What You Should Know Before Buying A Bass Boat
Bass fishing is a pastime enjoyed by many from all walks of life, young and old alike. Once you’ve tried out bass fishing, it is likely that you’ll want your own fishing boat. Get some advice before you buy, as a first time bass boat buyer.
One of the first things you want to make sure you have when you go to get your new boat is the right kind of vehicle for towing the boat. Many vehicles are not made to tow boats behind them. A fully loaded bass boat with trailer, full gas tank, tackle, etc., may weigh more than 3500 pounds. Be sure to have a car or truck which is capable of towing this much weight uphill.
Choosing the Right Size and Material
What kind of bass fishing boat should you get, and what size should it be? On a larger body of water, you’ll probably want a boat which is at least 19 feet in length. If you are going to be fishing in a smaller body of water then you can go with a smaller outboard motor on a smaller boat. You can also choose which material your boat is made out of. Bass boats are generally made from aluminum or fiberglass. There are pros and cons to each material. Aluminum fishing boats may be for you if you’ll be doing the bulk of your fishing on a small lake.
You may want to go with a fiberglass boat if you want a smoother ride on larger bodies of water. While more expensive than aluminum (most of the time), a fiberglass boat is more durable and will not be blown about by wind nearly so much as one made of aluminum. Before you choose fiberglass or aluminum, consider all the options, and the advantages and disadvantages to each before you make your decision.
New or Used?
Whether you buy your boat new or used is up to you, but again there are advantages and disadvantages to each. Used bass boats will keep their resale value longer but of course, a used outboard motor may not last so long. If you opt to buy a used bass fishing boat then you’ll want to test the motor before handing over your money. The price tag, of course is an attractive feature of used boats. A good deal can be had on a used boat but do keep in mind that you usually get what you pay for. A boat which is very cheap may be a “fixer-upper”.
A new boat has one huge advantage over a used one – a warranty. You won’t have to worry about working on it and you can just get right to fishing. In addition, you’ll have more boats to choose from than if you’re looking for a used one. Whichever you choose, though, check out the boat and inspect it carefully, so that you know what you’re buying before you do.