information needed badly!!

[dpage70]

ok this may get moved to the boat board, i'll let the moderator's decide that. I'm going to look at a boat this weekend that I have never heard of before in my life. It's sounds like a beautiful boat and has a great price on it. It's a Sprint bass boat. Sprint doesn't make bass boats anymore but they still make other boats, I think, and I cannot find anything on the internet anywhere about the bass boats other than a discussion board on Bass Boat Central. So here I am asking for some help. If anyone knows about these boats, what sets them apart from other "name" boats etc., please help.

[fishhunter]

maybe sprintfisher will chime in on this one he owens a sprint bass boat. Seems like a nice bass boat to me.

[buzzking]

David, if you get it bought, I hope you get it bought cheap, you will need the extra money to invest in preparation-H....LMAO
seriously, been in two, no desire to be in another

[Sprintfisher]

Bought my 1995 277 with 115 Mariner on it 3 years ago. Have had the power head replaced and that's about it.I got mine at a far price with a trade in and have been very happy with it. As far as riding rough, I don't have alot to compare with, have been in a Ranger a few times...nice... but I also don't have a boat payment! Seems to ride pretty good for a 17 foot. I have had it on some pretty good size lakes,(Cumberland) but mostly medium size (Herrington)
and it works great for me. Hope this helps....Greg

[MarkW]

Maybe it was the driver---I own one and have no problems. Mine is a 99 Sprint 221 with a Merc. 225 EFI. It runs right at 70 and if driven correctly, it will not beat you to death as Buzzking is trying to say. My boat is a 21 ft boat and it's no Ranger, but it never was inteneded to be either. Plus, it has lasted me through 7 seasons with no major problems. It's a shame they went out of business, because they were decent boats at a decent price.
Buzzking,
I have been with people in Rangers and Tritons both that don't know how to drive, especially in rough water and those boats will beat you to death too. It all comes down to the driver and what experience and skill level they have. I run the Ohio River alot and have learned to be careful in rough water and have no problems.

[buzzking]

very true mark, once was with an inexperienced driver and the other time wasn't. I think the big difference is both of the sprints I have ridden in were 17-18 footers. You have a lot more boat and bigger boats are always smoother. I know david pretty well and was just kidding around with him, but I have spent an ample amount of time in just about every type of boat made fishing co-angler deals. At least in the 18 foot range there are boats that ride better than a sprint.

[dpage70]

this one is 207 dc pro, 20 footer with a 200 johnson venom. I guess my question is were these boats known for being quality boats or did the top halfs go flying off going down the water.

[UYKY]

had a buddy that had a 19 footer - 1999 model. really had no sig problems. rode well in chop and did not find it all that abusive - now owning a triton and he a ranger. fit and finish was not what some of the other "brand name" boats are but that's why the price differential. specifically i noticed the rod box pistons came loose from the fiberglass (liquid nails took care of that) and i noted "motor" compartment plywood was not securely fastened (liq nails, screws and l bracket added). i installed a battery charger in it and he upgraded the electronics. really was a fine boat to fish out of - spent time on c land, dale hollow, ky lake and also guntersville. no sig issues with the boat itself and when all said and done - i thought it a really good value. i would honestly be more concerned about the motor than the boat if the hull and transom seem to be in good shape.

[MarkW]

I have never heard of the "tops flying off" and as a matter of fact, have never heard of one falling apart at all. Like the others said, they are fine boats--no Triton,Ranger,Champion etc. etc. but a real good mid to upper level boat in their time. Quality was decent, not great. When I ordered my boat, I got basically what the average boat has today. My boat is even set-up very much like a Triton is today---meaning the layout of the compartments with the 3700 box divider in the first compartment and all.
I may agree I would be more worried about the engine then I would the boat. Not a whole lot of Venoms running around these days. Good Luck in your decision.

[Danny]

First never owned one. would I be afraid to own one? ABSOLUTELY NOT!!!

Several of my friends in Owensboro had purchased Sprints from Tyler Boats just across the river. I've ridden in 18 footers and 21 footers. We used to tease one of the guys that his looked like an aircraft carrier because of the massive deck space he had on his!! It was huge... more space than my triton.

When I first began looking at them, I thought they looked a little rough around the edges, that is to say some of the finishing touches were a little poorly done. But then in ... I think 2001, a friend bought a 21 footer, and man, it was the prettiest boat I had ever seen. I loved fishing out of it with him, because like I said, a ton of deck space.

Last thing.... and I remember this specifically about the 18 footer, it seemed to sit very low in the water as compared to other boats, and at the time I had a Stratos. When I fished with the guy, I noticed the water was up over the rub rail on the back... but did not come in the boat unless very heavy chop while we were fishing.

You have hit my biggest concern with buying a used one, and that is that Sprint is out of bass boat business. However, if you are sure the owner has taken care of it... then you should be OK.

Oh, someone mentioned making sure the transoms were strong enough. This was a trick taught to me by a boat retailer.... when looking at a used boat, stand up on the motor, with the toter removed, have your feet on the lower unit, and bounce up and down. Any stress cracks in the transom will show themselves. I'm a very big boy... and they, the boat dealer, had me checking their used boats that way before I chose my Triton.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

[Tnstratos283]

Don't know if your interested in this or not, saw it in the local paper last night and sounds pretty good for the price. 99 triton 180 premier with dual console loaded up with a 150 yamaee for 12.500 obo. This is not my boat nor do I know the person that has it. It just caught my eye and thought I let you be aware of it...283