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Is there currently a wood transom on the boat?

Wow, for all you knew, that boat could've been in that spot because someone had had a medical emergency on it. And you just shoved it out into the lake? : What was wrong with just moving it to one side of the ramp or the other?

Actually, a trim gauge is another I'd put in the useless category along with a speedometer. Since you're driving a boat by feel and the tachometer, I'm not sure what use the trim gauge is other than to tell you what trim angle the engines at for Those too lazy to turn around and look.

I'm getting scared, make it go away!!

Nothing like a woman with a fish

There's a lot more boats out there than just those 3 brands you listed. Champion Charger Skeeter Gambler Stratos Legend There's also a few brands that, while not made anymore are still fine boats HydraSports Javelin Cajun That makes a whole lotta boats in your price range. Don't fall for the "there's nothing built like a Ranger" spiel. All the boats I listed are well made and will last you a long time.

Which makes no sense. He stated he went around their boat and tied off to the end of the dock. That leaves the ramp open for him to put his trailer in as soon as the other guy moves his truck.

Yep. His boat was at the ramp, not his tow vehicle. Big difference.

I'd trash the fuel line and bulb for sure and replace it, not that expensive. You might want to consider getting rid of those 17 year old metal tanks as well, who knows how well the fuel and tanks were taken care of during the off-season by the previous owner. Not sure just what you mean by fuel seeping from the tank fitting.

1. Finally catch a 10lb bass with Emily Procter in the back of my boat who kindly rewards me later. 2. hmmmm.... 3. I'm still stuck on my Emily Procter reward.

A launch ramp is for launching and loading boats. You don't block it with a boat unless you're about to back you're trailer into the water. In this case, the guy hadn't even gotten to his truck yet. Seems the boat loader wants to penalize the guy who followed proper etiquette. He got his boat ready on the parking lot for launching so as not to hold anyone up. He pulls down to the ramp to launch. He's ready to launch, the guy wanting to pull his boat out isn't ready, he probably hasn't even gotten to his truck yet. In the time she spent arguing with this guy, she could've moved the boat, let him launch and the whole process wouldn't have cost the boat loader in this scenario anymore than a minute. If most public boat ramps operated like this poster thinks is the right way to launch or load a boat you'd never get any boats launched.

Technically speaking, if he pulls up to launch after you've gotten out and set off to get your tow vehicle he still has the right of way to launch and expect the launching area is clear of boats, regardless of the weather conditions approaching. Your wife should've moved the boat so he could launch then moved it back into position after he'd taken care of launching. Since you can't see the parking area you have no idea if he was up there prepping his boat to launch, since he appears to have already had the boat ready to put in that's probably the case. Another point. Using you're scenario, what happens if you get up to your tow vehicle and it wont' start or there's a problem like a tire low on the trailer or some other problem? Is everyone supposed to just sit there and wait till you figure out what to do with your situation? I learned long ago that if you're going to take you're significant other fishing it's best to teach them normal ramp manners, how to operate the boat in an idle condition around docks and to operate the trolling motor. I'm afraid I'll have to side with the other boater this time regardless of the fact that a storm was approaching. It was a pretty stupid time to be heading out though.

Unless I know ahead of time there's a specific bite going on, I normally hit the water each morning with at least 5 rods on the deck with 5 different baits going that cover most of the water table from top to bottom.

Lucky Strike 3 1/2" coffee scented tubes Colors/Scents: Cafe Latte Expresso Cafe Mocha Cappucino Mocha etc.... What a ruse. Sounds like a new market for Starbucks. ;D

I've re-read that several times now and just can't stop. That should be on the articles page or at least a Sticky!

I've got to older original classics and had a new American classic. I couldn't really tell much difference. Given the choice, I'd go with a TAS or, if you can afford it, a Platinum.

I rarely sell rods anywhere anymore unless they're premium rods or I have multiple rods I can sell. Anything over 6' long falls under oversized charges with any of the shippers and the price shoots up. Normally I was paying around $17 - 22 to ship a pair of rods in a tube around 3 1/2" in diameter, priority with confirmation in the US. I understand prices have bumped up a little since then. Unless the rod is a premo rod, you just won't get what the thing is worth.

All I can say in closing is, if you've got $35K to spend on a used boat you've opened the door to a LOT of boats. Take your time and look around.

Go over to Scream and Fly and check out the 2003 Jasper River video. There's some holeshots on there that make that one look weak. Talk about getting shot out of a cannon!! BTW, I clicked on that Skeeter doing a 360 degree turn video. LOL I've done that breech turn in my Champion at well over twice that speed that guy was going. Oh well, every mans got to know his boats limitations.

I had a late 70's 150hp inline Merc. Reliable motor, one of the real gremlins that motor was known for was the power trim motor assembly having brushes going bad. The motor/pump was mounted in the engine compartment on the boat. If it's got PT make sure it operates smoothly. Agree with the no more than $1000. $600-800 really.

Take a look at and ride in a New Champion 210 before deciding. As for your boats listed. I'd go with the cat.

Put a few hundred in that to fix it up and resell it. Double or triple your money. If I had the space to do it that's what I'd do.

The 360 series Rangers around here typically go for around the $6k mark or so. Big caveat with that rig you're looking at though, it's not running a 150hp motor, Only a 115hp. That drops the price. The boat you're talking about sounds like it has an old Lowrance 1240 indash flasher and a graph on the front. Those do nothing for the price. How old is the TM? How old are the batteries? Fresh rubber on the trailer? What's the age of the carpet and upholstery? I'd offer somewhere around $5000 - 5500 and see what he says.

I beleive the old saying for swimming in the ocean goes something like... once you're in water over your knees, you've become part of a food chain which you're no longer at the top of.

Take everything into consideration; age of electronics age of trolling motor battery age how old is the carpet and upholstery? tires, how old. How is the steering system? Do nada and then take all the above into consideration. If all that's listed is over 2 years old it adds relatively little to the price