I'm thinking about buying a bass boat at Fred Hall's. Can anybody give me some feedback about what they are fishing and how pleased/displeased they are with their boat and dealer? I would really appreciate it. The dealer that sold me my runabout(just about worthless for bassin) is a total yo-yo. I don't want to make the same mistake twice.

Brian

NoTrollMotor

For a start, peruse the topics at the Bass Fishing Home Page's Boats & Motors forum: http://www.wmi.org/bassfish/bassboard/boats_motors/index.html

You'll find lots of great discussions and feedback about the various brands of bass boats and motors.

Well they say that a man is happiest the day he buys and the day he sells his boat. There are a lot of things to consider here.One of the main reasons I chose the boat I have was resale. I had a 21 foot Winner with a 200 black max that I had bought for $11,000 used many years ago and I for various reasons wanted to change. I too went to the Fred Hall show and basically there are two boats in California with name recognition...Ranger and Champion....This was 3 years back and there was no Triton then. I went with the Champion because it looked like it would be easier to maintain by me. By this I mean wash/wax..etc. The console on the ranger looked like a pain to maintain. I have a 187 Champion elite with a 150 Optimax. There's the second part of the equation ....Motor. I went with the optimax because I don't trust this state not to do some foolish prop whatever and kill off the whole industry because of emmission stuff. At the time this was scary because it was the first year for the optimax. I will tell you that I LOVE this motor because it is quite,economical,and doesn't burn a bunch of oil. No more clouds of blue smoke! Now this is just my slant on stuff and I really like the Ranger and the Triton they are exceptional boats. I've been in them and they are sweet. I am bummed that champion went under but it has been bought by the same company that makes about 8 other boats one of which is Ranger so it is expected to be back in business as soon as they can do all the chapter whatever/legal stuff. I don't think this will harm the resale on these boats as they aren't gone just under new management. Now I don't know what type of fishing you do but bass boats don't troll for trout very well and you may want to consider Getting an aluminum "Tracker comes to mind" boat. The upkeep is less and the cost. And when it comes to the motor, These new 4 strokes that are out.....Those you can do anything with. Troll all day. It's tough to buy a used boat because of the way things work at the bank. Financing a big expensive boat that's not very old becomes more difficult because you can't stetch out the payments like a new one but there are very high quality used stuff out there, Right after the show there is a glut. When your at the show ask for a test drive. I was driven down to the harbor and drove a new boat with Cary Skerlew and was much impressed with the way Rick Glover at Anglers Marine took care of me. Now I like my optimax but stay away from the Johnson ficht they are trouble. I have never herd of a bad Yamaha or Honda for that matter. This is my .02 cents ....I don't want to offend any other boat/motor makes I'm just happy with my Champion and I know that there are tons of other boats out there I just am always worried that in light of the 911 thing that luxuary items are the first thing to crash and burn in a bad economy and will that company still be around. I think the only things that break on boats are the things you bolt on....I Love my Motorguide trolling motor and I always had a minkota but I changed my mind And the motor guide seems a bit more bullet proof. Work out the whole package with your dealer including your electronics...I use Lorance x-65 up front and a x-85 in dash...In retrosepect I should have reversed that but I always can ...I only wish they didn't glass the transducers into my hull as they sometimes cross talk in shallow water and aren't a sensitive. Well gotta get back to work...
Kelly

that is unless you like getting walked all over. I would try Stanton Marine or anyone else but AA. Sorry, but I've been there and done that.

I didn't want to go here but...STANTON MARINE???? You can't be serious! I'll bet I've got ten bad stories to your ONE about Angler's Marine! I have never been treated bad at Anglers, I'm sorry you had a bad experiance "obviously" But Ventura is no place to be buying or selling a boat. Ask Fran Buse the president of the Santa Barbara Bass Club about his new boat....Or Chris Honigs about trying to sell the boat he bought from Sigh "spelling error I'm sure". Bad karma has a way of biting one in the a** and the service department there is deplorable I take mine to Lompoc " Lundys Landing" another place that gets kudos in my book. Sorry!!!!! Your opinion is yours and I should not jump any person who bothers to post a reply and I'm sure you have your reasons....I personally just can't stand Stanton Marine and will always avoid it like the ....Sorry! Hey I'm glad they treat you well and I hope you continue your relationship as it is always good to keep the locals working. I'm sure I might get better deals on stuff that is sold at Hook,Line& Sinker in Santa Barbara but Shin and I go way back.....I guess what we are both trying to say to the guy looking for bass boay advice is....LET THE BUYER BEWARE! Be careful because nobody looks out for numero uno like Uno! again sorry you are allowed your .02 cents Muskeyman......Have you ever caught a Muskey? ....I always wanted to get one of those big boyz to chew but when your a native of Cal. it's a tough proposition.. Bye guys and I hope we all remember 2002 as the year we stuck the big ONE.

Kelly

I have caught some pretty good muskies in Ontario Canada but the panzies at the DFG won't even stock Hybrid Muskies (sterile) out here. What a shame. I have had some horrible experiences with the individual you mentioned which was why I posted. I have to get some tips from you on the big baits though. I still need to get the MS Slammer, anywhere local to Orange County where I can get one ? I also found, well not really found but noticed something really killer on one of the local bodies of water today. They were stocking tiny trout, I mean 8-10 inchers and they were totally disoriented like I have never seen before. Man was it cool.

Man that must set your pulse a rockin. Those trout aren't gonna last 10 seconds in combat. I buy a lot of my big baits online and have them shipped. However, umaxco.com is in Long Beach and they have Slammers,Ospery's,Generic Trout and most of the neat stuff. I guess I'll have to settle for the baracuda here in Santa Barbara for my muskey thrills. Phone number at umaxco is 562-434-7925 I am usually talking to Cher and I believe her brother owns the place and he has a brother in Japan so he gets some interesting stuff in.

Dave, give me a call.Chris.

Your theme seems to have gotten lost here. If I were you, I would go with any of the major brands that fit your fishing style. Ranger, Triton, or whatever. The one big piece of advice I would give though, is to go with a 4 stroke motor, since California is nuts. You will be pleased with your choice. They are quiet, fuel efficient and require less maintenence. For God's sake and your own sanity, stay away from OMC outboards.

what is wrong with omc motors? i've got a fourty on my crestliner. seems to be a good motor.

Hope you don't need any major repairs on it as parts are hard to come by. My 200 Veneom has been in the shop since early January waiting for lower unit parts.

Fred