Need opinions on a 17 Explorer pretty quickly.

AllDayBassin · May 01, 2013, 08:56:08 PM

I found a 2008 17 Explorer in my local add bulletin today. It's white with the red decals powered by a 50 hp Merc. The boat look nice just needs cleaned up a little as it has been outside with a cover on it. The guy is asking $7000. Is this a good deal? Are there any issues with these that I should know about? BTW, this would be my first boat so I'm a little nervous in general.

lapoolboy · May 01, 2013, 09:33:33 PM

50hp is entirely too small for that boat. I have a 115 ProXS on mine.

AllDayBassin · May 01, 2013, 09:35:30 PM

I should have mentioned, hp not too much of a concern as I fish mostly small lakes.

West6550 · May 01, 2013, 10:08:29 PM

I agree on it has low HP but it's a great boat for sure. It will just take forever to get on plane.

Here is a thread I made a little while back. You should check it out as its about the Pro 17 which is the 17 Explorer just the 2014 one

http://www.ultimatebass.com/bass-fishing-forum/index.php?topic=107051.0

Brudd · May 02, 2013, 09:37:49 AM

Quote from: AllDayBassin on May 01, 2013, 09:35:30 PM
I should have mentioned, hp not too much of a concern as I fish mostly small lakes.

How small? I'd only consider a 50 if the only place I fished had an HP restriction.

Boattrader.com has a listing in Indy for the same year with a 50 for 12,500 so what you found is probably a fair asking price. It may be very hard to resell when the time comes. It may be reasonable to repower in the future.

AllDayBassin · May 02, 2013, 01:49:35 PM

I fish several 10 hp lakes so I would be using the trolling motor on those lakes. This boat weighs roughly 1,080 lbs which is within 10 lbs of the Ranger RT 178 (aluminum) and the bass tracker 175 (aluminum). These aluminum boats run 50 hp and less without problem. I realize it wouldn't be "fast", but would it be perceived as that big of a negative to the average weekend angler for resale?

Brudd · May 02, 2013, 02:00:47 PM

Quote from: AllDayBassin on May 02, 2013, 01:49:35 PMI realize it wouldn't be "fast", but would it be perceived as that big of a negative to the average weekend angler for resale?

Yes. Proof of that is that he is only asking $7k. The boat would bring more than the difference in price of the larger motor if it had a 115 on it. But if most of your fishing is on lakes where you can't use the outboard maybe it is OK for you. But keep in mind, a 115 that is not being used on those lakes is functionally equivalent to a 50 that is not being used. That's not the case when you actually can use the motor.

If it is an affordability issue and you can live with lower resale go for it. That's probably about the same price of a 175 Tracker of similar age.

AllDayBassin · May 02, 2013, 03:20:43 PM

Thanks for all the feedback. This will help me in my decision.