looks brand new, wasn't a single scratch on it and had 104 verified hours on it. Older boats that I looked at around here were pretty beat up. I know when I lived in Tennessee my boats stayed in excellent shape with all of the deep lakes. I looked in several states for very clean older boats and I'm happy with my purchase. I didn't buy it cheap but it's a very clean boat.
As stated above, I'd rather have an older, well maintained boat than a new one that wasn't taken care of. I looked at a couple of late model boats that were in terrible shape. I couldn't believe how bad one particular boat had been treated and it wasn't very old.
Last edited by C130; 09/30/16 11:57 AM.
Bass Cat Eyra
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11856905
09/30/16 12:31 PM
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 207
Scott's Creek Skeeter
Outdoorsman
|
Outdoorsman
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 207 |
I have an 17' Xpress with a 90hp Yamaha for sale. Boat has Lowrance graphs and a Power Pole. I am asking $8500 obo...
07 Skeeter ZX 225 (Thank you Julie) Jefferson Bass Club "Make your own Luck"
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11857009
09/30/16 01:40 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
SlowDown
OP
Extreme Angler
|
OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286 |
Really appreciate each and every reply. The garage in my town home will only accommodate a boat no longer than 16", with a swing away trailer tongue. I'm getting up in age and sold my last boat before I should have. At this stage, I don't want to invest in another new boat, but don't want to buy one that will fall apart on me. An old boat can have hidden damage of boards below the floor and in the transem that I worry about. I've seen aluminum boats made in the 1980s on craigslist, with new carpet, that look good, but I just wonder if there is an age that is too old to even look at.
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11857187
09/30/16 03:12 PM
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,522
Ken A.
Groovy
|
Groovy
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 13,522 |
IMO, no such thing as too old, like Okie said its all about how it has been maintained.
Some key things to check are:
Engine compression-it should be even on all cylinders within 5-10 psi or so
Lower unit grease- if it looks milky, it has had water intrusion and will most likely need new bearings, seals, clutches
Steering cables- steering wheel should turn freely. If not cables will need to be replaced and they ain't cheap.
Batteries- just figure on replacing all of them. The seller will tell you (everytime) they have just been replaced
If there is any wood in the boat like the older Trackers, it will most likely need replacing if the boat has spent any time at all outside
Trailer- plan to replace the wheel bearings and probably the tires too. Even if the tires have good tread they will probably be dry rotted and cracked.
That's all I can think of at the moment but there are many other items you can spend hundreds of dollars on if you aren't careful when you buy. Don't know how handy you are but having a reputable marine dealer rebuild a lower unit on a 50-90 hp outboard could easily run a grand or more.
I've seen 20 year old boats that look two and I've seen five year old boats that look 20 becasue the owner stored the boat outside in the sun.
Last edited by Ken A.; 09/30/16 03:14 PM.
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11857230
09/30/16 03:33 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,714
Bass Buster1
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,714 |
Also on aluminum boats the all welded boats will last longer than riveted. Rivets leak after a while but can be fixed with a little effort. I fish from a 93 Javelin which treats me just right! Before that it was an old deep and wide 14' Jon boat with a little 9.9 tiller steer and a small deck up front and before that a plastic bass buster all of them work to get you off the bank and on the water.
See you on the lake and have a great day!
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11857318
09/30/16 04:10 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,476
T-racer @ Mallard Marine
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,476 |
Yeah I don't think any age is necessarily "too old". I think all the other factors that everybody mentioned will be more important. Engine compression and condition are primary for old boat as well as transom and floor. After that, if everything looks good, then an old boat should be fine. I got mine to get started bass fishing for 1000 dollars on craigslist. Engine runs and cranks like a top. Floor is solid. Transom is solid enough. It worked for me and my budget. But as mentioned above, expect new bearings, tires, and batteries right off the bat. The biggest thing will just be looking over the boat in person. Age doesn't mean much. Boat could be 30 years old but sat in a garage for all of them, or it could've been used twice weekly for all 30. You never know until you go look at it.
Mallard Marine Nacogdoches, Tx 936-225-3244 - Authorized Sales/Service Mercury Outboards - Allison Boats
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11857365
09/30/16 04:30 PM
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,118
Troyz
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,118 |
saw a 16 ft tracker with a 50hp Evenrude (I think) at a dock on Cedar Creek. If I remember correctly it is a 2012 and he is asking 6900 or something like that. Dont have any idea if price is negotiable or not. I could get a number next time I am on that part of the lake if interested.
|
|
Re: How old is too old?
[Re: SlowDown]
#11857646
09/30/16 07:48 PM
|
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286
SlowDown
OP
Extreme Angler
|
OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,286 |
Thanks again guys. I will keep an eye on local Craigslist, etc., this fall and winter to see if one comes along at the right price, am thinking in range of $4k. I'm in no hurry. I fish with a friend in his boat, so I can be patient. When he doesn't go for a couple of weeks and I'm wanting to go --- that is when I miss having a boat. Another option is to get a Jon boat with a small tiller motor, a trolling motor, install a good seat, something that requires almost no maintenance. I fish on a little 800 acre lake, so speed is not an issue. All of your comments have given me a lot to think about. Tight lines.
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|