First Boat...Help?

primelime

Recruit
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
2
Looking to buy my first boat. Reason, I want to buy a boat is to just be able to get out on the water to fish with my son. Do not want anything fancy. Will be fishing lakes in Texas. Do not want to spend more than $6,000 max. What should I look into....?
 

Double J 300

Cadet
Joined
Jul 1, 2007
Messages
10
Re: First Boat...Help?

Do your homework. There are many great boats for less than $6000, but you have to know one when you see it. If you rush to a boat purchase, your odds of being happy go down quickly. If you can afford $6000, look at $8000 boats. You would be shocked how many people "give away" their boats and maybe you would be the first buyer with cash in hand. Good luck.
 

ziggy

Admiral
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
7,473
Re: First Boat...Help?

ya need to know where ya are gonna be useing the boat at first. lakes, rivers, ocean. that will start to narrow it down for ya. maybe help ya lean one direction or the other as for power, an o/b or i/o or jet. then ya need to decide what kinda boat ya want. alum. fishing boat, bass boat, 39' sea fairing fishing boat. maybe a nice stable tri hull or the versital deck boat. google buying a used boat if yer going that route. there are many things to look for when buyin used. or maybe ya want a new boat. ya'll get less boat but it'll be new w/ warrenty. when i got my boat i did the 'puter thing. even used iboats classifieds. even got my boat off iboats classifieds. i wasn't even lookin for what i got. but ya can search a lot of boats listenin to some tunes. even ones ya don't want, or think ya don't want....welcome to the adventure....
 

rooster1

Seaman
Joined
Jun 14, 2007
Messages
54
Re: First Boat...Help?

I Bought A 16 Ft V Hull Of Ebay For 400 Dollars Stripped The Seats Out Got A Used 35 Hp Evinrude And Its A Great Fishing Boat But I Would Have Been Happier If I Kepy On Looking I Found Alot Of Other Boats I Liked Better After I Bought This One Take Your Time Do Alot Of Shopping Youll Learn Alot
 
Joined
Oct 8, 2007
Messages
2
Re: First Boat...Help?

Hi there
I think you should consider looking at aluminium boats as they require the least amount of maintenence or alternativly an inflatable you just cant beat the stability.
i hope that narrowed the search down for you.
 

salty87

Commander
Joined
Aug 12, 2003
Messages
2,327
Re: First Boat...Help?

i'd suggest hanging out at the launch ramp or a marina so you can check out other people's boats. there are probably thousands of manufacturers out there and lots of different styles of boats. seeing what other people are using will help you decide what's popular around your area, that's also probably what works best in your area (fishermen are smart like that).

if you haven't been around boats long enough to know what you want, go look at as many as you can...online, at the lake, go to the dealers and get informed. you'll be glad when it comes time to talk $$.
 

brazosboater

Cadet
Joined
Jul 10, 2007
Messages
23
Re: First Boat...Help?

Dad owns a 1969 tri hull I got running a few years back for him...carbs and neglect caused it to sit, fun little boat for smoother waters. I then bought from a friend an 18 foot speed boat with not enough outboard power and too much work having to be done. Wasn't fun. was then given a 16 foot semi v bass boat with a 50hp johnson, loved it. side console, lots of storage, and very light. eventually rebuilt a 16 foot 4cylinder inboard outboard v hull open bow ski boat. By far the most fun I've had on the water. I will hopefully get something different in a few years. My advice for first boat is...spend the money and get something newer, but more importantly spend alot of time. Don't buy a project for a first boat, save the projects for later. Buy a boat that you can turn around and sell next year for a decent price when you decide what you really want, if decide its not what you want. don't buy a 4 cylinder. get some power under you, unless it is 4 or less going out with you. don't listen to a dealer that seems shady at all. Don't forget, when you buy used, go ahead and do the transfer at the title place, at the window. I've been burned and had to sell a boat for the price of the used trailer, guy didn't want his friend to sell the boat, so wouldn't transfer the title, but couldn't get the money for the boat back either, even though PROMISED a title...at least it wasn't stolen I guess. Good luck.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: First Boat...Help?

Looking to buy my first boat. Reason, I want to buy a boat is to just be able to get out on the water to fish with my son. Do not want anything fancy. Will be fishing lakes in Texas. Do not want to spend more than $6,000 max. What should I look into....?

I applaud you for what you just said. Now stick with it. The trend in recent years is to buy Way too big, Way too fancy. Total waste of money and totally impractical in most cases. You don't need a $30,000, 80MPH boat to catch a fish. When your son is grown, he will always remember those days in that little old boat...With Dad. Priceless.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: First Boat...Help?

the first one is one i bought and gutted, and rebuilt the way i wanted, sold it to a guy in South America. had $2,700 into it. used it two years.

the second was a 14 ft fishing machine, wish i never sold it. about $1,200 in it. the third boat is my present fisher. still about $1,200 with 50 hp. bought the hull on ebay for $76.00 then motor and trailer.

you can do a lot with $6,000.



 

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primelime

Recruit
Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
2
Re: First Boat...Help?

Thanks to all for the good advice. I am still a few months away from purchasing and will keep doing my research. Really think I am going to go with a basic aluminum v-hull. Thanks!
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: First Boat...Help?

ok im gonna get yelled at here.... here goes....

i suggest renting a few boats and going fishing with your son first. that way you can see what you want out of a boat and wether he likes it! he might enjoy waterskkiing tubeing or wakeboarding better!

the guy who runs out and buys a 30 footer as a first boat is the same guy you see sideways across the boat launch with an oar in his hand!
if you decide after a few times on the lake, (as a first time boat captain stay the heck off the ocean!!!!) that you and junior really like boating.
try starting with an old 16 foot boat with a reliable motor for a few seasons. you can buy a good one for under $1200 boat motor and trailer!
then you will really see what kind of boat you need. and how you use it! ie: pulling it up on shore to start a campfire! skiing and tubeing.
plus you will learn all the little things that you will need to know about owning a boat.
after one or two seasons you will be able to make the best choice on what kind of boat to buy!
welcome to the boating world.

a quick question for all the salty dawgs out there? does two foot itis ever end?
 

dmcb

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 13, 2007
Messages
93
Re: First Boat...Help?

Does 2 footitis end.
Ya, sure it does. It becomes 4 to 10 footitis.
I went from a 12' to 46' is nice easy steps.
22 years later sold the 46 and down sized to a 24'.
5 boats later its back to 38'.
Why would you want it to end? What fun would that be?
Doug
 
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