Boat buying question.....

If you were in the market for your first fiberglass bass boat, and you'd decided to go pre-owned either from a dealer or an individual, AND you knew your "goal" was to get as much boat for the money you could....but, your baseline was fixed at 150 hp, 18' min, Ranger, Skeeter, bass cat....what is the "oldest" boat you'd buy?

In case you're wondering, yes, I'm finding lots in my budget, but I found a "beast" that is just a couple years older than I'd originally thought I'd be comfortable with.

Let's hear it....I know it's all subjective, but someone on here has the wisdom.

You will hear everything from:
- It has been just sitting in the barn for 10 years and just needs cleaning up.
TO
- Low hours, garage kept, just replaced this that and the other.

Obviously the last one is the one to look at, as all equipment needs to be run and maintained.

A dealer is not a bad way to go on these older boats as he will take the time to show you the Boat FAX.
You will also want to talk to the owner for farther detail. He is rid of the boat and will have no reason not to spill the beans if there is any troubles he had with the boat and past history of maintenance. You may get a small 30 day warranty.

Otherwise if you are buying from an individual on this older boat you will have to do all the leg work to make sure it is in good working order. I would want that person to be someone I know or a good friend knows and trust. There will be no warranty.

I bought a 18.5ft 1996 skeeter with a 150 and I love it. Runs good and is a great first boat that being said I will upgrade to a larger boat hopefully next spring.

I would be more worried about how the boat was kept up than age. Check the transom and fittings for signs of leaks and cracks. Some will be bound to have a few small stress cracks which may look bad but really aren't as long as there still isn't any flex. It's really up to you. If you found the right boat but a little older and it's what you want, go for it. If you have ANY thoughts of it not being exactly what you want, wait.

Fish, give us the year, model and brand of boat. You'll get better help and advice that way. Some members may have that exact boat and motor.

Age would depend on your budget and how well the boat was maintained. Could be 5 yrs old or could be 15 depending on who owned it.

The boat in question is a 94' ZX200... it is well equipped.
How many Skeeter guys have a gut feeling on a boat that old?

I would tell you age isn't as important as the boat being used and kept up, I've got a 96 Skeeter that I bought new and use it regularly. The key is it has been kept up. I would buy a boat like this instead of a garage kept not used for the last 10 years, you will be replacing everything at once to get going. My thoughts.

Excellent:
- Run it and drive it as well as load it on the trailer.
- Look at all service records. Hopefully all was done at the same place.
- Get it compression checked and total hour print-out on motor.
- Know what is new and what is old as far as equipment on boat.
- Get under the boat with a light and look at every inch.
- Get under the trailer: check cross members, splitting of beams, separated welds and finder problems. EZ-Loader is noted for these problems.

You are basically trying to figure out what your expenses are going to be in the near future with replacing things like:
Batteries - TM - Tires - Pumps - Depth Finders and etc...

I'd tell you to find a lay out you like. Most brands will be in the same ballpark as price goes. And then look at a lot of the stuff listed above. Donald has some good info as well.

I've never owned a bass boat or side console, but i really like my new center console (i'd drive both to see what you like).

I think it is subjective and definitely matters more that they use it and keep up with it. My rule was a boat and motor newer than 2000 and had to be covered up or garage kept during the time it was owned. Not sure why but that what my gut said to look for.

The best advice I can give you is that used boats are a lot like used cars. Things are going to break and if you're prepared for it and expecting some things to go wrong you won't be surprised or disappointed. Boats don't have shock absorbers so the hull and the stringers are what takes the brunt of the wave impact. The most important thing is to make sure that the hull and all the structural components to the boat and trailer are good and that in general the motor is in good shape. Small things are going to break. Switches, batteries,trolling motor mounts, lights, those are things you can expect will probably go wrong. The upside of all this is you're probably spending 20,000 to $40,000 less than you would on a new boat, and will have saved plenty of money to fix anything that does break. If the boat's been well maintained and the structural Integrity of the boat is good, and furthermore you like it... Go get it!

Fish, the biggest concern I would have is if it had a wood transom. I think Skeeter went to a composite transom in 2000 but not certain. Next, if the gel coat looks decent, the motor ( probably a Merc. 200hp ) checks out and it will fit in your garage I'd say go for it. Things like batteries, trolling motors, carpet and upholstery are a concern but not a major dollar item especially if you're getting a good deal on the boat. I had a '92 skeeter and loved everything about it. If you have to like the boat though, don't buy anything cause it's cheap. Those deals are usually cheap for a reason. Good luck.

Skeeter went composite in 1996. Composite transoms can still have issues people feel better about them but they still go bad.

any boat over 20 yrs old you better have some tools if it going to be used very much .

My boat is 23 years old and I've been driving it on avg twice a week for two years and the only thing that has gone wrong with the motor was I lost spark in a cylinder. The only part I've had to replace. It all depends on how they were maintained. Age is not a sole determining factor.

I have a 1999 Skeeter zx210c I am putting on the market soon. Ready to fish . Just needs a operator that has a fishing pole.

I purchased 87 boat and motor boat was rough but motor not so bad . it needed decarbed did that but had records kinda.Boat and motor run like a dream.so you can buy a pig or a great used boat it is all chance.

I wouldn't get a boat to old cause then you are showing up to the lake hoping that it's going to start. The older it is the more money you are going to have to put into it.

I'd go back to about 1995. As long as it has a composite transom I'd consider it. And two stroke motor. I won't do 4 strokes.

Bass Cat has the best Customer service available. Richard and Allen in parts will go far above and beyond to help any year model Bass Cat. Also if you're looking at a 2004 and new, they are eligible for lifetime hull warranty no mater the number of owners. Just make sure the boat is signed up for Quest. Bass Cat also offers a contingency program on all year model boats.

I bought a 96' Ranger 362 and have zero qualms about taking it anywhere. Had some minor kinks at first, but a basic tune-up cured everything right up. 175 merc efi has never given me a single problem. I use it at minimum once a week and have put a lot of hours on it after getting it in March.

It was well taken care of, one owner, and he kept pretty good records. I planned to take my time and shop a while, but when I saw it and went and looked at it I was sold.

There are plenty of good older boats out there. You just have to know what you're looking for.

I bought a 94 Javelin when I was in the same situation as you were. My budget enabled me to look at alot of boats, and ended up buying the oldest one I looked at. It was solid, kept up, clean, and everything checked out.

I am looking to possibly downsize to a little smaller, well lighter rig, but my boat is awesome.