Hello Tim!
In a message to Rick Frampton  Tim Morgan wrote:
TM> The best thing that you can do is go to boat shows and look
TM> at all the boats in one place. That way it is easier to make
TM> comparisons. For example, you can sit in the seats in one
TM> boat and then go right to the next and then back again if
TM> you want too. You may not realize something on a boat is a
TM> problem until you see another with a better setup right
TM> beside it.
Should I choose to go the route of a new boat, this is definitely
the -only- way to go.
With the season coming to an end up here in New England, I was
hoping to locate a quality newer, used boat being sold at a reasonable
price. I've seen numerous bass boats listed ranging from $3000
(for 17-18 ft. aluminum) and $3500 (15 ft fiberglass) to $19,000
for fully decked out 1995 20 ft. fiberglass. Preferrably I would
like to find the proverbial "top-o-the-line cream-puff," a 1988-1992
that was owned by a little old lady who only used it one Sunday a
month on her son's farm pond, with a selling price based on it's
age and not it's condition. :)
(But, as my luck would have it... her paperboy would beat me to
it and get it for ten dollars down and ten a month.)  :(
The main reason I questioned you in regard to this matter was
that I did not want to overlook an obviously good offer due to
my lack of knowledge.
TM> The only boat I have ever heard anything bad
TM> about are Skeeters. They seem to have problems with their
TM> hulls quite a bit.
Just the type of info I was looking for.
TM> Ranger makes a top of the line boat, but
TM> there are others that make good boats also.
I agree, but like "Skeeter" (who I thought was said to have a
good design) are other well known manufacturers with similar
problems. Since I am at the bottom of the learning curve I
decided to rely on people, like yourself... with prior boating
knowledge, to point me in the right direction in which to start
my search.
TM> Go out to a boat
TM> ramp and talk to people about their boats before you go to
TM> the show. Ask them about their boats and "if they will do
TM> anything differently with their next boat purchase." -(If
TM> you word it this way I think you will get more honest
TM> answers.)
This is a good point, although in my area it does have some
drawbacks. The main one being... there are "some" bass boats in
my area, but they are not as common as they would be in your
area.  I have done exactly what you've mentioned on several
occasions and found that to be helpful.
TM> Jamie Adams had a good idea when he called the
TM> factory where they made the boat he was interested in
TM> buying. Just from talking to them you never know what
TM> information you might pick up. Some boat dealers will even
TM> take you out for a test ride.
Yes... that is next on my "things to do list."  I've yet to sit
down and mail/call for the brochures from the various
manufacturers.
TM> I am about to purchase a Cajun 21' fish and ski combo with a
TM> 200hp Johnson myself. I am going to do equal bass fishing
TM> and skiing so I came to the conclusion that a combo boat
TM> would fit my needs the best. I like the Cajun because they
TM> took the time to actually design a combo boat and not just
TM> take a bass boat with a different windshield and call it a
TM> combo boat. They also use fleet pricing where everyone gets
TM> the same price with NO negotiations. If I was going pure
TM> bass boat then I would look at other boats as well though.
I guess I'm fortunate in that respect. I only have to look for a
boat with one set of variables and not two, as you do with the
fish & ski.
TM> What size boat are you thinking about?
Originally I considered a 15-16 foot boat, but after seeing an
aquaintence of mine and his friend, both with full complements
of gear, on the 15 footer... I decided an 18 ft. boat should
meet/exceed my future needs.
Thanks for taking the time to reply... your input is appreciated.
Rick
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