I'm new to this forum but have fished quite a bit over the years but mostly from the shore, Now that I have more time but bad knees, I'm looking for some good ideas for a bass boat for the smaller lakes and from what I've seen on the Virginia IGF site, it looks like I need to keep the motor to less than 10 HP and for some lakes, be able to remove it altogether. I looked at a few boats today but they were 10-11K and had 20-30 HP motors. More than I need. I'm thinking with the knees I need to be seated most of the time and the elevated decks are probably not a good option at this time. I could always add this myself later if the knees get replaced. But I guess what I'm looking at is what would be considered a good starter boat for the wife and I? I already know less than 10 HP and padded seats would certainly be a wanted option as well as a good electric trolling motor but foot controlled or not, live well and so on, not so clear.

I'd consider a used rig but am weary of the motors. Buying a used car I can have a mechanic check it out but who checks out used boats and do people selling them even allow this? As you can see, I'm as new to this aspect as a new born. I don't mind paying a fair price for a good rig but fear being ripped off.

Any suggestions certainly welcomed.

Never buy a boat/motor without having it checked out by a competent mechanic. Also, never buy a boat without running it on the water first. Anyone that won't allow you to do this, you should walk away from.

Many times you do run into the problem that shops are too busy to check one in a reasonable time so it's better to find a friend or someone you know that is very competent that can go with you to look at the boat and take it to the lake with you. I have done this for a number of my friends and you should find most (other than professional's) don't mind doing it.

How much do you really want to spend ?

Thanks for the replies. I looked at several used boats and was discouraged at the shape they were in. Then I looked at one not 5 miles from home and have to say that I'm impressed for the money. The new 16' I looked at ran 10-11K and that just doesn't fit my budget and the boats were better than needed, if that can be so.

What I found was a 1995 Lowe 15.5' with front/rear deck padded seats, 25 HP Evinrude motor, 50 Lb thrust Minnkota 5 speed electric motor on the front, a 25 Lb thrust foot control bow mount Evinrude 3 speed electric on the rear, with live well, Hummingbird fish finder all riding on a galvanized trailer in great shape. This boat has the steering wheel and console with the bilge pump switch, live well switch and horn. Has all compliant Virginia accessories as well. All for $3K. From what I've seen, looks like a deal if the water test works out.

Not having owned a boat before, he offered to take me out and give me the walk through some day next week, before a finalized sale. He's selling because of a heart condition and his wife doesn't want him out there alone. Maybe a new fishing Buddy?

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What I found was a 1995 Lowe 15.5' with front/rear deck padded seats, 25 HP Evinrude motor, 50 Lb thrust Minnkota 5 speed electric motor on the front, a 25 Lb thrust foot control bow mount Evinrude 3 speed electric on the rear, with live well, Hummingbird fish finder all riding on a galvanized trailer in great shape. This boat has the steering wheel and console with the bilge pump switch, live well switch and horn. Has all compliant Virginia accessories as well. All for $3K. From what I've seen, looks like a deal if the water test works out.

Not having owned a boat before, he offered to take me out and give me the walk through some day next week, before a finalized sale. He's selling because of a heart condition and his wife doesn't want him out there alone. Maybe a new fishing Buddy?

You're on the right track. Hope it works out. Lowe makes quality aluminum fishing rigs. I fish with some folks for a week every summer, and they have a Lowe with a similar set-up. They've run it for 12 years, and take good care of it. It's a great little boat, and they haul it all over the east coast.

Thanks for the replies. I looked at several used boats and was discouraged at the shape they were in. Then I looked at one not 5 miles from home and have to say that I'm impressed for the money. The new 16' I looked at ran 10-11K and that just doesn't fit my budget and the boats were better than needed, if that can be so.

What I found was a 1995 Lowe 15.5' with front/rear deck padded seats, 25 HP Evinrude motor, 50 Lb thrust Minnkota 5 speed electric motor on the front, a 25 Lb thrust foot control bow mount Evinrude 3 speed electric on the rear, with live well, Hummingbird fish finder all riding on a galvanized trailer in great shape. This boat has the steering wheel and console with the bilge pump switch, live well switch and horn. Has all compliant Virginia accessories as well. All for $3K. From what I've seen, looks like a deal if the water test works out.

Not having owned a boat before, he offered to take me out and give me the walk through some day next week, before a finalized sale. He's selling because of a heart condition and his wife doesn't want him out there alone. Maybe a new fishing Buddy?

That sounds like the way to go.

It's nice to have a decent sized gas motor on the boat as well as a trolling motor.  That way when you're on a good sized lake and/or you need to get to a certain spot in a hurry, you have that option.  That also saves the batteries on the trolling motor.  There are some lakes in Nebraska that prohibit the use of gas motors, and some of them are good sized lakes, so unless you have the capacity to carry at least 4 batteries on the boat you're stuck choosing between fishing a relatively small area all day or spending most of your time and battery power moving and getting very little time to fish.