Published by William Scott on 19 Jul 2008
Bass Boats - Golden Advice for the First Time Buyer
Bass fishing is a great past time that many people, both young and old enjoy. Once you get the taste of bass fishing, you might decide that you want to venture into buying your first bass fishing boat. This is truly an exciting experience, so it is best that you get some advice, being a first time buyer.
First, make sure that you have the right kind of vehicle so that you can tow your bass 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. To pull something that heavy, you’ll need a truck or car that can handle that kind of load, especially if you’re likely to pull it up mountains or hills.
Finding the Right Size and Material
When you are trying to decide what size of boat you will need, think about where youll be doing most of your fishing. On a larger body of water, youll probably want a boat which is at least 19 feet in length. On a smaller body of water though, you can use a smaller boat and a smaller outboard motor. Youll also have a choice as to what material your boat is composed of. A bass boat will usually be made of aluminum or fiberglass. There are pros and cons to each material. If youll be doing the bulk of your fishing on a small lake, an aluminum boat may be for you.
However, if you going to be on larger bodies of water, a fiberglass boat will generally give you a smoother ride. Fiberglass is generally more expensive than aluminum is, but not all the time. Fiberglass boats are also sturdier than aluminum boats, and will not be at the mercy of the wind as much as an aluminum boat would be. 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?
You can buy either a new or used boat but again, there are pros and cons associated with both. Used boats seem to hold their value much longer but you have to eep in mind that outboard motors are generally short lived. If you decide to buy a used boat then you want to check out the motor properly before using it. Another advantage to buying a used boat is the price. You can get a good deal for a used boat if you look around but remember that you get what you pay for. If you get the boat at a cheap price you may have to be prepared to do some “fixing up” on the boat.
If you decide to go with a new boat then you will have the pleasure of getting a warranty with it. You won’t have to worry about working on it and you can just get right to fishing. You will also most likely have more boats to choose from than when you are looking for a used one. No matter which way you decide to go, be sure to check out the vessel thoroughly, so that you know what you are buying.