Boat Advice

[RyanbabZ71]

Just wondering what you all recommend. I am starting to look at a boat (labor day sucked sitting on shore watching the boats go out).

 

I would like something I can use to fish but also take out to tube (dont need anything large and dont want to break the bank).

 

I have found some nice jon boats and they can have a 60-90hp motor. Brands include alumacraft, crestliner, and lowe. What do you recommend? Also I have found the following and kinda like this boat

 

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...off08_31421.jsp

 

Thanks!

[Zembonez]

Just wondering what you all recommend. I am starting to look at a boat (labor day sucked sitting on shore watching the boats go out).

 

I would like something I can use to fish but also take out to tube (dont need anything large and dont want to break the bank).

 

I have found some nice jon boats and they can have a 60-90hp motor. Brands include alumacraft, crestliner, and lowe. What do you recommend? Also I have found the following and kinda like this boat

 

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/template...off08_31421.jsp

 

Thanks!

That Lowe is a nice looking rig. Jon boats are downright dangerous ill handling beasts with a 40 horse... I'd never buy one unless it was for stock ponds or something very inland that I could reach with a trolling motor.

 

Aluminum boats are a little like the SS Sea Cork... they get moved around in the breeze a bit. I've had 2 Tracker aluminum bass boats that were both really good boats. (but pretty corklike) Tracker makes some nice V bottoms these days. So does Starcarft and the names you mentioned.

 

Some nice things about a lightweight aluminum boat are:

• they don't eat up fuel quickly

   

• they generally cost less

   

• you can get decent performance out of a 60-90 HP outboard.

   

• they tow behind about anything

   

• metal hull is durable - not so many worries about scratches like fiberglass

   

If you plan on tubing behind one, or hauling 3-4 adults, I'd recommend a 75 or bigger. 60 might do for a fishing with a couple of guys and just cruising but you won't win any races. The most important part of any boat is the outboard and the accessories. Most manufacturers make a solid hull and have similar warranties. Differences have always been trolling motors, electronics, and engines. 4 strokes are much less maintenance hogs but cost the most. I'd buy something that has a local dealership so you don't have to trailer it 100 miles away to get service or warranty work done.

 

I've owned a bunch of boats and absolutely don't regret any of them but I am enjoying a "boat free" segment of life right now. Just remember: Like they say about a lot of toys... The best two days of boat ownership are the day you get it and the day you sell it.

[Zembonez]

If you mostly want to fish, these are pretty good rigs for the price.

 

 

EDIT: Another thing you might consider is finding a 2 or 3 yer old boat for sale since winter is looking over the horizon... Lots of people sell them cheaper about now. Some are real bargains too.

[VMax2007]

I'll sell you mine.....$16,000. It was a $26K boat new 5 years ago.

 

 

[RyanbabZ71]

A bass boat would be nice but we want to go tubing also

 

I really like this one. I definitely would probably go 90HP. The 17K price tag is kinda killing it right now

 

Oh yea I found one brand new but it is an 07. Are these things like cars? Do they deal pretty good for the most part like auto dealerships?

 

[Zembonez]

If you find a new 07 they will deal. They want it gone. I don't know how Cabela's does it but regular boat dealerships deal just like a car dealer. I saved about 7 grand on my last boat.