That one looks a little rougher but that's not saying it's bad, but you can tell it wasn't taken care of as well at least cosmetically. As far as the boats go, there are trade offs to both. The 04 is older, not as well taken care of, and at least in my opinion, the layout isn't as good and it's not that much cheaper. The 07 has a smaller Motor, TM, and a cheaper locator. If I had to choose between the two, I know which one I'd be looking at, but it really comes down to which is a better option for you. Also, remember these are not the only two boats out there, and if the deal is not right, the deal is not right. Boat prices should be going down slightly as the summer goes on and will be cheapest in the fall/winter months. 

 

If you want to post pictures I think you have to upload them to an image hosting site. I know imgur has a good smart phone app that you can upload them on there and then post the link to the pics on here. 

 

 

The one you posted the other day is a no go, the guy thats selling it seems sketchy, I asked about a title and he wouldn't give me a straight answer, said he has only had the boat for 2 months. Not going down that road.

Good choice then, if it seems sketchy do not proceed. 

http://www.renegademarine.net/inventory.asp?cat=3&pid=298

What are you guys thoughts on this. Gonna call tomorrow and get a price.

Edit: I don't think that's a force motor on it, but if anyone could help me out I would appreciate it

Didn't go look at the 04 tracker this weekend. Again, title issues. Did stop by a couple dealers here in town and checked out a Lowe stinger 175. It was pretty nice but had 2 live wells. Seems like wasted space to me. Did figure out I want something at least 17ft long. Seen a 16ft and it just didn't have any storage

What was the title issue? That looks like it's in pretty good shape. It is not a Force so you're in the clear there. One thing to note is that being that it's at a dealer the price will be higher, that's just a given. 

Before comparing any two boats, I'd suggest that you create a long list of your priorities. 

For instance, which is more important to you, stability at rest or stability underway,

top speed or fuel economy, draft or freeboard, helm space or deck space ~ ~ ~ ~.

In this manner you might be able to curtail the serial boat-buying curve

that afflicts most boat owners, myself included     

 

Roger

What was the title issue? That looks like it's in pretty good shape. It is not a Force so you're in the clear there. One thing to note is that being that it's at a dealer the price will be higher, that's just a given. 

 

Said he has had the boat for 8 months, got it in a trade and decided last week to go register it in his name and was waiting for it in the mail. I dont really believe it, maybe im just being to cautious, but I really dont think so.

 

 

and I called about the one at the dealer, they want $8900! Doesn't seem just a little steep to me, seems quite a bit steep. Especially being a 2000 model. Wonder if I offered them cash if that would change their mind.

Before comparing any two boats, I'd suggest that you create a long list of your priorities. 

For instance, which is more important to you, stability at rest or stability underway,

top speed or fuel economy, draft or freeboard, helm space or deck space ~ ~ ~ ~.

In this manner you might be able to curtail the serial boat-buying curve

that afflicts most boat owners, myself included     

 

Roger

 

 

I have the list of priorities! Just not on paper, lol

 

its in my head, it would probably be a good idea to write that down. Im still wondering if I should just save up and buy something new so I dont have to deal with other peoples problems.

 

Im startying to think that is gonna be my best route the way these boat prices are.

I have the list of priorities! Just not on paper, lol

its in my head, it would probably be a good idea to write that down. Im still wondering if I should just save up and buy something new so I dont have to deal with other peoples problems. Im startying to think that is gonna be my best route the way these boat prices are.

 

Based on what I've seen and heard from other boaters, my leaning has always been toward new boats.

When moving from spot-to-spot, most boaters seem compelled to run at full-throttle with the engine screaming for mercy.

Buying a used boat can save you a bundle of money, but insist on a test spin so you can see, hear & critique the powerplant.

 

Roger

Although it does seem a little sketchy, it may not be. If he got it as a trade and the previous owner had it registered, he could use it that way without transferring the title or paying the tax. If he didn't use it like he thought he would, or didn't like it as much as he thought he would and decided to sell, he would have to get the title in his name to sell it otherwise he would be title jumping. Not saying that's what it is, but there are explanations for it. In fact, I sold my boat to upgrade about two years ago and got registration renewal papers sent to me this spring. The guy decided to use it until the registration expired and this year he'd have to put it in his name.

 

Haha yeah, I mean it is an 18 footer with a 90 so it's value is going to go up but that is a bit high. 

Although it does seem a little sketchy, it may not be. If he got it as a trade and the previous owner had it registered, he could use it that way without transferring the title or paying the tax. If he didn't use it like he thought he would, or didn't like it as much as he thought he would and decided to sell, he would have to get the title in his name to sell it otherwise he would be title jumping. Not saying that's what it is, but there are explanations for it. In fact, I sold my boat to upgrade about two years ago and got registration renewal papers sent to me this spring. The guy decided to use it until the registration expired and this year he'd have to put it in his name.

 

Haha yeah, I mean it is an 18 footer with a 90 so it's value is going to go up but that is a bit high. 

 

Still not going down that route lol, honest or not it sketches me out so I'm going to pass.

 

As for the '00 I thought so, It books for around 6k so I was thinking offering them 6.5k they would jump all over it. But that is logical thinking and I'm learning every day that more and more people don't possess the logical thinking gene.

Haha very true! I think you're learning that buying a boat isn't something you just wake up one morning and decide to do, it's more of a process! You'll find the right one, just keep looking!

Haha very true! I think you're learning that buying a boat isn't something you just wake up one morning and decide to do, it's more of a process! You'll find the right one, just keep looking!

 

It definitely is a process lol

 

As for the right one, I'm now considering driving up to 6 or so hours away to find one. A one day trip for something I'm going to have quite some time doesn't seem like a bad idea at all, especially since once I go around 4 or 5 hours away the possibilities pretty much double.

It definitely is a process lol

 

As for the right one, I'm now considering driving up to 6 or so hours away to find one. A one day trip for something I'm going to have quite some time doesn't seem like a bad idea at all, especially since once I go around 4 or 5 hours away the possibilities pretty much double.

You might find someone on one of the boards who lives where the boat is located. Some might be willing to give it a preliminary look for you before you make the trek.

You might find someone on one of the boards who lives where the boat is located. Some might be willing to give it a preliminary look for you before you make the trek.

 

I didn't really think about that, hell I would even throw 20 or 30 bucks to them if they went and checked it out for me

It definitely is a process lol

 

As for the right one, I'm now considering driving up to 6 or so hours away to find one. A one day trip for something I'm going to have quite some time doesn't seem like a bad idea at all, especially since once I go around 4 or 5 hours away the possibilities pretty much double.

 

 

My buddy drove 6 hours to see a boat. Didn't buy it. Drove another 4 hours to see one and bought a great boat. Older but only used a few times. The guy bought it and died. It was stored for years until his family got around to selling it. It's like in new condition and he got a great price because the family just wanted to get rid of it.

I bought my boat local, dropped about 2k in it right off the start for electronics and what not that were shot, thursday its getn its new rebuilt motor thats another 2k... point is, I wouldve had a new one half paid off by now.

I bought my boat local, dropped about 2k in it right off the start for electronics and what not that were shot, thursday its getn its new rebuilt motor thats another 2k... point is, I wouldve had a new one half paid off by now.

 

Thats exactly what I don't want to end up doing, putting a ton more money into it right after I buy it. Im also leaving room in my budget to have a little left to repair if necessary.

Im telln you, if you got it, go buy the new boat. Machines in life live one of two lives, babied and cared for or strait up beat. Its really hard to find the guys that take care of their toys, not impossible but its typically reflected in price. If you see a boat that you think wow thats really nice but his price is a tad high, he probably has an entire folder on the maintenance done to whatever that machine might be. Theres so many ways for something mechanical like a motor to fail that if you dont keep on top little things fail which lead to big things.

 

Maybe the guy saw it quit peeing and ran it all day anyhow in short bursts cause he just felt the need to fish, do you know that happened? Of course you dont. Did they change the lower unit oil regularly? If it was a four stroke did they change its oil, if its a two stroke did they mix it right? Did they spray ether in the carb throat to start it one day? Do they ever lube the grease fittings. Its on and on and on. The only way to ever know is to buy the machine new and then you know what happened from day one.

Youll read about a guy finding a good boat for a killer deal, but for every boat a guy got a deal on ten guys got blindly screwed without ever knowing.

 

I read on a texas forum the other day, guy bought a three year old nitro that delaminated the hull within two weeks of purchase. Being that he was now the third owner, it wasnt under warranty. A lot of guys thought the previous hit something and never told him and my guess is thats exactly what happened. He was out.... $30k

If I were gonna buy another used boat tomorrow my criteria would be that it be less than 5 years old and I want proof it was taken care of. I want compression readings, I want receipts, I want information from the dealer if serviced there. I want an oil sample if its a four stroke and Im sending it to blackstone labs for an analysis. Yeah, its anal, but man getting the stickns on big money toys hurts me way to much to just take it.

 

Ive missed the spawn two years in a row now dealing with motor issues due to neglect. Its why its getting a rebuilt motor from a dealer thursday. I saw motors cheaper, but once you have towed a boat to a ramp several times and not gone fishing, you get sick of that real quick.

If I were gonna buy another used boat tomorrow my criteria would be that it be less than 5 years old and I want proof it was taken care of. I want compression readings, I want receipts, I want information from the dealer if serviced there. I want an oil sample if its a four stroke and Im sending it to blackstone labs for an analysis. Yeah, its anal, but man getting the stickns on big money toys hurts me way to much to just take it.

 

Ive missed the spawn two years in a row now dealing with motor issues due to neglect. Its why its getting a rebuilt motor from a dealer thursday. I saw motors cheaper, but once you have towed a boat to a ramp several times and not gone fishing, you get sick of that real quick.

I know guys who regularly trade in boats once the motor warranty is up

If I were gonna buy another used boat tomorrow my criteria would be that it be less than 5 years old and I want proof it was taken care of. I want compression readings, I want receipts, I want information from the dealer if serviced there. I want an oil sample if its a four stroke and Im sending it to blackstone labs for an analysis. Yeah, its anal, but man getting the stickns on big money toys hurts me way to much to just take it.

 

Ive missed the spawn two years in a row now dealing with motor issues due to neglect. Its why its getting a rebuilt motor from a dealer thursday. I saw motors cheaper, but once you have towed a boat to a ramp several times and not gone fishing, you get sick of that real quick.

 

I guess the smart thing to do would be to just fish out of my Jon boat for the remainder of the season and pick something brand new up in the fall. I should have enough credit built up by then and at least a 10k down payment. It would probably be much easier in the long run.

I was just wanting to get into a boat by late summer to fish the latter half of the tourneys in my area. But I suppose fishing as a co angler won't hurt a thing.

I really appreciate everyone's advice. I'm glad to be a part of such a helpful community here.

Even if you were to buy a brand new top of the line Ranger, Basscat, Legend, etc, it would take you the first year to get all of the bugs worked out of it. Guys on here who have never owned a big rig probably think I'm nuts LOL Trust me, every new boat has problems. 

 

Let someone else get those problems straightened out AND take the hit on depreciation. 

 

The new Ranger tin boats are very nice, but very expensive. Might I suggest taking a look at an Xpress? They are very well built, all aluminum, no wood anywhere, welded, have a pad type hull, and run like a glass boat. I've fished out of G3 and Tracker boats. My opinion is that I would steer clear of them. They don't compare to Xpress in build quality or performance.

 

Good luck!

 

I guess the smart thing to do would be to just fish out of my Jon boat for the remainder of the season and pick something brand new up in the fall. I should have enough credit built up by then and at least a 10k down payment. It would probably be much easier in the long run.

I was just wanting to get into a boat by late summer to fish the latter half of the tourneys in my area. But I suppose fishing as a co angler won't hurt a thing.

I really appreciate everyone's advice. I'm glad to be a part of such a helpful community here.

Buy in the late winter during boat show season. You will have the choice of last years leftovers, as well as the latest years promotions.

Even if you were to buy a brand new top of the line Ranger, Basscat, Legend, etc, it would take you the first year to get all of the bugs worked out of it. Guys on here who have never owned a big rig probably think I'm nuts LOL Trust me, every new boat has problems. 

 

Let someone else get those problems straightened out AND take the hit on depreciation. 

 

The new Ranger tin boats are very nice, but very expensive. Might I suggest taking a look at an Xpress? They are very well built, all aluminum, no wood anywhere, welded, have a pad type hull, and run like a glass boat. I've fished out of G3 and Tracker boats. My opinion is that I would steer clear of them. They don't compare to Xpress in build quality or performance.

 

Good luck!

 

 

From what I've seen a new Ranger aluminum is cheaper than a new Xpress, and used Xpress boats are very hard to come by.

If I were buying brand new aluminum id go for the xpress too. You might have to give up something to come down to what you can afford but the xpress is proven. I cant in good faith give you a recommendation on a ranger, that design is too new. If it was glass, yeah sure.

 

Did jfranco ever sell his xpress? If not that would be the used boat for you to buy. Might be a long trip but worth it.