Tips from lessons learned the hard way

[RDY2GO]

New member, who's made a few posts and trying to get my feet wet so to speak in more ways than one!

A few of my posts have been in the Stratos boat sub forum concerning a 285 XL that I found, was making a run at buying that didn't work out.

So I'm still in the market and trying to get my self educated and re-familiarized with bass boats.  I'd appreciate any tips or insights, really things to watch out for going forward.  For example; in my research and reading there seems to be a lot of mention about certain early (late 90's) Mercury Optimax engines having some issues, should I be concerned about buying a boat from a manufacturer that is no longer in business due to parts availability, really anything you would just care to share with a noob.

Anything and everything will be read, considered and appreciated.

[FloridaFishinFool]

One issue to be concerned about is a lesson I learned the hard way... I was told point blank that outboard repair shops generally do not want to work on motors older than 10 years old.

Another issue of concern to me is boat weight.

I have passed up good deals on bass boats simply because I do not want to carry around over 1000 pounds of useless weight that actually prevents me from going where I want to go.

So I choose simple aluminum hulls that I can easily go into 12 inches of water. No bass boats can follow me into some of the places I can get in to here in Florida. And I like it this way.

When st. Johns river and little econ river are at normal level I can continue south on the river and leave bass boats behind. And flats boats.

My point is, that if you choose a big heavy bass boat then it limits where it can go. If you have no need for the more than half ton of extra metal then try the freedom that shallow draft boats can provide you.

It is nice to have the option of fishing nearly twice the waters that bass boats will never see. To me they are a trap. An expensive unnecessary trap.

So I choose vintage aluminum hulls that are as wide and flat bottomed as possible while still having a V bow.

This is just something each boater has to decide for their self. How do you want to fish?

[Bud Kennedy]

Buying an older boat is full of pitfalls.  The big deal will always be the motor.  Once you get it all checked out and know if it is healthy or not then you can consider the rest of the boat package.  Each boat will have its own set of historical issues and problems to look for.  It is best to have an experienced bass boat owner with you for those on water test rides and to help you look over all of the details of the boat.  My boat is  28 years old and I understand the problems with finding parts from time to time but thankfully mine is a ranger and there are many organizations including ranger itself that do a good job of providing parts or aftermarket equal items. 

I guess my main warning is about the motor.  FFF is correct dealers do not want to deal with an older motor so be sure you cover that base well.  Also understand that if you have to repower an old boat then the cost for a new motor can be prohibitive. 

A lot of folks here can give you guidance on what to look for and will be glad to help.  You however cannot beat having an experienced boat with you during the ckeck out process.  That is not the time to continue learning the hard way.

[Smallie_Stalker]

Here's a word of advice learned over many years od boat ownership. Even if you find a boat that looks brand new and the motor starts right up and runs like a top do yourself a favor and spend the few extra hundred dollars to have a Marine Inspector (they may be called something different where you live) give the boat a complete once over.

They will be able to spot things the average person and even some seasoned boat owners might miss. Soft spots in the floor, tiny cracks in the transom, wiring or plumbing that is damaged or has been monkey rigged.

The list goes on but you get my point. Spending the little extra up front could save you a lot down the road.

Sent from my LG-H932 (LG V30 Plus) using Tapatalk

[RDY2GO]

One issue to be concerned about is a lesson I learned the hard way... I was told point blank that outboard repair shops generally do not want to work on motors older than 10 years old.

Another issue of concern to me is boat weight.

*snip*

This is just something each boater has to decide for their self. How do you want to fish?

You bring up a good point with the engine age, and honestly something I should have considered, but didn't.  Good thing I posted and asked...  See, I spent 10 years in the motorcycle business and many of them are the same way, some will, but charge more for labor.  Didn't even dawn on me...  Good call.

With regards to aluminum vs fiberglass; totally get it, understand and agree to a point.  When this "adventure" started I was originally looking at older Tracker's, felt like they would be plentiful and affordable.  Which turns out to be sorta true, but...  I've looked into the Ranger aluminum as well. 

But for whatever reason, I seem to be drawn more to the 18' ~ 19' fiberglass boats with 150 hp and up.  Maybe just a rookie thing, I don't know.  In my boating past (we're talking the mid to late 70's) aluminum boats rode rougher and weren't as stable as glass ones.  In the handful of aluminum boats I have been on recently the casting decks weren't as wide as a glass boat the same length and to be honest the decks and locker covers seemed to "give" under my weight (230 lbs), but the majority have been Trackers too.  I know that lately some manufactures have and do produce aluminum boats that rival any glass boat in any category and when I'm looking I have and will consider anything that seems to be in my price range.

At this point, I can't really say with certainty "how" I want to fish, but I would like to be able to have as many options open to me as possible.  I don't think, and boy is that going out on a limb... that the lakes I will have access to on a normal basis will present very many shallow depth situations, but I do know that almost all of them will have deep water scenarios and my "home" lake will have strong current situations when fishing in the "river".

Man, lots of good info and lots to think about.  Thank you very much!!!

[RDY2GO]

Buying an older boat is full of pitfalls. 

*snip*

You however cannot beat having an experienced boat with you during the check out process.  That is not the time to continue learning the hard way.

I don't think better advice good be given...  Thanks!

[RDY2GO]

Here's a word of advice learned over many years od boat ownership. Even if you find a boat that looks brand new and the motor starts right up and runs like a top do yourself a favor and spend the few extra hundred dollars to have a Marine Inspector (they may be called something different where you live) give the boat a complete once over.

They will be able to spot things the average person and even some seasoned boat owners might miss. Soft spots in the floor, tiny cracks in the transom, wiring or plumbing that is damaged or has been monkey rigged.

The list goes on but you get my point. Spending the little extra up front could save you a lot down the road.

Sent from my LG-H932 (LG V30 Plus) using Tapatalk

Wow, great advice!  Never considered it, because I didn't know there was such a thing.  I'll start looking into inspectors in my area.  Thanks!

[Deadeye]

Saying a shallow draft Aluminum Boat is better than a Glass Bass Boat "because you can go places where the Bass Boat can not", Is a 2-Way Street.

It is in Fact true, you can go to spots that are shallower than a bigger Bass Boat can or wants to go.

It is in Fact true, you can go to spots that on larger bodies of water and further away with a Bass Boat than a Shallow Draft Aluminum Boat would ever be able to get to.

I've had both.

I went into less than 12 inches with a glass shallow draft boat. I caught lots of fish being able to do that. I now have a 18+ ft Bass Boat and it allows me way more choices of where I want to fish. Larger Lakes that it just would not be safe to be on with the Shallow Draft boat. To Places that I can run to that doesn't take half the day to get to.

The biggest Plus: Much More Stable and SAFE!

Oh and I can still get into 15-18 inches or so, so there's that too.

Best of luck in your search. After a while you'll probably find that it is best to just Pick One and get to fishing. Lots of great choices out there.

[Oldfart9999]

The biggest problem is the big motor, I bought a '95 Tracker deep v with a 40 horse, it ran well but 4 months later the motor lost a cylinder, I wound up buying a new 50 horse, it cost more than the whole rig did. Most all the boat parts are "off the shelf" so getting them is not a problem. I disagree with aluminum won't go where a glass can, my 16 footer will handle some pretty rough water, look at the type of hull. The biggest advantage a glass boat has is weight, they don't move around as much in the wind. I understand why you are saying you want glass boat and they can be a great choice but remember, they costs more to tow and more to run, you decide what you want. I wouldn't go over 10 years old unless you aren't willing to do the work or pay to have it done when something goes wrong, and it will. The best advice you got is to take along somebody that knows about boats.
Rodney

[RDY2GO]

Best of luck in your search. After a while you'll probably find that it is best to just Pick One and get to fishing. Lots of great choices out there.

Thanks for the info and thoughts.  To be honest I'm already there, but the reality is I need to wait a few more months.  Thanks again!

[RDY2GO]

The best advice you got is to take along somebody that knows about boats.

Rodney

I can't argue with that, at all.  Thanks for the feedback!