HawkeyeSmallie Posted September 16 Share Posted September 16 I'm looking to buy a boat sooner than later. A boat that's within 30 miles of me popped up on a FB sales group. How do you know if it's a good deal or not? Are there websites that can help with this? THANKS! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Jig Man Posted September 16 Super User Share Posted September 16 Google used boat values. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User MN Fisher Posted September 16 Super User Share Posted September 16 JD Power values used boats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airshot Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 I always recommend shopping long before your really ready to buy. You will end up looking at a lot of junk and things you might not be real interested in, but you will gain an education on how much will buy what ! Remember book value may not be actual value to certain people. Market and area can be vastly different in prices. When I bought my used boat three years back, I shopped for almost four months, drove lots of miles, wasted many long trips, looked at lots of junk, realized how honest people are not. But in those months I began to establish value in what I wanted. When the right boat came along, I drove 200 miles with cash in hand. Owner was very kind to answer all my questions and send lots of pics for things I ask about. After a Hal hour of inspection I knew it was what I wanted at a fair price so gave him what he was asking, no haggle this time as he was fair in his price and was honest with his description. Best education on value is to shop around, yep it takes time and you will burn some fuel, but when the right one comes along, you will know it ! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Way2slow Posted September 17 Super User Share Posted September 17 You best bet is to try and find someone that's as knowledgeable about them as I am and have them go with you. There are so many things you need to know and what to look for, it's going to be difficult without a good knowledge base. Age has a lot to do with but there are 20 year old boats out there in better condition overall than some three year old boats. Make and condition of the motor is a major concern when dealing for one and you can't tell that by just looking at it. Years back, a dealer had a 20' Sprint boat with no motor I was looking at buying. He said the guy upgraded to a Stratos and put his motor on it. After checking, he didn't just upgrade, the transom on that Sprint was totally junk and it was cheaper for him to trade it than repair it. However, the dealer was not saying anything about that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkeyeSmallie Posted September 17 Author Share Posted September 17 The boat is a 2010 Bass Tracker Pro Team 170 TX Has a 50 hp Mercury 2 cycle on it. Has a trolling motor on it. Stored inside and used very little I guess. One owner. They are asking $7,900. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaubsNU1 Posted September 17 Share Posted September 17 I agree with @airshot...look around and take your time. I looked for almost a year...got to see some really cool boats, and some really junky boats that were overpriced. When you see them in person, you can really get a sense of value, features, what a boat is really worth. I wanted used for sure...and finally found the boat for me...it was 200+ miles away (~4 hours drive time), at a Lund dealer in Iowa. We haggled a bit over the phone, discussed electronics, TM and additional things I wanted installed. Closed the deal, made the deposit...and a few weeks later made the four hour drive and picked it up. Could not be happier! Then it was time to sell my old boat....and since I spent all that time looking at boats, I had a good sense of what my old boat was worth. It sold in a few days. Good luck!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Way2slow Posted September 17 Super User Share Posted September 17 I've never owned one or been in one but based on my general boat knowledge, I don't you are going to be happy with the performance. Tracker is notorious for under power boats so the can make the selling price look more attractive. I would almost bet it has a hydrofoil on the motor to help it get on plane. With just one 200lb person in it, it might seem ok, but with a couple 200lb and the live well full, I have a feeling it going to struggle. You definitely would want to take it for a test ride. I tried to do a search on what that boat is rated for, and I guess they keep that a secret, but they claim a 50 is all that's recommend by tracker and bass pro shops. It's sold as an entry level boat so they want to keep the price down as much as possible. So maybe I'm all wet, but don't think so. Like I said, definitely take it for a test ride. Also, as mentioned above we are coming to the end of the boating season, and between now and Christmas you will probably start seeing a number of deals showing up. People get to looking at that payment out there doing nothing and thinking how they are going to pay for Christmas. That boat is usually there first thought. Also, you have to consider what you have to tow it with. The bigger the boat, the bigger the tow vehicle needed. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted September 17 Super User Share Posted September 17 A few things I look for when buying an aluminum bass boat is welded or riveted hull, hull thickness, any repairs, wood or all aluminum transom and deck, has the boat been used in salt water. Welded, .100 thick min, no repairs, no wood transom, fresh water use only. Outboard engine is 1/2 the value and should be near or at maximum rated for boat. No Dolphin type planning device, trim tabs are OK on the boat. Run hours if known, Stainless steel prop. Check engine, take off the cowling and inspect the appearance for leaks, fresh paint and ask if it’s OK to have the compression tested and when was the water pump changed. Trailer, check condition and look for any damage or rust, fresh paint, axle bearing hubs and tire age. Plan on changing tires if over 8 years old. Electronics and trolling motor, batteries, plan of updating in your budget. Price, go online and check used bass boat selling pricing within your budget. Tom 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DinkDonkey30 Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 The boat you listed runs between 7-13k per J.D. power blue book. This is all very dependent on boat conditions, hours on motor, and how it was stored. I would look up boat reviews on YouTube of the model and see what owners actually say. I would also figure out what your budget is for a boat. If you are maxed at 10k or less the market is going to be more difficult to find a gem but you can find more boat than that tracker for sure. If you can do 20-30k you can get into boats with a lot of bells and whistles like updated graphs, power poles, etc but it’s gonna be older like 90s-2000s. I also wouldn’t be afraid of those. You can find loaded to the max 20 ft Tritons in that range that will run as fast or faster than most boats now. The fishability is as good as any. It’ll handle way bigger water ect.50-65 you can buy almost brand new full size medium hour bass boats. 60k and up are 1-2 year old to brand new best of the best loaded boats. I’m personally looking at Bass Cat Eyra’s and Bullet boats. New Eyra with 4 graphs, poles, 250-300 merc, ect are 60-90k depending where they are in the US. Do yourself a favor and talk to anglers at the boat ramps. Most people will be happy to tell you the experience they have with the brand they own. I currently own a 98 triton tr-17. It’s been great, runs 48-50 with me and a co angler, doesn’t leak at all, very stable. Down side it’s to small for big water, it’s not as fast a boat as I want, I can’t put shallow water anchors on it. It just doesn’t fit my needs as I want to get more serious about tournament fishing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Catt Posted September 18 Super User Share Posted September 18 18 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said: The boat is a 2010 Bass Tracker Pro Team 170 TX Same hull as the '24 Classic XL & Pro 170, the '24 models are 5" longer. I fish quite often with a friend who has a '23 Classic XL with a 50 hp. Boat handles chop well, corners great. The trolling motor is bearly adequate. How value it is beyond me, it is 14 yrs old but if the outboard checks our I'd probably buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkeyeSmallie Posted September 18 Author Share Posted September 18 Thanks for all the replies. It's definitely not my dream boat but it's something smaller that I can fit in my garage. Be 100x better than fishing in my kayak. The wife could join me as well for some company. It's somewhat local (within 30 miles), not expensive, and seems like a good deal. When the kids are out of the house and I'm in a different house and can fit a bigger nicer boat I'll pull the trigger. This one just seems like a good one until that time comes. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airshot Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 I live along lake erie, the walleye capital of the world...so they say ! Tracker aluminum boats are very popular around here, and hold up well with lake Erie chop as long as they are used properly ! Neighbor has one about 30 years old, no issues. 17' with a 50 four stroke, does fine but could use more power, about 25 mph with two big guys and gear. I don't care for the layout in his boat, but that is a personal preference, nothing to do with quality. Like most other mfgrs, they have had their issues so a good research as to what to look for will help your inspection. Some folks aren't happy unless there boat goes 50 mph, so it depends on what your gonna do with it. My 16' aluminum tops out at 30 mph, rare is the day when the lake is calm enough to run that fast ! Avg speed is 18-24 due to water conditions, often slower. To old for water toys so a pleasure ride or fishing is the primary use of mine. Condition is everything in a used boat, examine carefully and test everything ! Good luck ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susky River Rat Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 As you’ve said this would be almost a starter boat. Spend a ton of money on the “right” boat could be an issue. If you have never owned a boat the “right” boat could not be the right boat at all. I know my views of what I thought I wanted in a boat to what I learned I wanted are very different. Trackers are not bad boats. If it’s in great shape go with it. You will probably want to upgrade your TM at some point. Again this is a boat for you to learn and take it as that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junk Fisherman Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 5 hours ago, Susky River Rat said: As you’ve said this would be almost a starter boat. Spend a ton of money on the “right” boat could be an issue. If you have never owned a boat the “right” boat could not be the right boat at all. I know my views of what I thought I wanted in a boat to what I learned I wanted are very different. Trackers are not bad boats. If it’s in great shape go with it. You will probably want to upgrade your TM at some point. Again this is a boat for you to learn and take it as that. Exactly. Plus, if you're a new boat owner you don't want to spend a lot on a fancy boat. It's very easy to ding the boat up while docking, fishing shallow, or backing it up. Learn all the basics on an older boat and upgrade when you're ready. Good luck. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susky River Rat Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 @Junk Fisherman yes sir! That’s why you buy a used ones rebel to start on instead of a Harley. Might not have the cool factor but, that harely won’t be cool laid over either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Catt Posted September 19 Super User Share Posted September 19 15 hours ago, Junk Fisherman said: It's very easy to ding the boat up while docking, fishing shallow, or backing it up. Learn what the trim button is for! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smalliefan2 Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 All of the above is good info. I would recommend taking the boat to a Merc dealer,and pull the history from the ECU. Also ask for the maintenance records. If the motor is good, then I might proceed. If not, don't walk away, run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HawkeyeSmallie Posted September 19 Author Share Posted September 19 If I knew how to post pictures I would. It’s in excellent condition, well kept. Used very little, one owner. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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