1988 Tracker 1800 FS Value

owen17 · May 06, 2022, 04:25:46 PM

Im looking at purchasing my first bass boat and have run across what appears to me to be a good deal. The guy has a 1988 Bass Tracker 1800 FS. The boat and trailer have been garage kept since new. All of the gauges work properly. Just had the lower end serviced and a new water pump impeller put on. It has new front decking and a recessed trolling motor pedal. He recently cleaned the carbs and rebuilt the fuel pump, along with the bearings on the trailer. It has a newer powerhead. The motor is a Mercury 115 HP I6 I believe. This boat is extremely clean both inside and out. Does not appear to be abused at all. Includes a cover as well. The live wells work good. He is asking $4,000 for it. My gut instinct is telling me to make the purchase but I just found this group and thought I would get some other peoples opinions. Thanks for any advice!

Capt. BassinLou · May 06, 2022, 04:32:11 PM

Quote from: owen17 on May 06, 2022, 04:25:46 PM
Im looking at purchasing my first bass boat and have run across what appears to me to be a good deal. The guy has a 1988 Bass Tracker 1800 FS. The boat and trailer have been garage kept since new. All of the gauges work properly. Just had the lower end serviced and a new water pump impeller put on. It has new front decking and a recessed trolling motor pedal. He recently cleaned the carbs and rebuilt the fuel pump, along with the bearings on the trailer. It has a newer powerhead. The motor is a Mercury 115 HP I6 I believe. This boat is extremely clean both inside and out. Does not appear to be abused at all. Includes a cover as well. The live wells work good. He is asking $4,000 for it. My gut instinct is telling me to make the purchase but I just found this group and thought I would get some other peoples opinions. Thanks for any advice!

Ask the owner if you can meet up for a water trial and see how the boat performs.

owen17 · May 06, 2022, 04:37:34 PM

On any other boat I've purchased, that's what I've done. He has sent me several videos and pictures from the last few weeks of the boat on the water with a newspaper in the video to prove its a current video. The motor sounds good and looks like the boat handles well on rough water.

Princeton_Man · May 06, 2022, 05:10:05 PM

Absolutely test it out on the water. I've seen boats that looked like new yet had de-laminating hulls, leaks, electrical issues, you name it. I myself would also insist on having the motor checked out by my mechanic. Usually, if the deal seems to good to pass up, you should pass it up if the seller doesn't allow you to verify the condition.

Smallie_Stalker · May 06, 2022, 05:11:41 PM

Quote from: Princeton_Man on May 06, 2022, 05:10:05 PM
Absolutely test it out on the water. I've seen boats that looked like new yet had de-laminating hulls, leaks, electrical issues, you name it. I myself would also insist on having the motor checked out by my mechanic. Usually, if the deal seems to good to pass up, you should pass it up if the seller doesn't allow you to verify the condition.

Yes. X2 on this!

TNDiver · May 06, 2022, 05:57:59 PM

Yeah get the motor checked out. I had a brand new motor that apparently had some water get inside due to the gas tank having a leak. The check up noticed it and they were able to fix everything before it ruined the motor. The motor can be at least half the cost of the boat, if not more, when they are brand new.

Bud Kennedy · May 06, 2022, 05:59:42 PM

In addition to what the guys have recommended, be sure to go over the motor very carefully. With an old boat the motor is one of the big things. You need to get a compression check at a minimum just to give you an idea of the motor's condition. Seems to me that $4K is a bit on the high side but represents market value for a boat and motor in very good condition. You are at the stage of the purchase process where unfortunately you cannot trust what is being told to you. Remember the famous phrase "Trust but Verify"

big g · May 06, 2022, 06:22:33 PM

Quote from: Smallie_Stalker on May 06, 2022, 05:11:41 PM
Quote from: Princeton_Man on May 06, 2022, 05:10:05 PM
Absolutely test it out on the water. I've seen boats that looked like new yet had de-laminating hulls, leaks, electrical issues, you name it. I myself would also insist on having the motor checked out by my mechanic. Usually, if the deal seems to good to pass up, you should pass it up if the seller doesn't allow you to verify the condition.

Yes. X2 on this!

X 3 on that one!