To buy or not to buy boat?

[JimmyDon]

I'm new to the boating world and would like to buy my first bass boat. I found a cheap skeeter and took to bass pro for inspection, here are details and probs, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

asking price $2,300
91 200sx skeeter, 19.5ft, with 91 yahmaha 200HP, trailer
-stored out in sun with boat cover for years, not too pretty
-carpet worn
-65lb trolling motor, 2yrs old
-cheap hummin bird fish finder
-bilge pump out
-rt well pump out
-water in gear lube
-need water pump
-hydrolic jack plate Inop
-needs motor work, tune up, did start
-no leaks in hull, has rhino lined outside hull
-all else checked out ok
-approx. 11hrs of labor for repairs at $100/Hour, not including parts

[Strike_King 609]

right were your at buddy been looking for a boat for about 3 months now i find tons of them on craigslist only problem i dont want someone else headache. I have been leaning towards getting a tracker from what i have heard from other guys there good start boats because there alumuma and can take more punishment. Then a fiberglass boat. They also hold there value. I think i;m going to end up buying a 17ft tracker in the next couple of weeks as far as electronics i wont play so much attention to them. Most are outdated anyway when your talking about boats that are over ten years old. I dont know where you live but around me we can only have 9.9 hp motors so this big motors are just decorations for me. You can add a nice ff setup and new trolling motor for around 1500.00 plus figure your going end up putting at least 600-1000 into anything that you buy regardless of what they tell you. Good luck in your search. Have you seen it in the water?? Fiberglass boats can be very expensive to fix!!!!!

[PaulT]

I'd pass. By the time you fix everything you know of, and find the ones that aren't so obvious, you will have spent a small fortune. Pay more and get something you can use, not something that's going to be a source of frustration.

[JimmyDon]

No I have not seen boat in water, maybe a little rougher than normal, kinda strange but it has rhino lined hull on outside, it was put on by the first owner, I would be the third, don't know details on why, no leaks or cracks found from bass pro tank test, looks and feels like you could go over cover with no prob, or through a brick wall, I live in Dallas FortWorth area, all I ever see are fiberglass boats with atleast 115hp and up on lakes, I would also like to start tournament fishing for a small local bass club, there are many boats on craigslist and have been looking daily, been seeing decent lake ready boats for about $7,500 thanks for input

[nofearengineer]

Jimmy, it sounds like that boat has a lot of problems. The hull has rhino lining on it? Sheesh. That alone should be a red flag. I can't imagine why anyone would do that to a pretty fiberglass hull, except to cover up nasty cracks, gouges, etc.

For the money it would take to fix it, you could probably buy 10 times the boat.

[rodnreel]

Water in gear lube is no good and will certainly mean AT LEAST replacing the impeller along with all the seals. The pumps are an easy fix and something you could take on yourself. Very confused on the rhino lined hull, not sure why anybody would want to do that unless they beat the heck out of it in extremely shallow water. I would definitely pass on this boat and find something newer/nicer. It will cost you more up front, but I'd rather pay a little more money for something that is in good shape and checks out OK then pay low and find out you have thousands of dollars in repairs a year down the road. Keep checking Craigslist, in that area there are probably hundreds of boats on there and you're sure to find a good deal somewhere.


Found this one doing just a quick search....http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/1690889872.html

[WaffleJaw]

Originally Posted by nofearengineer

Jimmy, it sounds like that boat has a lot of problems. The hull has rhino lining on it? Sheesh. That alone should be a red flag. I can't imagine why anyone would do that to a pretty fiberglass hull, except to cover up nasty cracks, gouges, etc.

For the money it would take to fix it, you could probably buy 10 times the boat.

Beware of the rhino lining!!...I had a jon boat completely covered in it inside and out...Once I stripped it all off...I found about 8 crappy patch job that were so bad I had to trash the entire project.Luckily I had no money invested
Im not saying thats the case,I know guys that do it for protection,but definitely something to keep in mind when shopping.

[MississippiBoy]

I'd definitely let this one pass on by. There's no telling what's underneath that rhino coating. Also, you're looking at an investment of at least $3400 (boat + labor), plus whatever parts you might need. You could be looking at $5000 quick, and still not really know what condition the hull is in.
I've been browsing craigslist for boats myself, and I've seen plenty of boats in a lot better shape for $5000-$8000. Take your time, don't think you've got to get the first one that comes along.
Good luck to you.

[carolina-rig-01]

Originally Posted by MississippiBoy

I'd definitely let this one pass on by. There's no telling what's underneath that rhino coating. Also, you're looking at an investment of at least $3400 (boat + labor), plus whatever parts you might need. You could be looking at $5000 quick, and still not really know what condition the hull is in.
I've been browsing craigslist for boats myself, and I've seen plenty of boats in a lot better shape for $5000-$8000. Take your time, don't think you've got to get the first one that comes along.
Good luck to you.

I agree. When you figure up the money you will spend trying to get this thing in good working order on top of what you paid for it you could have bought a lot better boat to begin with. The bilge pump and livewell pump not working is more than likely just bad pumps, however if it is electrical issues then that could rack up the bill fast. I too say let this one go and keep on looking. Good luck.

[jasonfish320]

I am guessing there are some bigger problems with this boat..I would keep looking, like the others suggest

[JimmyDon]

Thanks everyones for advice, I will not be buying, however did see this boat, was suggested by RodNreel, does anyone know about Sprint boats, I've never seen or heard of?
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/1690889872.html

[JimmyDon]

Thanks for info, now how do I delete thread?

[MississippiBoy]

You don't. It'll stay here as a caution to those who might follow in your footsteps.

[bcklash]

That boat sounds like a 25 year project. I would hook that boat up to my truck and pull down the road without the trailer to remove the rhino lining, I don't think it will hurt the boat none.

[JimmyDon]

LOL, sounds like a good idea, it may ruin the pavement, probably still has lifetime warranty

[nmanley]

I've come so close to pulling the trigger and buying a boat over the last month it's CRAZY

I've about got enough control of the Boat Monkey beating me about the head every time I see a nice used rig or think about a new BassCat, Nitro, Stratus, Ranger, and even Skeeter. I'm going to (TRY) hold off till late summer/early fall time frame and see what available then used or Incentives by manufacturers.

I sure hate loosing out on the extra 2 yr Motor warranties with Mercury on a new motor but I think I'm gonna buy used when the time comes anyway.

[nmanley]

Originally Posted by nmanley

I've about got enough control of the Boat Monkey beating me about the head every time I see a nice used rig or think about a new BassCat, Nitro, Stratus, Ranger, and even Skeeter. I'm going to (TRY) hold off till late summer/early fall time frame and see what available then used or Incentives by manufacturers.

It's official....I'm a Pu$$y. Damn boat monkey won the VERY next day I posted this. LMAO

[Embrey]

details and info/location on this? i might be interested

[JimmyDon]

Embrey, the boat is near basspro shop in Grapvine tx, details on boat condition is stated above, if your still interested, whats your e-mail?

[Embrey]

eh,nevermind...way to far for that