Help me choose my first boat

[bjennings79]

I'm looking to buy my first boat and am in need of some advice in determining value, among other things. We are looking for a fishing/sport boat. Fishing is my primary use, with occasional family outings/tube/ski. The link below is a local boat that I really like (not crazy about the color), but I feel like it is a good bit overpriced. I'm thinking the motor is probably worth about 6K, with the boat and trailer being another 6-7k (according to NADA). Is this a good price for this boat, assuming everything is in good working order? If I could get this boat for around 12K out the door, I would probably do it. I just don't want to walk in and insult the dealer with a crazy offer.

http://www.rossmotorsports.com/pre_owned_detail.asp?sid=0113598X4K28K2010J10I01I49JAMQ867R0&veh=1640423

Also, I've not been able to find much info on LakeSport boats from online resources. Anyone have any opinions? I was originally looking at a Tracker Pro 175 type boat, but I really like the seating in the above boat. Any suggestions on where to look for a similar boat? I really prefer an aluminum hull.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Help me choose my first boat

What type of fishing do you plan to do?

What types of water do you plan to use the boat on?

The boat in the link is essentially an aluminum bass boat that has some nice bench seats along the sides. Bass boats aren't very good for handling any sort of waves, so if you plan to be on a big lake or where relatively large boats operate and create wakes this may not be the best all around boat.

It actually is a pretty interesting boat you are looking at. I don't think I have ever seen anything quite like it.

Regarding the price...a boat is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. NADA is a guide and nothing more than a guide. A dealer or a private seller may be able to sell a boat for significanlty more than NADA....conversly a boat may not sell when priced at or below NADA.

I think you may be best going and talking to the dealer and discussing with them how you plan to use the boat and then talk to them about your budget. If the boat you have in mind works for you and the dealer has some wiggle room on price a good conversation may be all that is required to get to a point you are comfortable. If the dealer took the boat in on trade there is a bottom line that they will likely never cross...they can't afford to lose money on the trade.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Help me choose my first boat

I agree with above and would add one more thing IMO:

It doesnt look like it will be a good cross over boat, I'm saying, it will sit low in the water on the stern (as any bass boat) and will be difficult to hook up towing items (ski, tube, ect) unless you installed a ski post.

It definitely looks like a river boat, as Racer said.

Honestly: I think it is overpriced. If you could get it down to the price you were talking, I think you have a better deal...Right now, taking your time looking around, you can get a lot of boat for the 12K range (I just got a hell of a deal on my boat for right under 12 and I've searched for the same boat same make same moter on the internet all over the US and the ave price was 22K plus.)

 

[bjennings79]

Re: Help me choose my first boat

Thanks for the responses. To answer a couple of questions, I'm in Lufkin, TX, so I'll be going primarily to Sam Rayburn (100,000+ acres) and Livingston, but I'll also use it in the Trinity River and all of the other smaller lakes around here. I'll primarily be fishing for bass, but I do like to fish for a little bit of everything.

I have talked to this dealer in the past, about a different boat, but I wasn't at the point of purchasing. I thought that boat was overpriced as well. I drive by this dealer almost weekly, and he always has the same boats sitting out there, which makes me feel like he isn't really making any good deals. I guess I'll just continue to watch ebay and craigs list, as this seems to be the best way to figure out a reasonable price.

In addition, I really don't expect it to be used for a whole lot of tub/ski. I have no interest in either, and neither does my wife. Maybe in 6 or 8 years, our kids might want to go tubing or something, but I really don't see it being a major use of the boat. I just want to get a boat that is too high up out of the water, as that will make it more difficult to fish from.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: Help me choose my first boat

I think thats a good call. See if he'll come down to your price or wait it out. The sights you mentioned are good to keep tabs on. I would also advise here at iboats, boattrader.com, usedboats.com as well to keep tabs on price and boats.

This time of the year people are going to hold a bit more firm on the price of boats because the season is starting back up (dont know when it starts in Tx though...) But after enough time of not selling, they'll come down. The economy has set the boat buyer in a good position if you give it the time.

When I boat my most reacent boat (bout a month an a half ago) I kept tabs on all of the sights I mentioned along with the 2 you did. Kept a spreadsheet by boat and checked the prices ever day. After about a month and a half, it all worked out!

Good luck, the first boat is an important purchase, and I hope you find the right one!

PS. Welcome aboard...someone told me the same thing when I got on here...I've been boating for a long time, but this site has tought me generations of "learning the hard way" knowledge!