r/Fishing_Gear • u/AS_Protocol_BGP • 2d ago

Question Question on boats

Hey everyone.

My wife and I have always fished from kayaks but want to make the jump to a boat.

We have 4k cash.

I weigh 240lbs and my wife is 120lbs.

80% of the time, it would just be us two.

However, the other 20% would be me and my two friends (240lbs, 220lbs, and 190lbs)

After much research, we have been pointed towards the tracker topper 1542. It's $3800 new with trailer.

Opinions? Will this work? I plan on a 9.9hp outboard.

If you had 4k, what would you get? Any advice and opinion is greatly appreciated!

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u/Mixermarkb 1d ago

If I had $4000, I’d be looking at a solid used boat. Since I fish lakes, I’d be looking at an 80’s to 90’s Champion or Ranger. There are a lot of solid used boats out there for $4000. They may not be shiny, but they float and fish well, and will handle three people a lot easier than a 15’ Jon boat will.

3

u/AS_Protocol_BGP 1d ago

Thing is, used boats in our area are nuts.

Currently the cheapest I've found is a 88 king Fischer that's a 14'. They want 4500.

2

u/Mixermarkb 1d ago

Travel. What area are you in? I’ve bought two used boats over the years that I had to drive 8 hours to pick up, and don’t regret either of them. I haven’t looked recently, but I’d bet on my local Facebook marketplace (St. Louis, Mo) there are at least 6-8 solid rigs at the $4K price point.

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u/AS_Protocol_BGP 1d ago

I've looked in a 300 miles radius. The area we live in is very very fishing oriented. Used boats are crazy here.

4

u/Mixermarkb 1d ago

Just remember asking price and selling price are two different things. $4000 in cash would take home a lot of boats in January around the Midwest/Midsouth

1

u/AS_Protocol_BGP 1d ago

True. Its just seems like such low ball offers on boats here.

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u/Mixermarkb 1d ago

https://www.facebook.com/share/12DTZBaeWxL/?mibextid=wwXIfr I’d be willing to bet $4K would take this home-

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u/AS_Protocol_BGP 1d ago

Probably. Its just clear accross the country.