Just got my rating back from Veterans Affairs and will finally have enough money to achieve a dream of mine! What's that?? Buy a cheap used bass boat. Yes, I realize you are reminiscing your first boat at this point. Help me out! It being winter, and what I've looked at within my price range..it'll be a late 80's to early 90's 17-18 ft bass boat with a 150. This all being said I need advice on what to check for on a first timers boat. If you know anyone whose selling one that is also great. Pretty much just looking for something that will float, run, and keep 5 fish alive with a foot controlled trolling motor and a decent lowrance or hummingbird. Appreciate all the input and support this site provides. Thanks in advance and Cheers!!

Must have title for boat, motor, trailer.

Check transom for any give. Check floors for rot.

Compression test on engine.

Compression on motor is key!

Also in the older model boats that don't have jack plates be sure to check the transom for rotting or leaks!

good luck.

This is a good start. Don't confuse cosmetic w/ structural. Just because the gel coat isn't perfect, doesn't means it's not a good buy. Sounds like you are not looking for the prettiest boat, so you can find some deals.

Get an idea of where it was kept. If it was left outside in the elements without being covered, you will probably have floor rot and possibly saturated foam.

get it on the water. checking everything light, pumps, steering etc. Little things add up fast do need to to get tags right away. what price range are you looking at

Thanks everyone for the input. I'm looking at $3-4K MV. I'll definitely check everything works before I buy anything.

Everything I'm about to list comes from experience from buying my first boat. (in picture)
Take it to the lake and test drive it, Get it to full throttle and keep it there for a couple minutes, watch and make sure that ALL the gauges work. Make sure that it doesnt over heat, make sure the live well works as intended, pumps out and pumps fresh water in. Make sure trolling motor works, make sure lowrance/hummingbird unit is reading correctly. Slowly knock against the hull of the boat around all the way, and check for hollow or weak spots. >IMPORTANT< Bring a rod with you and make sure there is good rod storage. I will never buy another boat without putting a rod in it first. My current boat is great, after I fixed it up, new water pump in the motor. new lowrance hds7. new motor guide TM. remounting the drivers seat twice. But what I did not know before hand, was that the gas gauge and battery gauge DO NOT WORK. Ive been told that in most older boats it cant be fixed either. Remember you get what you pay for. Good luck!


Edit: adding some stuff.
Check the license plate and registration of the trailer too. When I got my boat the license plate was registered to a random ford suv, and the trailer was registered as a home made trailer, which its not because it clearly has "astro" written on the side.

Definatly check the transom for rot.

For your price range I would consider an aluminum boat like a tracker or something. You can get more bang for your buck as far as durability and better electronics depending on the price. A 90HP has comparable speed. It's definitely worth checking out. Of course check out many of the mechanical things that others have listed here as far as the motor is concerned.

I will definitely look at them Fletch and thanks!

No problem, thanks for your service.

Check with Classic Fiberglass on this forum. If you can take your time they will be a good help.

BE PATIENT. don't buy the first boat you see. Shop around and like all above said, check everything. I ran across a few in my price range last fall then I found an 85 ranger 150 merc. that was a couple hundred cheaper than what I had been looking at. drove an hour and a half to see it, took it to the lake checked it up and down in and out. few cosmetic issues great buy.