I am looking for a boat if I can get a good one for the right price. I saw this on Craigs list and for $2400 it seems like a good deal. Are these older fiberglass trackers known to have any issues? Is there anything in particular I should ask the guy if I decide to call?

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/486602639.html

dont bother with the 115. those old trackers are heavy boats. you will want a 150 for it. and that will only push you around 60. the transom needs to be checked for rot. other than that you could probably get that boat for a grand no problem.

also plan on replacing the trolling motor. looks like an antique. plus i didnt see any electronics on the bow. and looks like junk up front. does it have a on board battery charger? how old are the batteries?

Going 60mph is not a requirement of mine, in fact I would be happy with 45-50 mph. At this point I have only an inflatable boat to fish in and this will be my first boat, anything is an improvement but something with a livewell and some rod/tackle storage is what I really want. I will check on the batteries, electronics, and charger. I do own a Lowrance X135 which I could put up front so if there is no sonar it isn't a huge deal, but it should help get the price down :-)

I just talked to the seller, he says the hull is in great shape and the carpet is pretty solid. The motor needs to be rebuilt and the wiring needs work. The trolling motor is a 1988 and there is no electronics. If I can get it for a grand I might do it but I am not that thrilled with it.

After you spend a lot of money on fixing the motor, you need to know that a motor that old will eat gas as opposed to an newer EFI or DFI motor. Gary

check these 2 out ...ebay item number 190176380388, 230194326539

the second one would be your best bet, but you wouldnt want to leave mattowoman.

Marc, I am looking to sell my 2004 Ranger Reata 180. It is a 18.5 foot boat,a 150 HP engine. 80 lb thrust 24 V MinnKota MaxxumPro 80 trolling motor, finders front and back, stereo. It is a fish and ski, is well maintained and runs great. You can go anywhere with it.

I would like to get $15,000, but could work with you on the price. If you finance it, the payments can be very managable. This boat is paid for for me, but my other boat I still owe on. I think my payments are less than $150 per month.

$15,000 is out of my price range

The guy that owns ABSeas (Paul?) here in Frederick has had a bass boat sitting out in front of his place for a while. It is less than $5,000. He really likes it as a deal. He says the motor is really good and has been bored out. He says the boat is fast.

You really don't need to worry so much about an old hull as you do about an old motor. My first bass boat was a 20 year old Ranger Commanche 335, 16.5 foot long, with a 90HP merc. It was great. I spent $4,000., then about $1,500 per year to improve it and keep it going. The through hull fittings leaked initially, but that was an easy fix, just don't venture too far from the dock on the maiden voyage. Actually, I found out about the through hull fittings leaking the second time I put the boat in. The first time it was simply a matter of actually putting the drain plug in!

I would say the advantage of buying used from a guy that deals in and works on boats (like ABSeas or Mare) is they can work on it too. You can test drive before you buy, and if you have some initial problems, they are likely to be helpful.

My $0.02!