Boat buying question

[outdoor junkie]

Looking to invest in my first new fishing boat. Looking to get something set up mainly for fishing but can also be used from timt to time for tubing and skiing(gotta make it look good to the wifey). Just wondering if anyone has a dealer that they really like and have treated them fair. Went to a place in my area and they were not very helpful or pleasant because I didn't want the $40,000 ranger. So I told them forget it, I'll go elsewhere.:mad: thanks guys.

[thedude]

if i can offer some advice....
if you want a bass-style boat... buy a used one. lightly used... but i've seen some ridiculously good deals on nice bass rigs that are 2-5 years old... like 30-50% less than sticker.... you can have a 45k ranger for 25k or a 25k ranger 15k..... and get plenty of years of use out of it. I'm still kicking myself for buying a new boat 5 years ago... could have gotten so much more for the same price.

[chamookman]

Go see the folks at Chapmans Sport Center in Davison. They carry Lund - Crestliner - Starcraft. Bought My last two boats from them. C-man

[fishinmachine2]

Go see the folks at Chapmans Sport Center in Davison. They carry Lund - Crestliner - Starcraft. Bought My last two boats from them. C-man

:yeahthat: I second this. I bought my Lund there and they will take good care of you!!

Scott

[KI Jim]

I will third the Chapmans recommendation. I bought my big Lund there 2 years ago. Dealt with Dale himself. Really nice guy even if he's not trying to close a sale. They also took good care of me after.

Other than that, look for a used-2-4 years old boat. They should be really hitting the market over the next few weeks. Should be able to find a great deal on something pretty nice.

Jim

[Flash]

Last year I was kind of in this position - wanting my first fishing boat. Asked here for advice and received multiple recommendations to think used. Luckily stumbled on a Fish/Ski right here in the classifieds and couldn't be happier. Great little fishing boat, plus can pull double duty as a cruiser tooling around the lake with the Mrs.

I ended up with a very well taken care of 16' Starcraft 160 SS. Open bow, full set of covers/curtains, trailer, canvas cover, depth/fish finder, Mercury 40hp 2 stroke, etc. As others have said, the used market has some great opportunities if your are looking.

:coolgleam

[Icecreep]

Wonderland Marine West. Lowe makes a solid boat, theres a reason you see lots of them on the water throughout the Great Lakes Region, thousands less than a Lund but still a quality boat. http://www.loweboats.com/Page.aspx/pageId/758/Fish-And-Ski.aspx

[Todd Steele]

was looking in the paper today and there is a 2000 bayliner trophy 22 ft. long with a 120 merc with extras $15,000
www.thetimeshearld.com (http://www.thetimeshearld.com)

for a small alumium boat go to bass pro shops but what ever boat you buy get the biggest motor on it you can...biggest misstake people make.

If you are looking for a bass boat I have a TR-21 Triton I will sell you for $25,000 P.M me if you are intrested...
www.toddsteelefishing.com (http://www.toddsteelefishing.com)