SCLakes.com

I am in the market for a boat that I will use the trolling motor 90-95% of the time. I live on a small 210 acre lake and it has a speed limit of 15 MPH. I generally fish alone so I would like a single console with as much room on the casting deck as possible so I can store and lay out my rods. The main engine would strictly be for getting to my dock if bad weather comes up. I most likely will only trailer the boat for maintanance and the boat will be in the water all year long.

My wife says spend $18,000 and buy a brand new Bass Tracker with a small 4 stroke motor ( 25-50 HP) because I had one years ago and it was fine. My issue with a Bass Tracker is it will come with entry level electronics, and are really not built as well as some of the used boats out there.

My challenge is I see some nice used boats with huge casting decks, great electronics, and many bells and whistles but they all have 150-250 HP motors, which I really do not need.
I figure before or after Christmas, some people will need cash money and need to sell their boats and I may be able to pick up a great deal.

What advice would you give me?

Thanks everyone

If you are paying cash then find a solid used boat and upgrade the electronics.
You can go wrong that way. Worst case in a few years you put a new motor on it.

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One tequila, two tequila, three tequila, floor.....

This:
http://www.sclakes.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16906

Then add your own electronics ...... however big or expensive outboard you want ..... and upgrade the TM if you desire.

I think you could EASILY have a really nice bass boat that would be PERFECT for fishing a small body of water like that ............. and possibly have it nicely rigged out for about $3000 TOTAL !!!!!

Just my 2 cents ....... and I want to sell a boat, LOL !!!!!