Boat Buying Help

[NathanH]

I wish to purchase my first boat. I could use some help from the more experianced. I am sure I want a 16ft Tiller with a 40 horse motor or better. I am open to brands but Lund or Alumacraft seem to have the best options.

Am I better off buying a used boat vs a new boat? It seems must of the used boats for sale are in that 1992-1996 year class and folk want about 6000 for them.

Any tips for buying boats from a dealer would also be helpfull should i go the new boat route.

[Yarhcaz]

If you do decide to go new, I highly suggest calling Jim at White's marine in Pittsburg, Mo. I called them and friday am departing on a 7.5 hour drive down to pick up my new Lund. A fellow WC person told me about him and I am paying it forward. The price I got is between 15 and 20% cheaper than everywhere else I checked (comparing an apple to an apple)

[whofan]

Originally Posted by NathanH

I wish to purchase my first boat. I could use some help from the more experianced. I am sure I want a 16ft Tiller with a 40 horse motor or better. I am open to brands but Lund or Alumacraft seem to have the best options.

Am I better off buying a used boat vs a new boat? It seems must of the used boats for sale are in that 1992-1996 year class and folk want about 6000 for them.

Any tips for buying boats from a dealer would also be helpfull should i go the new boat route.

Go with a fully rigged used boat that has a fuel injected motor either two or fourstroke, this could be the best route if you can find a nice one with a current technology outboard motor.

Check out the new Crestliner Pro tiller also heres a link, http://www.crestliner.com/1650-Pro-Tiller

I just bought a 18ft starweld that I think is a great value.

Here a link to a video on a good first boat option http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsqTa...=results_video

[bimeater]

I did not see where you had listed a budget. From what i am seing the asking price for most of the used boats within a couple of years new are at or above what you could negociate a new one for. I would lean towards a new boat/motor combo with full warranty.

[oldschooltiller]

Call me paranoid but If I'm buying an older used boat it wouldn't be ANY new motor technology. Old school, carb'd two stroke.

Only way I'd buy any EFI motor would be if it were new enough that it still had a warranty.


With that said you can save big bucks buying an older used boat.

My advice outside of normal boat buying inspection procedures. Don't let extras dictate price. Some guys think because a boat has a working trolling motor and fishfinder the boat is automatically worth more money. Unless those accessories are new enough that you won't be upgrading them, they don't really matter. Pay more for them up front PLUS have to replace is a waste.

[bobo4030]

Last fall, I bought a new Alumacraft Classic 165 Tiller with a 60 HP Merc 4 stroke. I looked hard at the comparable Lund Rebel. Beam width, built-in fuel tand,and seat placement made my mind up. I couldn't be happier with my choices.
I rigged it with all the extras I wanted. So I didn't pay for anything I didn't and it's all new stuff-trolling motor, batteries, depth finder/GPS, and charger.
I'm a new-not used kinda guy, but when I looked at used, the high prices steered me towards new. There aren't that many moving parts on a boat, so a warranty isn't a big deal for me. But, there's not a single cheap part on a motor. For me, a motor warranty is a must. And I wouldn't want to buy someone else's problem child thats been beaten like a rented mule.

Good luck with your search.
Rick