Re: Will the economy encourage a return to smaller boats?
That thing is just screaming for a Volvo 280/chev 350 swap.
The seller has a period correct Merc 120 motor and upper drive for it which was rebuilt for another boat and then removed for installation in this boat.
He's an older gentleman who really didn't seam like he had much interest in it anymore. He said he got it from an estate sale but since found a turn key boat to use. He was more after a fishing boat than a cruiser and I got the impression he was a first time boat buyer that really had no idea what he was getting into. When a turn key boat popped up cheap, he jumped on it and put this up for sale with all the parts he had gotten for it.
There's been a ton of small block boats around these parts for cheap or free lately, you can't give them away. The big sellers are the 16', 50hp runabouts and small open fishing boats. You can't touch a used 16' open boat right now for much less than a new one. I am seeing far more basic fishing boats out on the water and very few of the larger ski boats or family cruiser type boats. I've parted a few out myself just to get the trailers. I've cut up several good running boats that just won't sell.
There are far fewer people who are just going out to play on their boats, it's mostly just fishing boats and they even don't venture very far from home.
It was bad last year, but this year I'd guess that more than half of the slips around here are empty, and out of the rest, about half of the boats never leave. I see far more small aluminum boats and plain flat bottom jon boats venturing out further than ever as well, which often is a safety issue.
I've even found myself opting for the smaller boat on a given weekend to save some gas or simply since there's fewer people willing to go fishing.
When we go fishing, we usually take turns as far as bait, fuel and food, lately, it's only been two guys per boat splitting the expenses two ways, and many guys just don't have the extra cash to go at all. If there are only two going, I will often take the smaller boat and maybe just not go out as far. I suppose by the time this whole mess is over or at least stabilized, I suppose we'll lose at least some of the marinas around here and probably half of the tackle shops and other boating related businesses. I've already seen several tackle shops close and sell out and most marinas never put in all of their slips for the year, many were almost empty and many look like ghost towns now when they are usually booming for striper season.
I think if I were to go out and buy a new boat today, (cost not an issue), my choice would be something like this:
http://www.parkerboats.net/pages/boat_lineup/boat_detail.jsp?boatid=13
