Should I buy a new bass boat?

Question

Okay, this is a serious question and I would value your advice.

Here is my situation. I bought my first boat in July of this year. I went cheap. It's a 1990 Sprint Pro Bass 266 with a Merc 115 hp outboard. Since I've bought it, the tilt/trim has gone out, I had to replace the voltage regulator, replace the shift and throttle cables. It's been out of the water for nearly a month. I replaced the trim motor/pump, but the new one already broke. The bait well pump and aerator don't work and I had to plug them because the shutoff valve doesn't close all of the way.

I've put close to $1000 into a boat that I bought for $2800. Because I don't own a vehicle that can tow it, I rent a slip for $200/month. So when the boat's not in the water, I am losing $.

I can get a Nitro 750, w/ 90 hr Merc, new for $16750. Don't want to spend that kind of $, but Mercury is running a 3 yr warranty special now on new engines. So that's 3 yrs with no worries. Thoughts?

Answer 1

Age old question..... what the first consideration should be whats important to you in a boat ? Reliability is one ,and what else ?  new boats are not a guarantee that you water time wont be interrupted....they break too. I think its normal to have issues with a used boat. It takes time and money to work thru these and as long as you can get ahead of them you can have a great relationship. Resolving issues also gives you a chance to become intimate with your vessel (sounds funny when said this way) this is important if you want to be more self sufficient and spend more time doing what you love. The money not spent on a new boat could help pay for a tow vehicle. resale value ? If you buy new you will never get you money back. When you sell your 266 you will get your money back if its in good shape . The things that needed attention are normal stuff - I don't think you have a lemon .  good luck Ron A.

Answer 2

i would replace the motor with a new one and have it installed by a experienced mech.. use the $200. to get a pickup truck and a trailer to haul the boat to all fishing spots. i am assuming the boat is in good condition. the baitwell is an easy repair. i lived in Victoria Tex. and there are a lots of good fishing fresh and saltwater. have fun.

Answer 3

First off you live in Bass country.  I travel there twice a year from Wisconsin, just to enjoy the winter fishing.  Before you jump into new, get on the Internet, and shop shop, and shop.  There are so many almost new Bass Boats for sale, that the same money will get you into a lot more boat.  Allot of Pros's get a new boat from their sponsors every year or two, and sell them.  There are plenty of them, you just have to hunt them down.  Start with eBay.  I just can't get myself to take the hit on a new boat.  Most of these boats have nothing major wrong with them.  The slip is a mater of choice.  Also, remember, your boat has a value too. Sounds like you have a good starter boat, now its time to upgrade.  Yamaha has a good mil age motor, and so does Merc. Not the EFI.   Look around, there are tons of them around.  Good fishing.

Answer 4

I'm not sure what area of the country you do your boating in but in a lot of areas you don't have that much of the season left. The weather's getting colder and you'll probably be winterizing soon.

In the off season you'll have plenty of time to mess with the boat all you want and you can fix the live well pump and aerator....and get a new shutoff valve.  I always loved to mess around with my boat in the off season.

As far as buying the new Nitro 750.....thats a 17 1/2 footer.

How big is the boat you have now?

Will you like being in a smaller boat?

Lastly.....do you really wanna go in the hole for 17K? That's a lot of cash. Even with the boat you have now you'll be finding things you want to buy for it.....from rod holders to a new VHF or fish finder. Same thing with a new boat....

Don't get me wrong....I LOVE new boats and have had several myself........but you are new to boating.....take it slow.....look around.....you might find something you like better.

I can tell ya from experience that a new engine with a warranty does NOT mean..."no worries".  Believe me. But whatever you decide........best of luck with the boat.

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Answer 5

Well, I hate to see good beer money wasted on another boat. But, if the boat is taking all the beer money, it may be best to get another boat.

Answer 6

My suggestion is to buy a good, lightly used boat that's a couple years old.  I would also reccomend going to a center console, but that's my opinion.  My thoughts about the center console boats is that they are generally more stable, more durable (with less upholstry and glitter-work, ect.), and have many, if not more, or the bells and whistles that come in handy on the water.  When you can walk around the whole boat it sure makes things easier.  In the recent years there has been a pretty big increase in center console boats for the lakes.  Traditionally they have been most popular in salt water.  So if it's good enough for salt water fishing, it ought to be a dandy in fresh water.

The catch:

Any boat you buy will cost you money.  You probably know that by now.  I figgure you're probably looking at this as "how to cut your losses".  The definition of a boat is "a hole in the water into which you throw money".  The bigger the boat, the more money it will consume.  Take a look at the 18 ft "bay" boats like Haney, Kenner, Boston Whaler, and such.  Very stout boats that will last for many, many years.  You'll find that they are much more roomy than any fish&ski runabout.  As for the motor, if you have a chioce, go with a 4-stroke on whatever you do.  Either for your old boat or a new one.  Low, low maintenance and running costs and better for the environment- if you have a priority there.  They're also quieter.  

Those are just some of my thoughts, since you asked.

Answer 7

If you love fishing and you are losing that kind of money, I would just get the old bout up and running and then sell it. Buy the new boat that you are going to love. Just make sure that you can handle the payment of the new boat. If you don't live now and do what you want when will you? Have fun fishing.