Alan Land Posted October 19 Share Posted October 19 Hello, new here, I have been fishing a long time. I am older now, and find myself needing to buy another boat. I am on SSI, and don’t have a lot to spend, most of the boats I see are older boats. The ones I can afford anyway. I was wondering if someone could give me info on the fiberglass, I am looking at boats that seem in good shape, but what should I look for as far as the hull etc. any tips? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User MN Fisher Posted October 19 Super User Share Posted October 19 Lightly tap the transom with a hammer....if it sounds hollow, there's probably rot under the 'glass', and give it a hard pass. Check for cracks along the seams - main places are where the transom joins the main hull...another pass here. Look for affordable aluminum boats...even an old 3-seat fishing boat will get you on the water. Course if you're handy, you can convert it too. I'm also on SSI and using a bit of spare money I turned one of the above into this. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Land Posted October 19 Author Share Posted October 19 Thank you for your response. I will take that information with me for sure. I have thought about the aluminum transformation, that may be all I can do. But I am going to be looking for a bit, and try to find a boat like I once had. Yours looks very good. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted October 19 Super User Share Posted October 19 Welcome to BR! Upper right corner there is a search bar try Tips on buying a boat video by Glenn. Tom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassResource.com Administrator Glenn Posted October 19 BassResource.com Administrator Share Posted October 19 1 hour ago, WRB said: Upper right corner there is a search bar try Tips on buying a boat video by Glenn. Let's make it easy for the man.... 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Solution Way2slow Posted October 20 Super User Solution Share Posted October 20 How old of a boat? The main think with buying an older boat is how it has been stored. The thing is, it's not 100% fiberglass and most all the older boats have a lot of wood in them and wood rots it left exposed to the elements. Depending on how old, back in the 80's they were putting open cell flotation foam in them. That stuff would get saturated with water and add a lot of weight and cause more wood rot if the boat is left exposed and it was almost impossible to get it dried out without replacing the foam. There are some good, old boats, but there are a whole lot more junk ones than good ones and you really need to know what to look for. Being a novice boat person, try to find a repair facility or someone very knowledgeable of them and see if you could make arrangements for them to make a quick inspection of one if you brought it in and what they would charge. Trust me, that will probably be some of the best money you could spend, I could list a whole host of things I do to check boats, but I have found most people won't follow them. It seems they think all they have to do is look at one and determine if it's good or not. Some are very obviously junk, but those that are not so obvious can be just as big of a piece of junk. Most repair work is cost prohibitive at today's material cost and labor rates. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex from GA Posted October 20 Share Posted October 20 Get on the cavitation plate of the motor and bounce. If the transom flexes pass. Also with soft floors. Like way says pay an expert to check out the prospective boat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User WRB Posted October 20 Super User Share Posted October 20 Before we get deep into the woods what do you consider older fiberglass bass boat? Size? Early 90’s is now 30 years ago and the name brands didn’t use any wood in the transom by that time. Your budget is limited on a fixed income and you are doing your research by asking the questions. Take your time and be willing to travel to find the right used older boat. Single owner boats that were garaged are hard to find but they exist, Bass boat includes OB engine and trailer, the engine needs to be checked out by someone who knows them well, if you don’t. Good time of year to be shopping boats. Good luck, Tom 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
airshot Posted October 20 Share Posted October 20 Two things are against buying an older fiberglass boat....age and a tight budget ! While old glass boats might be cheap or even free, they are costly and expensive to overhaul. Aluminum boats have very little wood which makes them much easier and less expensive to overhaul. Glass boats being heavier, give a smoother ride in choppy water but take more to to get them on plane. Have owned both in my 60 years of boat ownership, I have learned.....today I so I'd not even look at a glass boat anymore. Having rebuilt a couple wood Lyman boats, the all wood boat was easier and less costly than overhauling a glass boat. But in the overall scheme of things, the aluminum hull is easier to maintain, and overhaul and carries a much better resale value....consider an aluminum boat, more bang for your buck and easier to work on !! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Land Posted October 21 Author Share Posted October 21 I thank all the guys that responded here. Very good things to think about for sure. I am looking, hope to find something by next spring, but not going to get in a big hurry, it will happen when it happens. Thank all of you again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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