Help with choosing boat! Please!

[ryanr623]

I have a chance to pick up a absolutely mint, one owner, always garaged, always maintained, which was owned by an old man who only fished a couple times a year, low hour boat..... with one caveat. It has a 40hp Force on the back of her. I would JUMP at the chance to buy this boat if it had anything else on it. Although it has been very well maintained, i am scared to death to pull the trigger because of the Force outboard. The boat and outboard are 1987, and literally look brand new. No nicks on the outside, no stains on the carpet or rips on the seats.

I have attached pics to show the quality of the boat, and desperately need your input about these engines quickly, as it will not be up for sale long. Not many one owner boats owned by old men that are 20+ years old.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

Wow, just went through this yesterday with another member on practically the exact same boat. Here's a link to what we told him:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=374786

Yours is actually worse because I have to add "grossly underpowered" into the mix

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

Wow, just went through this yesterday with another member on practically the exact same boat. Here's a link to what we told him:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=374786

Yours is actually worse because I have to add "grossly underpowered" into the mix

LOL it is weird. Is it underpowered even for an aluminum boat? The weight of the boat 850 lbs without gear.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

If the price is right and it is really as good as it looks in the picture, I say jump on it. What does the capacity plate say is the maximum horsepower the boat can take?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

Yes. That looks like what a 17-18'? Personally I wouldn't consider anything less than a 70. A 50 might plane it ok with 1 or 2 people, anything less is going to be really bad. Force motors haven't been made in years and parts and service are only getting rarer.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

If the price is right and it is really as good as it looks in the picture, I say jump on it. What does the capacity plate say is the maximum horsepower the boat can take?

I didnt check when i went out to look at it, but Iboats says 50hp? It cant be right?

Yes. That looks like what a 17-18'? Personally I wouldn't consider anything less than a 70. A 50 might plane it ok with 1 or 2 people, anything less is going to be really bad. Force motors haven't been made in years and parts and service are only getting rarer.

It is a 17 foot. Weight is 850 lbs.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

Doubtful. I'd think it would be rated somewhere in the 120HP range.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

That rig is at least 17'-18' and would plane with a 50hp and light load...but if needed would lack the power to pull up a waterskier or get you off the lake fast if lightning threatens.

I can't believe how perfectly the Force matches the Spectrum. Not sure if that adds any value given the color scheme

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

Doubtful. I'd think it would be rated somewhere in the 120HP range.

Well, i suppose i'll keep lookig, thanks! I would have never thought about it if it wasnt in showroom condition, its a shame that engine is on the boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

When boating....it's better if the "Force" is not with you No offense to Force owners.

What were they asking for this rig?

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

When boating....it's better if the "Force" is not with you No offense to Force owners.

What were they asking for this rig?

2500

 

[wa_ssv197]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

My dad has the same boat 17' with a 50hp Force on it and tops out at 35 with 2 people. I learned how to ski on this boat and at about 14 I was pulling the back end of the boat around with cutting across the wake. Boat is rated to a 100hp motor though.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

2500

Well it's probably a fair price considering its condition unfortunately it just isn't a great rig.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

My dad has the same boat 17' with a 50hp Force on it and tops out at 35 with 2 people. I learned how to ski on this boat and at about 14 I was pulling the back end of the boat around with cutting across the wake. Boat is rated to a 100hp motor though.

Wow, no kidding? Same exact boat? I would think it would do 30mph with a 40hp then?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

When boating....it's better if the "Force" is not with you No offense to Force owners.

LOL

BTW I don't doubt that it can easily pull up a kid on skis or tubing, probably not an adult is what I meant.

I'd guess that with the 40hp would push it around 25-28mph. Not bad for cruising around and saving a bit on gas. I'd want a 70hp minimum but I boat on the great lakes(quick storms show up routinely)...for smaller lakes I'd be ok going smaller.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

OK, i just emailed the guy and it is a 50hp force engine, not 40hp. It was the original motor that came with the boat, he just misspoke. Of course i will verify this if and when i look at it again.

Change anything? FWIW, it was used on lake erie for perch fishing, and i'd be using it the same way... except for walleye

 

[robert graham]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

That's a fine looking boat, and depending on the price, doubt you could go wrong. The Force motor should be good if you just get the manual for it and maintain it. Good Luck!

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

OK, i just emailed the guy and it is a 50hp force engine, not 40hp. It was the original motor that came with the boat, he just misspoke. Of course i will verify this if and when i look at it again.

Change anything? FWIW, it was used on lake erie for perch fishing, and i'd be using it the same way... except for walleye

OK definitely a 50HP, didnt come with a 40hp ever and guy said it was original equipment.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

Buy the boat and repower, if the boat is that good. If you buy ANY 23 year old motor you should budget to repower. And if that motor is running well you may be able to get a little for it.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: Help with choosing boat! Please!

Bump for the afternoon folks!