mheichelbech

Yea I’ve read about the whole Evinrude ordeal and is a concern. My biggest concern is decline in market value. I just feel like, at $7500 it’s hard to pass up but of course $9509 for a 2005 and a 200 Merc is a good deal too.

Haha I am only 5’7” so that shouldn’t be an issue. The Ranger/Evinrude deal the owner did say it would need a new wiring harness, not sure why yet and also a new lower unit. Haven’t talked yet but just trying to get all the input I can beforehand.

A swim bait has become one of my pre-rigged (tied on ready to throw) baits these days. I’m wondering how you guys, when you don’t know precisely what bait fish the bass are chasing on a given day, how do you choose what to throw as far as length and color? Also, do you have success with them in muddy or stained water?

Looking at what I think are 2 pretty good deals on boat: 1) 1999 Ranger 519 DVS with Evinrude 225 for $7,500 - has new lower unit. The bad is guy says will need a wiring harness and I’m concerned about the Ficht injection although I’ve heard if you get past 100 hours with no problem your okay??? 2) 2005 BassCat Pantera with Merc 200 for $9,500. Supposedly very low hours, less than 200. My main issues so far with this boat is I don’t like the color and I wanted a dual console but seems like a really good deal. Any recommendations, experience appreciated. One is 3 hours away and the other is 4 hours away. From individuals.

What I was thinking. After talking to another guy about his boat and there are clearly many other things that can be wrong besides the big stuff! $4,200 for a 482vs was enticing.

Just said damage to the original trailer. Here is a pic, as you can see the boat looks a bit long to me.

Just confirmed it is a compressor and the compression is said to be good.

It specifically says bad compressor. From what could find it sounds like there is a part called a compressor. Sounds like it involved a belt of some kind. Also no engine report, this is just reading the ad. I will double check this. I’d have to drive pretty far to see the boat so I’m not sure I could schedule an engine check on it.

Looking at a Ranger that SEEMS to be too good of a deal to pass up. A 1990 Ranger 492V. Price was $5,000 and the Mercury engine reported to have a bad compressor. How bad is this in the pantheon of engine repairs and is it an indicator of other problems? The boat is sitting on a 2006 Ranger trailer and appear to be a bit long for the trailer by a few inches. Also, the guy quickly said he’d take $4,200. Now I’m getting leery. It’s a long drive to see the boat. Also, I know that a boat not having the right trailer can be a real issue when traveling. Any thoughts/experience appreciated.

Thanks. I think the Evinrudes you heard about may have the engines with the Ficht injection. Very hit and miss on those. Just saw a guy who owns a Ranger with a Evi 200 HO with that type of injection who hasn’t had any issues but he knew those models did.

I’ve seen quite a few of these, new carpet, seats, etc. Is a new lower unit a good sign or something to avoid? What about a rebuilt lower unit?

Yea I was concerned about this. On the other hand, can probably get a better deal and have it work it if you keep the boat for a fairly long time....id think.

I have noticed this to be true... Are there specific motors have more generically available parts? I see a lot of the following: Yamaha Pro V, Yamaha V Max, Evinrude Intruder, Evinrude XP and Johnson Fast Strike. I had a Johnson Fast Stike, really like that motor. I could get to 63 mph with a fish/ski boat which I thought was pretty darn good.

Wondering about this, if 225/250 hp motors are materially more expensive to maintain and repair than 150/175s? By maintenance I mean periodic annual activities, minor repairs and by repairs I mean more major items such as fuel pumps, sensors, gauges, lower unit repairs, etc.

Looking at various used bass boats and wondering if I should put on an “age limit”. I’ve figured on a $15-$20k limit but would be just as happy at $6k. I’m wondering for example, if I should avoid a nice looking 1992 Stratos 201 Pro XL with an Evinrude Intruder 200 priced at $6,200 obo simply because it’s a 1992 and stay in the $15k range for an early 2000s model boat??? This is assuming all else (length, options, motor, etc), essentially being equal.

I didn’t think about this when I bought a Swivel Eze base, but can you generally use other brands of pedestal pins with one or would I specifically need an SE pin? Also, the base is not the kind with threads. Would it be better to have a threaded base?

Does anyone have a good idea of what the selling value difference would be between a Jon boat with 2 seats versus without? I have 2 Jon boats, and I’m using the one without seats and selling the one with seats (12 foot Coleman Crawdad). Trying to decide whether or to sell it with or without the seats and use them for passengers in the jon boat I’m keeping.

Thanks. So if your experience is the most common I’m guessing that besides bells and whistles, from a pure charging standpoint, the only material difference is how fast it charges, ie amps?

Just about have the job boat project done. Looking for recommendations for a battery charger. Don’t need an on board charger. In fact I’m looking for something to use for other than my deep cycle battery as well (riding mower battery, car start if needed, etc). I saw a Stanley 25 amp charger for $81 on Amazon ($50 for 15 amp) but not sure if there may be better deals around. This one is a battery maintained as well.

How do the old BB1NGs compare to the newer models for crankbaits? Is it even comparable.

So I ended up with both a 11.25 foot crawdad and a 12 foot aluminum Jon boat. Trying to figure which one would serve me better. I intend to put a front deck on one or the other. The Crawdad is deeper and heavier but I feel like if they both had decks, they’d be equal in weight because I can use a lighter support system in the Crawdad than in the jon boat. The Jon boat deck would be about a foot longer. Also wondering which one is likely to be more stable. The one thing I am ambivalent about is the deck on the crawdad would be right at the top edge whereas on the Jon boat it will be about 4 inches below. Also, don’t have an easy access nearby lake I could test them on. Any input experienced appreciated

The current distance from the bench to the top is about 6 inches. I’m think with the deck, it will be 5 inches. I had thought about putting some 2x4s on the middle bench and front bench to raise it but then that would be a lot more work for the platform build. Are you saying with the deck higher it will make the boat more stable?

I’d like to attach a pic of the boat but I can’t get the file size small enough. Anyhow, other than the deck, I want to attach a seat in the back to the aluminum bench that goes across. Is it okay to attach directly to the bench or should I have a piece of wood in between the seat base?

Yea we use a sign shop to do stuff for our semis and trailers. Done a lot of business with them so hopefully they’d give me a break if I ever did one. I see a lot of boat for sale where I like the boat but don’t like the colors or the colors of the stripes in the side.