Summer is almost over, but that hardly means you need to hang up your fishing rod for the year. New Jersey enjoys relatively loose fishing seasons and limits, meaning most of the best fish – the bass, the sunfish, the walleye, and more – are open-season nearly year-round. You can catch fish until the snows start – and after, as long as you have the right equipment.
One of the best fishing tools an avid angler can own is a good fishing boat. Boats can take you farther into the water, so you can reach different types of fish. Additionally, boats offer more storage options and creature comforts than your average spot on the bank. Plus, a good fishing boat doesn’t have to cost a fortune. By buying used, you can afford the boat of your dreams, to keep you angling on the water for months and years to come.
However, like used cars, used boats require close inspection and careful consideration before you buy. If you want to find a quality boat at an outstanding price, here are a few tips and tricks to make sure you cast straight.
1. Know What You Want and Need
Are you a sports fisher planning to sail far into the Atlantic in search of record-breaking marlin? Or, do you troll a variety of freshwater depths hunting for bass? No single boat can sail in all waterways, which means you need to narrow down your fishing interests to help you decide upon a type and size of vessel. The most common types of fishing boat are as follows:
- Bass boats. Slim, aluminum, and fitted with simple and essential features for fishing, bass boats are powerful enough to get you around most freshwater fishing holes.
- Flats or bay boats. Able to run in two feet of water (or less), flats boats are ideal for coastal fishing. Bay boats are similar but tend to run a bit deeper to provide additional stability.
- Center-console boats. Among the smallest and sleekest vessels for salt water sport fishing, center-consoles are stable in harsh offshore waters and have an abundance of deck space.
2. Know What You Can Afford
It’s hard to reel yourself in after looking at brand-new, top-of-the-line vessels, so before you start lurking around boat dealerships, you should consider your personal finances. Boats can vary wildly in their prices, and because you have already settled on a used boat, you should be able to find an option in nearly any price range. Therefore, you shouldn’t even consider taking money from essential savings accounts, like your retirement account, to pay for your boat.
If you do want to finance your boat, you should work with a lender beforehand to get pre-approved, so you know exactly how much boat you can afford. There are plenty of myths surrounding boat expenses and affordability, so you should do plenty of research as you calculate your financial capability.
3. Look in Unconventional Places
As with cars, boats in dealerships aren’t your only option. In fact, dealerships often inflate prices significantly and add on extra features and amenities you don’t want or need. Thus, the first place you should look for a boat is online. Still, as is true with all online purchases, you should be aware of what you’re buying and where. For example, on the auction site eBay, boats for sale are well-priced and tend to be available in a wide array of conditions, and sellers are reviewed by previous customers. Meanwhile, boats on Craigslist may not be as reliable, and there is no evidence of a seller’s history. You must remember some deals are too good to be true, but you can still find a good deal on the web.
4. Compare Your Options
You certainly shouldn’t automatically buy the first fishing boat you see. In fact, you should devote at least a week to reviewing your options and comparing your favorite vessels to similar boats on offer. This will help you get a feel for the market and give you more opportunities to notice sketchy boats and sellers.
5. Inspect the Boat Before You Buy
Just as you’d never buy a car without peeking under the hood, you shouldn’t buy a boat without first looking around its hull. Typically, sellers will allow you to make appointments to visit the boat and perform an inspection. If you can, bring someone who knows boats – like a reputable boat mechanic or a fishing friend. If it’s just you, then you should check closely for signs of neglect, like cracks. These could mean the boat will cost you extra in maintenance after your purchase and should be avoided.
Sometimes, online boat sellers live in distant states or are unwilling to allow you a visit to see the vessel. In the latter case, you should consider their reluctance to be a red flag and find a different fishing boat to buy. In the former situation, you can still get a feel for your potential purchase by calling nearby boat dealerships and finding a similar make and model. Though you won’t be able to determine anything specific about the boat you buy, trying out an analogous vessel should confirm your interest in making a purchase.