To Buy Or Not To Buy

[rps]

I have said before on this forum I don't know what it is like to live without a boat of some kind. I have always ignored the expense of it and I am not wealthy by any means. I believe that the only way to buy a boat is buy a used one. That being said you better be handy or very comfortable paying for repairs and alterations. There are a lot of things to keep working on a fishing boat. Renting is probably the most cost effective, but this world ruled by lawyers and insurance companies has rendered the availability of rentals slim. Most of my best fishing has been done in places that there are no rentals available. If you get a boat you just might go more often. You might become a better fisherman and enjoy it more. Personally fishing from the shore and fishing from a pontoon with five others is not fishing in my book.

Sounds like you mostly fish in big water, otherwise I might sugest starting small with a little 10hp / fishing boat or even a canoe. You might try that route anyway and try some smaller water. I has a 14ft V with a 20hp that I had no trouble with on LOZ, but I chose where and when to go, didn't try to fight the 5 ft yacht waves. But there are a lot of places a 14ft v bottom can go. I would stay away from a flat bottom.

No answers, just some thoughts.

If the good lord had intended us not to have boats he wouldn't have made 3/4 of the world water.

Tom

I apologize, Tom, but an error in your post forces me to reply. Lawyers have nothing to do with rental availability. First, those who rent boats normally have a waiver form the rentor must sign. Second, federal law sharply limits the liability of boat owners. 46 USC Section 188. Third, if you Google "rental boat liability" and "rental boat verdict" the few cases that are mixed with the off topic matter appear to all be cases in which the boat operator did something stupid with a rented boat and got sued.

I am willing to let anyone say that lawyers are responsible for global warming due to hot gas discharges. I acknowledge that it is hard to love someone who represents a child abuser. But blaming me and my brethern for harming fishing is going too far.

[MoSportsmen]

Ok too far. There are many reasons that getting into the rental boat business is not the chosen profession of many people any more or ever for that matter. darn the global warming.

[Billfo]

I dont know your age nor your finances & "jimmy crack corn"... but I for one believe in the WOULDA SHOULDA COULDAs before ya die.. Lifes to short, enjoy it while you can. If you feel you dont get your moneys worth down the road- sell it & take a hit. You will recover financially. At least you will have had fun & ya know you desirve it !

Remember to post pics of the new boat !! Billfo

[Al Agnew]

I'll second the 16 ft. johnboat idea that Wrench said. My dad and I fished out of a simple 16 ft. johnboat with 15 HP motor for many years on Ozark reservoirs. You don't even need one of the fancy Bass Pro aluminum johnboats with the decks and everything, although that would also be a way to go that's cheaper than a fiberglass bass boat. But a simple 16 ft. aluminum, with a bit of customization on the seats and a GOOD quality trolling motor makes a terrific fishing platform. If you're serious about fishing, don't scrimp on the trolling motor, because it will be the most important tool you'll have.

[fishinwrench]

Yep, it's what I started with as a "first boat" and after numerous other high-tech/specialized rigs over the years it is what I have gone back to. You just can't beat a 16' jon for value and getting the job done.

[OnPlane]

After owning a couple of bass boats...I must recommend trying a few on for size before you drop a dime. Today's market is flooded with marketing the big 21' high performance boats with big 250's that the fella's on TV drive. Those are REALLY sweet and allow you to go on all types of water pretty safely and at GREAT speed. (They look cool too). They have almost all features that make tournament fishing a pleasure. However, they are costly to maintain. BELIEVE me when I say you can not work on those engines like we used too....They are HIGH PERFORMANCE and require a trusted mechanic to diagnose and keep maintained to stay running. Even the smaller 150, 200, & 225's are not the same old engines we used to have. You can do some minor things that can save money...but for the most part plan on bucks every year for maintenance. I am not a boat mechanic, but tried to be one on my own rig...and well, I was overwhelmed with how complicated that thing is...Looks simple but..wait.."what is that thing". The newer motors are very fuel efficient for what they do also...but comes with a price.

Almost all boat manufactures have realized we all don't have sponsors or large bank vaults full of money, and have been promoting and building a mid line bass boat that is getting into the "reasonable" price market. The new ones coming are shorter and wider with power plants that are capable of the mid 60 mph. Lighter boat, motor, and trailer combo's also equate to easier (not great) mileage, wear and tear on the tow vehicle. Earl Bentz (sp) said that the new market is the smaller boat and his line is now offering that class of boat in a wider selection. Search the brands..and see they all have them. The options and accessories are being loaded in these "affordable" rigs that make them pretty attractive.

Buying a boat that you think is adequate today...is also an issue for tomorrow. AS your skill level increases your desire to tourney fish (you gotta try just see if you get better...)goes up...you find that it would be nice to have gadget "x" to make this easier and more enjoyable...(even is something as simple as a swing away tongue for storing or retractable tie downs on the trailer not to mention automatic bilge pumps or lighted compartments, etc.).

Hey..after all that...the moral of the story is take your time...and research. I didn't, but got lucky and had some friends that helped by taking me with em in several brands...and I just paid attention to what each platform had and made mental notes of what I wanted. My goal was to tourney fish around here but still be able to afford it (I tourney fish but can't afford it...but that's a different discussion)...I still have had just a couple of trades..but ..am happy with the one I have owned for 9 years...(heck its coming back into vogue--short 19 footer with high power).

Best of Luck

"No help at all"

[kirbydog]

As has already been said, an aluminum boat offers more value for the money. Only thing I'd argue for is a semi V instead of a flat bottom-it will handle the waves alot better. I've got a Lowe with a 40 hp, does about 29-32 on the lake, is way easier to trailer than a fiberglass boat, uses less gas, is easier on the tow vehicle, etc. Get a good trolling motor (to me thats every bit as important as the main motor is not more so) and you're good to go.

You could get a good used boat like this for not a big outlay of cash-$3,000 to 6,000 depending on the year. I couldn't imagine life without a boat.

[Billfo]

I would be concerned with a flat bottom on any like with bigger wave potential. I have a deep V Lund & it takes on big waves just fine. Does everything I want it to. The 135 can get the 18.6 moving at 50, which is fine for me. A bigger alum can be picked up fairly cheap if your willing to travel to go get it. I found mine on Craigslist. 6 hours later, I was pulling it home