After my deployment, I'll have enough money to buy a boat. I was looking at buying a used boat, as I have never owned a boat. But then for the price, I was thinking of buying a Bass Tracker Pro 16; this way I have a warranty and can be ensured it runs smooth. But since I have never owned a boat, I was considering just purchasing a fishing kayak until I learn about boating.

Any tips for when I return in 2012?

sounds like a good plan on the Pro 16. you could even get a Tracker up to 10 years old and most likely have a great boat.

where are you being deployed too?

Here ya go!

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/buying_a_boat.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/buying_first_boat.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/boat_buying_license.html

Hope that helps, and thanks for serving!

Thanks Gleen.

I'm headed back over to Afghan.

Thanks Gleen.

I'm headed back over to Afghan.

Good luck and please come back safe and sound !!!!!!!!!!!

After my deployment, I'll have enough money to buy a boat. I was looking at buying a used boat, as I have never owned a boat. But then for the price, I was thinking of buying a Bass Tracker Pro 16; this way I have a warranty and can be ensured it runs smooth. But since I have never owned a boat, I was considering just purchasing a fishing kayak until I learn about boating.

Any tips for when I return in 2012?

What looks would you normally fish in KY?

bowfish - I just moved from Clarksville, lived there for 5 years while stationed with 101st. It's hard to say, as I'll be moving to southern WI after I get back, and never fished the water that way.

If you are going to S Wisconsin you may want to look in to a bit larger boat or maybe a V hull. If you are looking at Trackers tray a Targa. 

Many of the lakes in the Northern areas like Mi. Wi. Minn etc.  are larger lakes.  With the Great lakes not far you may want to hit the bigger waters as well.  The smaller trackers can be taken out on these lakes in good weather but you'll wish you had the deep v if a wind storm pops up.  Just a thought. 

If you're moving to southern WI, you'll most likely be fishing a lot of clear water.  You might consider something like a LUND like In-Fisherman people fish out of.  Look for used, as new LUNDS are kinda pricey.  There's lots of good prices out there on used bass boats if that's what you're shooting for.

I suggest you wait 'till you move to the Badger state before you buy. You will find an amazing number of boats in MN, WI & IL; especially in the Fall. A warranty does give you some assurance, but pre-owned has it's advantages too. The biggest being more bang for your boat buying buck.

A quick scan of Craigslists will show you what I mean...

http://racine.craigslist.org/boa/1994210435.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/boa/2000067295.html

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/wsh/boa/1968789055.html

http://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/boa/1990667234.html

Helms 83

When you DROS get in touch. My sister has a Tracker Pro 16 with a 40 hp Mariner. She does not use it any more and wants to sell it. If she still has it when you get back I'll buy it for you. It will have sat idle for a long time and will need a lot of TLC but right now it is in excellent shape and she runs it regularly and keeps the batteries charged so it should be OK.

Bob Williams

101st--Camp Eagle 70-71'

pitts97@aol.com

P.S. The boat is in Florida

One thing I am a stickler for and didn't see mentioned is a compression check.  If you are buying a used motor I would do a compression check.  A cheap gauge is about $20 at most auto parts stores.  You pull the spark plug and attach the gauge to the plug hole and turn the engine over for a couple seconds.  It should read somewhere around 110# or up to 150# or so depending on the engine specs. 

The important part is that all the cylinders read about the same.  Within 10% of each other.  If they don't then something is wrong and you don't want that engine.  There are at least a few different reasons that a cylinder or two would have lower compression.  All of the reasons are costly to fix and require some mechanic-ing.

 

i just got done buying my second boat and the biggest thing i would have to say is first make sure the engine is good, but second check everything with the hull, stringers, and interior.  you do not want to have to replace the stringers or do alot of interior work trust me.