What boat to get under $5,000.....my 1st boat purchase...HELP!!

[fonz58]

I would like to get a used boat that is reliable. My budget is $5,000 after making any necessary repairs and upgrades. I primarily fish for walleye, northerns, and panfish and would like to be able to use on medium sized lakes like Cutfoot Sioux, The Horseshoe Chain etc.

would like 40 to 60hp motor. 16 foot or less. Would prefer aluminum boat, v-hull, NOT flat bottom boat. Should be a wider boat so that it's stable when my father (older fat guy) is rocking it around. Lots of storage space especially for rods. Split screen dual council would be nice but not necessary. Reliable trailer also important.

Prefer a bowmount trolling motor. Well these are the things that i THINK i would like or need, but i've found out that you all have a LOT more knowledge and experience than I might have, so i'm looking for opinions and advice so that when i purchase my FIRST boat, I can make as few mistakes as possible. Thank you!!!

[garytheguide]

look valv up on things to sell ....he is a good fm guy and a good guy who can get deals

[PerchJerker]

You should post this in the Equipment or Open Water forums, you'll get way more people to see it that can help you out.

At that price range you will definately want to buy from a private party, not a dealer, since your money will go a LOT farther. Also, I see you're in St. Cloud. I think as a general rule you will have better luck finding more boat for your money outstate than in the large metro areas.

Since you'll be looking at an older motor I would strongly consider having a leak down test done on it for compression before you buy. In general outboards last for a long time but you want to make sure you didn't get one that ran hot due to water pump problems or ran too lean on oil.

I can't really help with specifics of what's available in that price range, but I think good candidates if you want a tiller boat would be smokercrafts or sylans with 40 hp tillers, maybe alumacrafts and lunds but they are likely to be pricier.

Good luck and try to be patient for the right deal, there's lots of good used boats out there if you take your time looking.

[nofishfisherman]

boat for sale

This is posted in the for sale forum. Might be close to what you are looking for.

[Willy]

You should be able to find a pretty good boat in that price range. You'll probably have to go back a few years to do it though. I kinda doubt you'll be able to find a dual console rig for that money, unless you buy a real old one.

Look for something in the 1988-94 range and I would say you could have a pretty nice rig.

I know you can find the older Lund Pro-V's, Alumacraft Competitors with say a 50-60hp motor or something similiar in that dollar range.3

Make sure of the motor before you buy anything though.

[ChuckN]

In 1999 I bought my first boat over 14' long. It was a 1988 Lund Stinger 1600 (16') tiller with a 40hp Johnson for $3500. I used it one year after I wanted to spend more time in tournaments, and sold it for more than I paid.

A great, simple boat for the money. I see these boats for sale all over the place.

Also have an '89 Lund Predator 1650 w/ 60hp Johnson in the family. Tough boat! You could definitely find one for under $5K.

But, a boat that is 16' or less is not going to have "a lot" of rod storage, or regular storage. You jump into the 16.5' to 17'+ sized boats you will find more storage IMO. The difference between my old Stinger and the Predator, the Predator had TWICE the storage for only 1/2' more of boat!!

[walleye_guy18]

if I was you I would go older on the boat and newer on the motor if possible. It seems like alot of the older lunds and crestliners really hold up well over the years. I bought an 82 crestliner superhawk 16 last year with a 91 johnson 50hp on it for 3000 and love it. Plenty of stability and storage. Just keep your eyes open and most important DONT RUSH. (I know this sounds impossible) just take your time and a good deal will find its way to you, don't get a boat just to get one.

[NEANGLER]

Check the for sale board for the 89 Lund Pro Angler 16 Rebel Special. Completely loaded and ready to go and I think we could work it out. Does not need any repairs as I have done them all in the last year, the outboard runs like a champ(40hp). Give me your email on this or the For sale post and I will shoot you the pics.

[Fish On! Guide Service]

You could buy a brand new, non current 25 hp for around 2k and find a nice used aluminum V and trailer for 3k easily.