Well, last week I found a soft spot in the transom of my faithful wood river sled. I really don't think the hull is going to be worth saving so I may just part out the motor and equipment later. Anyway, I was unbelievably able to talk my wife into looking around at used bass boats. Does anyone have any recommendations on what to look for and what to stay away from?

here is one A little pricey but you could trade n the sled

I would keep an eye out though the more I read less I like that 1 thought it was 2005

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A fisherman= A JERK ON ONE END OF A FISHING POLE WAITING FOR A JERK ON THE OTHER!!
Hello, my name is Tim and I am addicted to fishing!
Coming to you from Wyoming!!!
Photo bucket

I have got to ask, do you have any experience in Bass Boats? Do you have friends that own Bass Boats? I find a boat is like a wife, we all like something different, otherwise, we would all be married to the same women.

And while we date women before we marry them, most never test a boat out before they buy. I know, the dealer will not let you fish from a boat before you buy it, but friends will.

What features have you found that you like, or want? Make sure your boat has these features. What things do you hate, make sure your new boat does not have these features.

How far are you willing to travel for a used boat? With this economy, there are a lot of boats out there for sale, but the Northwest is not known for an abundance of Bass Boats - But California and Arizona have a lot more, and the Midwest is loaded with them. You might do well to spend the gas and go pick one up.

Personally, I like a Lund, in the Bass Style, or a boat like the lund. The modified Deep V hull works best in our waters, gives you more options, but fishes almost as well as a Ranger. Still, the Ranger style has greater speed if you are a torunament guy and need to beat people to the spot on torunament day.

There are so many things to consider. I took a year before I baught my Lund Style private label boat (found a Lund sitcker hidden under some carpet so I now know where it was built), and it is almost perfect for me. But if I had known I was going to have company more often, and that I would be an equipment horder, I'd have got the bigger boat.

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Too much water, too many fish, too little time.

Skeeter or Ranger the last the Best

Push Flipper his Ride is sweet and I know deep he wants a new Ranger

(Ranger) years of doing and service and always searching and doing more and not asking demanding it and back by studs not duds .

Skeeter I just like the look, ride and how they handle in many water conditons and the fishing Platform they support I am a Freak on fit and finish that being said Ranger Uno Migo 1 and yes I had both 500 plus years ago!!!

Maybe Jeff Prestor will chime in the Walla Walla madman has been banging these and more for many many years


Nixons = Marine I still belive

How did I know this was coming

E- how many bass boats have you owned and operated in all weather condtions?

Custom Sleds???

Never mind I lost my mind/ pleaseeeeeeee I retrack these questions and zero time for the E

Back to woody

Weight backed by hull design , width and HP in REAL LIFE $$$ your friends in all weather conditons and were not talking Tanks that I hate.

Real sports performance machines and I don't speak on anything as far as tubs I have not owned operator Captain and for others

You guys both make very good points and thank you for your input, but we're kind of getting off track here. Gisteppo, the thought of repairing Woody did cross my mind, but unfortunately, I don't have the time, woodworking knowledge, or space in which to do it. I build aluminum boats for the military 40 hrs. a week and run a small fab shop at home during the weekends and evenings. Anyway, I liked the flat bottom design for fuel economy and getting into some skinny places but it gets downright sketchy when crossing Banks or even Whatcom during rough weather/ water.
It's not so much a problem of finding a boat, they're all over, but frankly, I'd like to hear from bass boat owners (or former owners) what they like/ dislike about their boats.
Also, on a more general note, is there anything to watch out for when looking at a fiberglass boat? (besides obvious damage)
I test drove a Nitro some time ago and the owner told me, " I modified the structure in the aft keel to get more holeshot" Hell, he couldn't keep that thing from porpoising to save his life! That translated to me as, "I damaged the hull and after it was scabbed back together, it hasn't rode right since"

Ive spent quality time in a Ranger, very smooth, very durable boat. Fishwells did have a habit of cracking plumbing, however, so be alert to the thru-hulls, the tops of the livewell tanks aft, and the locations of the plumbing as it isnt well suspended. The Ranger hulls tend to run a 3 tier transom creating a big standoff for the motor when running, reducing the need for a jackplate, while when they are at rest, the chines settle back into the water and its more stable for her length. They do hold their value really well, but that translates to higher dollars on your end buying used.

Also fished hard in a Triton. This boat was bought used and was rode hard, put away wet. She had some stress cracking issues in hidden places like the underside of the aft deck, and began to seep water at the hull to deck joint. This is a really tough spot to diagnose, as it is cosmetically covered by the rubrail and won't show its age until she's in the water and being used in a chop. Because of the hull shape in the boats prior to around 2004, they prefer a big standoff bracket/jackplate to squeeze top end speed out of without developing some nasty chine walk.

One last piece to throw in while shopping is engine quirks. A certain boat owned by a certain guy was out running in a tournament when it developed a slight vibration at speed. Owner stated "no big deal, does that all the time". About an hour later, the lower unit came completely off the boat at over 60mph, causing a very dangerous spin. Luckily both occupants survived without a scratch, just wet and scared at the end.

Moral of the story, ALWAYS SEA TRIAL A BOAT.

E

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http://www.amateurboatbuilding.com/CloudCap/

Ranger Bass Boats are the standard FLAG SHIP not the norm of this Bass tub industry Fact

Ask him how many he has owned Zero another fact is the materials used in there system and the Ranger has the $$$$ re-sale value on the market and if I ever went back to this gig which I would not I would buy a new Skeeter on Bling and price Breaks I would get and bigger is better if your fishing and pressing all waters and a tourney guy his platform and HP are his life blood along with function/ease of such features.

Staying out of the Repair shop and being the best platform you can put on the waters for the task in front of you!!!

Fish on and my wood floating cork runs mid 35's in the open ocean

pipe dreams without crack

I lived this stuff many many States Ranger, Skeeter and a few more dominate this Market not words from folks playing with lumber which in fact makes a fine project but far from a ocean Performance tub!!!!

Hugs always the best is there to a few

Fish on!!!!

PS= If one make a choice on New and shinny loaded PM me I still know many of the boys who set and change the $$$$ needed to make a dream a reality not a PC