Buying a new boat!!!! need some help please...

One thing to be aware of: What appears to be a re-carpet job may actually be a "replace the decks and foam" job.
I think this series of Bass Tracker had plywood decks and styrofoam flotation. The plywood can be rotten, no sense in putting new carpet over that, and the foam can be waterlogged, adding a ton of additional weight to the boat. Even if this is the case, at the price you are paying I would still jump on it with both feet, just wanted you to be aware of the potential. The stainless prop on the 50 probably lists for what you are paying for the whole rig.

I had boat like that 2yrs ago , loved it! Good advice already given can think of nothing to add. ( btw, Once I started on carpet, I did have to do floor like Don stated)

I would also suggest keeping one of the smaller boats. I've known a bunch of guys who kept the 9.9 for a kicker and all regretted the decision. Better to have a boat for each.

What about getting rid of the 50 horse alltogether and just putting my Yamaha "9.9" (which is really 15) on the 16ft tracker? It would be a wider/taller/longer boat give me more room and stability but with that motor I can still fish the restricted lakes? My dilemma is that in 2 months I won't have a place to store 2 boats... I don't want to pass up this deal and I don't want to be limited to where I can fish. I can always find a tiller 25 or bigger to throw on this boat later. I can live with a slow boat for awhile

Thank you guys for all your input!!!

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Originally Posted by inlovewithsurfin

What about getting rid of the 50 horse alltogether and just putting my Yamaha "9.9" (which is really 15) on the 16ft tracker? It would be a wider/taller/longer boat give me more room and stability but with that motor I can still fish the restricted lakes? My dilemma is that in 2 months I won't have a place to store 2 boats... I don't want to pass up this deal and I don't want to be limited to where I can fish. I can always find a tiller 25 or bigger to throw on this boat later. I can live with a slow boat for awhile

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If you fish restricted lakes that's exactly what I would do. A 25 would push it quite fine for bigger waters.

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Originally Posted by Don French

One thing to be aware of: What appears to be a re-carpet job may actually be a "replace the decks and foam" job.

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Yep! That could end up costing as much as the boat.

My first thoughts were whether or not you will get titles for both boat and trailer and if there is any chance the boat is stolen.

i brought the boat home today... got both titles for the boat and trailer but they wouldnt give me the permanent trailer tag with it :/ the purchase price was $500 but my buddy gave me $200 as a wedding present to buy the boat so only $300 out of pocket. i got the motor to crank by jumping the starter solenoid when i got home and i see where someone pressure tested the motor and wrote 150 for all 4 cylinders on the inside of the motor. tilt/trim/steering all works great. and the boat hull seems solid overall....


now for the bad!!!

the trailer is COMPLETELY wrong for this boat! its about 13 and 1/2 feet long and jerry rigged to fit the boat on. because of that there is a TON of negative tongue weight. a very scary drive home when the trailer is constantly trying to come loose from the ball on my hitch! luckily out of the now 3 boats i own i have a trailer that will work for this new boat. so its time to play musical trailers.

and the carpet/decking/seats will have to be replaced but i have no problem with that. i have lots of experience with re-decking and carpeting my past 3 boats :) in fact i actually enjoy it cause i can create a custom boat with the layout of whatever i want!

i have decided that i do not want to have the 50horse merc on the back of this boat. i am thinking i will sell both of my current boats and with the money made (after i give my fiance MOST of it towards the wedding) i will buy a long shaft motor that will allow my to fish all the hp restricted lakes. and i am thinking about seeing if maybe budget boats will work with me on a trade for the 50 Merc for a tiller 25 or 30? or maybe someone on CL is looking to trade for a bigger motor? we will see....

Sounds like you are developing a good game plan, keep posting pix along the way please

Budget Boats.... maybe you can deal with them. I went in there looking at 25's and the thought they were made of gold. Especially for the shape there in. A longshaft 25 that runs good will cost you in the ball park of $700-$1400 on C.L. A 9.9 OR I recommend a straight 15hp de-badged with 9.9 stickers can be an easy find. However, it is spring time and these will start to be a hot commodity. My only concern is the 25hp is half of what is on it. What is the boat rated for?