Quillback Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 Hard to tell from that pic, but it looks like a really clean boat for it's age.
gitnby Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 A couple of observations from a guy who has had several boats -that Ranger looks like a sweet deal! If we all think so, then there are others who will, too! Are you sure it will still be around when you get your refund? -batteries? I assume this boat would have a cranking battery & 2 TM batteries? check the dates on batteries, and maybe test them? Cost to replace all 3 would be at least in the $250-300 range. does it include a charger? -check the gas line & bulb for wear or age. this is one of the easiest things to replace and can ward off several problems. -don't forget about the other costs associated with buying and owning a boat: insurance,sales tax, personal property tax, plates for the trailer, stickers for boat and motor, life jackets, rope, bumpers, fire extinguisher, etc. -also figure in your annual gas & oil costs, along with any repair costs. you will probably need to winterize it and change out your lower unit oil every year, which you can do yourself, but if not, that's another $150-200 And lastly, you will need more rods & lures! No self-respecting bass boat owner would think of going out on the water with anything less than 12 rods and 300 pounds of terminal tackle.
dtrs5kprs Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 A couple of observations from a guy who has had several boats -that Ranger looks like a sweet deal! If we all think so, then there are others who will, too! Are you sure it will still be around when you get your refund? -batteries? I assume this boat would have a cranking battery & 2 TM batteries? check the dates on batteries, and maybe test them? Cost to replace all 3 would be at least in the $250-300 range. does it include a charger? -check the gas line & bulb for wear or age. this is one of the easiest things to replace and can ward off several problems. -don't forget about the other costs associated with buying and owning a boat: insurance,sales tax, personal property tax, plates for the trailer, stickers for boat and motor, life jackets, rope, bumpers, fire extinguisher, etc. -also figure in your annual gas & oil costs, along with any repair costs. you will probably need to winterize it and change out your lower unit oil every year, which you can do yourself, but if not, that's another $150-200 And lastly, you will need more rods & lures! No self-respecting bass boat owner would think of going out on the water with anything less than 12 rods and 300 pounds of terminal tackle. Good tips here. Just make sure a bass boat will do what you need it to (this from a Ranger guy). My first boat was an old Terry with a similar hull back in the 80s, and there were a lot of things it would not do (backtroll, handle big chop, etc). Cool to see an old dual console though. Not a lot of those back then.
BATCAB27 Posted February 2, 2014 Posted February 2, 2014 -also figure in your annual gas & oil costs, along with any repair costs. good luck with that....we all know what B.O.A.T. stands for! I always budget $1200/year for upkeep and maintenance on both my truck and boat. $100/month. If I go one month without spending any money, I plan on spending $200 the next month and so on. Preventative maintenance is the key to staying away from the huge bills and if you can learn to do it yourself you will save alot of money.
bobby b. Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 I had a limited budget 10 years back (still do) - spent $3000 on a 78 Cajun that was well kept and always garaged - single owner - it had a 115 hp in line Merc (tower of power). The problem with these old boats are many 1) wood floors that don't hold the screws any longer 2) wood transom that rot out 3) wiring in the boat and motor are brittle 4) motor parts are impossible to get but if available are too expensive ( I paid $150 for a used distributor cap that cost $25 new back in the day). Then finally the gas consumption is out of sight. I eventually sold it for $2500 after spending $2000 on repairs. Bought a brand new boat with a 4 stroke 115 hp.(uses about 25% of the gas). Awesome. So my recommendations. Buy a 16 ft aluminum with a 25 hp hopefully less than 10 years old or buy a brand new boat with a 4 stroke motor and get a boat loan (30 years if needed- you'll spend less in the long run) or take up fly fishing (don't need a boat) And remember the two best days in a boat owners life - a day he gets it and the day he gets rid of it.
Macsimus Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 If you ever plan on taking the kiddos as they get a little older, I'd have to second the suggestion of getting a 16' aluminum v boat (with a floor in it). The gunwales are higher and you won't have to worry so much about the little ones falling out. Plus, just a better all around choice if you're a multi-species guy. "There was a time that I didn't fish, but I cannot remember it."
hknfsh Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 I had a limited budget 10 years back (still do) - spent $3000 on a 78 Cajun that was well kept and always garaged - single owner - it had a 115 hp in line Merc (tower of power). The problem with these old boats are many 1) wood floors that don't hold the screws any longer 2) wood transom that rot out 3) wiring in the boat and motor are brittle 4) motor parts are impossible to get but if available are too expensive ( I paid $150 for a used distributor cap that cost $25 new back in the day). Then finally the gas consumption is out of sight. : I eventually sold it for $2500 after spending $2000 on repairs. Bought a brand new boat with a 4 stroke 115 hp.(uses about 25% of the gas). Awesome. Geeezzzz......way to pop a guys bubble. Agree with the possible maintenance problems but not ALL boats are that way. I had a 20 year old Bass cat once and it was always ready to go. Aluminum would be a good route to go as a first time buyer....lots of them out there for sale and virtually no maintenance needed on them. Not sure about a 30 year loan. I wouldn't want that hanging over my head for the rest of my life. Never get your money back if you sold the boat later. On a tight budget ? Then go with a good brand name aluminum boat I'd say. So my recommendations. Buy a 16 ft aluminum with a 25 hp hopefully less than 10 years old or buy a brand new boat with a 4 stroke motor and get a boat loan (30 years if needed- you'll spend less in the long run) or take up fly fishing (don't need a boat) And remember the two best days in a boat owners life - a day he gets it and the day he gets rid of it.
bobby b. Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 hknfsh, just my opinion - wish someone had told me the downside of an old boat - (wait, I think they did) A $200-$300 boat payment for 30 years is nothing to the taxes and healthcare we are going to pay for the next 30 years - and the boat is lots more fun. Anyway, too cold for a boat today and the water will be off this p.m. so going trout fishing (don't need a boat for that)
dtrs5kprs Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 A $200-$300 boat payment for 30 years is nothing to the taxes and healthcare we are going to pay for the next 30 years - and the boat is lots more fun. Too true. Actually you could double that and still have more fun.
bobby b. Posted February 8, 2014 Posted February 8, 2014 And one more thought. Get a little Jon boat or canoe since the Corp is closing all the ramps, there will be no place to launch a bigger boat anyway.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now