Looking for a new boat

Check out the Fishermarine boats and see what you think. Not sure if they have fiberglass boats but they do have some nice All Welded Aluminum Bass boats.

My Fishermarine bass boat was purchased in 1978 and it's still going strong.


Regards,

Moose1am

I'm sure Plapps have some pretty good deals on 06 Skeeter's right now. If money is no option and he plans on fishing the BFL or anything like that he has to go with a Ranger.

My recomendation would be go with the 19 ft (Skeeter or Ranger) with a 200 Yamaha HPDI, not sure about the Evinrude E-Tec but have heard good things about them. Lowrance Electronics, recessed trolling motor pedal.

Not sure where your friend is located but if he is near I would give Plapps a look. Great people there. I bought a slightly used boat this spring. Easiest thing I ever done. Actually did a lot of it over the internet. Sent me pictures of boats they had. That's how I bought mine. I also had some issues and they were or are going to be taken care of with no hassles at all. I highly recommend them.

I recommend buying now. The dealers do not want to sit on these boats over the winter. When you go to the boat shows you can get a good deal but keep in mind that there are a lot of people out there looking to buy boats.....not a whole of people looking to buy boats right now. I just bought a new boat due to my boat being stolen. Day's Boat Sales in Frankfort has several '06 and '07 boats on their lot and they will work with you big time right now. Tony Cleveland is the guy that I have bought my last two boats from. I would recommend you call and talk with him. They carry Stratos and Ranger.

Remember, everyone who works for a dealer has said this is their busiest time. No doubt. Don't hold that against them. I appreciate that kind of honesty.

what I would suggest is going to a dealer the month before the show. Explain what you want, and that you will be at the boat shows, but prefer to work with them when you can have their undivided attention. Askt them to guarantee you the boat show deal.

Now in doing this, they can't write the sale up until the boat show timing, so you will have some delay in taking possession of the boat.

Also be fair to the dealer. As Matt said, cash flow is a big deal... so once you make the deal, give them a good faith deposit of at least $1,000.

I find if you help them, and they help you, you end up with the best of the best.... a good boat, a good deal, and a new friend who will stand by you for some time.

Now if my back keeps getting worse, I'll be looking to sell my '02 TR21. Probably most of my fishing tackle too. I wanted to fish today, but when I got up, I could hardly stand. It wasn't until around 9 before I could have even considered being on the water. If he would be interested in this, email me through the site.

I'm beginning to think I would prefer to have an aluminum boat that is easy to launch by myself and fish the river here a lot more... if I am able to fish.

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

It's kind of tough to promise the boat show deal a month ahead of time when Mercury and Yamaha usually roll there's out the week of the show. At least that's what they've done the last 3 years

matt

True Matt,

But, if you really develop a good rapport with someone, and each of you treat each other with mutal respect, you can always still offer the new offers from the motor companies if they come out after the deal you struck. If you don't, then refund the guy's deposit and let him buy from someone else. That's what Jet-A-Marine did with me, and they have a very loyal customer, and I got a great deal.

I bought a 2002 model cheaper than I could have purchased the exact same boat as a 2001.

Dealers can develop very loyal customers if they so wish.

I know you have a ton of loyalty on this board from your customers, so I know you do the right things.

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

i would highly recommend looking into the stratos line for your friend. i was really impressed with the standard features on these boats and the all fiberglass construction. i steered away from them eventually as i wanted a merc optimax. i think ranger makes an excellent product (i see the ads for the new 188 all the time) but i think the 19ft stratos is more of a boat for less money. the stratos line gives a lot of boat for the money i felt when i was looking. i ended up buying a used triton and got a great deal (private sale). check out bass boat central - there a lot of used boats there and one can get a general idea on prices for used boats if that is how he wants to go. if he is near a dealer, i would encourage an opportunity for them to EARN his business due to the servicing factor. i spent many hours researching and reviewing, hope this is helpful.

I understand where you are coming from, I would rather have the customer wait a few weeks and make sure exactly what's being offered by the manufacturers before they sign on the dotted line. We've done exactly what your saying, and from a dealers stand point there is an advantage to locking up that deal, it's just nerve racking when the companies decide to wait until the 1st day of the show to roll something out. It seems like the Cincinnati Boat Show is always one of the first each year so a lot of the companies pull this wait and see stuff.

Matt