I Just Bought My First Bass Boat | Don't Make These Mistakes

[@dlaird8]

The most important thing with a used boat is the transom.

[@rdunbar7418]

transom and compression test

[@DLTJR1959]

Great buy on a great boat. I missed out on a 185 last Jan with old electronics. It was worth the 15.5K he was asking. Guy was honest. I found an 02 188 Champion Elite a guy had refurbished for his son with a 200 VMax EFI for 14.5K. Looks new, has some spider cracks but nothing structural. Like your I turn turns heads at the ramp. New carpet and a buffed top deck will do that. Transom was resealed and in good shape. So far I've bought a couple of newer graphs and repaired a water pressure gauge. After I add a spot lock on the front I will be into it for 19K and change. I figure I saved a ton over new like you. I'm old, retired, and wanted to get another last boat and not break the bank like you. You did well. Congrats.

[@toddniemann1921]

Before turning the key, put your hand on the cover and check for heat. Then pull the cover, check oil, leaks, etc and check for heat. Any engine that has been running will fire first time, it’s starting from cold that tells you a lot more.

[@variedterrainfishing]

Yes, I didn’t think to mention this. This motor however starts ultra fast as soon as I turn the key every time since I have had it. Thanks for watching

[@tonyschultz557]

Nice boat. I have a 2000 518VX. Great platform. Repowered mine with a 06 etec 200 HO. Going on 3 years no issues. Just do your scheduled maintenance on your motor and it will last you a long time.

[@competitivecombatsports9345]

I recently bought a 2004 Ranger 185VS, the 518 Comanche is a legend!

[@variedterrainfishing]

They were really really great boats then!

[@sm5976]

Gorgeous rig. You can’t go wrong with a Ranger. Mine is 24 years old. I recently repowered with a Merc Pro XS and people are asking me if it’s a new boat- that how well it’s held up and your looks the same. On the water every weekend. Hope you’ve enjoyed it this past year.

[@variedterrainfishing]

It was a great boat honestly! Its already gone back to Illinois for a high school kid!

[@anthonyiadarola1201]

Piece of advice … if you have the ends for a brand new boat with a 4 stroke motor on it buy one! I’ve owned 2 used bass boats with 2 strokes on them as the motors ran great but with that said they were temperamental at times and it was getting old chasing ghost problems

[@variedterrainfishing]

Advice taken! On the hunt for a new boat this year!

[@jordanelsholtz1515]

Great boat! Actually also just boat a 2002 ranger 518 svx as well! Great rigs, one of the best ranger hulls ever built. Not a absolute speed demon but with the right motor and propping you could get 70 out of them.

[@variedterrainfishing]

I’ve got to 65. I think there is more to squeeze. But I rarely have the water conditions for it thus far.

[@RIPSwithPHIPPS]

Great looking boat for the age. I recently just bought my first bass boat as well. 2007 Nitro 591. I had much the same experience as you did. Nice video, and i gave you a sub as well. Good luck on the water.

[@variedterrainfishing]

Excellent on your purchase! Thanks for watching and the sun! Much appreciated!

[@colbyhoward4621]

Nice looking boat! I would have passed due to the etec for 20K. I purchased a 2001 21ft boat with an evinrude that had similar hours. it blew after 16 hrs. Maybe user error, but I was running the same stuff as the prior owner. I would recommend, like you said, only use what that prior guy was using for oil and a high octane fuel, evinrudes need the best to perform well and not have issues. However, I would still budget for a repower in the future. the boat looks to be in great shape for the age. Great electronics and awesome trolling motor. You'll be very happy with those.

[@dlaird8]

The 518vx is one of the best 19ft boats ever made. The Etec was pretty much a 50/50 engine.

[@variedterrainfishing]

What do you mean by 50/50.

[@dlaird8]

@@variedterrainfishing You either got a lemon or a good one. The emm was the main problem with these motors.

[@tred9951]

Nice rig I went through the same process couple years ago I have the same motor on 2009 Stratos 294 pro xl no motor issues I run non ethanol and evinrude xd oil she’s fast I love it still turns heads if you need a evinrude mechanic look up Barry in Bastrop la he’s the evinrude guy who was on tour with pros he has a shop there some of the pros still use him great guy

[@variedterrainfishing]

Excellent advice! The motor is so quiet, starts immediately every time, gets on plane super fast, just great. Question for you, are you running a 4 or 3 blade prop on yours?

[@petejablowski2123]

You bought one of the best hulls ever made

[@variedterrainfishing]

Thanks for that. It handles very well. Rides smooth, handles most things very well!

[@rloera601]

What do you do when your friend son gives you a 1984 18’ Champion bass boat with Yamaha 150 with dead batteries? But you have been on the boat before. And this is my first boat

[@mattlord2906]

I just lost out on a boat on Craigslist. Was owned by a pro that won a new boat in a tournament. One of the electronics was a $3200 unit unused. And a $900 at the helm

[@variedterrainfishing]

Everything happens for a reason, just wasn’t meant to be. Hopefully you have gotten into one you love!

[@urbanothepopeofdeath]

no compression test on the engine? I was doing research about buying my 1st boat and most said it was a very important step

[@variedterrainhunting]

It was in the 97-99

[@ogles824]

Another lesson I recently learned is don’t buy one unless it has current electronics and trolling motor with spot lock if you want that on your rig. You can’t hardly find any of the new stuff and when you do it cost like crazy to buy it.

[@variedterrainfishing]

Great advice I didn’t think of. My dad waited a long long time for his 360 and livescope to become available.

[@ogles824]

We

[@riverpirate1022]

Decent video sir. Must be nice to have Ranger money, even used Ranger money lol.

[@variedterrainfishing]

I don’t understand this comment.

[@riverpirate1022]

@@variedterrainfishing Your video was decent, not bad, not great, room for improvement over time. You must have a lot of disposable income, Ranger boats are hella expensive, even used ones. Most of us can only dream of owning one of those for bass fishing. So many other boats even huge pleasure boats are way cheaper, it was a jealousy comment lol.

[@variedterrainfishing]

@@riverpirate1022 Thanks for watching man! I appreciate your feedback! I bought Bitcoin when it was really cheap!

[@proambass8027]

Question for ya, I have an 98 Evinrude Intruder 150hp 2 Stroke on a 88 374V (I take my old Ranger out weekly, you can see mine on my channel) and was told the opposite of what you mentioned in your video at 6:18. You mention to put a high octane gas in your boat...I was told that the higher octane makes your engine run hotter and to put the 88 octane in it but still from a quality place like Shell, 76 or Mobil etc. Is this just your opinion or did a mechanic tell you this? Even my Ranger manual says to put 88 in it. Thanks.

[@proambass8027]

Oh and obviously my 88 Ranger has been repowered with the 98 Rude which is why I'm asking because I read this in the Ranger manual which came with a different motor, I don't know what it originally had on it though.

[@variedterrainfishing]

This is what I heard. However, I have had a few folks in the business tell me,since I have had it, that the most important thing really here is to make sure it is a non ethanol gas. Unfortunately, some places have ethanol in their gas as a standard and they will offer a non ethanol in like. 91 octane. Not every place does this. But this is common to see. I would imagine an 88 non ethanol is perfectly fine.

[@itstrappy42e12]

Sick rig man

[@variedterrainfishing]

Thanks man!

[@highroadinc]

What did you pay for the boat? I just bought a 2000 Stratos 18’ with the 175 fast strike on it, single axle trailer. Nice boat a few gel coat cracks, motor runs great, needs carpet next year. I paid $4,100 for mine knowing I had a few items to fix down the road. Now if you paid $10,000 + for a garage kept nicer boat did you really come out ahead?

[@variedterrainfishing]

This was garage kept. 2012 motor, 2013 Trailer. Min Kota Ultrex , Hummingbird Helix 10 and 12. Boat cover. Paid 20k

[@emontgomery1234]

@@variedterrainfishing Great Price. In January of 2022 (this year) I purchased a 2002 Ranger 520 Commanche VX for $21K from Premier at the Lake. No Spot Lock, No Current Electronics. Love the boat. Mercury 225 Optimax

[@emontgomery1234]

And it came with original matching trailer with new tires.

[@variedterrainfishing]

@@emontgomery1234 dang! Well I’m selling it now! Currently for sale $19,900. Nothing wrong with it. Actually In better condition now! Just time to move forward and get a new one!

[@CHIPPOFISHING]

leaf springs, grab motor and wiggle it bow to stern look for movement or weakness in transom if a man will not take you out on the water for a test drive---RUN

[@dropanchor]

The Evinrudes are one of the best sounding motors. Great looking boat!

[@variedterrainfishing]

This one is pretty quiet. Thank you!

[@chrisbruce7594]

Don't ask the previous owner about what type of fuel they were running in it look up what the manufacturer recommends for it. The previous owner might not have been running the correct type

[@bigcountry4991]

This is this dudes first bass boat he don’t know much he’s still learning just talk what he said with a grain of salt if the transom is good the motor is good she don’t take on water buy it

[@kurtheidelbach]

Missing some of the main ones. Have the actual engine hours pulled from the engine itself by yourself not an hour meter and have a compression test done. You are primarily buying an engine when you buy a boat for the main investment. Also, when buying a boat with an Evinrude you should be getting a much better deal because it's a manufacture no longer in business.

[@variedterrainfishing]

Goodninsight

[@bakervinci163]

Compression test the motor.

[@variedterrainfishing]

If I remember correctly it was right under 100.

[@DustinKeating-yk3vq]

A direct injection motor is supposed to start right away doesn't make it good

[@ryanstanek1554]

All used outboards are a complete gamble, they all pop eventually, take the best care of it and it should last you years, it was the evinrude fichts that were garbage the etecs are much better

[@variedterrainfishing]

I never have had an issue with this motor. Half a key turn, it fires up. It’s not loud, and it runs my boat 70 mph. It doesn’t use a ton of gas or 2 stroke oil either!

[@michaelmurrietta2263]

Nothing wrong with that Evinrude it's the people who don't understand how they work and people who don't know to work on them

[@johnkern7239]

I almost never buy a boat without test driving first and always do a compression test on engine

[@variedterrainhunting]

compression print out was 97-99

[@michaelvanbuskirk8845]

Hope it lasts. I wouldn't want an outboard that the manufacturer is no longer in business.

[@deputyja1]

Go review aside from that motor. You cant get parts for them anymore

[@bobbarnhill8557]

The Rude is junk. Company is out of business and very few wll even work on them. Resale of any boat with that motor is thousands less so I Hope you got a fantastic deal. If you scored a good deal then a Repower down the line won’t hurt so much. Have fun with your new boat!

[@variedterrainfishing]

I have a mechanic. According to the mechanic for my Evinrude, they went out of business due to government regulation. It’s probably the reason we don’t see 2 strokes in a lot of sports much anymore. Dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, boat motors. Got everything for 20k

[@georgeadcock2347]

The Evinrude is not junk. I have an Evinrude a little older than that and it's still running great. Haven't had any trouble finding mechanicscto work on them.

[@TheFishdoctor1952]

There are lemon motors by every manufacturer.

[@michaelpatty9201]

I hade a 150 Johnson Ficht for 15 years. Very good engine. Really no problems. The problem with those motors is they were prone to blow up before the redesign. But they blew early. Usually well before 100 hours. I did take a little hit when I traded mine in 2014 but engine tested out fine. Good compression and passed leak down. Enjoy your boat!

[@lamebritishman1]

@@variedterrainfishing The E-TECs are actually great motors. The FICHT motors were garbage.

[@bigbuck2720]

To all you Evinrude haters, I have a 2001 Triton with 200 Evinrude no problems runs like a charm, couldn't even get a comment about it from one of the worst haters in Wisconsin

[@variedterrainfishing]

Never had a problem with that one.

[@mrlrgmouth3692]

You didnt mention how much you paid for it

[@variedterrainfishing]

22k whenever this video was made. Just bought a new boat this year. Stay tuned.

[@CousinPete420]

I just bought a brand new Triton the only mistake I made was buying it from Bass Pro. Should have bought it at Pro's Choice Marina. Don't buy a boat from Bass Pro.

[@variedterrainfishing]

I have heard this, but what is your reason and experience for not buying from them?

[@CousinPete420]

@@variedterrainfishing First they sold me a boat they had a stop sale on. There was an issue with Merc outboards having a seal issue on a exhaust manifold. Bass Pro was pushing me to come sign papers for financing. When I signed the papers put my 14K down they set a pick up date of boat for the next week. They needed to install some batteries. I get a phone call two days before to pick boat up saying they can't let the boat leave until they check this manifold. Well this was around Christmas and their mechanic was off. They could not look at this until after the first of the year. The first of the year came around and sure enough this engine had a bad seal. Well they couldn't tell me when seal would arrive to replace. It took three months. I made two payments and paid insurance on a boat that was sitting in Bass Pros lobby. Finally they call and say part is here and pick my boat up. As I was driving (three months after I bought) to Bass Pro I realized I never got my documents from my county Treasurer. When I got to Bass Pro to pick boat up they told me that my Country Treasurer was behind and I would have my documents in a few days. I left Bass Pro with a boat with no tags/no title. Got pulled over and was detained for several hours while the cops figured out I didn't steal boat. On Monday morning I called my elected country treasurer and long story short she never got the documents from Bass Pro. A few hours later she called me back saying she just got the documents in the mail. Bass Pro lied they didn't send those documents to my county Treasurer until the day before I picked them up. I pressed this really hard and was finally told they by manager they dropped the ball and forgot to send my documents in. They lied they tried to blame someone lese. Than add this to them selling a boat that had a stop sale. I believe they did this causes they wanted this sale 80k boat before the end of the year. This effects level of sales bonuses typically with boat and car sales the number of units sold over a year. They never apologized. NEVER. I won't ever spend another penny with Bass Pro.

[@variedterrainfishing]

Wow, I do not blame you at all. That sounds awful. Sorry that happened to you. If you don't mind me asking, which Bass Pro was this?

[@CousinPete420]

@@variedterrainfishing Altoona Iowa (Des Moines). There is even more. I added Active Target to the boat and paid an additional 500 bucks to have it installed. Long story short they only thing they did was run the wires and mount the controller in rod locker. They lied to me about this working. Two things. Software on HDS needed upgraded so it was never configured. Once I got that figured out I discovered they never connected the “awake” wire (yellow wire). Not only that they mounted transducer to the cone on trolling motor pointing 90 degrees off of center. I demanded to speak to regional sales manager and all he did was defame Pros Choice Marina. Claimed Pros Choice won’t service boats they sell. I lit Bass Pro up on social media including KZbin. One person apologized for this and you will never believe who that was……Jimmy Houston.

[@variedterrainfishing]

@@CousinPete420 Tell me you had some resolution to this.

[@DustinKeating-yk3vq]

Just because it starts easy doesn't make it a good motor u hope it works out for you but then e techs are trash

[@wendellsuiter7869]

You bought a lemon motor for sure!

[@variedterrainfishing]

Only time will tell. Its a 2012 with 400 hrs.

[@DCmite1]

leak down and compression test very telling of engine life. drain the lower unit and make sure theres no funny business in there.....thorough transom inspection.

[@variedterrainfishing]

Excellent advice, thank you for this!

[@redranger6751]

Compression test first, if compression is good no need for a leak down test.

[@AlexandertheGregfishing]

Evinrude is a deal breaker.

[@AndrewTa530]

ooooof. Evinrude. Very not good.

[@variedterrainfishing]

Oh come on. So far, it’s been a great motor! It had 390 hours on it when I got it

[@gilianrampart8514]

Dumb!

[@redranger6751]

You must be one of those guys who runs a Force.

[@richgreen9093]

that engine is an anchor sell it

[@variedterrainfishing]

I like it.

[@zgambler1]

You buy a boat and now you are an expert. Dude get a clue

[@variedterrainfishing]

Thanks For Watching Scott!

[@micsmith1293]

He never claimed to be an expert. Get a clue yourself Scoot. Can’t you appreciate that he spent a lot of time and energy making a video to share an EXPERIENCE. He shared it on a platform made for it, and shared it with people interested in viewing this exact topic. He says exactly that in the video. Your comments and negativity to someone you don’t know aren’t called for and I bet you’d never say anything remotely similar to someone in person. Man up, Scoot and don’t be a hater. That’s not the purpose of the comments section. If anything in this society today, be kind and realize someday you may need kindness in return.

[@TheFishdoctor1952]

So what was he ignorant about Scott? `Sounds like you are an expert.

[@Big.Nick.Thompson]

Mr scott no need to be a rude ignorant jerk!! Seems to me this young man did quite the research and is sharing what he did with others. I see no reason to call him an expert just an informed first time buyer. This should be a great example for other first time buyers to look at and follow.

[@adrianspivey4535]

Shut up Scott

[@CHIPPOFISHING]

NEW SUBSCRIBER together we grow

[@variedterrainfishing]

Thanks man! Much appreciated!