Hi All,

 

I am new to this thread as well as new to buying a boat. I am starting to do my research and thinking about what I would like to buy so here are a few things:

1. 25 hp engine (most of the lakes near me in IL have hp restrictions)
2. Size is not much of an issue preferably 17 - 18 ft
3. Tin 
4. New or used?

 

The biggest question I have been asking myself is do I want a new or used boat? I have done a lot of research on new tin boats. Tracker, Lund, Lowe, etc. I just started my search for used boats. I am finding a ton of boats from the 90's but nothing within the last few years. Are buying 20+ year old tin boats worth it? Here is an example of a boat I found that caught my interest:

https://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/d/fallon-1997-ranger-cherokee-107/7301676677.html

 

I don't have to much experience shopping for boats or many people in my family that know a ton about it either. I figured I would come here to try to gain some clarity. 

 

 

Thanks!

Welcome.  Here's a video you need to see:

 

 

I have a 1448 jon boat with a 25 Merc. I've installed floors/casting deck/trolling motor & batteries. It fishes 2 adults wonderfully (very stable) but that's about all the 25 can handle. 

Boats are getting premium pricing right now. The age of the boat is relative. A 20 year old boat garage kept and used 1/2 dozen times a year will be in different condition than a 20 year old boat used 100 times a year or more.

 

If the price is acceptable to you, talk to the owner and see if you can make a deal contingent on an inspection by a professional.

 

I just sold an 8 year old boat and the buyer paid for the inspection 100%. Had he asked me to split the cost I would have because I knew the boat was in good condition.