new here looking for boat advice

[Home Cookin']

Re: new here looking for boat advice

for $2,000 get an outboard and get a lightweight aluminum or fiberglass boat (doesn't require as much HP and therefore less expensive). You won't get a cuddy cabin for that and avoid the "sofa" boats too (upholstered carpeted Bayliner types). Go for clean and basic. Stay under 18'. Carolina Skiff j-16 with a 25 is a good starter.

If you spend the whole $2000 you need another $1000 in reserve. Insurance, storage, licensing the trailer and the boat, annual registration, fishing license. Replace the water pump before you really use it and get a mechanic to check it over ($500 for check-up and water pump). Count on a carb job too ($300). Even if you DIY and have a shop the parts and tools are expensive.
Not to discourage you. Just be realistic.

 

[freelancer]

Re: new here looking for boat advice

Boy did I blow it on the true cost of not only owning the boat, but living the life style ​

I hope you get something in time to enjoy what?s left of the season in your parts, we have about three months left here in Jersey for the family stuff but my buddies and I do the fishing part all year long. If you enjoy boating, I say do it, I've been around the water all of my life...I guess I'm married to it, OH and the wife knows too.​

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Remember you may not get all of what you want the first time around and while you?re in school but at least you'll get the feel for what you want when you?re ready to move up. I'm on number 3 myself. Have you considered a deck boat? I've seen a few nice ones that give you seating and storage but I don't know if their in your price range. Good Luck

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[SeanT]

Re: new here looking for boat advice

You know, I don't even care what the cost is. I'm a boat owner now, so when I _need_ work done, I need it. When you're out there cruising trim, or wiping out behind your boat, it's totally worth it.

My problem is losing boating time - I may miss this weekend because I'm waiting for back ordered parts...

 

[SeanT]

Re: new here looking for boat advice

Maybe I need a backup - a tinny with a 20HP engine so at least I can drag the kids around on a tube all afternoon.

 

[countvlad]

Re: new here looking for boat advice

ohh btw on top of whatever you're going to spend on the boat and other stuff dot forget to add the boat water towing insurance its about 120 from boatus ... i've learned it the hard way when my motor blew and had to get towed, bill was $400 for about 1 mile of towing yakes

 

[countvlad]

Re: new here looking for boat advice

i just got done reading this guys thread he had a few problems with his boat... here's what he had to say :


#14 July 10th, 2009, 11:51 AM
tobolamr
Cadet
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 13

Re: 90 Johnson GT150 - Slowly dies from WOT

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The Marina was helpful! They called me back and told me that the repairs would start at $1500. After I put my eyeballs back in their sockets from shock and settled down, I went in to see what was up. I asked them to educate me, because some of what they were saying didn't, initially, make sense.

They figure the carbs need to be rebuilt, and on this model there are 3. The coils are all cracked - and I've been asking myself since then how I had possibly NOT noticed the canyon-like cracks in the coils before then. Sheesh... Lower unit lube was milky, and they are thinking the seals around the screws are most likely bad, but included labor to replace fuel pump, impeller, seals, (those all cost about $75) all in one fell swoop.

The BIG problem didn't even make sense to me until they showed me. The motor mount is shot. Not the transom mount, but the shaft where the outboard pivots & mounts onto the trim bracket. That thing is loose, and the OB shifts notably when you get a hold of the leg. That also explains why I have a little slop in the steering - it's not the cable or steering wheel, it's the OB shifting in the mount by 1/16 of an inch. The parts for the mount repair are $480 new, plus the hours to pull the power head and replace it.

As far as fuel goes, I'm running the on-board tank down as low as I can. I'm nearly to empty. I'm going to then rig up the portable tank and see how that works. I'm also going to pick up and replace the coils, as those I feel comfortable doing on my own.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: new here looking for boat advice

countvlad, I fail to see what you're getting at. Yeah boating can be expensive. So can driving a car.

 

[mntbiker2008]

Re: new here looking for boat advice

how much do you all think I can offer for this boat? 1979 hull with new engine

the thing i dont know is if it is i/o or just outboard.

here the link

1979 Browning

thanks

aaron

 

[ezmobee]

Re: new here looking for boat advice

The Mercruiser 170 HP, otherwise known as the 470 was a very problematic motor. I would avoid that one. Most of the other Mercruisers were fine.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: new here looking for boat advice

get an outboard boat.

 

[countvlad]

Re: new here looking for boat advice

countvlad, I fail to see what you're getting at. Yeah boating can be expensive. So can driving a car.

yes i agree.. but when you are in college and you already have a very tight budget... owning a boat can be real expensive.. thats what m trying to show the guy...

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: new here looking for boat advice

UHHH, Have you ever thought about taking up kayaking?? Hee hee ahhh haaa haa!!! Just kidding man, Good luck, Hope you find what your looking for!