| Bass Boats have gone through a tremendous | | | | than aluminum but clearly there are reasons for |
| evolution to get to the point where they are | | | | this. Fiberglass bass boats are capable of handling |
| today. The first "bass boat" was considered to be | | | | rougher and bigger bodies of water, they give the |
| a hulled out canoe made from chippings off of | | | | boater a much smoother ride and they can go |
| very large trees. The Caddo Indians of east | | | | much faster than aluminum bass boats. Experts |
| Texas and western Louisiana are credited with | | | | suggest that if you are considering going with a |
| this type of boat "invention." | | | | fiberglass bass boat that you purchase one with a |
| They used these boats to fish to provide food | | | | 4-stroke outboard engine as opposed to a |
| for their families. Bass during that time were the | | | | 2-stroke engine. |
| number one food choice to enable families to | | | | The reasoning is that even though they cost a bit |
| survive. Fortunately for these families, bass were | | | | more, they cover much more water as far as |
| found in very large supplies in the swampy | | | | fuel is concerned, they are much quieter and |
| waterways of the southeastern United States, | | | | much cleaner than a 2-stroke. The reduced fuel |
| exactly where these tribes were located. Thus | | | | cost is estimated to pay-off for the additional |
| began the evolution of the bass boat as we know | | | | cost of the engine in the long run. To give you an |
| it today. Below are present day considerations | | | | idea of the cost of a fiberglass bass boat, they |
| and tips for purchasing a bass boat. | | | | usually range from $20,000 to a $40,000 top of |
| Consider your Towing Vehicle: | | | | the line boat. |
| Bass boats and trailers with a full tank of gas and | | | | New vs. Used Bass Boats: |
| loaded with all the fishing gear easily weighs over | | | | There are advantages of buying a used bass |
| 3500 pounds. Before you consider your purchase | | | | boat. Clearly they will be less expensive than a |
| of a bass boat, make sure your towing vehicle | | | | new one and historically, used bass boats hold |
| can handle to the load. Also, remember to take | | | | their value much better than a new one. Also, as |
| into consideration towing up mountains and hills. | | | | mentioned above, is this is your first bass boat |
| Bass Boats: | | | | purchase, buying a used boat will give you a |
| There are key questions that an angler looking | | | | better understanding of what you may or may |
| into buying a bass boat needs to ask themselves. | | | | not want if you ever decide down the road to |
| Where are you primarily going to be doing your | | | | purchase a new bass boat. There are also |
| fishing? What is the size of the body of water? | | | | disadvantages of purchasing a used bass boat. In |
| Will it be small lakes and rivers? If so, perhaps all | | | | the simplest way to state it, you may be buying |
| you will need is a small boat with a small outboard | | | | someone else's headache. |
| motor. If you are planning on fishing in larger | | | | Outboard engines, as are found on bass boats, |
| bodies of water, a minimum of 19-foot boat is | | | | are known to be short lived and it is difficult to |
| your best choice. Overall, the three main | | | | determine this on a causal inspection of the boat. |
| characteristics recognized and looked for in the | | | | The best suggestion is to either buy from |
| bass boat of today are shallow draft, | | | | someone you trust or have a professional inspect |
| maneuverability and stability of the boat. | | | | the boat and engine before purchasing. Lastly, just |
| Lastly, if this is going to be your first bass boat | | | | as in purchasing a car, the seller needs to be |
| purchase, you might want to consider buying a | | | | willing to negotiate on price with a used bass boat |
| used boat. This way you can gain more | | | | sale. |
| experience and have a better idea of what you | | | | Obviously, the biggest advantage to buying a new |
| want in your next new boat purchase. | | | | bass boat is warranties and the sheer joy of |
| Aluminum Bass Boats: | | | | owning a brand new bass boat! |
| Aluminum boats are much less expensive than | | | | Boat Handling: |
| fiberglass boats. Additionally aluminum boats are | | | | Whether you decide to purchase a new or used |
| much more forgiving of occurrences that | | | | bass boat, learning to handling it is a process that |
| inevitable happen on the water; banging into a | | | | takes time. Every boat has its own "personality" |
| dock, running up into shallows, hitting submerged | | | | and handles differently in every way. From |
| rocks or stumps and so forth. The downside is | | | | launching to retrieval to water handling, bass boats |
| that aluminum bass boats ride much rougher than | | | | are all different. A few examples of these |
| fiberglass boats and are easily blown around by | | | | differences are the sounds your engine makes |
| even the slightest wind. Again, the size of the | | | | when it is trimming, the way it pulls out and into |
| body you plan to bass fish on is clearly a | | | | shallow water and the correct engine positioning |
| tremendously important component in the decision | | | | and trim tab positioning to get it up on plane. Bass |
| making. If you are intending to fish in a small lake, | | | | boats are all different. Realizing this and knowing |
| a 16-17 foot aluminum bass boat would likely be a | | | | that it will take time to learn your boat will |
| good choice. | | | | encourage you to spend more time on the boat |
| Fiberglass Boats: | | | | and enjoying the wonderful sport of bass fishing! |
| Fiberglass bass boats are much more expensive | | | | |