I went bass fishing guided on Choke Canyon in Texas had a balst catching 9 bass smalles keepr weighing 3 1/2 largest 5 1/2. Well I was hooked been a few times since. I live in Houston texas and I am consideing buying a bass boat. I am not ready to invest 15K +. I found a real nice shape 1994 Astro 17scx with a 115 on it. All live wells and everything works. It also has a hydraalic jack plate very nice. I just know not much about boats. I am wondering if anyone knows anything about Astro boats and if there are any issues that people know about. Was this none to be a good boat in it's day or was it a problem boat. Any help to a newbie who is ready to get in on this fun sport.

worry more about the motor than the actual boat. What kind of motor is it?

Mariner 115 1994

take the motor to a mechanic and have them do a compression check and check it out for other problems.

does anyone have an idea of what a Pre Buy would cost at a boat mechanic

Take your time and find exactly what you want. Odds are, a boat that old will have some kinks, but maybe not. If you are adept at working on boats, it is not a big deal. However if you are like me and not very mechanically inclined, you will have to take it in every time something goes wrong and the $$$$ will start to pile up. Anyway, take your time and get them checked out because the fish will always be there

I agree,
The engine is the big factor in buying a used boat.
The boat itself (If it floats) is the easiest and least expensive part.
Keep in mind - If you buy a boat wheather it is new or used - You may have to get a second job to keep it on the water.

Yeah I hear all the bad stories of past boat owner. Happiest day first and last, bla bla bla... But I want a boat hard to have fun fishing from shore.

I tried to add an image to my signature and it dont seem to work.

Its even harder to have fun fishing when your stranded 20 miles from the ramp. I had a 1989 Mariner that gave me a lot of problems, mostly electrical. I sill have that motor if anyone wants to buy it (only driven to lake on Sundays)

For your images - it is [img] your photo address [/img]
Just img not the whole word image
And if after that it wont post - the photo may be too large - if the photo is too large it will put the link and not the photo.

Check it out first. Ask for a test ride. Good luck and enjoy your fishing.

The engine is important but so is the hull. Have them check the transom & floor for rot. Those can also be expensive to repair. Don't count out an older boat though. My first boat was 25 years old & hadn't been started in 2 years and it turned out to be a great boat.. I had no major problems for the 3 years that I owned it. Good luck.

If you do the math.... You can pay a guide to put you on the fish every weekend and still come out cheaper then owning a boat. Whether it's old or new. Think about it. Insurance, storage, interest, fuel, taxes, TPW registration, maintenance. The list goes on... Run children into the light... The happiest days in a boat owners life are the day he buys and the day he sells.... HaHaHa.. I've got two.

first find a mechanic that can run a leakdown test, its a lot more accurate in determining the inside cond of the engine. if its okay and you buy the boat ,loose the hydraulic jackplate ,without experience you can run the engine to high and loose water pressure, i dont think you get enough benefit to risk it, as far as astro ,it was a boat sold by mercury marine when it owned pro craft , procraft has since been sold and is being sold as procraft again, there boats are a descent ride , if everything checks out id fish out of it , remember all boats are pretty much the same once the trolling motor hits the water