Currently trying to decide between two boats to purchase as my first bass boat. Mainly looking to fish Candlewood and Mahopac, but also would like to be able to fish a couple of smaller electric only lakes. I will be fishing with 2 people max in the boat. Currently, I've been looking at two boats:

 

1. 2012 Crestliner Storm 16 ft w/ 2012 Mercury 40hp 4-Stroke EFI - $7k

- No Tach/Speed/Fuel Gauges

- Smaller boat

 

2. 2003 G3 17.5 ft w/ 2003 Yamaha 50 hp 2-Stroke - $7k

- Older boat and motor

- 2 Stroke

 

Which boat would be the better buy for a new boater?

Thanks

The second boat is priced double what it should be

I was thinking same thing. In 10 years they have made a lot of improvements to tin boats. You may find the 16' fishes bigger than the 17.5'. are there any electronics?

Both have minimal electronics though I do have a new helix 5 sonar gps to put on it. Think i will be going with the first boat. Thanks guys

Age alone would make me lean towards the Crestliner.

 

Consider the layout too!

On 6/2/2017 at 7:25 AM, NYBasser said:

No Tach/Speed/Fuel Gauges

Really?

 

That'd drive me bonkers...

 

I can live without the speedometer...the other two seem important to me...

On 6/3/2017 at 10:56 AM, Further North said:

Really?

 

That'd drive me bonkers...

 

I can live without the speedometer...the other two seem important to me...

Mercury's VesselView Mobile module should work with the Mercury motor. It's supposed to be compatible with "2003 and newer, 40 HP and above Mercury outboard and MerCruiser sterndrive / inboard engines." It would provide speed, tach, voltage, engine hours, and fuel level, too, but you enter the starting fuel level and it estimates the remaining fuel level based on usage.

 

I'd choose four-stroke over two, newer motor over older and newer hull over older.

On 6/3/2017 at 9:56 AM, Further North said:

Really?

 

That'd drive me bonkers...

 

I can live without the speedometer...the other two seem important to me...

That particular boat doesn't have a fuel gauge because it comes with a 6 gallon portable tank instead of a built in one. 

3 hours ago, WIGuide said:

That particular boat doesn't have a fuel gauge because it comes with a 6 gallon portable tank instead of a built in one. 

Ah, that makes sense.