i have a freind that has 10 grand to drop on a used boat.

i told him i had heard the fast strike engine had issues and that the nitro trailers tended to rust very early.  i believe i heard these comments on this forum.

i did a search in the forum but couldnt find the info i was looking for.

can anyone give me their thoughts on what to look for and what to avoid, be it brand, make, model, motor, etc?

I have a Tracker and I think there trailers are made of the same stuff. but mine has no rust on it or that I can see.

All makes of engines have their problems. My friends Merc 150 XR-6 blew after less than 1 1/2 years. As far as Johnson, it would be the early model ficht motor that would be the problem child.

The Faststrikes are some of the more durable motors that OMC produced. My Faststrike is 10 years old and still runs strong with 165 HP at the prop according to the dyno. Still holds good compression in all 6 cylinders, but could blow up tomorrow.

As with any used product check all of the important things such as compression and let some oil drain out of the L/U to look for metal chunks. Don't just hear the motor run, take it for a test ride. Ask the person that is selling the boat if they kept a maintenance record. Check the floor for soft spots or other signs of rot. Look underneath for repairs to the bottom of the hull. (never know if the owner hit a log.) Check the transom to make sure it is not broken or rotten.

When you buy any used piece of equipment, it is a crap shoot. With a little bit of caution, you can turn the odds in your favor.

I have a Tracker and I think there trailers are made of the same stuff. but mine has no rust on it or that I can see.

The trailers, which are tubular steel design, rust from the inside out due to trapped moisture never drying out. I believe Tracker/Nitro is going with a channel frame trailer now.

Here's an idea of the kind of boat you might be looking at. It's for sale in the flea market forum

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1149534012

I just got a Fast Strike and so far I love it, I put a thread on her about them, here it is...http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1143239987/0#0

I have a Tracker and I think there trailers are made of the same stuff. but mine has no rust on it or that I can see.

The trailers, which are tubular steel design, rust from the inside out due to trapped moisture never drying out. I believe Tracker/Nitro is going with a channel frame trailer now.

i have a 2002 nitro 901 no rust so far. it has holes drilled in all the low spots under it and big cutouts in the back so it can drain. tubular is much stronger