Hi all, I am looking at getting my first boat. Looking for a fairlly small fishing boat for me and my two young boys (5 and 8 yrs old) I was looking at the 12ft. Bass Tender but thinking that that my be too small with off us on it. I found a little bigger boat locally for sale and was looking for some thought on the boat AND the price asking for it. Here are the details:

1984 Hydra Sport Bass Boat, 17ft with original 75hp Mercury with a custon matching axel trailer.The motor runs great and it's a 2 cycle, 4 cylinder with no oil injection, Has a new impellor and Steering cable, it has an Stainless Steel prop with power tilt and trim Everything you need is here It has a Lawrence fish/depth finder, water temp gauge. Pedal operated Motor Guide trolling motor with 55 lb thrust front trolling motor. Rod storage, lockable storage, live well, 2 Lockable storage/coolers, for and aft lights. Spring is just around the corner and this boat is ready for the water. Asking $3,800

Thank you all and I look forward to your advise and thoughts

Harpoon

Don't know if it helps any but there is a '96 like the one you described on my local Craigslist for $5,000. I personally don't know anything about them though.

I don't know what part of Mass you are in but here is a boat I found on Boston Craigslist: http://boston.craigslist.org/nos/boa/643789445.html

I do recoment the bigger boat. 1st I dont have to tell you that kids grow up quickly. And before to long you will hae a 16 and 13 year old in the boat with you and the 12 footer will not cut it at all. Plus start out with a good boat and you will save money in the long run. By this I mean you wont put money in to somthing you just settle for to try to make it what you want only to sell it and later get what you wanted in the first place. Trust me I know. >

Just my opinion.

Good luck.

Ballistickk, thanks for the input, I was thinking the same as you as far as the kids growing and that is why I am entertaining this option on the bigger boat. I am going to look at it tomorrow so I hoping someone can advise on the price point for this boat.

Kreed, I am in Haverhill  thanks for the link I will check that out.

Keep the great input coming everyone

Thanks

Harpoon

i fished for many years out of a 14' V-bottom with a 9 hp motor on the back and a trolling motor on the front. most of these type boats will handle bigger lakes and 3 ppl with some gear. these are a bit cheaper than the glass boats. another boat i think is a great boat is the tracker pro-17. theres a ton of these out there and if you look youll find a few worth buying.

good luck with the boat youre going to look at.

Offer the guy $3K cash if you like the boat. You can always "haggle" when the seller says "Asking Price". Those Hydra Sports don't look all that bad either! I looked at several of them for sale on Ebay and Craig's List when I was searching for a bass boat of my own. Good luck on your quest.

Oh, yeah, I forgot to mention: I'd recommend the larger, better equipped boat too. Fiberglass is going to be heavier and therefore more stable than aluminum in the water. However, those 17 Ft Bass Trackers are some great fishing machines and as mentioned there are many, many of them out there for sale.

I use to own a boat like that. It was aqua-blue and white. Great little boat but mine was listed 16 1/2ft. The problem was in the trailor. I had to replace the bearings in it, way to often. The shield for the console was broken. I doubt that it's the same boat but you never know. I sold it in 2004. I replaced the seats and put 2 Hummingbird fish finders on it and a 55lb thrust MinKota on it. Would like to see pics of it.

$3800 is way too much for that boat.