Tired of using my BIL's massive boat and now looking to get my own. Price range is $8000-15000 with hoping to get one around $12000. Searching on CL i'm seeing many 1998-2000 19-20ft 175-200hp bass boats. Many of them are Johnson motors. Many of them have had some sort of motor work. Would I be better off buying a used boat with a reworked motor already or hope to get one in pristine condition and it doesn't grenade on me. I have listed a few and hope you boat expert can suggest or compare the boats for me. Anything to give me a feel of what to expect. I have help many people and friends when they list cars since I'm a big car guy but with boats this is uncharted territory. I know it's a lot of links but even if you guys know something about that boat or motor on just one link please fill in.

 

2000 Ranger 518vx - 19ft - Evinrude 200hp - $14000

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/boa/4375612817.html

 

2000 Pro Craft - 21ft - Mercury 225hp - $13900

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/boa/4356991303.html

 

1999 Skeeter 20ft - Yama 200hp - $13500

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/boa/4373547454.html

 

2000 Stratos - 19ft - Evinrude 200hp - $12000

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/boa/4356529202.html

 

2000 Triton TR19 - Yama 175hp - $11000

http://siouxcity.craigslist.org/boa/4343017955.html

 

2001 Stratos SS - 20ft - Evinrude 225hp - $10500

http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/boa/4342806818.html

 

1998 Javelin - 20ft - Johnson 200hp - $9500

http://duluth.craigslist.org/boa/4339373555.html

 

 

PM'ed you

 Would I be better off buying a used boat with a reworked motor already or hope to get one in pristine condition and it doesn't grenade on me.

 

I'm not an expert.................but I would think that this is only a good option if you know/trust the repair shop.........and knew the work was done.

That is a good point, especially handy man that does it themselves and now the motor runs rough. Don't want to buy another persons problem. I am kind of skeptical of buying boats that are listed so early in the year. It's not even open water yet up north. In the back of my head I'm thinking some of these people are hoping to sell a boat so early so you can't even test it on water.

IMO, don't even consider buying unless you can get it on the water and put it through the paces. That includes running WOT, ideling around, and trying all functions (aerators, lights, pumps). If they have any reservations or of you notice an issue they never told you about, walk away.