03-14-2006, 05:39 AM
Excellent point. You really need to set your priorities before looking at boats. If it were my, my priorities would be in this order for all boats within my price range:
1 - Mechanical / structural condition. You might find one that they say needs a "little" mechanical work, that ends up costing you $2k by the time you are done.
2 - Meets the needs for your use - This would include things like trolling motor mount, ease of fishing out the sides, tri-hull vs. deep-V, storage, seat configuration, open bow / closed bow / cuddy, etc.
3 - Size - Ok, this could go under #2, but I wanted to point this out. You might find a 16' boat that looks really good design-wise, and a 19' boat that may look a little outdated, but is just as good in every other way. If mechanical holds out, you will probably keep the 19' boat much longer. You will find the 16' boat is just too small if you plan on more than 2-3 people.
4 - Cosmetics - We are all a little vain. My last boat was a bright yellow thing and I was fine with that, but this newer one looks much better. This would also include things like seat & carpet condition, etc. By the way, replacing seating, if done yourself, will still cost you a few hundred. I did it on my last boat and found the cheapest seats available.
Ok, enough of my rambling. Happy boat hunting.
[signature]
1 - Mechanical / structural condition. You might find one that they say needs a "little" mechanical work, that ends up costing you $2k by the time you are done.
2 - Meets the needs for your use - This would include things like trolling motor mount, ease of fishing out the sides, tri-hull vs. deep-V, storage, seat configuration, open bow / closed bow / cuddy, etc.
3 - Size - Ok, this could go under #2, but I wanted to point this out. You might find a 16' boat that looks really good design-wise, and a 19' boat that may look a little outdated, but is just as good in every other way. If mechanical holds out, you will probably keep the 19' boat much longer. You will find the 16' boat is just too small if you plan on more than 2-3 people.
4 - Cosmetics - We are all a little vain. My last boat was a bright yellow thing and I was fine with that, but this newer one looks much better. This would also include things like seat & carpet condition, etc. By the way, replacing seating, if done yourself, will still cost you a few hundred. I did it on my last boat and found the cheapest seats available.
Ok, enough of my rambling. Happy boat hunting.
[signature]