In the Market for my first boat

I’ve bit the bullet long enough. My time to rely on a good friend’s rig has come to an end. I can’t continue to mod his boat for him. HA.

I would like about a 17′ foot boat. After using multiple different kinds and set ups i’ve kind of gotten to the place where i am putting together what i like and what i don’t.

i have a wife and 3 little girls. i need enough room where i can take them all out if possible. I also would like to be able to take a trip here or there and fish with 3 other adults somewhat comfortably. I will fish mostly rivers or small lakes with it most of time. and i’ll be fishing for walleyes mostly but will probably use it for other species occasionally. my price range will be 6-7grand.

heres kind of my want list.

– 16-17′ deep v
– would like a wider boat like a pro-v but pickins will be slim there and it will probably be older but need work.
– single console or tiller is ok. seems like i’d have more room with a tiller but obviously a steering wheel seems easier. i’m indifferent on this unless you guys have some better input. i don’t want a dual console BUT i wonder if i found a good deal on a dual, how difficult would it be to remove the passenger side and add a pedestal for a seat?
– i don’t want side benches. i’d rather have a 3″ lip all the way around and then it angle down or go straigth down with storage on the side kind of like the pro-v’s or old predators.

motors i’m just wanting 40 or over. i’m not sure brands and what not to trust but know it will be an older motor.

trolling and electronics, i don’t care about because i’ll fit it with an ipilot trolling motor and eventually my own electronics. an upgradable minn kota or already having ipilot is a plus.

i’m in the QC so pickins are slim around here. so i’ve been looking at Craigslist in Minneapolis as my brother lives there and my plan is to go up there for an extended weekend and drive around and look at boats.

I’m guessing it may be tricky as i’d like to have a mechanic check out the motor so any tips or places or guys to call in tat area would be great.

Any tips, help, or anything that you think might be helpful please speak up!

very excited.

It’s very exciting buying the first boat! As far as tiller vs. console it’s like Ford and Chevy, you’ll get lots of input.

With a tiller you can see whats going on in the entire boat which is nice with three kids( don’t know the ages)

But also with kids they may want to go tubing in which case I think a console is nice.

In that price range my focus would be on the outboard condition. The boat can be spruced up, carpet, seats etc…
You’ll get lots of help here that’s for sure. My two cents. Good luck!

What kind of budget do you have to spend on a boat? I have a buddy looking to sell…

I just bought my first boat this last spring. It was a tough market. As a first time buyer I would tell you to go look at several boats that are for sale in your price range. Find the things you need vs the things you want. It took me 4 months of searching (almost everyday) to find the one. I bought a 1999 1850 Tyee w/ a optimax 150 (180 hrs) for not much more than 10G’s. I did have to drive a ways to get it but if you take your time you will find the right boat. I too take 3 kids 2-8 with me all the time. The deeper boat help keep them contained. Good luck on your search

I was in the same boat (pun intended) as you the last few years. Sick of relying on friends to go fishing. I looked for almost a year at used and talked to many people. I have 2 kids as well and with the wife, needed room for 4. I did want to be able to take the kids tubing but also preferred to fish out of a tiller. I had a little higher budget, but in the end, I decided to buy a new dual console (windshield) boat. My buddies have appreciated that with no spray and wind in their faces as well as driving through the mayfly hatch at night. Kids have loved tubing as well. In that price range, And taking that many people, I would towards a late 90’s alumacraft tourney pro tiller with a Yamaha. There have been some lately on Craig’s in Minneapolis. PMy buddy has one and it is a great boat to fish out of. Good luck

Heres’ a good place to keep an eye out and get ideas of what things are going for.
There are alot of newer boats on this site, but often they show up more in your price range.Just keep checking in.

Highly rated Boat sale site.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/classified/

I was in the same situation a couple years ago, I could only afford an older boat if I wanted a set up like the one your looking at. You mentioned you know it will be an older motor. As posted by belletaine, focus on the motor because the boat can be spruced up. Make sure you have the seller start the motor both cold and warm for you. If possible have them take you on a test ride so you can see the motor under load. If you are able, do a compression check. Motor problems get frustrating and expensive fast. I learned the hard way on my boat, so hopefully I can keep someone from making my mistake.

I had a 2000 17ft angler tiller with a 70 two stroke Yamaha. I also had three small kids at the time and the boat was a good fit. The two stroke motor was a bit cheaper at the time than the four stroke which saved on the budget. The used boat market is really competitive, used boats have really gained value. I look at some of these used prices and I have bought new boats cheaper in the past then what they sell for now, this is crazy. Take your time and search patiently you will find a good deal that fits your needs.

hey hnd,
check out the hennepin marine site.
they have a nice looking rig on consignment that is a close fit to what you are looking for – 97 lund rebel ss 16′ single console with a 2011 40 4stroke merc w/xtras listed at $6900

I have been looking at used bass boats for months. You will have a lot more options in a deep v boat market, thats for sure.
There will be plenty of nice boats if you take your time and wait. I would not buy something that needs work, you will be able to find something in great shape and probably newer than you think if you just take your time.

thanks for the help guys. my goal is to take it real slow. Sylvan and Smokercraft seemingly have alot of the features i’m looking for in a rig. Any words of wisdom regarding these 2.

I also will have to cruze the marina’s websites at their used inventory as well.

Avoid buying between April 1 and May 31. This is boat-buying CrazyTime. Competition and prices are insane and the best boats are bought up in minutes. You will only contract a case of EBBF (Extreme Boat Buying Frustration) trying to look at boats during this time period. Unless you are a fool or an expert who can make a snap buy/no buy decision, stay away during this time period. As revved up as you may be about the new season, it’s a terrible time to try to buy.

Spend $30 and buy a compression checking gage. Besides the lower unit, good compression is THE key area to test, but you need the gauge. An outboard can run and still have bad compression, so checking all cylinders is key.

There’s nothing wrong with a good two stroke engine. With even marginal maintainance, 1980s-1990s vintage two strokes will still last virtually forever. Unlike 4 strokes, they are light, simple, and they require less maintainance which means there is less maintainance for the previous owner to have neglected to do.

Recognize that the first boat you buy will only serve to teach you the reasons why you bought the wrong first boat. There aren’t really any rules, only personal preferences that are highly subjective based on the specifics of how the boat is used.

Start on June 1, take your time, look at lots of boats, and then buy the one you like for your own reasons.

Grouse