Hello all, this will be my first boat so I'm looking for something affordable and that I won't be worried about damaging. My use is an electric only reservoir that's roughly 700 acres. I will probably be fishing solo more than 50% of time, but want something I can take 1 other along. I have found something I like and would like feedback about it and the price I offered ($2k) which was accepted via text. I will link the Craigslist ad below. I appreciate your time and help, this seems like a great community I can become a part of. BTW I haven't fished seriously in 10 years if that matters. Cheers!

https://southjersey.craigslist.org/boa/d/bellmawr-16-foot-aluminum-bass-boat/6868221803.html

Looks like a good rig for what you plan to use it for.  Make sure you have a quality battery charger that will charge those Optima Blue Tops properly.  Go to the Optima website for details.  Watch the wind and weather because if you get too far downlake and the weather goes bad, you aren't getting anywhere very fast in that rig.  Does it have bilge pump(s)?  

Thanks for the response. Yes it has a bilge pump, I understand this is important because you can't bail water with the decking correct? I don't know what to look for when looking at a used boat, so it gives me some peace of mind. I will most likely purchase an outboard for it, but where I live in MD we have almost all electric only reservoirs and man made lakes. Do you think $2k is a fair price for the package? Thanks again!

Correct, you need a bilge pump in case you get caught out on the water in a heavy rain or heaven forbid the hull has some sort of breach.  My only concern would be if it is a riveted hull, that it is watertight.  Rivets have a habit of leaking over time and this is a 1993 model so it would be a concern.  Any hull leaks (riveted or welded) need to be addressed.  Since your only propulsion is the TM's, proper care of those batteries is a must unless you want to paddle in.    Also, have the owner give you a lesson on the electronics, how to hook up and how to operate the unit.  It will save you a lot of learning time.  

I specifically verified that the boat is water tight and has no leaks. From the research I did the Discovery brand went out of business, but was started by ex Grumman employees. People say they were sold to Misty Harbor, but made very good quality boats. They tried to grow too quickly and were forced into bankruptcy. When I look the boat over, is there anything I should be looking for/warning signs? You have been very helpful, thank you!

Also have him show you how the lights/bilge/livewell work.  Keep track of how everything is wired just in case you have to do any reworking in the future.  A question would be is the bilge an automatic or manual?  How to fill and empty the livewell and a rundown of all the switches.  My only concerns would be that it is structurally sound.  I think you've asked the right questions.  

You might see if you and the seller  can get together and take it out one time. The seller can show you how everything works and make sure everything is okay with it.

1 hour ago, Log Catcher said:

You might see if you and the seller  can get together and take it out one time. The seller can show you how everything works and make sure everything is okay with it.

That's the thing to do. When you get back out make sure to pull the plug to make sure it's not taking on any water. I'm sure it's not, but you never know. I would say that's a good price for all that. It looks like a nice boat.

The trailer looks like it's been in salt water and needs work, tires etc.

Not familiar with the boat brand it looks riveted not welded and unknown hull thickness or weight. The home made pedistal box may be a problem depending on how you fish, standing or sitting.

Count on replacing the batteries and include that in your offer.

Tom

Tom, thanks for your advice those are the kind of things I was looking for. I don't know anything about trailers or saltwater, but he told me the trailer is fine for the 100mi trip home. I will have to get the trailer inspected though so that's something to consider. I have done research on the Discovery brand and it was started by ex Grumman employees. People said they made very high quality boats, but tried to grow too quickly and were forced into bankruptcy. If you were me, would you feel comfortable offering 2k? I should have asked here first before making an offer, that was silly of me. I'm not expecting anything fancy or modern for the price, just something functional to get me on the water for a season or two before I buy something better. 

 

I sincerely appreciate everyone who has commented. It is a rather daunting task from starting not knowing what a transom was!

Cheers!

I asked him about the batteries, he said they were replaced 1.5 years ago. As long as they last another year or two I'll be happy. I won't be towing the trailer far normally (i live 500yds from boat launch) sans the 100 mile trip home after purchase. The seller has been very upfront with me and straight forward about questions. I know this doesn't mean much, but I get a good feeling with speaking with him that's he's honest. He's well spoken and that doesn't mean much either, but I've def had some encounters buying stuff off Craigslist that had me second guessing and I'm not doing that with this transaction. The only thing I was second guessing was that I was overlooking some glaring issue with the boat out of ignorance. The boat is from 93, so I accept some cosmetic imperfections, but as long as its safe and allow me to gain experience on water for a year or two I'll be happy. 

Your gut will tell you almost all you need to know in many situations. 2k is a decent price for both you and him. I would definitely ask him about the electrical systems if/when you see him in person like has been suggested so you know how everything works.  A test ride would be nice but there isn't much besides a huge hole or massive crack that would turn me away.  Rivets can be bucked if needed to stop minor leaks.  I had a jon boat at camp that would leak a bit in the summer if we left it upside down for too long in the sun, we always joked that it needed the cool water to help contract the aluminum and tighten things up.

Just make shore the owner has title to both the boat and trailer. If you are a AAA member they can assist you with any bill of sale issues and boat / trailer license fee's etc. 

Get a written bill of sale that includes titles, when take ownership you are libel during thr trip home.

Good luck and enjoy your boat. 

just curiuos; why is the seller selling his boat? And how do you operate both trolling motors from one location, front and back?

Tom

 

Learn from me.  Don't believe the seller when they say the trailer tires will get you home.  Really be honest with yourself when you look them over.  The last thing you want is to have a tire go bad half way home.  I have had it happen 2 hours from home at 11 PM (long story but full of life lessons).  Even if the tires do get you home, do they look like they will last a while?  If not, factor new tires into to price.

 

Since you will be driving 100 miles to even look at this boat, you will already have a certain amount of commitment to buy it.  If he/she is smart, the seller knows this.  That gives them leverage.  Have the resolve to come home empty handed if you don't like what you see.

 

Obviously crawl under the boat and take a look.

 

I'd highly, highly recommend asking to take the boat for a test run.  If you pay 2200 for something, I think it would be a reasonable request.

 

Also, I wouldn't hesitate to offer 2k.  Do it before the drive though.  

My first tinny was a used Topper I bought dirt cheap then I went about making it work for me. Once I fleshed out what I needed I bought a new Lowe and modded this one all over again with the experiences I gained on the topper. The new owner of the topper was totally stoked about the mods and they made selling it easy.

 

The PITA with a new tin boat is outfitting it but you get a new boat with new mods. 

 

On used boats you can save a lot of bucks.

 

The boat in the ad is pretty well equipped and if everything works and the mods were well done AND fairly recently, to duplicate them all of that would be pricey. But... on a 25+ year old boat all those mods (especially if modded long ago) are of little value.

 

If you can get it in the water for a trial to check everything out do so.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cgiroux86   Where in MD do you live? I am located in Middle River. I have owned 10  boats including a reservoir rig my wife and I ran on several MD electric only bodies of water.  If you would like someone to go with you and look it over I would be happy to.  Many of the members here will tell you I often meet with others on this board. Sometimes it is about fishing techniques, sometimes it about casting help etc. From what I read, he said it had "newer" tires and other things.  It would be easier to evaluate in person.  If you are interested in my assistance just send me an email to fishnkamp at comcast  dot   net and I will get together with you. The price is about right if the complete package is good.  I actually had a 15 and a half foot rig very similar to that I used. It was a fun boat to fish out of and i loved fishing both Prettyboy reservoir and Piney Run.

WRB the owner says in his ad that the tires are newer.  For what that is worth. He3 also says he is selling to upgrade. As for how do you use both trolling motors here is how I did mine. On the back were two 55# Minn Kotas hand controls. I used them to get from placc to place, just like a gas outboard. I had four 12 volt high capacity batteries that ran them. Each trolling motor was hooked to a pair of batteries wired in parrallel. Up front I used a single 12 volt battery to feed my 12 volt 60 pound bow mount trolling motor. That was used to fish with.  If I was alone I moved from seat to seat. If I had someone with me they ran the back motors till we arived at our fishing destination.