Are there any good sites besides boattrader.com, craigslist.com and westernbass.com for finding used bass boats?

Hey Sacto John, don't know if you know this one, but a cool trick with craigslist is to search all the listing using google. Go to google, and type in:

site:craigslist.org keyword

Where keyword is whatever you are interested in. It will search listing in all cities that way. So you could search for something like

site:craigslist.org ranger boat 520

can I use that same search to find the cash I would need to buy the boat once I found it? :+

Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what have-yous

Champion is a good choice. I have a 1998 187 with a 175 and for its size can keep on par with the Big Boys. I fish Clear Lake alot and it does real well in the rough stuff. But the most important thing about buying a used boat and dont forget this, no matter how good the deal seems make sure the motor has a warranty. If your looking at spending that much money on a used boat you could be spending that much more money on a new motor. When your buying a used boat your not buying the boat your buying the motor. So just be carefull and Good Luck.

1st off let me say that driver can make all the difference in the world when it comes to the way a boat "appears" to handle rough water. Cam and I have both had our boats a very long time, I bet if we switched boats you would notice a totally different ride. judging a boat with someone else driving isn't really fair to the boat. Its also not like you can call someone and be all "hey its windy can I borrow your boat" Also its important to go with what feels comfortable for you as the driver.

I will add a few comments with a Lake rating, Rating rough water capabilities, top speed/ handling, fishability( rating 1-10) : Keep in mind these are just my opinions.

Triton: This has to be the most difficult boat to learn to drive properly. Even Ranger Pro Staff that have moved to Triton will admit this. Once you learn to drive the boat it is one of the best all round boats for speed and rough water, but not the best in either category.
Lake Rating:
Rough water capabilities- 6
Top speed/ handling- 8
Fishability- 8

Nitro: I have been a Nitro hater for years. The last few years they have really came around. Felix's boat is not even in the same league as the new Nitro. They have the wide flippin type deck you seem to like on the Champ, but even bigger. the boat is very wide, that hurts your top end speed. Being extra wide makes it a good rough water boat and appears to be very dry. Would I own one no, but it is not the same Nitro's I use to rag on.
Lake Rating:
Rough water capabilities- 7
Top speed/ handling- 5
Fishability- 8

Basscat: great top end speed boat and handles great. I don't recall what year and model Mark has. This is a decent rough water boat. I have never cared to much for the layout and narrow front for fishing.
Lake Rating:
Rough water capabilities- 7
Top speed/ handling- 8
Fishability- 5

Ranger: You know I am very biased to Ranger so will not rate or comment. I only will say this is a drivers boat, not as much as a Triton. You really will notice a difference is drivers. Boats have a sweet spot and Rangers can vary with in the same model.

Champion: Solid top end speed and a solid rough water boat. Champs seem to wobble a bit side to side when fishing. Storage isn't the greatest lay out IMO.
Lake Rating:
Rough water capabilities- 8
Top speed/ handling- 7
Fishability- 6

Skeeter: If they could find a way to keep this over powered lightweight boat in the water when its rough, they would have something. Top speed in no chop is decent if the driver can keep it from walking. I actually like the way it fishes and is laid out.

Lake Rating:
Rough water capabilities- 5
Top speed/ handling- 6
Fishability- 8

Remember this is just 1 fishermans opinion. I know we all love the boats we have.

I have only been in a few boats, but a boat to not overlook is Hydra Sport. They don't make bass boats anymore, so you can only find used ones, but they are awesome boats for rough water. My Z-260 handled the 3-4 foot waves at Clear Lake over Labor Day with no problems. Granted I wasn't running 60 mph, but 35 mph in a 16'-4" with those waves is not bad. Just my opinion.

John - thanks for the honest feedback and for taking the time to write it up. I appreciate it.

I'm searching boattrader.com earlier this week and come across a funky little ad at the end of the listings for Z520's. Here's the ad:

2008 Ranger Z520, 2008 Ranger Z520 w/ Yamaha 250 Series 2. Yamaha warranty thru 2014!!! You will not find another 2008 any cheaper with these options: Humminbird 1197c, Humminbird 967c, HotFoot, 8" Bob's Hydraulic Jackplate w/LED readout at the dash, "Blinker" style trim tabs/jackplate tabs at steering wheel, tilt steering wheel, padded front deck, MinnKota 101 36v trolling motor w/lift assist, MinnKota 15 amp 4 bank onboard charger, 4 AGM batteries, livewell pumpouts, LED lighted storage compartments and livewells, KeelGuard, and much more!!!Never had any damage to hull or engine , never been sunk !! Perfect condition . Thanks for looking!! $29000, 6505873846

So I'm interested especially at $29k, but scratching my head a little over the "never been sunk!!" comment. I call the phone number and its disconnected. On a whim, I send an email to the seller via boattrader.com's form.

Two days later I get 18 photos of the boat along with a short message

Rob, the boat is in perfect condition , never had any damage to hull or engines .Here are some additional photos . Please let me know if you are interested and we could make a deal .

The photos look good, the boat is white with gray pinstripes and all the accessories listed are shown in the photos. The photos don't look like Foster City, they look like North Carolina or something. The boat is shown coming out of a carport on a huge grassy field with a long driveway. The email is sent at 3:20am.

So I email back and ask to set up a test drive this weekend. I suggest going and launching out of Big Break. Still slightly skeptical but figuring maybe this is some rich guy wanting to get rid of a boat or something. Last night, I get this email around midnight:

Rob , I am currently at my mother's place in Melbourne and i will stay here for a while ( my father just passed recently and i can't leave my mother alone right now ). If you are serious about getting my boat and you have the funds available I can send you the boat to test and inspect for 5 days with no problem ( i will pay for the shipping fees ) .I have a friend who works for DAS shipping and he can offer me a great deal with them .The boat is already setup to go , i just have to give them the address where to deliver the boat.In case you don't want it after the 5 days of tests and inspections ( which I'm sure it will not happen because is a gorgeous boat and works just perfect ) you will have to send it back ( also on my expense ) there is no problem with that and i will not get mad at you or something like with that .Let me know if you would like to proceed with this and i will start making the arrangements with DAS.

P.S Title , keys , bill of sale , user manual and all the other documents are with the shipping company which will guide you and help you register the boat under your name if you decide to purchase it .They have my signature on the documents and are well instructed what to do .

Regards
Jan

At this point the red flags have multiplied past the point of reason. Nico looked at it a little closer and found that the same person Jan Paskal (fake name for sure) has done this before, see:

http://www.2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/showthread.php?p=2200353

More from Craigslist on this topic:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/about/scams

SCAM!

Rob,
Good eye! I'm guessing that with the next email when you say you are interested is where he asks you for some money up front.

Are you going to take it to the next step just to see what happens?

Nah. While it would be amusing I'm over it.

If you want to read something really funny, go to craigslist, click on best of craigslist, then search for the nigerian scammer post. It will bring you to tears laughing :)