Buying a bass boat

J

JustDriem

New member
Hey guys

I have a 5.1m prestige rubber duck with 2 x 50hp yammie autolubes that i'm selling so that i can get myself a nice bass boat. I am looking to probably spend between 60-80k, so what should i be looking to get and what should i be staying away from. There are just so many different bass boats out there, that i don't want to end up going through several before i find the right one. Any recommendations and pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Regards
Justin
 
N

navrik

Member
At your price point I would keep a lookout for something like 'n 16ft Ruffnek Raker  X16 with at least a 90HP motor. There are couple variations with the same type of hull like the Lightning or the newer Bullet with a more modern top deck,

I recently got a Raker X16 and it handles rough water very well and is a nice an stable ride.

I did see a Venom with a 100HP Four Stroke Yammie today advertised  for just for R80K which I think is a good buy at that price.

Keep you eye on Gumtree and OLX and the Facebook page "Bass Junkie - New, Second Hand and Swop" for frequent adds.
 
J

Jafta1

Senior Member
I started off with a Dragonfly MK II and a 90 Mariner that was on the market till today. The boat was great for a year and a bit and then needed to be upgraded as you always have more tackle and you run out of space on a smaller boat. Just make sure you first take the boat for a test to the closest dam, test the trolling motor, test the batteries as well as deep cycle batteries are not cheap and then also make sure you get good fish finders as they are quite expensive nowadays with the R/$ rate. After the test on the dam, check if the boat is taking on water. Also test the aerator of the live well. Make sure the trailer is licensed as this is a nightmare to do after you bought the boat. Check boyancy certificate of the boat as this can also be costly to do. It is also a good idea to get a proper cover for the boat as it helps if you go fishing where you drive far on dirt roads. Not nice to first get the dust out of the boat before you can start fishing. Almost forgot, but also check the petrol tanks of the boat to make sure they have all the caps and release valves on the caps if the boat has 25 liter plastic tanks. Also ask for the last service date of the motor as you don't want to sit out fishing weekends while the motor gets serviced or repaired. Check the wheel bearings of the trailer as seized bearings on your way to or back from a fishing trip is not fun. Check the thread on the trailer tires and make sure that the spare tyre is also good. I might be a bit finicky but I've learned my lessons and one is sometimes so keen to buy the boat that you do not think of small things and that can cause more pain than joy with your new toy or blow your budget. Rather pay a bit more for a well looked after boat than trying to score a bargain. Goedkoop koop is soms duur koop.
 
J

Jafta1

Senior Member
I started off with a Dragonfly MK II and a 90 Mariner that was on the market till today. The boat was great for a year and a bit and then needed to be upgraded as you always have more tackle and you run out of space on a smaller boat. Just make sure you first take the boat for a test to the closest dam, test the trolling motor, test the batteries as well as deep cycle batteries are not cheap and then also make sure you get good fish finders as they are quite expensive nowadays with the R/$ rate. After the test on the dam, check if the boat is taking on water. Also test the aerator of the live well. Make sure the trailer is licensed as this is a nightmare to do after you bought the boat. Check boyancy certificate of the boat as this can also be costly to do. It is also a good idea to get a proper cover for the boat as it helps if you go fishing where you drive far on dirt roads. Not nice to first get the dust out of the boat before you can start fishing. Almost forgot, but also check the petrol tanks of the boat to make sure they have all the caps and release valves on the caps if the boat has 25 liter plastic tanks. Also ask for the last service date of the motor as you don't want to sit out fishing weekends while the motor gets serviced or repaired. Check the wheel bearings of the trailer as seized bearings on your way to or back from a fishing trip is not fun. Check the thread on the trailer tires and make sure that the spare tyre is also good. I might be a bit finicky but I've learned my lessons and one is sometimes so keen to buy the boat that you do not think of small things and that can cause more pain than joy with your new toy or blow your budget. Rather pay a bit more for a well looked after boat than trying to score a bargain. Goedkoop koop is soms duur koop.
 
R

Ryan

Sealiner
http://pretoria.olx.co.za/bass-boat-harrier-fibercraft-130hp-yamaha-iid-834321568

I bough my 2nd bass harrier earlier this year - these are awesome boats - tough as nails and quick.

I recognize this boat I stand under correction but I believe it belongs to Dicky Egan - if it does it is a worthwhile buy
 
J

JustDriem

New member
Thanks guys for the advice::slr:: Another question, I see some boats are very shallow and others deeper, do these shallow boats take on water if the wind picks up?? I fish some really big dams on my duck and sometimes the wind pumps and I think what the hell would I do if I was on a very low to the water bass boat?!? Thanks again guys
 
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