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Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for #13334416 11/07/19 04:31 AM
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dallee Offline OP
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Guys,

I am wanting to pick up a used boat to get out into the bigger water.

Looking for a bass tracker or similar type boat.

Also looking for used.

What do I need to check for to try and get one in good shape. I bought one twenty years ago that fired right up and seemed to be good. Within a few months, power packs had to be changed and shortly later the thing was toast and needed to be rebuilt. Still sets out in the pasture about rotted and no good.

I bought it used from a dealer.

My plight is, I can't afford a nice new boat. I am looking at around $8500 to spend.

How do I avoid making the same mistake again? How do I improve my chances of getting something solid that will last for a number of years … hopefully?

How old is too old? Again, what do I need to look for?

Thanks for any help!

Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: dallee] #13334534 11/07/19 01:08 PM
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PlanoPaul Offline
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I have a Statos 201 Pro for sale that is well under that budget and will serve you well. See PM box.

Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: dallee] #13335107 11/07/19 07:48 PM
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T-racer @ Mallard Marine Offline
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I have a customer fixing to trade in a 2006 Bass Tracker, it will be less than your budget. He's an older man, had a plight with cancer, so it saw little use. Give us a holler if interested.


Mallard Marine Nacogdoches, Tx
936-225-3244 - Authorized Sales/Service
Mercury Outboards - Allison Boats
Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: dallee] #13335129 11/07/19 08:07 PM
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DarrellSimpson Offline
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I saw this today . Cant help but wonder why its so cheap ? https://www.usadscenter.com/2004-Stratos-201-Pro-XL-at-2500-Dallas-146643

Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: dallee] #13335142 11/07/19 08:13 PM
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Jerry713 Offline
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Not sure what your fishing for or how you will be fishing out of the boat but the one thing that stands out in your comments are you are wanting a boat for bigger water. That my friend is not a Bass Tracker. This is based on my experience when I owned a 18' BT. Worse boat I ever had for rough water (other than the ole Lowe I had). It's tough and I think you're doing the right thing by staying within your set budget. You may need to be patient though in your search. I wouldn't buy a used boat that didn't have all maintenance records to prove that is has been properly maintained. You prolly need to look deeper than being clean and starting right up.

As far as a boat for bigger water a center console is the way to go IMO but they are typically more expensive.


You get out of it what you put into it!
Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: dallee] #13335337 11/08/19 12:08 AM
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when you see an ad that the price is too good to believe an there is no phone number most of the time it is a scam.

Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: T-racer @ Mallard Marine] #13335344 11/08/19 12:15 AM
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Originally Posted by T-racer @ Mallard Marine
I have a customer fixing to trade in a 2006 Bass Tracker, it will be less than your budget. He's an older man, had a plight with cancer, so it saw little use. Give us a holler if interested.


interested

Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: T-racer @ Mallard Marine] #13335389 11/08/19 12:55 AM
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Originally Posted by T-racer @ Mallard Marine
I have a customer fixing to trade in a 2006 Bass Tracker, it will be less than your budget. He's an older man, had a plight with cancer, so it saw little use. Give us a holler if interested.


Great guy to do business with! He helped me a lot when I was installing my hydraulic steering even though I bought it elsewhere!









'91 Skeeter 200SX Yamaha 200
................................
It's hard to stumble when you're on your knees.
................................................
I'm not old. My bobbers just float a little lower than they used to.



Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: T-racer @ Mallard Marine] #13335395 11/08/19 12:59 AM
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Jerry713 Offline
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Originally Posted by T-racer @ Mallard Marine
I have a customer fixing to trade in a 2006 Bass Tracker, it will be less than your budget. He's an older man, had a plight with cancer, so it saw little use. Give us a holler if interested.


T-racer I apologize I wasn't trying to steer any business away from you. I didn't read your post when I typed my original reply.


You get out of it what you put into it!
Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: dallee] #13335749 11/08/19 02:31 PM
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dallee Offline OP
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Thanks everyone.

I guess what I mean when I said big water is:

I have a 2 man Water Moccasin boat and its neat and fun. I use it on small lakes (few hundred acres) but don't feel secure in it out in like a full sized (or bigger type) lake. I want something mainly to go out into larger lakes, get under bridges and fish the pilings.

In my little boat, other boats start cutting up the water or if the winds caught me while I was out there, it wouldn't be pleasant.

Also my little boat only has a trolling motor on it. No engine. Not really feasible to spend a long time trolling from a put in over all the way over and around a lake to bridge pilings.

Thanks everyone for the offers and information.

Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: dallee] #13336486 11/09/19 03:32 AM
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Here is some pretty simple advice. Find a boat you like. Tell the potential buyer, before you ever go see the boat in person, that if you were to make an offer after seeing the boat, it would be contingent on a 3rd party mechanics inspection and a lake trial. Make it clear that isn’t negotiable. If the buyer bulks at that (well there really isn’t a lake close to here, how about running in the driveway with muffs, etc) move on.

Most boat mechanics charge $100 for a buyer’s inspection. They can check compression, listen to and inspect the motor, lower unit oil, check throttle, cables, fuel lines, fiberglass, transom, etc. Look at it this way, you’re paying an extra 1% of the purchase price for a qualified individual to protect you from getting hosed. Just for the record, if I was buying it from a dealer, I still wouldn’t buy it unless they let me take it to a mechanic of my choice. Why would I trust a dealer to give me more or better information about a boat that they haven’t personally put through the paces and the directly benefits from the sale?


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Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: dallee] #13336494 11/09/19 03:42 AM
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And you still may get hosed. It’s a boat after all.


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Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: ShinerInTx] #13336595 11/09/19 11:56 AM
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PlanoPaul Offline
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Originally Posted by ShinerInTx
Here is some pretty simple advice. Find a boat you like. Tell the potential buyer, before you ever go see the boat in person, that if you were to make an offer after seeing the boat, it would be contingent on a 3rd party mechanics inspection and a lake trial. Make it clear that isn’t negotiable. If the buyer bulks at that (well there really isn’t a lake close to here, how about running in the driveway with muffs, etc) move on.

Most boat mechanics charge $100 for a buyer’s inspection. They can check compression, listen to and inspect the motor, lower unit oil, check throttle, cables, fuel lines, fiberglass, transom, etc. Look at it this way, you’re paying an extra 1% of the purchase price for a qualified individual to protect you from getting hosed. Just for the record, if I was buying it from a dealer, I still wouldn’t buy it unless they let me take it to a mechanic of my choice. Why would I trust a dealer to give me more or better information about a boat that they haven’t personally put through the paces and the directly benefits from the sale?


Really good advice right here thumb

Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: dallee] #13337500 11/10/19 02:14 PM
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dallee Offline OP
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Thanks, that is some good advice. Didn't know most offered a service like that. Thanks again.

Re: Wanting to buy used boat, what to look for [Re: dallee] #13339076 11/11/19 07:28 PM
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Be sure to have the boat inspected by fiberglass repair facility. They know better what to look for, like previous repairs and structural issues. A lot of shops will look over the boat and make suggestions on possible costs to get it to your expectations at no charge. Things like overall finish work, upholstery and carpeting can all be costly. If you know what the cost might be, it makes for better negotiations and happier purchase. Leave the motor to the technician. Basic checks like compression / leak down, ignition checks and gear lube condition. Definitely lake test !

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