TIPS & TECHNIQUES
PRESENTED BY
FISH ON BASS ANGLERS
Author: Tim Miles – 2004 FOBA Tournament Director
Photos: Author
Editor: Eric P. Remian –Editor, Tips & Techniques
There
comes
a
time
in
every
non-boater’s
life
when
he’s
had
enough
of
fishing
behind
the
guy
in
the
front
of
the
boat.
And
why
not,
the
boater
has
the
advantage
ninety
percent
of
the
time.
The
boater
decides
where
he
and
his
partner
are
going
to
fish.
He
has
first
shot
at
the
best
fish
holding
locations.
And,
as
a
result,
he
normally
places
higher
at
the
weigh-in.
The
non-boater’s
only
recourse
is
to
throw
the
boater
overboard
(not
recommended),
or
buy
his
own
boat.
Although
there
were
times
I
may
have
been
tempted
to
throw
my
boater
overboard,
I
decided
instead
to
take
the
plunge
and
become
a
boater
myself.
Becoming a boater did not happen overnight for me. I spent many months looking for the perfect boat before actually deciding on the model that I thought was right for me. During that time, I gathered a lot of data about many different types and models of boats. I spent a lot of time talking with current and former boat owners about the pros and cons of owning and maintaining a bass boat. I read countless magazine articles, talked with dozens of boat dealers, visited numerous boating Web sites on the Internet, and spent a lot of time looking at and climbing into different boats to get a feel for what I really wanted. I also spent a lot of time negotiating with my wife!
In this article I’ll try to explain how and why I purchased my new boat, as well as the process I followed in making my decision. You may find that some of my methods work for you, while others do not. You will ultimately have to decide for yourself if you are buying the right boat for you. But, I encourage you to take your time and do your homework before writing that check. In the end, you’ll feel much more confident about the decision you made.
Deciding What to
Buy
There are dozens of manufacturers that build literally hundreds of bass boats each year. There are aluminum bass boats, and there are fiberglass bass boats. There are vee hull bass boats that perform well in rough water, and there are jet boats that can run in as little as six inches of water. There are bass boats as short as 15 feet, and others that are over 21 feet in length. There are bass boats that you’d never think about running in brackish water, and there are bass boats that you can operate in coastal bays.
With all these choices, how does one decide what boat to buy? There are many variables that must be considered, including the type of water you will be fishing most often, the cost of ownership, storage location when not in use, length, and frequency of use, to name a few. Depending on who you are, some of these variables will be more important than others. Some may not concern you at all. There may be other factors that outweigh each of those listed above. You will have to determine what factors are most important to you, but I’ll share with you those variables that played a part in my decision.
Cost
If you’re anything like me, the thought of shelling out tens of thousands of dollars to buy a boat is as scary as telling your wife that you gave her favorite pair of shoes to the dogs! It’s not something that happens easily. Today’s bass boats can literally cost a small fortune depending on their size, hull materials, electronics, and options. So, before you do anything else, decide what you are willing to spend and stick to it.
Knowing how much you are willing to sacrifice for a boat will largely determine where you should look, and what you should be shopping for. For example, if you have a tight budget and you want to buy new, an aluminum boat may be your best bet. If you have a tight budget but you just have to have a fiberglass boat, consider a previously owned boat or a new model in the 15 to 17 foot range. However, if money is no object, buy the best boat and engine combination you can afford.
Setting
a
budget
for
yourself
up
front
will
save
you
a
lot
of
time,
energy,
and
heartache
in
the
long
run.
If
you
find
that
you
are
not
happy
with
the
type
of
boat
you
can
afford
on
your
budget,
wait
until
you
can
afford
the
boat
that
you
really
want.
Why
buy
a
boat
that
fits
your
wallet
but
doesn’t
suit
your
needs?
Buying
a
boat
that
you’re
disappointed
with
will
only
frustrate
you.
It’s
better
to
be
patient,
and
purchase
a
boat
that
will
bring
you
years
of
enjoyment.
Pros and Cons of Different Boats
Knowing where you will primarily be operating your boat
should play a significant role in determining what type of boat you buy. If you primarily fish for smallmouth bass on
the upper
As previously noted, most bass boats are either constructed from aluminum or fiberglass. Aluminum boats have advantages over fiberglass boats in some conditions and bodies of water; while fiberglass boats have advantages over aluminum boats in certain conditions and bodies of water. Let me explain.
Most aluminum boats manufactured today are lightweight, yet extremely durable. As a result, aluminum boats are perfectly suited for fishing in lakes, rivers, and reservoirs that contain many shallow underwater hazards, such as rocks, boulders and stumps. Because aluminum boats are sturdy, they will suffer little, if any, damage when they encounter one of the aforementioned obstacles. And, if you do happen to dent the hull, chances are you can pound out the dent with a rubber mallet without affecting the integrity of the hull.
Aluminum boats typically have flat-bottom hulls. This characteristic and the lightness of aluminum enable the boat operator to run his boat in extremely shallow water. While this may be a significant advantage to the boater fishing in a shallow river, this boater will pay a price when operating his boat in a large body of water where there are two-foot rollers. Not only do flat-bottom boats not perform well or offer much comfort in average to high seas, they are easily blown about by the wind. As a result, the operator will have a difficult time keeping his boat in position to fish when the wind picks up.
There are some manufacturers that construct aluminum boats that you can buy that have vee hulls. These boats look and act much like a typical fiberglass boat. But because they’re constructed of aluminum, and as a result lighter than fiberglass, they can be powered with an engine that is smaller than one required for a similar sized fiberglass boat.
A big, shiny fiberglass boat is every bass anglers dream. Who hasn’t watched the Bassmasters on ESPN2 and dreamed that he had one of those 21 foot boats with a 225 horsepower Mercury on the back? I know I have.
Fiberglass boats are on average heavier than aluminum
boats. This can be an advantage and a
disadvantage. Because fiberglass is
heavier than aluminum, a fiberglass boat rides lower in the water. Therefore, it can handle better in rough
water than its aluminum counterpart.
When fishing on large rivers like the
One of the advantages of fiberglass’ weight is also a disadvantage. As noted previously, fiberglass’ weight forces it to ride lower in the water column. This provides for a comfortable ride, but a fiberglass boat needs more water to operate in than an aluminum boat. I wouldn’t recommend running a fiberglass boat in six inches of water. If you do, you better have a good insurance policy.
Another disadvantage of a fiberglass boat’s weight is its tow-ability. Most aluminum boats can be easily towed by a passenger car or a light truck, you’ll need much more than that to pull a fiberglass boat. When I first purchased my Ranger boat, I thought that I could easily tow it with my V6 Jeep Cherokee. While this was certainly true on flat terrain, the Jeep struggled quite a bit towing the boat uphill. Also, the weight of my Ranger made it difficult to stop quickly, despite having surge breaks on my boat’s trailer. In the end, I had to upgrade my tow vehicle to a V8 truck. This was an unexpected expense that I could have done without.
Fiberglass boats are tough. They hold up well under difficult weather conditions and in rough seas. But, I wouldn’t want to run a fiberglass boat into a stump or boulder while running the combustion engine. Chances are you’ll crack the fiberglass, if not worse. Fiberglass boats can be difficult and costly to repair. Much more so than an aluminum boat. Therefore, one should exercise caution when running his/her boat in shallow, unfamiliar waters.
One advantage of a fiberglass boat is its ability to hold its value over time. While it is true that all boats, like cars, lose a good deal of their value when you leave the dealership, a fiberglass boat typically holds its value longer than most aluminum boats. Certain boat models hold their values better than others. These include larger boats, those over 18 feet, and those that have transferable lifetime hull warranties. In addition, if the boat sports an engine that has a transferable, extended warranty, the value of the boat will be that much more.
Where and How to
Buy Your Boat
But how and where does a prospective boater owner begin his search for the right fishing platform to suit his needs. First, you must determine whether you will buy a new or used boat. I considered buying a used boat for a while, but I ultimately decided against it. My primary reason for buying new was my desire to avoid buying someone else’s problem. While it’s true that many people treat their boats and engines better than they treat themselves, I wasn’t willing to take the risk of buying a boat that wasn’t well cared for. Buying new allowed me to know what I was getting into. Also, buying new enabled me to secure a full warranty on the boat and engine. In fact, the boat and engine I bought had free extended warranties that came with them. A used boat normally won’t come with these advantages. Sure, I could have saved a lot of money by buying used. But, the peace of mind that came with buying a boat and engine that had never been used by someone else was too much to pass up.
That’s
not
to
say
that
you
can’t
buy
a
used
boat
that
is
well
cared
for
and
in
good
shape.
There
are
plenty
of
well-maintained
used
boats
available
from
dealerships
and
individuals
that
are
offered
at
decent
prices.
If
you
decide
to
go
this
route,
just
make
sure
that
you
perform
a
thorough
inspection
of
the
boat,
engine,
and
trailer.
In
addition,
ask
the
seller
if
you
can
take
the
boat
to
an
objective
mechanic
to
perform
a
compression
test
on
the
engine.
If
he
declines,
you
should
look
for
another
boat.
Also,
make
sure
that
the
seller
has
a
complete
history
(including
receipts)
of
all
service
performed
on
the
boat,
engine,
and
trailer,
even
if
the
boat
owner
performed
the
maintenance.
If
he
can’t
produce
this,
you
should
be
very
suspicious.
One more thing to consider when buying a used boat is the location where the boat was stored. A boat stored is someone’s garage will typically be in better shape than a boat stored outdoors. Sun, wind, rain, and snow can deteriorate a boat’s finish and fixtures over time. These same natural elements can also damage an engine, particularly if water finds its way into the engine and then freezes.
Finally, make sure to take a used boat out for a test run
before you buy it. Ideally, you should
run the boat on the same waters where you’ll use the boat the most. If you expect to fish the
During the test drive, be sure to check out all the boats features, including the sonar, the trolling motor, and the combustion engine. Be sure to run the boat at top speed, as well as idle speed. And, don’t forget to check out the livewell and bilge pumps.
Buying a new boat can be just as interesting as buying a used boat. Take the time to determine what you want and what you can afford. One way you can learn about different boats is by attending a boat show. There you can climb onto and sit in different boats, as well as talk to boat manufacturers. You can also check out boat features and options, obtain pricing data, and get to know different dealers in your area.
Another way to learn about the different boat models that are available on the market is to join a bass club. This will give you the opportunity to ride in and fish from a variety of boats on a variety of waters. If the club you join is large enough, there will be enough different boats owned and operated by club members that you’ll get a feel for nearly every model and manufacturer there is. Keep mental or written notes of the boats you ride in, including their ability to handle different water conditions, their fishability, and their standard features. And, don’t hesitate to ask the boat owner questions regarding his or her likes and dislikes of the boat.
The Internet and magazines are another way to learn about different boats models and manufacturers. Each year publications like Bassmasters and Bass and Walleye Magazine print articles critiquing and comparing the latest and greatest in new boats. Internet sites like BassboatCentral.com offer lots of great information about new boats, as well.
Once you settle on a boat model and manufacturer, you’ll need to find a dealer that you can trust. Again, you can do this by attending boat shows. You can also use the phone book and the Internet to find a dealer that sells the boat you’re looking for. Finding a dealership is not as easy as it sounds. For one thing, certain boats might not be available in your area, and as a result, you might need to go quite a distance to buy the boat you want. Second, boat dealerships are not as widespread as car dealerships. There might be relatively few dealerships in your area. Or, worse, there might be one dealer that is a monopoly in your area. In either case, you might find it difficult to negotiate a good deal.
When I decided that I had to have a Ranger boat, I immediately began talking to all the Ranger dealers in my area. I discussed pricing, options, warranties, and delivery dates. To ensure I was getting the best deal I could, I contacted several dealers outside the immediate area to see what they were offering. To my surprise, I found a dealership that was 500 miles away that not only offered me an amazing price on everything I wanted, they offered me options that I thought I never could afford. They also secured a free extended warranty from Mercury on the engine I wanted.
Not only could the dealerships in this area not approach the price I was offered from this far-away dealer, they never made any attempt to discuss any options to improve the boat with me. Nor did the nearby dealerships offer to try to secure a free extended warranty on the engine. Instead, they told me that the extended warranty offer from Mercury would expire before the boat could be delivered. While this was true, the other dealership contacted Mercury and worked out a deal with them to ensure I received the extended warranty, even though the boat would be delivered long after the warranty offered expired.
In
the
end,
I
saved
thousands
of
dollars
by
going
500
miles
away
from
home
to
buy
my
boat.
I
feel
as
if
I
was
treated
fairly
and
honestly
by
the
dealer
I
chose,
while
I
don’t
think
I
received
the
same
treatment
from
the
dealers
in
this
area.
Being
treated
with
honesty
and
respect
was
extremely
important
to
me
during
my
buying
experience.
This
might
not
be
as
important
to
you,
but
there’s
no
better
way
to
ensure
you
get
the
best
deal
possible.
I’ve owned my boat now for over a year, and I can’t imagine how I ever fished without it. It took a while and some hard work to find the boat I wanted, but I eventually did. It also took some effort to find a dealer that I trusted enough to make a deal with, but I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another boat from them again in the future, even if they are 500 miles away.
I hope the tips I’ve offered here help save you some of the time and trouble I experienced while I searched for the perfect boat for me. The lessons I learned will certainly serve me well when I look to upgrade my boat several years from now. Now, if only my boat could help me win more tournaments!!