Posts: 2686
Location: Hayward, WI | I don't know about that. I think you can find a good reliable boat for $5,000. I would lean more towards something a few years older and in good condition than a newer beat up boat. I like tillers anyway, but I would be inclined to look into aluminum tillers. For $5,000 you'll probably be looking at a 'somewhat' smaller boat in the 16 foot range, and in boats this size, tillers allow you to use all of the space avaliable in the boat. Consoles take up a lot of room in boats this size.
If going the tiller route, make sure the motor is at or near the max horsepower rating that the boat will take in a tiller layout. Since tillers are in effect downgraded on horsepower from their console counterparts, it's important to get as much horsepower behind them as possible.
If you want to fish a little bit bigger lakes, I would get something at least 16 feet long, with at least a semi deep V. I had a 16 foot Sea Nymph. It didn't have a very deep V, and you knew it when going across big waves. If you can, I would get something at leasy 75 inches wide also. My Sea Nymph was something like 69 inches, and it was plenty narrow. Stable enough to have three guys standing and casting, but very load sensitive while running. My newer Alumacraft is 81 or 82 inches, and that little extra width makes a BIG difference.
Basically, unless you are really serious, most aluminum hulls will work fine, but if you can find a Lund, Alumacraft, or Crestliner, they will all be good. Make sure the motor has been taken care of and runs well. The motor has mote potential to give you problems than the actual boat does. For a $5,000 rig you'll probably need to buy a two stroke to get the best bang for the buck.
LOTS of other stuff. Books could be written on buying used boats. My advice: look at a lot of boats before deciding. Take your time and get what you want. Don't settle on something just because you want a boat. Make sure it meets your criteria and make sure you like it.
* If you could find an older Tuffy Esox with a good two stroke tiller on it in your price range that would be a nice boat for a lot of uses also. I've seen a couple fixed up ones that look pretty good for under $5,000.
curleytail |
