First Time Boat Buyer 2024

ZB85 reply :

Hey guys, On Saturday Im going to go look at a used boat for sale that im interested in. Its a 1990 blazer bass boat. It has a 175hp Mariner motor, 2 live wells, 74lb thrust minnkota, trailer with new tires, fishfinder, fresh main battery, tri bank charger, and has a hotfoot throttle. Im a first time buyer of a boat that is this size and caliber. My biggest fear is buying a lemon. I know the motor is the most important thing when buying a used boat but not sure what to look for since this is my first time. Any advice is greatly appreciated! My Dad and Uncle seem to think that a 175hp is to much. Im looking for a boat that I can possibly fish tournaments with and I would like a boat that I can be confident in on any lake. Do you guys think 175hp is too much for a first timer?

CKFishin reply :

I'm 27 currently My first one I bought 3 years ago and it has a 200. Now I should preface that I have been around boats prior to this. But, Its still a big learning curve. First and foremost those boats have wood stringers and transoms if I read right. First you need to make sure the floors and transom are solid. Then go to the motor.You dont need the 175 to fish tourneys my buddy has fished with a z6 and a 115 its all about knowing how the boat reacts. I rode passenger in my boat for a day before I even got into the driver seat with someone who has run boats for 30+ years so I was sure it would function and he could explain what and why he was doing it. Don't rush a boat purchase find a solid boat that might not have as much power over the boat that has issues but a bigger motor.

BassnChris reply :

Take it to a marine mechanic to have it checked out......if you don't it's really a crap shoot.

I bought my first couple of years ago.

The finish is below par and will cost a fair penny to have professionally repaired.

Does not affect anything but looks.

The motor in my opinion is the main part of the equation........I would steer clear of boats with wood.

Good luck.

slonezp reply :

You have more to be concerned with on a 25 year old boat than just the motor. The boat needs to be structurally sound.

A-Jay reply :

A 25 year old boat that is built and designed around a wooden frame - is a heart ache waiting to happen.

Unless this vessel has been stored inside by a collector (one owner) I would not even consider it.

Wood & water and that much time - is rarely a good thing.

You came here looking for advice -

Here's mine - run away.

There are PLENTY of good buys - keep looking.

A-Jay

Smokinal reply :

^^^ I think I would agree with this.

ZB85 reply :

On 12/19/2013 at 8:12 AM, A-Jay said:

A 25 year old boat that is built and designed around a wooden frame - is a heart ache waiting to happen.

Unless this vessel has been stored inside by a collector (one owner) I would not even consider it.

Wood & water and that much time - is rarely a good thing.

You came here looking for advice -

Here's mine - run away.

There are PLENTY of good buys - keep looking.

A-Jay

I didn't realize the boat had a wood frame.

A-Jay reply :

On 12/19/2013 at 9:17 AM, ZB85 said:
I didn't realize the boat had a wood frame.

Is this the boat ?

http://omaha.craigslist.org/boa/4172194569.html

Regardless - the best thing to do is to locate and copy down the Hull Identification number off the transom of this boat.

Then call Blazer Bass Boat and ask them about the design and construction of your prospective purchase.

Some additional research on my part shows my initial assessment may have been incorrect.

For that I apologize, but you can not go wrong if you contact the people that built the boat.

Good Luck

A-Jay

ZB85 reply :

On 12/19/2013 at 10:23 AM, A-Jay said:

Is this the boat ?

http://omaha.craigslist.org/boa/4172194569.html

Regardless - the best thing to do is to locate and copy down the Hull Identification number off the transom of this boat.

Then call Blazer Bass Boat and ask them about the design and construction of your prospective purchase.

Some additional research on my part shows my initial assessment may have been incorrect.

For that I apologize, but you can not go wrong if you contact the people that built the boat.

Good Luck

A-Jay

Yep that's the boat

ZB85 reply :

I asked the owner and he said its fiberglass.

A-Jay reply :

On 12/19/2013 at 11:34 AM, ZB85 said:
I asked the owner and he said its fiberglass.

Buyer beware

A-Jay

tbone1993 reply :

On 12/19/2013 at 6:14 AM, ZB85 said:
Hey guys, On Saturday Im going to go look at a used boat for sale that im interested in. Its a 1990 blazer bass boat. It has a 175hp Mariner motor, 2 live wells, 74lb thrust minnkota, trailer with new tires, fishfinder, fresh main battery, tri bank charger, and has a hotfoot throttle. Im a first time buyer of a boat that is this size and caliber. My biggest fear is buying a lemon. I know the motor is the most important thing when buying a used boat but not sure what to look for since this is my first time. Any advice is greatly appreciated! My Dad and Uncle seem to think that a 175hp is to much. Im looking for a boat that I can possibly fish tournaments with and I would like a boat that I can be confident in on any lake. Do you guys think 175hp is too much for a first timer?

If you buy the first boat you find you are going to have problems. Case in point: friends bought a fiberglass tracker with a 150 on the back. The motor blew on their second outing, trolling motor went out, livewell went out. Everything that could go wrong did go wrong. The motor was a small fix but it ended their day on the water. They have the money to fix the boat so that really isnt the issue. The issue comes with upgrading a boat they bought for $2999. If you put on a $500 TM $800 depth finder plus other accessories why wouldnt you look at a boat in the $5000 range that is more sound then go from there. My buddy bought his boat for around that price and has put the same into it. Its his first boat but he treats it like a $75,000 ranger. Im just waiting for him to graduate grad school and land a job so he can buy that $75,000 ranger and take me fishing lol. Take everything I say with a grain of salt there are much better boat experts on this forum than me.

ZB85 reply :

The budget I'm working with is a little over $3000 so my options are slim.

Megastink reply :

On 12/19/2013 at 10:11 PM, ZB85 said:
The budget I'm working with is a little over $3000 so my options are slim.

Sounds like you can't afford a boat...

I feel your pain, brother. I pay close to $700/month in student loans (plus rent and ALL of the other bills) and cannot afford payments on a tow vehicle or boat, not to mention the real money pit, maintenance... My goal is to get my payments down to $450/month, then look at an aluminum. Otherwise, I just can't afford one.....

CKFishin reply :

On 12/19/2013 at 11:34 AM, ZB85 said:
I asked the owner and he said its fiberglass.

Its a fiberglass boat with wood encased in glass in the stringers and Transom

ZB85 reply :

My other option I guess is tricking out a Jon boat......

J Francho reply :

I wouldn't be so put off by this Blazer. Blazer, Bullet, Gambler, Allison, Stroker, are not sprayed in hulls. They are hand laid. I have a nearly 20 year old Bullet. Yes, it has wood stringer and transom, Balsa wood in fact. This boat is more solid than many lesser boats of the era. Blazers use a very similar hull to Bullet. I'd be checking the hull for any UV crazing or damage. This type of hand made (not chop gun) performance boat is one case where the hull can out last the motor. Take it to a mechanic and a fiberglass repair shop for evaluation, and make your decision from there.

CKFishin reply :

On 12/19/2013 at 11:24 PM, J Francho said:
I wouldn't be so put off by this Blazer. Blazer, Bullet, Gambler, Allison, Stroker, are not sprayed in hulls. They are hand laid. I have a nearly 20 year old Bullet. Yes, it has wood stringer and transom, Balsa wood in fact. This boat is more solid than many lesser boats of the era. Blazers use a very similar hull to Bullet. I'd be checking the hull for any UV crazing or damage. This type of hand made (not chop gun) performance boat is one case where the hull can out last the motor. Take it to a mechanic and a fiberglass repair shop for evaluation, and make your decision from there.

I just want to clarify I am not dogging it my 91 201 Pro is wood constructed I just want him to understand why we are saying to look it over.

J Francho reply :

Always get it checked out by someone that knows what they're looking at. There's just some misconception about "wood" in boats. Our '62 Penn Yan was completely constructed of wood. Aside form a coat of paint and shelack every three years, that thing was a tank. Can't say the same for some even ten year old "fiberglass" boats. It's all in the initial construction and care by the owner.

Those 201s were cool hulls. I think that's a Bubba (Stroker) designed hull, if I'm not mistaken.

CKFishin reply :

On 12/19/2013 at 11:39 PM, J Francho said:
Those 201s were cool hulls. I think that's a Bubba (Stroker) designed hull, if I'm not mistaken.

Yeah, It's no race boat like some of you have but she holds her own.

ZB85 reply :

I definitely appreciate the feedback so far. I did plan on looking over the boat before making a decision. I'm going to take my brother in law with me who knows a little about boats. Since I'm going in Saturday I'm not sure if any marine mechanics will be open but I'm looking into it.

J Francho reply :

Ask the seller for a recent documented cylinder compression test as part of the terms of sale. Pretty common stipulation for used boat sales.

CKFishin reply :

On 12/20/2013 at 12:04 AM, ZB85 said:
I definitely appreciate the feedback so far. I did plan on looking over the boat before making a decision. I'm going to take my brother in law with me who knows a little about boats. Since I'm going in Saturday I'm not sure if any marine mechanics will be open but I'm looking into it.

If you're interested I would call a shop and ask if you can schedule a time to bring a boat by you're looking to purchase after you talk to the owner and let him know you'd like a mechanic to check it out. If he doesn't seem like he wants that there is probably issues...

basshead1 reply :

On 12/19/2013 at 10:11 PM, ZB85 said:
The budget I'm working with is a little over $3000 so my options are slim.

On 12/19/2013 at 11:13 PM, ZB85 said:
My other option I guess is tricking out a Jon boat......

Here is the answer..........

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/25442-any-pelican-bass-raider-owners-out-there/

Lots of happy Bass Raider owners on this board.

I love my Bass Raider.

Good luck.

CKFishin reply :

On 12/20/2013 at 3:11 AM, basshead1 said:

Here is the answer..........

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/25442-any-pelican-bass-raider-owners-out-there/

Lots of happy Bass Raider owners on this board.

I love my Bass Raider.

Good luck.

This you can build a super nice tin rig that will get you into alot smaller water for 3k.

B@ssCrzy reply :

On 12/19/2013 at 11:13 PM, ZB85 said:
My other option I guess is tricking out a Jon boat......

or just looking at some aluminum boats with smaller motors. Deep V, or modified V...You can get into a nicer aluminum boat for a lower price. I bought an aluminum boat 5 yrs ago and glad I did. It is my first boat and have learned a lot things to do and not do. Had I had a glass boat not sure how I would have fared. My 70 hp motor is plenty hp for me. I admire that you are paying cash for something and not getting into a loan for 30 years. My brother-in-law just lost his 21ft glass boat, 225hp motor, and all the bells and whistles to the repo man because he couldn't afford it. If I were looking for a new boat in your price range I would be looking for aluminum with somewhere around a 50-70hp motor on it. It will get you to where you need to go and give you time to learn the in's and out's of being on the water.

ZB85 reply :

What do you guys think of this boat? http://lincoln.craigslist.org/boa/4173869084.html

I would swap the trolling motor this boat has with a foot controlled trolling motor that my brother in law has.

Dwight Hottle reply :

I don't want to rain on your parade but if your budget is $3000 for a used boat you are going to be in trouble when you have your first mechanical issue. A 20 year old outboard can be very expensive to repair unless you have a wealth of mechanical experience. I think you would be happier if you get a jon boat like you mention & keep things that can go wrong to a minimum.

Smokinal reply :

Take your time man, look around. There are deals to be had. Just a few that looked decent. I know they are a little higher than where you wanna be but they would come down some.

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/4114916207.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/4121542316.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/bod/4138594675.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/bod/4233067477.html

http://maine.craigslist.org/boa/4215583039.html

The right one will come up for ya.

ZB85 reply :

On 12/20/2013 at 6:50 AM, Dwight Hottle said:
I don't want to rain on your parade but if your budget is $3000 for a used boat you are going to be in trouble when you have your first mechanical issue. A 20 year old outboard can be very expensive to repair unless you have a wealth of mechanical experience. I think you would be happier if you get a jon boat like you mention & keep things that can go wrong to a minimum.

Your not raining on my parade. If anything your helping me from making a bad decision.

ZB85 reply :

On 12/20/2013 at 6:57 AM, Smokinal said:

Take your time man, look around. There are deals to be had. Just a few that looked decent. I know they are a little higher than where you wanna be but they would come down some.

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/4114916207.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/4121542316.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/bod/4138594675.html

http://nh.craigslist.org/bod/4233067477.html

http://maine.craigslist.org/boa/4215583039.html

The right one will come up for ya.

New Hampshire is a little far of a drive from Nebraska haha

Smokinal reply :

lol, I know. Just giving some examples that some deals are out there. Now is a good time to buy one right. Even a better time in another month or so.

ZB85 reply :

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/4252663482.html What do you guys think of this boat. I think this boat might be THE ONE

EvanT123 reply :

First off my boat ownership experience is extremely limited. Bought my first one an haven't gotten it wet since the river is iced over.

I've been around boats for quite awhile not bass boats but jons and pleasure and with boats something will inevitably go wrong at sometime. The question I would ask myself is how prepared am I to handle a malfunction or problem. Both financially and mechanically. Like others have said servicing and engine can be an expensive proposition. If you have engine problems on the water how capable are you of diagnosing that problem and making it home? I remember one time being on a pleasure boat and the electric start died the guy I was with was able to get it started with a rope. Things like this you need to take into consideration.

I look at boats like every other major purchase or decision I make wether it be cars, animals or housing. Can I afford it? Is it right for me? Is this something I will use/like/appreciate down the road. I waited almost three years to buy a boat because most of the ones I looked at weren't exactly what I wanted or had issues that I didn't want to deal with plus people around here want crazy money for pos boats. All I can say is be deliberate and don't just buy one bcause you have money burning a hole in your pocket.

B@ssCrzy reply :

On 12/21/2013 at 8:45 AM, ZB85 said:
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/4252663482.html What do you guys think of this boat. I think this boat might be THE ONE

Looks like it might be a good one if the motor checks out ok. My boat is set up almost identical to that one, but mine is a deep v. My only concern would be if you fish any lakes that get really big waves on them, but in most places it should not be a problem.

ZB85 reply :

On 12/24/2013 at 12:22 AM, B@ssCrzy said:
Looks like it might be a good one if the motor checks out ok. My boat is set up almost identical to that one, but mine is a deep v. My only concern would be if you fish any lakes that get really big waves on them, but in most places it should not be a problem.

I usually just fish small to medium sized lakes.

B@ssCrzy reply :

Definitely seems like something that is worth a look. What kind of electronics does it have on it?

ZB85 reply :

On 12/24/2013 at 2:45 AM, B@ssCrzy said:
Definitely seems like something that is worth a look. What kind of electronics does it have on it?

not sure, just says fish finder

Chris186 reply :

One more thing I would do, is when you go and look at a boat you like, ask the owner if they can take you out in it for a demo. Most of the time they will be glad to take you out, as long as they dont have anything to hide. This way you can make sure you like the way the boat feels in the water, and also test everything to make sure it all works. The last thing you want to do is buy a boat, take it out on the water and find that you hate the way it fishes or dont like the balance of it etc.. Make sure the boat "fits" you.

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First Time Boat Buyer 2024

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