Where to look for a small fishing boat?

[Redstar]

I'm tired of fishing from shore or out of a too small raft. I'm looking for a small-ish boat to make fishing more fun this year. Just looking to hit the local lakes, nothing too crazy yet. I've been checking here and craigslist but no real luck so far. Where else would you guys suggest I look for a boat?

[GWP]

Depends on what you are looking for. How much you want to spend. Some of the places that sell boats have small trade in boats as well. I picked up a 10' Jon that way. Craigslist has been good for me. Kind of the wrong time of the season though. You talking a roof top or pull behind?

[mallard79]

How much do you want to spend? What EXACTLY do you want in a boat?  My brother has a really nice Basshound for sale.  I think it is 10' and has swicel seats, livewell, running lights, wired for the lights and electric trolling motor from the factory.  really stable boat to fish from.

[Redstar]

Depends on what you are looking for. How much you want to spend. Some of the places that sell boats have small trade in boats as well. I picked up a 10' Jon that way. Craigslist has been good for me. Kind of the wrong time of the season though. You talking a roof top or pull behind?

The off season has to be the cheaper time to buy right?!   I'll have to stop by the local boat yards, thanks! I have about $1k to put towards a boat right now.

Not totally sure what I want. This will be my first real boat. I want it to float and not give me too many problems? I'm thinking something in the 10 to 14 foot range with a small trolling motor so I can easily fish the local lakes. However, I'm sure the fish bug will bite and I'll end up wanting a bigger boat in a few years won't I?

I'd prefer one on a trailer, seems like there would be less futzing around to get it set up and in the water.

[bak2huntn]

Get what you want the first time ! If you don't you might as well drive down the road thowing $$ out the window.Just my 

[JackOfAllTrades]

Go north on the Guide... Just out between Kline and Smith road on the right hand side. I saw something for sale this evening. Looked like an aluminum 12 footer for $150!

-Steve

[Redstar]

It does make sense to buy what you want the first time if you know what you want. What I do know is I want to get out and fish this year without having to fight for dock space or deal with blowing up a stupid raft. And that if i want to save my ego I need to catch a bigger fish than my girlfriend this year...

Thanks for the tip Steve! I'll have to check it out tomorrow!

[Smokepole]

You can find some screaming deals on Craigslist if you work it till the cows come home.  May as well hold out for a 16'er.  You'll be wanting one soon enough.  You can go crabbing in chop & buck the waves on the lake when the afternoon winds kick up. Sometimes boats will pop up under the general merchandise section, so keep an eye out.

[bowtech721]

Ya I would definetly keep a close eye on craigslist... I get alot of screaming deals off of there but you need to be prepared to jump on something quick if its a good deal as they seem to go real quick

[Alchase]

Ya I would definetly keep a close eye on craigslist... I get alot of screaming deals off of there but you need to be prepared to jump on something quick if its a good deal as they seem to go real quick

And if you do not mind buying stuff from Meth Maggots 

[coop2424]

Cragislist is my favorite for picking up deals but you do have to be quick to act when you find one.  I picked up a 12 foot aluminum with trailer which does need work but I got it only for $75 bucks.  Right now is the best time to buy in my mind.  Post a wanted listing on craigslist of what you are looking for and maybe someone that needs some cash will respond.   

[Buckmark]

Go north on the Guide... Just out between Kline and Smith road on the right hand side. I saw something for sale this evening. Looked like an aluminum 12 footer for $150!

-Steve

I saw that also, looked like it had a little outboard sitting with it.

[daddysprad]

Be careful of the dreaded "onefootitis" that only occurs after you buy.  " If it was only one foot longer or one foot wider I would never need another boat".

[wildmanoutdoors]

If you get serious about fishing boats you'll never stop. I skipped marriage and kids because of it. And because of it I have a 20 foot salt boat, 40,000 dollar jet boat, drift boat and 3 pontoons! It just gets worse!

[JackOfAllTrades]

Some of the happiest days of my life..  Day I bought a boat.  Day I sold a boat.

Money holes in the water! 

-Steve

[dscott]

I agree with coop2424 in that posting a *wanted ad in craigslist is a good idea. It's actually how I found my last/current canoe.
I would also suggest a browser add-on that loads all of the pictures in the ad. It makes quick work of scanning the listings


Good luck
dscott

[BigGoonTuna]

for some reason small boats always seem the cheapest and most numerous in the spring time, around when the lakes open up.

i wish i could find a deal on an older 14-16' flat bottom jetsled with a small pump on it for fishing the local rivers.  i know there's a ton of them out there(it was what most sleds were back when i started fishing in the early '90s, not the huge barges you see today), but you never see them for sale.

[Redstar]

Didn't see the boat on the guide today, looks like someone beat me to it. I might have to get around to placing a want ad like you guys suggested.

Some of the happiest days of my life..  Day I bought a boat.  Day I sold a boat.

Money holes in the water!  

-Steve

Reminds me of a Homerism:
Beer, the cause of and solution to all my problems.

I've also heard some good acronyms for BOAT

Break
Out
Another
Thousand

Bend
Over
And
Take it

[dscott]

Probably be able to walk away with this for $250-275

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/boa/2147617437.html

[MIKEXRAY]

Now that I think about this it is funny to me. Both small boats ( 2 )  I have bought I had seen them in peoples yards around town full of leaves & flat tires etc. I went & knocked on the door and asked both if the boat was for sale ( no for sale sign ) & both people sold me their boat. Both people told me that they had been thinking of selling it but just had not gotten around to it, I got a smoking deal on both. I only have done this twice in the last 15 years & both times I left with a boat. My first was a 12' & second was a 14', sold both after fishing them for 5 years each for more than I paid. Funny at the time I didn't hesitate a second to knock & ask, now that I am typing it seems a little weird. Oh well, my old saying is you don't know if you don't ask. Mike

[E-Town Hunter]

I don't know if it is what your looking for or even in your budget, but I still have a 12' smoker craft deep V Alaskan. Its a 2002 and comes with a 2002 EZ loader trailer and a 15 HP outboard. I had it posted on here for a while but it was at the start of winter so didn't get many bites. Its a great starter fishing boat that will handle small to good size lakes. I am looking to get $1800 for it. It also comes with a fish finder and has two mounted swivle seats. Great boat, just need to get rid of it because of divorce.

[lokidog]

I don't know if it is what your looking for or even in your budget, but I still have a 12' smoker craft deep V Alaskan. Its a 2002 and comes with a 2002 EZ loader trailer and a 15 HP outboard. I had it posted on here for a while but it was at the start of winter so didn't get many bites. Its a great starter fishing boat that will handle small to good size lakes. I am looking to get $1800 for it. It also comes with a fish finder and has two mounted swivle seats. Great boat, just need to get rid of it because of divorce.

ETown, sounds like a good deal for a starter boat.

[BigGoonTuna]

that's a smoking deal.  sounds just like my boat(mine's a 1995 13' alaskan).  can't beat the thing for all-around fishing and hunting purposes, and if it's too rough for a 12' alaskan, i wouldn't want to be out there in a 20 footer.

[Alchase]

I don't know if it is what your looking for or even in your budget, but I still have a 12' smoker craft deep V Alaskan. Its a 2002 and comes with a 2002 EZ loader trailer and a 15 HP outboard. I had it posted on here for a while but it was at the start of winter so didn't get many bites. Its a great starter fishing boat that will handle small to good size lakes. I am looking to get $1800 for it. It also comes with a fish finder and has two mounted swivle seats. Great boat, just need to get rid of it because of divorce.

ETown, sounds like a good deal for a starter boat.

Great deal!
I also have a 13 ft Alaskan deep V, if you can get one with motor, and already setup for fishing I would jump on it. You will find it is expensive setting up a boat.
my list:

Trolling motor
fish/depth finder/gps
Trim tabs (Smart tabs)
15 hp 4 stroke yamaha
6 fish-on mounts
two fold down seats
four approved lifejackets
4 cushions
two anchors
marine battery
oars
rope
cushions
accessory holders
cup holders (4)
pliers mount
net

Do not get me started on fishing gear, outfitting enough gear for four identical settups gets expensive real quick, lol

[Black Plague]

you probably have looked at this ...but just google it if you hadn't seen it ...its on craigslist

15' Tri-Hull boat/70HSP motor - $800 (Bellingham)


you could also check for estate sales...went to one the other day and they sold a 14 foot V for 75 bucks...no motor, but dang it was a steal...I have often thought it would be nice to have a rolling list of divorced angry women that don't want that darn boat in the garage any how...but I am not sure where to get said list ......good luck!

[BigD]

2002  12' klamath with trailer for 1450 obo

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/boa/2153772592.html

[Redstar]

Thanks for all the tips guys!

[Redstar]

Found one!

Scored an awesome deal off Craigslist on a 12' Lund with a trailer, 2 stroke outboard, electric motor, oars and a fish finder.

Can't wait to get out fishing!

[JackOfAllTrades]

Wow.. Looks like its in nice shape.   How much?

-Steve