Buy a boat@ Cabelas

[mjohnson]

Well, 1st off I want to thank everyone for the input on my other question on a welded or riveted boat. I'm very interested in the Alumacraft line(seems like a pretty quality built boat)and I'm also 10 minutes away from Cabela's. Seems that they are knowledgeable and nice, however most people are when you are making a major purchase. Has anyone ever done dealings with them and can they tell me about the buying expeirence and service after the purchase. They have told me that the 1st service is free and that there is a no-cost 3 year extension on the Yamaha outboard. I'm considering the Classic 165 w/ 70 yamaha 2 stroker. Again any input would surley be appreciated. Thanks in advance-----Mark

[jim sasser]

one thing to remember when buying a boat new is [1]what are u gonna use it for?[2]how many people will be in it[3]do u want to get there sooner?...:D...when i bought my targa it came with a 50hp merc. on a 17' deep-v,and i went home and thought about it,no no,that aint nearly big enough motor,i fish the river[dr],erie,sag. bay.so i went to a 90hp and am very happy and talked to guys who wish they would of...u can always turn it down u cant turn it up.better to step up now rather than regret it later.....let us now how it works out for ya,see u on the water...:D

[OTIS]

I purchased a new boat from Cabelas last year. I had to make a service appt in july to get a deck extension put on. They got me in at the said time and I was out of there in an hour of course i was not happy with how they put it in and re did it myself but they didn't charge me any labor.. The only shocker was they had my boat for 6 weeks this fall to winterize. I needed a new smartcraft computer that needed to be ordered. I did not like my boat being their for 6 weeks but they warned me it was a first come first serve basis when winterizing.
Good luck.

[Coolwater]

Mark, talk to Tom Taylor at Cabelas, he is very knowledgeable especially about break-in of the outboard. I have a Lowe 17' that I bought at Wonderland Marine in Brighton. They gave us very little info about breaking the motor in. I ended up talking to Tom at Cabelas, did everything he said to do and have had no problems with my Merc. By the way, I live in Temperance. Good luck boat hunting-
Brad

[Hotwired]

Keep the 70 percent rule in mind.
Take the max HP rating on the boat and multiply by 70 percent and DO NOT go any smaller that that.
My boat was rated for a 70hp and I bought the package deal with an 30hp on it.
Worst decision I made.
After 11 years I finally got my 50hp E-Tec last month.
No break in period required.

[OakLane]

He is a stand up guy. I've been friends with his son for quite a while, and Tom is a great guy. He would help anyone with anything, and would be the last person to steer you wrong. He lives and breathes fishing and boating.He may even tell you to go buy a Lund. :lol: He is a big fan of them.

[BBBYpsi]

Well, 1st off I want to thank everyone for the input on my other question on a welded or riveted boat. I'm very interested in the Alumacraft line(seems like a pretty quality built boat)and I'm also 10 minutes away from Cabela's. Seems that they are knowledgeable and nice, however most people are when you are making a major purchase. Has anyone ever done dealings with them and can they tell me about the buying expeirence and service after the purchase. They have told me that the 1st service is free and that there is a no-cost 3 year extension on the Yamaha outboard. I'm considering the Classic 165 w/ 70 yamaha 2 stroker. Again any input would surley be appreciated. Thanks in advance-----Mark


Where are you planning on doing most your fishing & what kind of fishing. Before you buy a boat make sure it will fit the kind of fishing you are doing. Two years ago I baught my first ever boat. I got a 1996 16 foot deep v spectrum with a 40 hp mercury force. I replaced it last year (motor only) with a 50 hp e-tech glad I did. However since I like erie I have to pick my days carefully. Wish I had something bigger for that chop. consider getting that e-tech motor they do have a 5 year warrantee right now. I got lucky last year & got a 7 year warrantee.

[Homer]

I've had mixed experience with them at best. I have tried several times over the past few years to get my boat serviced there. I call them to set up a time for them to work on it, they say they will call back, and I don't hear from them again. The one time they worked on my boat, the service was OK, but they were pretty careless the way they left the boat out in the parking lot after they were done. They are close by to me, too, but I've given up on them.

Note that I didn't buy my boat there, so you possibly could expect better service, but if they were really top-notch you'd think that they would give decent service to everyone.

[andy capp]

If you do buy one from them, dont let them submit the paperwork for the registration. My friends dad bought a boat there 2 springs ago. He let them submit the paperwork for the registration and title. A month later he was not any farther than he was when he left the place. He had a brand new boat sitting in the driveway that he could not use for 2 months....

[shametamer]

looked into cabelas alumacraft a few years back(at that time they would not take a trade)..did buy an alumacraft( not sure if it was a particular dealer or the manufacturer) but i was unhappy with the workmanship(had always rode lunds prior to)..since have had ranger, mirrocraft, starcraft and crestliner..if i was looking 16 FOOT range..i would check out lockemans, crestliner, evinrude.....the service is probably as good as it gets in the boating industry...might be better we start a forum for GOOD BOAT DEALERS(There will be few):rolleyes:

[eddiek]

looked into cabelas alumacraft a few years back(at that time they would not take a trade)..did buy an alumacraft( not sure if it was a particular dealer or the manufacturer) but i was unhappy with the workmanship(had always rode lunds prior to)..since have had ranger, mirrocraft, starcraft and crestliner..if i was looking 16 FOOT range..i would check out lockemans, crestliner, evinrude.....the service is probably as good as it gets in the boating industry...might be better we start a forum for GOOD BOAT DEALERS(There will be few):rolleyes:


+1 on Lockemans..... But I am friends with both their sons.. their service after the sale is top notch....

Ed

[baitwell]

i bought an alumacrap from cabelas. I would never by this brand again and i certainly wouldn't purchase anything from cabelas. cabelas has very poor customer service, also your new boat will be rigged by a $8 hour kid with less than two months experience. also my salesmen Tom Taylor told me the incorrect info on first service after break in. beware all sales person are full of it!!!