FS Digest

Hey guys, I really have been enjoying fishing for a couple of years now but have always been restricted to fishing from the bank. This year me and my buddy were thinking about going in on a nice used boat. If any of you have some tips on what to look out for or things to avoid that you would like to share that would be great!

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by benb96

FS Digest

Make sure you get a VALID title for both the boat and trailer. I've seen a lot of cases where people will either get no title or an invalid title. This is especially true with the "too good to be true" boats.


Depending on your state, they will take this very seriously. In order to register your boat, you need both a valid boat title and trailer title.


For the boat, a 14-16 foot aluminum boat with a front-facing trolling motor will be a great starting boat. Depending on where you want to fish, you can look at the pros/cons of a jon-boat vs v-hull.

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by seemingepic

FS Digest

whatever the boat you choose, triple check if the plug is in lol

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by flipflopphishin

FS Digest

Also ensure the TM is up before you move spots.

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by TheRealLuclear

FS Digest

Southern states seem to have cheaper bass boat prices than other states, so if you're not opposed to driving to the South to buy a boat, you could possibly save some money even with the towing cost of going back home.

I would never buy a boat without doing a water test first. I am sure there are reputable people out there that don't want to do water tests and the boat is fine; however, I've seen a lot of people buy lemons that take on water or have other issues.

Check the transom to make sure it's not rotten. You can grab the outboard and move it up and down to see if there's any flex. A rotten transom flexes and you can actually see it move in most cases, depending on what boat you're buying.

I'd ask for a compression test, or even bring your own compression test kit (something I've done before).

Check the trailer bearings and wheels, generally, a visual inspection is all that's needed. You can tell if these have been taken care of or not. Also double-check that all the lights on the boat and trailer both work. Especially tail lights.

Ask for the engine hours, this is generally known unless the boat is older.

Check the zinc anodes, if there's a lot of corrosion. If it's really corroded it could mean it's been in salt or has a hydrolysis issue.

Inspect the prop, ensure it moves freely and it's jammed up in any way. I would also give the lower unit a good twice-over, skeg and all.

Move the steering wheel to ensure it's not seized up (a friend of mine bought a Legend that he thought was a killer deal until he realized the steering was seized up. It's an easy fix, but kind of annoying).

Depending on if you get snow or freezing temperatures, it's important to know how the boat has been winterized (or not been winterized).

You can save a good deal of money buying used. Depending on if you want fiberglass or aluminum, you can find a good deal on either range. Your money will get you a newer alumium boat. If you're a brand new boat owner and have never had any experience with bass boats that might be your best bet. They're a lot harder to mess up starting out.

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by Evodius

FS Digest

I will preface this by saying I own both a 16ft bass tracker and a kayak. Definitely look into a kayak, they are considerably cheaper, easier to transport and can get into bodies of water a boat that has to be launched can't.

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by GreenBaySlacker

FS Digest

Ok from my experience on ballin on a budget 1 check the transom this is big first one i looked at had a crack in it and thats always a deal breaker 2. When its on the trailer crawl under it and look for streess fractures 3. Compression check its super easy to do and can tell you the overal health of the engine 4. When u take it out make sure you hit WOT this is big if you go to WOT and it sputters or does anything weird RUN!!!

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by Rmed34

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Buy the one with the X on it.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

Thanks for your input, Evodius. We care, we share.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

You can't always believe in those Xs, OZ. Trust me!

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

LOL

Sinner Loc: witness protection program

b.o.a.t. Break out another thousand.

Take the fast lane, the short cut, the easy route. Simply walk to the end of the dock and throw your saved $$ in the water, and get it overwith.

Fishguts Loc: Colorado springs,co.

Old boats that have been sitting on the trailer too long When your fiberglass boats only? Create a hook in the middle of the boat hole on the bottom lot of people don't know that. Beware of the hook

Jeremy Loc: America

Some People can buy something like a boat together...some cant. If you just want a beater fishing boat you could both get one. Then no argument who gets to use it this weekend. If you guys want a $50G boat like most fisherman do then go do it I guess. I agree if you just want to get off bank you can get all sorts of inexpensive equipment anymore like kayaks. Aluminum is great for freshwater. Salt is better to have really nice and Spendy Fiberglass boats.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Where you from.