Forums59
Topics1,039,170
Posts13,960,317
Members144,192
|
Most Online39,925 Dec 30th, 2023
|
|
Advice on buying first bass boat
#11449998
03/01/16 09:56 PM
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 394
Hittmanfish
OP
Angler
|
OP
Angler
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 394 |
I have a family friend who is selling his 1992 Ranger Comanche 481V with a 150 Evinrude. This is my first real bass boat, and I want to make sure that I am considering everything. The boat seems to be in good shape for being 24 years old. What sounds like a fair price to you guys? And do you have any tips that you could give me that you use when buying a boat?
I appreciate any help you can offer!
Madison Hitt
|
|
Re: Advice on buying first bass boat
[Re: Hittmanfish]
#11450262
03/02/16 12:28 AM
|
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 383
Chuck72
Angler
|
Angler
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 383 |
Check everything... I didn't and it easily cost me another 1500.00 to get it close to where I want the boat to be. Simple things like pumps, lights, switches and not knowing the trailer bunks had the carriage bolts installed on the outside of the carpet and had rusted and rubbed holes in the gel coat and fiberglass on the hull. If there is a switch on the console it should turn something on, make sure it does.
Put the boat on the water, runs the live wells. Spend an hour on the water and see if the hull takes on any water. Do a simple compression test. Open every box and look in them. Check the transom out too. Spin the prop, is it the prop beat up, does it wobble? I looked at one boat and almost missed that the skeg was bowed, looked closer at the lower unit and would bet it needed replaced because he had hit something pretty hard.
That's all that comes to mind.
-----------�---------------------------------------- 2017 Bass Cat Eyra 250 Yamaha SHO
|
|
Re: Advice on buying first bass boat
[Re: Hittmanfish]
#11450299
03/02/16 12:48 AM
|
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 394
Hittmanfish
OP
Angler
|
OP
Angler
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 394 |
Thanks Chuck. Those are good points. That sucks about the bunks... What were they thinking..
Madison Hitt
|
|
Re: Advice on buying first bass boat
[Re: Hittmanfish]
#11451907
03/02/16 07:35 PM
|
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,733
militarybrat
Extreme Angler
|
Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,733 |
That is an excellent first boat as long as that evinrude is not a FICT. Now for the real deal any boat is a whole in the water to dump money into Bust Out Another Thousand = BOAT. Ranger makes great boats period they are not the fastest that said they are safest with all the flotation and construction.
Who ever said nothing in life is impossible. Never tried slamming a revolving door.
|
|
Re: Advice on buying first bass boat
[Re: Hittmanfish]
#11452587
03/03/16 12:59 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 427
IKELEVI
Angler
|
Angler
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 427 |
Like Chuck said "check everthing " then check it again. I got hosed on my first one. I bought the guys deal hook line and sinker and ended up putting another 2500 in it. Check the transom real good. Check the top cap is sealed properly. Look for soft spots in the floor. Make sure all your gauges function. You can a lot by looking at the bottom, skeg and prop about how a guy treated his boat.
17 LEGEND V20 17 MERCURY 250 Optimax ProXs 22 Ram 2500 4x4 6.7 Cummins
|
|
Re: Advice on buying first bass boat
[Re: Hittmanfish]
#11454169
03/03/16 06:46 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,082
Stump jumper
TFF Guru
|
TFF Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 14,082 |
Rap lightly on the transom with a ball peen hammer. A solid transom will sound solid. That is right around the time that Ranger went with fiberglass transoms. Do not let wood scare you. It will be fine as long as the motor was installed properly and maintenance was done. For some reason my dealer decided that sealing the top bolts was not needed. Just glad I caught it before it was a real problem. It is good to reseal especially on boat that age. I also sealed the threads on my bolts. That is a solidly constructed boat. Mine will be 30 years old in November.
2200 Bay Champ/200 Mercury Optimax 2017 Tundra TSS 4x4 Crewmax 5.7L
|
|
Re: Advice on buying first bass boat
[Re: Hittmanfish]
#11528139
04/07/16 09:51 PM
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 351
Cactusflyr
Angler
|
Angler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 351 |
100.00 motor checkout by mechanic...saved me 2500.00 rebuild from scored cylinder. Motor ran well during test drive, fyi....always get motor professionally checked.
Last edited by Cactusflyr; 04/07/16 09:59 PM.
|
|
Moderated by banker-always fishing, chickenman, Derek 🐝, Duck_Hunter, Fish Killer, J-2, Jacob, Jons3825, JustWingem, Nocona Brian, Toon-Troller, Uncle Zeek, Weekender1
|