Posts: 7049
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | A few things to remember when boat buying:
a. Boat envy - as soon as you get your new boat, you'll want a bigger and better one. Not to worry, EVERYONE gets this, from guys with 14fters to 22ft. bass and muskie rockets. The less you get now, the sooner you will be wanting something new.
b. You DO get what you pay for - boats aren't like cars! Boats demand alot more care and tinkering, and the older your boat the more you are going to be working on it. Be it re-wiring your electronics, having your motor serviced, or working on upholstery and decking, the older the boat, the more time you will be putting into it to keep it how you want it.
c. What makes YOUR muskie (or other species) fishing enjoyable? Do you need comfort, or do you just want to be able to cast like a crazy person at an incredible rate? Make sure that your boat fits what you want! If you are a troller, make sure that your boat will seat people comfortably while waiting for rods to go off. If you're a caster, make sure the boat is stable enough for you and another person to stand up all day.
d. Rigging is key to fishing effectively! At least for me, the boat platform is important, but the electronics and trolling motor are what I depend on. Yes you can fish without a locator, but I've gotten pretty dependant on it and when it goes haywire, I'm in trouble. The big motor is important, but unless you troll alot, the trolling motor is what you are going to be using most often. Make sure it is big enough to push the boat around all day, and make sure its going to be able to make it at least as long as you need to save up to get a new one (trolling motors ARE very problematic, regardless of the make).
Just a few thoughts |
