Buying Used Boat... Need Advice!

[TeamAmerica]

I love buying boats with other peoples money! Your budget is a little tight given the current market. There was a sweet old Champion fish n ski on TBH classifieds recently that would have been a great starter family boat. If you finance an older boat, the interest rate is going to be HIGH!

Look at center console in a 20 foot (Xpress) or fish n ski (like a Ranger Reata with a Yamaha). I would probably stick with Mercury or Yamaha and don't buy anything without a lake test (period).

[rvd]

I found an extremely clean 2009 Skeeter SL 180 with a 150HP Yamaha V-Max at local dealer for about $17k. That type of both looks like it would work and it's not a budget buster.

Also found an extremely nice 2016 Epic 21 SC (totally unfamiliar with this brand) for $30k with an Evinrude E-Tech HC 135HP. Hummingbird Helix 7, Minn Kota Riptide 80LB, Power Pole 8FT, jack plate, leaning post, ladder, rod holders, stainless prop, livewell, etc.... This one is pushing my budget to the max.

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Hard pass on the epic, how many hours on the Yami/skeeter?

[Pineywoods]

I love buying boats with other peoples money! Your budget is a little tight given the current market. There was a sweet old Champion fish n ski on TBH classifieds recently that would have been a great starter family boat. If you finance an older boat, the interest rate is going to be HIGH!

Look at center console in a 20 foot (Xpress) or fish n ski (like a Ranger Reata with a Yamaha). I would probably stick with Mercury or Yamaha and don't buy anything without a lake test (period).

Yep I was too late on that Champion. That was a deal. I am looking into the Ranger Reatta.

Hard pass on the epic, how many hours on the Yami/skeeter?

Not sure on the hours yet on the Skeeter. The dealer is close to my house so I am going to stop by and talk to them. I would feel better about buying a used boat from a dealer versus most individuals. That dealer is known to be picky about the used boats they broker and they come with a limited warranty of some sort. I need to find out more. Just curious... why the hard pass on the Epic? Not good boats? or just too high of a price?

[.243 WSSM]

Good luck with the boat search. Be careful about financing more stuff. I believe you said you already bought a new truck and now a new car for the wife. If you get a 30k boat like you mentioned it's easy to get swallowed up in debt so the safer bet might be paying cash you can live without now on a lesser boat model and not possibly getting in a bind in the future.
Either way hope it works out for you and good luck with the boat search

[rvd]

Yep I was too late on that Champion. That was a deal. I am looking into the Ranger Reatta.



Not sure on the hours yet on the Skeeter. The dealer is close to my house so I am going to stop by and talk to them. I would feel better about buying a used boat from a dealer versus most individuals. That dealer is known to be picky about the used boats they broker and they come with a limited warranty of some sort. I need to find out more. Just curious... why the hard pass on the Epic? Not good boats? or just too high of a price?

I’ve known two people who bought Epics new that had a lot of issues from the beginning, none of which were covered under their “life time warranty”. I’m sure there are epic’s out there that have held up fine but they are not very well thought of on the coast, which is a pretty good indicator of a boat’s resiliency, meaning if it holds up on the coast it should be adequate for inland use. If you go look at it, press on the hull in a few places and see how much flex it has.

[Pineywoods]

I’ve known two people who bought Epics new that had a lot of issues from the beginning, none of which were covered under their “life time warranty”. I’m sure there are epic’s out there that have held up fine but they are not very well thought of on the coast, which is a pretty good indicator of a boat’s resiliency, meaning if it holds up on the coast it should be adequate for inland use. If you go look at it, press on the hull in a few places and see how much flex it has.

Gotcha. Thanks. That's why I asked. Appreciate the heads up.

[Rubberdown]

If those 2 were my choices I would buy the epic, but in all honesty would keep looking.

There is a reason those walk thru windshield bass boats aren’t made any longer.

In theory they made since, but didn’t do fishing or skiing great.

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Epics are junk. I wouldn’t expect one to last the test of time.

They still make the walk through windshield boats and they are quite popular.

[Rubberdown]

https://www.rangerboats.com/fiberglass/fish-n-play/reata.html

[Mayhem]

Epics are junk. I wouldn’t expect one to last the test of time.

They still make the walk through windshield boats and they are quite popular.

I can’t tell you the last time I’ve seen a newer boat on the lake with a walk thru windshield that didn’t say mastercraft or Malibu on it. I know they are popular up north and in the mid west just don’t see many of them in these parts.


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[Big Lee]

discussions.texasbowhunter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=805408


look no further than here.

[Smeone]

EPIC boats are extremely poorly built and their customer service is horrid....avoid at all cost

[Rubberdown]

I can’t tell you the last time I’ve seen a newer boat on the lake with a walk thru windshield that didn’t say mastercraft or Malibu on it. I know they are popular up north and in the mid west just don’t see many of them in these parts.


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That’s because they aren’t cool like a bass boat or a wakeboard boat. Metal flake is where it’s at. I’m like a moth to a flame when I see a metal flake bass boat glittering in the sun.

[Quackerbox]

A 2016 epic would be around the first year built. Then, don't forget evinrude is gone

Like mayhem, I'd skip both those boats. But it ain't my money

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[CaptainDave]

For that price range, I'd look for an older center console bay boat in the 21 to 23 foot range that has newer power behind it. I'm not talking about custom builders either. Just your standard production boats, such as Pathfinder, Bluewave, Scout, SeaHunt, Tidewater, Kenner, etc. I'm sure I left many off that list. Most of these fiberglass hulls last a long time. An older Whaler is also a great option, but they are proud of them; not just for durability, but there's kind of a cult following for them.

Power/speed is also overrated. Many boats that used to be fit with a 150-200 HP motors now have 250's. Going 50 + on a large lake or open bay system isn't even in the cards on a lot of days.

Although an 18 foot boat is doable, getting a bit over 20 is just more comfortable. Not only for space, but ride comfort.

[Pineywoods]

X2 on this Josh

I really like your boat Mike. I just haven't seen many used and the ones I find they are proud of.