5 Things To Consider Before Buying A New Or Used Boat

An angler approached me the other day with a question I get asked all the time: “Why kind of boat should I buy?”

That's not something I can answer in a 30-second conversation without knowing more about where and how the angler plans to fish.

I bring this up during mid-season because many anglers are starting to think about buying their first boat or trading theirs in for a new one. With a lot of boats on the water these days, there's no better time to start scrutinizing your buddies' rigs, asking questions and thinking about your specific needs.

Obviously, if you're talking about brands, I'm partial to Bass Tracker (aluminum) and Nitro (fiberglass). However, a prospective buyer should put more thought into the process before plunking down hard-earned cash for a bass boat. Brands and price are important, but the decision-making process should go well beyond those two issues.

Before I became a full-time pro, I sold boats at my brother's store in Kalamazoo, Mich. I found that many first-time buyers don't think about what they really need in a boat.

Here are some key things to consider when buying new or used boats:
Hull Style — Choose a boat that fits the type of water and terrain of the lake you'll be fishing. A shallow draft boat may be excellent for fishing the bayous of Louisiana, but it isn't appropriate for fishing large rivers and lakes susceptible to wind. If you're going to fish open water that gets rough, a deep-V hull will provide a smoother and drier ride than a flatter hull.

Storage — If you do a lot of fishing for schooling fish and make long casts, you're going to need a boat with a rod locker that accommodates long rods. Nothing can be more aggravating than not being able to put 7-foot rods in a locker. Also, you can never have too much storage space, so consider how much tackle you carry and where you would put it before you write the check for a boat.

Power — The price of a boat must fit your budget, and that can really affect your decision. Even so, you should buy as much boat as you can afford, and don't skimp on horsepower. I've never had a buyer come back to me and say, “I wish I hadn't bought that big of an engine.” However, I have had them come back a few months later and say, “I wish I would have gone with more horsepower.”

That's a factor to consider when buying packaged rigs. In an effort to keep the price down, most packages come with standard power that is adequate at best. If you're buying a 17-footer that comes with a 40-hp engine, think about upgrading to a 60-hp engine. Don't upgrade because of the additional speed but because of the better performance. Also, it's a lot less expensive in the long run to upgrade at the outset than to come back later and trade-up on engines.

Electronics — Packaged boats often come with an entry-level sonar unit. That might be fine if you're fishing shallow backwaters where you only need to see depth. If you're fishing reservoirs or big lakes and need to see structure clearly, you'd be wise to upgrade. Most dealers provide credit with an upgrade, so if you do it when you make the initial purchase, you'll save money.

Trolling Motors — Basic motors may do a fine job on calm days, but why limit your fishing opportunities? Buy the biggest electric motor that the boat's system allows. If it's an aluminum boat wired for 12 volts, opt for the 65-pound thrust instead of the standard 50-pound thrust. The same goes for 24 or 36 volts. If you make the upgrade when ordering the boat, you will save money and not be disappointed.