Recently out of college and finally got my first job. FIrst big investment will be a bass boat (Eventually) and wanted to get some input on what you would think is the best boat if I can find it used. Base your thoughts on probably price, motor and overall quality. Plus I dont necessarily need a 21 footer with a 250 hp motor, just a quality boat that I can compete in my tournaments. Thanks!

All you need to compete in tournaments is a working livewell and insurance. First thing you have to do is figure out how much you can afford to spend, then go from there.

Assuming that you are going to keep in the back of your mind both the type of tow vehicle you've got and where it is going to be stored, I think your priority should be based on the all mighty dollar. You need to consider not only purchase price, but maybe more importantly it's potential resale value. Being that this will be your first boat probably means it won't be your last one. The last thing you'll need is owning a boat that no one wants to take off your hands. One of the best ways to do this is by finding out what brands others in your region own. You may have to pay a little extra when you purchase, but it should mean you'll get that back when its time to upgrade. The rest is fairly easy....

The engine should be in solid running condition so that you aren't stuck at the ramp when everyone else is blasting off. Spend a few extra bucks by having a trusted marine mechanic inspect the engine prior to the purchase. Depending on how old the package is, you may find a wide variety of engine types from the older carbed motors with oil blending units, to more modern fuel/oil injection models. Remember that the gas engine will make up half the cost of a new boat, and will be the fastest to depreciation in value.

The boat itself, assuming that it will be a glass model, needs to be looked at for both structural and cosmetic issues. Cosmetic issues may not stop you from being able to operate the boat, but can be a good bargaining point if the prior owner has been a little rough on it. Your main concern should be wether the hull, deck, transom, and stringers are all solid and undamaged. It is a lot easier to replace worn carpet than a broken stringer.

The trailer also need to be looked at. Look at the tires to make sure they are in good shape and also to see if there are any wear spots that could indicate an axle or alignment problem. Make sure the trailer's bunks are in good shape and aren't warped or worn out. The bunks sould fit the shape of the boat's hull. If they don't, find out if this may have caused any hull damage. How's the rust? Many older trailers get beat up over time from traveling down our roads. Two things I wouldn't worry about are the lights and the bearings. Set aside enough cash to replace both if needed. I'd never buy a new boat without going through the steps of tearing apart all of the bearings and repacking them. You don't want to be the guy with his boat parked on the side of the road!

Electronics? Unless you're buying a boat that is only a year or two old, plan on upgrading all of them. Set aside enough cash to purchase all new batteries, and two quality Graph/GPS/SI/DI units for the bow and console. There have been so many upgrades in the last few years, why get stuck with older technology that puts you at a disadvantage.

Hope this helps, because you're on your way to many years of buying, owning, and selling. Any money saved in the future should be spent on tackle, not correcting mistakes!

If you're going to compete in tourney's, you will most likely need to join a bass club or two. Check them out and see which one you think will best meet your needs. If you get into a club that fishes mostly large reservoirs, they will probably have minumum boat size and hp limit. Most will also have non boater memebers where you can fish the backseat of a boater. (Please be sure to offer to pay for a reasonable portion of his gas if you do). I would recommend you try this for a few rounds and that will give you a much better understanding of what you might think you need.

Let me say, the above statement is based on a very past history, It's been a long time since I've done any tourney fishing or been a memeber of a Bass club of any type so things may have changed with this new generation.

Oh...maintaining a boat ain't cheap either.

B ail

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A nother

T housand

B ail

O ut

A nother

T housand

Beat me to it my dad says this to me everytime I mention buying my 1st bass boat after deployment " ya know what boat means son Bust Out Another Thousand ur mother hated my boat" lol