Seeking Advice - New/Used Boat Purchase
So I have a 12 foot Jon with no trailer atm. It's great for what it is. Just needs a trailer which would run 7-800. The used selections in the area have been a nightmare.
Anyways while looking for trailers I'm seeing used boats with trailers. Most are pretty old but would be OK/Good upgrades for me. Budget it around 3k.
And now... I'm looking at new boats... A Marina near me has a Lund Fury 1600 which im in love with but they want around 13-14k for the total package of which id finance. Love the deck. The side steer console. Rod Holders. Live wells. ugh... its killing me.
Basically I'm looking for someone to tell me to get the new boat but I imagine I'm going to get folks to talk sense to me and to keep searching used or just get the trailer. Both thoughts are equally welcome.
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by Atlasprime
If u want it and can afford it go for it. However what does this new boat do better than the Jon boat and is that worth 9k and some change.
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by Smallie_Steve
Thanks for the reply! The jon is a tiller and a bit small for my liking to take it into the bay. It doesnt have any of the bells and whistles I mentioned above. I also have some kids that simply cant cram into the 12's space. The 16 is much more open with a casting deck and places to sit. The jon gets 2 adults by but the 1600 would get 2 adults by more comfortably and in far greater convenience and style.
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by Atlasprime
In your opinion Is all that worth an extra 9 grand tho?
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by Smallie_Steve
Perhaps not. Maybe if I get TONS of use out of it. I live in RI so boating season gets owned by winter.
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by Atlasprime
So u would only be able to use it maybe 6 months out of the year.
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by Smallie_Steve
So 14k for a time share basically.
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by Smallie_Steve
That's an awful lot of money for only 16' of boat. That's 14k for 4 more feet. I'd buy an 18/19' so I can go offshore if I want
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by LilPuuuma
My friend stay in your price range. I'm 70 yrs. old and have owned many boats, used and new. A new one is only new one trip. Also the day after you buy it, the car, the stove, the hot water heater and the freezer will quit. There is some very nice rigs out there for 3K. I just sold a Bass Tracker for 6K that I bought for 4K. It was clean as a pin and ran like new. So hang in there till you feel that 14K will not put you in a bid.
Freed47
Loc: Finger lakes ,central ny
Hi , you mentioned you have kids , what are their ages . like others first to consider is budget . think about usage , is the boat for dedicated fishing , what other activities do you want for you and your family . safety for the kids .
please don't let emotions guide you in your decision.
Know how your boat is going to be used
consider your must haves
then your wants (special features )
know what book values are for the boat you are considering (bargaining tool)
Most importantly enjoy the journey !
FS Digest wrote:
So I have a 12 foot Jon with no trailer atm. It's great for what it is. Just needs a trailer which would run 7-800. The used selections in the area have been a nightmare.
Anyways while looking for trailers I'm seeing used boats with trailers. Most are pretty old but would be OK/Good upgrades for me. Budget it around 3k.
And now... I'm looking at new boats... A Marina near me has a Lund Fury 1600 which im in love with but they want around 13-14k for the total package of which id finance. Love the deck. The side steer console. Rod Holders. Live wells. ugh... its killing me.
Basically I'm looking for someone to tell me to get the new boat but I imagine I'm going to get folks to talk sense to me and to keep searching used or just get the trailer. Both thoughts are equally welcome.
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by Atlasprime
So I have a 12 foot Jon with no trailer atm. It's ... (
show quote)
Take a look at Harbor Freight, I got the basic trailer converted it to a "boat trailer" for $25, the cost of trailer with the yearly 20% off coupon when you register online made it cost under $300 with tax. They offer the boat trailer for $400.00 before coupon. If none in your area go online, never had an issue yet. Good Luck
Harbor Freight is not a bad idea. Have you checked in to used boats in your area? Do you have a local bulletin board magazine in your area? We have a free mag called boats. That's all it has and it covers the U.S. Do you know anybody that has a boat so they can go with you to look at used boats. Just bought a 16' stick steer boat with a 50 h.p. motor for $2000. Needs some work but you want to make it yours anyway. Had a Hummingbird on it and I had one from my last boat I sold so I used it for the trolling motor. It has side imaging which gives me way more coverage giving each finder specific work. If you call hold out till Fall you can get great deals on boats due to people selling them to buy hunting gear. I'm with the other guy's on that's a lot of money for a 16' boat. There are a lot of really good boats for that amount of cash. Good luck. If you wait for the boat that is for you it will amazingly appear. I use that thought process when buying a vehicle, boat or most big buys.
Craigslist = more selection. i bought an 18 ft Crestliner Voyager 1960 model w/tiller steer. Removed everything & rebuilt it with minimal cost. Aluminum tubing to build a deck up front w/pedistal seat. I would shop around rather than pay that much for a new boat. P.S. - I hate the side console - do not like sitting at a slant all day - that is why I built the deck w/pedistal seat.
Find someone that fishes regularly and wants to upgrade, you'll find your best deal there, they keep their boats up and a used boat is just as good as a new boat if it is in good shape and everything works.
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