could use some help with buying used boat

[ruforeel]

Hello all new to this whole boat thing. I am going to look at a used 1996 stratos 201pro xl. Has a johnson 200 venom for motor. 71 lb Trolling motor . Onboard charger. Gauges that work our temp,bat,fuel, RPM. Speedometer doesn't and he said there is another one that is fogged and he doesn't even know what it does.
Only has the original lowrance fish finder in the dash. He says the boat has been used and the normal wear with some scratches but nothing bad. The carpet probably needs to be done if you want it to be perfect. The boat is like 3 hrs a way from me. He says the boat never starts on first crank and but has always started on the second. He states after it warms up and you go fishing it restarts with no prob every time. I told him I lived far away and if there was anything wrong to just tell me now. I asked him about the transom and he stated there were some cracks in the paint on the back but not the transom itself. He said he had it looked at and the guy told him not to worry these motors are heavy and the cracks were not unusual. He also stated the steering was a little stiff. He has only had this boat since March and the steering was that way when he got it. Stock steering no after market stuff.
Any thoughts on this boat before I go and look at it would be appreciated. The paint cracking towards the back is alarming but those who actually have boats may actually know more about this. The price 4800
Thank you
Rob

[fishingmike]

If he just got it in March why is he dumping it already?

Cracks, stiff steering, hard to start. All of these could be minor issues, of course they all could be huge issues. If this is your first boat and you don't have someoen that can help you evaluate these rigs I would suggest you purchase through a reputable local dealer to avoid getting burned. There are alot of great used rigs out there but also a few guys loking to unload a basket case on an under informed buyer.

[SOONER*REDNECK]

If i were you id look for something smaller and with a smaller motor. might be able to get something newer! A 200 horse is a huge motor with a ton of power for a beginner!!! i started out with a 40 horse...Just my opinion though!

[ruforeel]

Lol charger I thought the exact same thing. We went with a guide and we were screaming around the lake like our hair was on fire. It was fun, kind of scary fun I guess. I remember thinking I would never be driving this fast. LOL But then again my truck speedometer says 120 mph and I have never gone more than 80 mph. I also remember him taking this 20' boat into the stumps and trolled around in their and never touched a one. I just wonder how I would have faired. I am sure it's just experience and sit time. But it is sound advice from you.
Thank you
Rob

[unklenew]

I owned a 96 Stratos with the same motor. It almost never started on the first try when it was cold, so that wouldn't be a big concern to me. Mine also developed cracks in the splash well that were cosmetic and not a problem. Price isn't really out of line, if you decide to look at it be sure to look very carefully at the transom and bottom for areas that look damaged.

[Russell13]

sounds like a good deal.??? speedo never work so dont wast time and money trying to fix if ya must know how fast you're going get you good gps almost must have any way...and for me i bought used boat and fished it for while before i did anything to it other then cleaning, just to get a feel for it and see what needs to be fixed instead of what i want to be fixed.... enjoy time on water, if it floats and runs.... go fish !!!! worry about looking good when we can't go fishing.... just my .02 worth..... enjoy !!

[tmbullet]

Heard a lot of bad things about the 200 venom , had a friend that had one and it blew up and I've heard of some others that have blow up also,, just beware...

[fishinRI13]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by tmbullet &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">Heard a lot of bad things about the 200 venom , had a friend that had one and it blew up and I've heard of some others that have blow up also,, just beware... </td></tr></table>

+1 on that

[mww24]

my speedo doesnt work either. A lot of boats don't. there not very accurate anyway. I have a two stroke thats hard to start if it hasnt been started in a couple weeks. once its warm it will fire right up. I have also owned a boat for one summer and sold it the next. it wasnt the one for me, thats why i dumped it. have a mechanic look at it. spend an hour or two fishing in it. see if you like it. its always a crapshoot buying used.