Advice on my first boat

[micah5634]

Iam looking to buy my first boat today i looked at a 1754 grizzly from basspro this one is not the package it's just a plain jon boat with no floor i can buy it with a trailer and a 2007 mercury 40 hp 4 stroke fuel injection.
for 7500.00 all brand new seems like a good deal to me.

[crome]

my first boat was a grizzly and i was not impressed,very poor quality control...if it was me,i would also price some other rigs.xpress,g3,sea ark,just to name a few

[NIMROD]

CHECK OUT THIS: www.legendcraft.com (http://www.legendcraft.com)

It is a small allwelded boat built in Alexander Arkansas. They have dealers all over. Good luck. Not familiar with Grizzly , But had bad experiences with Basstrackers.

[mspratt]

Most guys buy boats that they wish in less than a year they had got the longer,wider,bigger,and more power. Don't get two foot idas in a year.Buy the bigger,wider, longer,more power,the first time around......U won't regret it..........beartrap and buoy:wink:

[Mark J]

If you are willing to spend that amount of money I would have to check out the used market. It's getting the time of year where you can find good used boats at a decent price. Let someone else take the big hit pulling it off the lot.

Check around local dealers in the dead of winter when boat sales are dead.
You might strike up a pretty good deal on a boat you thought was out of reach.

[micah5634]

Priced a sea ark 1660 with a 40 hp suzuki 4 stroke with center console for 11000.00 and a g3 1756 with center console and a 50 hp 2 stroke yamaha for 11400.00 for some reason i really like the looks of a center console boat.xpress 1756 with 50 hp yamaha 2 stroke is 11600.00.going tommorrow to look at a used 17ft xpress with a 60 hp mercury its a 2004 model for 7995.00 hope it looks like new.

[brad kilpatrick]

I know where there is a nice used 18' lowe roughneck for sale. 50HP merc 2 stroke. color lowrance fishfinder and 6 driftmasters. located in the KC area if thats not to far to drive. price is well below what your currently looking at. I've fished out of this rig several times it would make an excellent first river/cattin boat. PM Me if interested.

[Coloman]

I had a Grizzly 1654 SC. I made Tracer buy it back, it spent more time in the shop than out!

[FishMan]

..................................Buy Wide..............................

[Mr.T]

I'd probably buy a Lowe before I'd buy a Tracker. But I probably wouldn't buy either one; they're both at the low end of the quality spectrum. I own an 18ft Xpress (HD18SC) and it's not really that much better than the Lowe or Tracker boats as far as quality - thin paint, sloppy welds, poor fit & finish, etc. -- if quality matters, you'll need to look a bit farther up the price scale.

But before you get set on center vs side console, etc., spend some time thinking about exactly where and how you want to fish out of your new boat. Buying a boat that doesn't match your needs and intended use will irritate you every time you go fishing.

Do you fish rivers where you need to have rod holders at the rear of the boat? If so, where will you sit in your boat while waiting for your rods to bend over and slap the water? What if you want to take a buddy or two? Is there room?

Will you use a front and rear casting deck if you have them? Unless you're fishing for something other than catfish, the front cast deck is nearly worthless.

Is 17 ft big enough for your needs? I can tell you my 18 ft Xpress isn't nearly big enough - not necessarily because of the overall length of the boat but because of all the wasted space.

Is a 54 inch floor wide enough? If you go with a center console, how much room do you have on both sides? Enough to walk around comfortably, or do you have to shuffle past the console carefully?

[FishinginDavenport]

If you are going to equip it with a trolling motor you may want to upgrade and get the one with the depth finder transducer already built in. From what I have been reading it saves a lot of grief. I just bought a 16 ft Alumacraft navigator yesterday and upgraded the trolling motor and also the depth finder. Everyone recommended a color over the black/white.

[brad kilpatrick]

I wouldn't get a trolling motor W/ a built in transducer. There are several reasons.


if You have trouble with the trolling motor and have to send it in You have no sonar.
If you have trouble with the transducer and have to send it in You have no trolling motor.
The crystals in the transducer deteriorate after a couple of seasons. if you want top notch performance from Your sonar you would have to buy a new motor every 2-3 years.....ouch

[navigator]

one other thing about Center Console vs side console.

I have always used a side console or tiller steer boat.
I tried my buddies Center Console boat and it wasn't comfortable to me standing and if I sat down you couldn't see.


I expect the CC might be a little drier at times though.

[navigator]

couple of other things I have learned over the years.
I bought a new bass boat back in 1996 and have really enjoyed it.

I didn't have a garage for it and have not always done a good job of keeping it covered.

The result is bad carpet, faded paint, cracked seats issues with electronics from time to time, all little things.

If you don't have a garage, think about low maintenance interiors (little carpet, removable seats) and ways to protect your items.

Like the guys here said, unless you are navigating small waters, the boat will never be large or fast enough, though I think I would sacrifice speed for size.

[micah5634]

going saturday to look at a sea ark 1860 and a g3 1756 both with center console i think iam going to go with suzuki on the motor now till dec 31 you get a 3 year extended warranty for free for a total of 6 years on the 4 stroke hard to pass that up.Iam thinking about a 50 hp.

[Mark J]

With a center console you'll lose floor space but gain a little storage space in most cases.

To me standing while piloting is more comfortable from the standpoint my legs are the shock absorbers instead of my butt sitting on a seat.
I do like a leaning post, which a good leaning post has storage in it. A good place to store terminal tackle.

A center console better balances a boat especially if you fish alone.

The other reason I like center consoles is fishability. I can fish all the way around the boat without changing elevations or interference from a fixed item like a console. Saltwater fishing taught me the value of this.

And lastly, I love a T-top, not a soft bimini top but a real T-top.
It gets the electronics up off the console and more in the line of sight for me. Meaning , Shifting my eyes up to look at electronics is easier then looking down and I dont lose touch entirely with what is going on in front of me.

It gets the rods above the fishermen. No more tripping over rods or falling into rods. Rocket launchers can also be used for tightlining. Again the rods are over your head and out of the way.
You can double stack lines. 2-4 rods of the back of the boat at gunnel level and the same up top in the rocket launchers.

All the way around I think its a better fishing platform and more conforming to different fishing techniques.

The nickname for a center console is "wet boat". It's derived from offshore fishing in rough water. When that spray comes over the bow you are right in the line of fire.:lol:

[crome]

going saturday to look at a sea ark 1860 and a g3 1756 both with center console i think iam going to go with suzuki on the motor now till dec 31 you get a 3 year extended warranty for free for a total of 6 years on the 4 stroke hard to pass that up.Iam thinking about a 50 hp.

both of those are good boats,i have the 1860cc g3 with a 4 stroke yamaha,and love it

[Mr.T]

The free extended warranty gimmick is commonly used during boat show season (Jan-Mar) as a sales ploy. As it turns out, there's really only a few months of the year when you can buy most new motors *without* getting the extended warranty...

Still, it's worth considering and if you have to choose between a brand that offers the free warranty and one that doesn't, the choice is pretty obvious...

[crazy]

I know where there is a nice used 18' lowe roughneck for sale. 50HP merc 2 stroke. color lowrance fishfinder and 6 driftmasters. located in the KC area if thats not to far to drive. price is well below what your currently looking at. I've fished out of this rig several times it would make an excellent first river/cattin boat. PM Me if interested.

The boat Brad is talking about is mine. It's still for sale it's a 2003 lowe 1860, with a 2004 50hp merc. PM me if you wanna know more about it.

[Pastor E]

If you are willing to spend that amount of money I would have to check out the used market. It's getting the time of year where you can find good used boats at a decent price. Let someone else take the big hit pulling it off the lot.

Check around local dealers in the dead of winter when boat sales are dead.
You might strike up a pretty good deal on a boat you thought was out of reach.Thanks good idea:big_smile:

[FishinginDavenport]

I just bought a 2006 Alumacraft. Many of the dealers are trying to make room for the 2007's and need cash flow now. You get the advantage of a new boat without taking the big hit off the loat. You also get the advantage of new equipment, new warranties and in many cases better bank loans. You can get out and enjoy it and not have to worry about repairs for a couple years..

[micah5634]

Went today to look at the g3 1756cc and they were out but he had a g3 1860sc camo with a 90hp 2 stroke yamaha for 11k brand new .
and a g3 1860sc delexe with vinyl floor seats fishfinder with a 50hp 2 stroke yamaha for 10400.00 what do you all think would be the better buy would the 50hp be large enough.

[Mark J]

My friend owns a G3 1860 center console with a Yamaha 90 4 stroke.(big motor)
It does the boat right I think. It has plenty of power with 3 grown men and all the equipment and coolers.
It would work on less but if I were buying the same boat I would find it hard to settle for less knowing how the boat and the weight are handled by the 90 4 stroker.

[Mr.T]

You'll be disappointed with a 50hp engine on a 17 ft G3, unless you fish alone all the time and don't mind running the engine at full throttle constantly. For a bare jon boat, 50hp is plenty. But for a fishing boat with raised decks, big fuel tank, livewell and one heavy thing after another, 50hp just isn't enough.

Get a bigger engine and you have reserve power that you may never need but that is available when you do. You can run comfortably at half or 2/3 throttle, saving wear on the engine and using a lot less fuel.

I personally wouldn't buy a boat with a vinyl floor. Vinyl covers plywood and plywood rots, eventually. Vinyl is easy to rip and difficult to fix. Aluminum floors don't tear and don't rot.

[micah5634]

Well i have narrowed it down to a
2006 g3 1860 side console with a 70hp yamaha 2 stroke its camo color
or a 2007 g3 1756 center console with a 70hp yamaha 2 stroke NOT CAMO the guy said that since the 1860 is a left over it would be 1200.00 less then a new 1756 center console but i dont know if i can get to like the camo.I really had my mind set on a 1756 center console.but 1200 less and a bigger boat is hard to pass up.

[Mr.T]

Again, before you make your final decision, think for a minute about how you are going to fish out of the boat you buy.

You're considering the typical side console "multi purpose" fishing boat -- raised front deck, rear bench seat, raised rear deck.

Where are you going to put your rod holders? Do you fish from the side or the stern of the boat? Where are you going to sit while waiting for a bite? Where is your fishing buddy going to sit?

Is the center console any better for your intended use? $1200 is chump change if it means you're getting the boat you want and not the one you settle for.

Just trying to make sure you have considered all the options before you jump -- I looked long and hard before buying an 18 ft side console boat almost exactly like the one you're considering. I thought it was the boat for me. And then I tried to fish out of it. After spending several hundred more dollars, I got it set up so it's at least usable, but I'm really not happy with it. That boat and I are going to part company soon...

[micah5634]

I know what you are saying I really don't want to make a 11k mistake I have never fished out of a center console boat. but it seems like it would work really well.

[brad kilpatrick]

I have a CC Great Catfish boat.

[powercat]

I recently purchased a 20 ft. SeaArk and thought I wanted a center console but after visiting with my neighbor and the dealer decided on the side console for the additional floor space. I fish from the left side of the boat or from the stern and the boat came with built in bait and live wells. I also went for a larger engine, 115hp, but if fish with my son and 2 grandsons. This is a heavier boat but I don't feel feel that I have too much motor.

[SkiMax]

Listen to Marty's (MrT) advice. I would definately think about how you are going to use this boat. Is it purely a catfishing boat? If so then i would go with a jon boat rather than a multipurpose boat. I like the way a SeaArk is set up-but there are quite a few good boats out there. A flat floor is just much nicer for catfishing in my opinion. I also do not like center consoles either, but alot of guys do. I just got a tiller and I am a big fan, no console to get in the way-but they are not nearly as comfortable to drive.

[micah5634]

yes it is going to be purely a catfish boat for the mo river and lake of the ozarks for me-wife-son whats the difference between a muti purpose jon and just a jon boat.

[brad kilpatrick]

yes it is going to be purely a catfish boat for the mo river and lake of the ozarks for me-wife-son whats the difference between a muti purpose jon and just a jon boat.

If its gonna be a cat only boat and Your gonna put it on the mighty mo. You should take a long hard look @ the CC boats. The Cats get Huge in the mo. and not having to fight a biggun over and around a side console Is awfuly nice. Also having the ability to comfortably stand and navigate the boat around floating obsticals is an added plus. I wouldn't buy anything under a 2070 as well especaly if You are gonna fish three out of it. 3 people and gear can get pretty crowded in a 18' boat, but it can be done.

[crazy]

You know there is one thing about everyone’s comments here that’s true. Think about how you are going to fish and when. That being said everyone on here has different ideas they would incorporate into there next boat. If you have never fished out of a CC boat on the Missouri river you need too. That said 1756 would be to small of a boat for a CC if you ask me. The other thing is once you buy this boat you are going to want to change a lot of stuff. So the 11k mistake you talk about most likely you might feel that way until you start modifying it for your needs. If you don't want to do that work buy a boat that someone has already done the work for you. River boats and boats built for the normal usage person is way different. Also think about the size of a boat. Your kid is going to want to move around a lot I bet heck I have a hard time sitting still some nights. The more room the better. They always say when you go to buy a boat buy one that's 2 ft bigger then you want. Get a 20ft boat or buy a used for now and save for that bigger boat. That's what I would do. Then you know what you want in a boat.

[tobystan_2000]

My two cents is to buy something used but in decent shape to get started with. This way you learn what it is you would want in a boat, how to use the boat without tearing up a $10K or better purchase because of inexperience. Good luck!

[catcam]

I agree with Toby. A used boat for your first, is the way to go. The first time you misjudge the dock or the trailer and you scratch your 10k boat, you'll want to cry. You can try www.boattraderonline.com for some comparison shopping. Happy Boating!

My two cents is to buy something used but in decent shape to get started with. This way you learn what it is you would want in a boat, how to use the boat without tearing up a $10K or better purchase because of inexperience. Good luck!

[JAYNC]

Dont forget about triton boats. I have a 2005 170 ds sc, its a camo duck boat. 17' with a 78" beam and a 70" bottom. Its very stable and I have taken it out on the ocean. It will take some pretty good waves and it is still going strong. it has a 75hp merc 4 stroke with a 24p stainless prop. It will top out at 45kts with me and all my gear and full livewell. It has a track sytem on the gunwales which is great because you can move your rodholders where ever you want very quickly. It has a minn kota 55at trolling motor and it moves the boat ok, but you would need more if your trying to go up a fast current. At 3500 rpm it has a pretty good cruising speed of about 33-35knots depending on current. It has a garmin 178C and its the best depthfinder/GPS I have ever seen for the money. Has a rod/gun box and front storage, you can also get under seat storage if you order it or find one that was built like that. I have about 250hrs on it since aug 2005 and havent had one problem, not one crack, not one leak. Has been a perfect boat for me. It also has more floatation than I have ever seen. The whole boat has non skid sprayed all over it, so you will never slip and clean up is easy, plus there is no carpet or wood to rot and no rivets to break. There is no wood, and the hull has a lifetime warranty. The tritons cost a little more but IMHO it was well worth it.

[Indigo Flats]

I would go with a V Bottom boat as it's much more stable in the water and more forgiving as it's much harder to flip. You probably could find a good 16' used one with a 25hp motor and you would be on your way. Later, when you know more about what you like, you could get a new boat that would meet your needs.

Good fishing and good luck with your search for a boat.

[micah5634]

Well since it started snowing here in mo i figured it was time to start looking at boats again i have narrowed my search down to 1 boat with different motors a 2006 g3 1860 camo with either a yamaha 90hp 2 stroke for 11500 or with a yamaha 60 hp 4 stroke for 12000 what ya think??

[special liberty]

Take a hard look at Carolina Skiffs - rugged, affordable, easy to take care, flexability in rigging them the way you want, stable as a dock and they can't sink (they said that about the Titanic too didn't they).

[micah5634]

I thought about that but their is not even 1 dealer in the whole state of mo.

[gilmafam]

Micah,

Go get what you want. I drove from LA, Calif to Eureka, darn near from bottom of the state to the top to get what I wanted. My other choices were the Carolina Skift, and the Boston Whaler. I chose the NorthRiver "seahawk" for its offshore abilities, and the river part of it with a "thick" aluminum bottom. I think that the Carolina is great for "walk around" abilities.... Someones got to die to give one up.... but try for used, 20 ft with 2 wheel axil.

bayrunner ray

[gilmafam]

Micah,

I was impressed with a former teacher friend of who worked with fiberglass, teaching kids how to do this and that in Fiberglass. He would go to Texas for the summers to fish etc. I believe that he is the builder of Moudy boats... they are Carolina looking and made for the Flats...

search out boat manufactures in Texas... Moudy boats....

bayrunner ray

[Pastor E]

Hope you enjoy your boat :big_smile:

[micah5634]

Are lowe boats still good after being bought buy mercury i found a new 07 lowe 1860 with trailer and a 50hp mercury 2 stroke for 9200.00 is this a good price?? all is brand new with running lights livewell and built in fuel tank.I think a 90hp 2 stroke was 1700 more.

[oh no]

Don't know. I bought my 1960 RoughNeck in 1999 and put a 90 Merc on it. At the time Lowe was using Evenrude motors but OMC was in bankrupcy court, so I deleeted the motor and installed a Merc. It's a pertty good boat.
I have had do do some repairs to it though, as I hit a tree with it about the 3rd year I had it. Hey give me a break, I fixed it.

[jsharris]

i know that some people say that they are not big fans of tracker but I have fell in love with this boat. right now you can get a 50 hp 2 stroke Mercury. i love the wide open space plus there is plenty of seating room. has anyone else had and experiences with these fine looking boats? here is a link to the one i am leaning to. http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.home&boat=2033 the price you see is with a 4 stroke merc. You can change that with a 2 stroke 50 hp also there is a 550 freight charge on it. you can probably cut that with a local purchase. and it has 2 nifty cup holders. LOL ok really not a selling point there!

[jsharris]

Here is a 16 foot that still has a lot of space and only for 11 grand with a 50hp 2 stroke mercury. http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.home&boat=2041