I am in the market for a fishing boat, but really don't have much more than $2500 that I could put into the purchase. I have extra money for the basics that I will need that come along with it (about $1000).

What should I be expecting? I basically only will fish two lakes. One is less that ten miles, and the other is about 80.

Thanks!

If it matters I am located in Eastern Kentucky.

A friend of mine bought this one for $2K

You can expect buying a 14' boat with at least a 36" wide bottom

by many companies,lowe,alumacraft,seaark,xpress,g3's in riveted

between 800-1200 dollars.The money will be spent on the motor,

for a 9.9 2 stroke 1500.00.Add a trolling motor bow for around

300-400,battery and seats another 150.00,oh and a trailer 500-600.

Total at the cheapest=800.+1500.+300.+150.+500=3250.00,this is

new though,if you look hard you can find seldom used ones cheaper

but those will sell real fast,you know the ones that someone had to have

but never used... :-/

I am looking for a boat in the used department.

New is just too expensive for me.............

I have less than $2500 in my boat, and that includes a 82 lb thrust trolling motor and a gps.

Also got 85 hp and 115 hp outboards, and stainless props. Shop around, dont be afraid to ask around. I got my motors by knocking on a fellows door that had two boats with grass growing up over them. I asked him how much he wanted for them, and he said they hadnt been used in a while, and $500 for both of them would be great - I handed him the cash right there.

Here is my going down the lake at WOT.

As long as the boats in question check out.

For $2500 you can get a pretty decent aluminum that won't need a lot of work

or

an older fiberglass rig that will.

If you are looking for a small boat ebay has a ted williams 12'

fiberglass boat with a 8 hp motor and long trailer,believe a 73'

model but the thing looks like its never been used much!

Like Cart and the others said, take your time and look around alot.  Check out the marinas as well.  Most have a place on the wall where people post pictures of boats for sale.

I bought the attached last year for exactly 2500, trailer, electronics and all.  Everything works and it cruises around 40mph with me alone.  It is just under 16 foot and is an 86 model.

The seller wanted 3500 but a week later it was in the paper for 3000.  we told him we would give him 2500.  He took it.

Do It Yourself... This is my boat

i added a small swivel seat on the front deck yesterday.

14' Mod-V-Bottom, 54" beam $200

6hp Johnson Outboard $225

3 Gallon Gas Tank & Connectors $35

Paint $30

3 sheets of 5/8" plywood $75

20'x6' blue carpet & glue & staples $100

Pedestal seat $20

Seat Bast Mount $20

Extendable Seat Post $65

      $770

I am very happy with the way this came out, and am glad i didnt just pay a grand for a similar boat... Its done the way i like it. thats just my two cents

What are you going to tow it with? Very much of a glass boat will be a lot harder to tow than an aluminum. Aluminum's are going to be cheaper all the way around to operate but are not much in the ride department. Glass boats generally ride much better but you have to be very careful when buying an older glass boat, they have a tendency to have a lot of hidden rot, some to the point the boat is really just junk and completely unsafe.

On that budget, I would look for a 15' - 16', 80's model Fisher, Monark, or one of the other similar style boats with a 25 - 40 hp motor. Shopping around you can find these in fairly good shape for $2,500 or less.

Come to Florida and buy mine!!!! You wont need to buy anything else to fix it up.

http://www.haleavenue.net/Boat/boat.htm

just keep looking around....marinas....paper....online classifieds in surrounding towns....you look hard enough and you'll find just the one you want....took me nearly 4 months to find what i wanted....but i got it ;D

check out mine...

I have a 15 ft '86 tuffy backtroller with a 40 horsepower suzuki motor that starts every time. the boat is fiberglass and is in great shape. I just replaced the rotted floor this year. It has a newer evinrude trolling motor, eagle 240 fismark, 35 lb electric anchor winch, nice big livewell, rod storage, 2 batteries.. its a fishing machine. Its perfectly sized for 1-3 people with 3 seats, but 4 is about the max. It flies for an older 40hp and the fiberglass makes for a smooth ride.

I have been looking for a newer boat upgrade for a while, but i'm not sure if I'm willing to sell it just yet. PM me if you are interested and I'll try to get some pics up.

by the way i'm in minnesota..