Need a Boat: Suggestions?

[altissimo79]

Hello,

My family and I are looking to purchase a dependable ski/cruising boat. We are new to boat ownership. Are there any dependable websites that will allow me to search for boats in my area sold by private sellers... We are looking to spend 2-3000. Any suggestions of a good site/boat to meet our needs?

Thanks!

 

[KermieB]

Re: Need a Boat: Suggestions?

Hate to be the bearer of not so great news, but for a "family" boat, (and I know what you mean by family) you're gonna have to be lucky to get a good boat in that price range. I looked about two months and ended up getting lucky with the Boat Angel program on Ebay, but almost everything I looked at for $2500 was, in my opinion, a piece of junk that I wouldn't put my family in to.

Good luck.... be patient.... look at everything.

Edit: Oh, and if you're not a do-it-yourself kind of guy... save up more money, and wait til next year.

 

[tractoman]

Re: Need a Boat: Suggestions?

Agreed, most boats in that range need work, and that may be OK if you know what you're getting into. Some work to me is not worth it, like rotten stringers or transom. Plan on spending another 1000-1500 if you do find someting in that range, and then look at boats that are 3-5k, cause you can find something there that could be OK. I ended up doing this and it worked out good. I spent more up front than I had originally hoped and the boat is in great condition. I've only done maintenence items so I have a baseline for when they have been done and I don't worry about the impeller decomposing in my cooling system every trip. I change and check fluids regularly and did an outdrive service the first season is all I've had to do. I also rebuilt the entire brake system on the trailer.

 

[brick75]

Re: Need a Boat: Suggestions?

As the prior responses state, you're not likely to find much of a boat in that category for $2k-$3k. It will be very old, and likely need a fair amount of repair work done (unless you stumble across a gem that has been very well cared for). In my opinion, you would need to at least double that amount before you get into the range of something decent that won't break the bank with repairs.

Not sure where you live, but in my area, Craigslist is about the only place worth looking for used boats. Good luck.

 

[maharg]

Re: Need a Boat: Suggestions?

Hold off until winter, I bought mine for 2800, its had been professional repainted, had the interior (floor included) redone. I have put more money into it, tune up, impeller, other maintenance, prop, stereo, bimini, ect. As others stated though have a good amount of cash set aside for boat expenses. I am going to give myself a 1k a year budget to maintain/repair/insurance.

If you dont mind a a payment you can find a good amount of new boats for a $200-300 a month payment.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need a Boat: Suggestions?

An aluminum boat with an outboard can be found in pretty decent condition within that price range. Best way to get on the water cheaply in my opinion (with smallest chance of financial disaster).