fishmanj925

Anyone have any issues with the decking on Bass Tracker's rotting out from water exposure? How hard is it to take a look under the decking in areas where there are no doors?

Was told it has a new axle a couple years back. So cheap because it was stolen and stripped. Only thing left is hull and decking. Even the wiring was taken out. The guy told me that the scrap yard would take the trailer but not the boat because it was an alloy. I am just worried about getting it on the water and it leaking like a sieve or the decking is rotted underneath because it has leaked for a while. Leaning towards getting it because even if it doesn't work out most of what I buy for it can be put on another boat down the road if necessary. Probably just investing in a trolling motor, batteries, bilge pump, seats, safety stuff and rod holders for now. Has anyone had any experience replacing a rib or strengthening a hull that is missing a rib?

18' 2000 Bass Tracker

I have an opportunity to buy an aluminum stripped down Bass Tracker for a very low price. The seller is only asking $300 with a trailer. It is pretty bare bones though containing only the decking due to it having been stolen and stripped. The thing that concerns me with this boat is it is missing a rib and does leak some. I am not sure which rib it is yet as I have not seen the boat yet. I will only be using this boat with an electric trolling motor so I am not concerned about getting on plane or the weight of an outboard either. It will limit me to what I can use the boat for but my local lake is easily fished with only a trolling motor and for the low price think it may be worth the investment. What are your opinions if this boat will hold up for a few years just cruising around with the electric motor. Should I save the money and just start with a better aluminum hull and build my own deck in it?