Bassin' USA - Bass Fishing Forum Archives

I'm looking to buy a 16-18 ft bass boat any suggestions, something like a Starcraft bass 170.

Ok, since this is what I do for a paycheck so I can go fishing, let's get sprcific.

One, Aluminum or Glass.

Two, New or Used

Three, What else do you want to do with the boat?

Four, How much do can you spend?

You've stated the size, and Starcraft builds motsly Aluminum boats these days, so I think I have the answer to One. (At one time I was the Layup/Gel department Manager for Four Star Boats in Muskogee Okla, which was a Dev of Starcraft at the time. We used the molds they bought from the Quatchita Boat bankruptcy sale when they went belly up in 77)

If you buy new, make sure you don't get "upside down" in financing, easy to do these days. The term means you actually paid too small a down payment on the unit. In doing so, you'll always owe more than the resale value. Under those circumstances you will take a big hit if you sell or trade it in before it's paid off.

Also, buy from a reputable dealer. One that's been around for a while. Talk to some of their customers, how is their service dept. Trust me, you'll come to know them fairly well if you own the unit for any length of time.

If you buy used from an individual, insist on at least a compression, spark and lower unit check from a shop. If the owner is reluctant to do so. I would advise you to go on down the road. Now, the cost is your responsibility! as a rule. Sometimes the seller will split it with you. Another thing, make sure you choose the shop!

If it's a dealer they should have done this before the unit was taken in for trade or sale! Get some sort of warranty if at all possible. And don't take in home and park it for three months before you use it either. Get it wet the first chance you get, and keep it wet for as much as possible during the first couple of months. (Yeah I know, but believe me, there are people who buy em and park em for months at a time before taking them to the water.)


There's not s single thing wrong about buying a boat from an individual, in fact most of mine have been purchased that way. BUT!, get the boat inspected from sharp end to flat end, have the motor checked out thoroughly. Get the bits n pieces that will go with it, or stay with the seller straightened out immediately. I can't count the number of sour deals that have happened because the seller was intent on keeping his electronics or some such and the buyer was either unaware or wasn't listening. ( to be honest, most of the time it's the latter.)

It has been said the two best days in a boat-owners life are the days he buys the boat, and the day he sells it.

While I don't entirely agree, it can be painfully accurate.

Richard (the boatless! And I work for a Marine Dealer no less!)

I suggest looking at a G-3 Boat. Best all-around boat I've ever driven. They are finished off much better than others in their price range. They offer an 18 footer with a 150 Yamaha that's super!! Aluminum. Fast and dry.

G3 does build a really nice unit, well finished, durable, fast.

Not many down this way though, this is glass country for whatever reason. I think there's just one dealer in the sales region.

As much flack as I'm going to take for this, avoid Tracker. While the price is nice, they don't have a good record when it comes to durability.

Yeah, and resale is sad too. I do like the tracker Nitro though. Nice unit. I run a Cajun, but like the G-3 better.

Thanks for info ,I want to spend around 10 grand. I like the G3 boats do they make anything in the price range ? I'm looking for a boat to fish small lakes and ponds with my 10 yr old son something easy to handle and comfortable 25 hp engine would work.I don't know if i should go with alum or glass ?

thanks john

A sort of rule, if you want to keep the HP small, say under 50, Aluminum is the way to go.

25 is a bit under what I'd expect for a console steered boat, but doable. Some advice about that, don't underpower whatever you get. No less than 75% of max rated horsepower (80% if you go with a four stroke). Less than that and the performance really suffers, you'll be unhappy with the way it handles also.

And when time comes to trade or sell you'll have a really hard time moving the unit.

10K may get you a smaller boat with a reasonable amount of horsepower depending on your area. but it will be close. If you have to cut options, do it with the accessories. Easy to upgrade stuff later, like Electronics or a less expensive trolling motor. Sort of hard with things like the trailer or engine.

Richard.

Thanks for the advice I'm planning to start to go and look at some boats in the next couple of weeks, my son is very excited I'm sure I'll have many more questions.

Thanks again for your help.

john

Jbones, I have a G3 Eagle 175 with a 60 hp Yamaha 4 stroke. I love the boat. It's a 2006. You might be able to get one that is a few years old for about 10,000. I owned a Tracker TX17 for a while and there is no comparing it to the G3. The G3 is just a higher quality machine.

Craig, you're right, the G-3 is the best boat for the money. I talked to my rep here and they said buying a 16 with a forty horse would cost about $10,000.