First boat purchase - advice please

[Dmoney]

Hi folks,<br /><br />I need some advice. As a prospective first-time boat owner, I want to start small and inexpensive- an older small runabout.<br /><br />I will be using the boat for casual cruising and saltwater fishing daytrips, in the Vancouver BC area.<br /><br />One of my options is:<br /><br />1970 14' K&C Thermoglass with a 65HP Mercury (also early 1970's). This boat has an EZ loader trailer, working lights, windshield, steering wheel, tank, hoses. This boat is less than $1500 USD. <br /><br />Is this the low-risk inexpensive starter that it seems, or is it a series of problems waiting to happen? Are outboards that old reliable, as long as they are running well?<br /><br />Will this boat be ok for coastal saltwater trips?<br /><br />Another option is the same make, 16', 1986, with a 40-horse oil-injection Yamaha. This one I can get for about $2900 USD.<br /><br />Thanks everyone, great forum.<br /><br />D$

 

[bayman]

Re: First boat purchase - advice please

I haven't heard much about this particular boat. <br /><br />Whenever boating on the coast I would always have 2 good sources of power. If you have the 65 hp engine in good working order then I would also have a kicker engine too. Not only that, but having a radio and knowing how to use it are important too.<br /><br />If you haven't taken a boating class I would recommend that too - especially if you are going offshore.

 

[Dmoney]

Re: First boat purchase - advice please

Thanks Bayman, I will take the Canadian Power Squadron course, to get the basics down- coastal navigaion, anchoring, etc. <br /><br />Re: a kicker- what HP would you recommend? I know 9.9 is popular, but can I get away with less, and how much would a reliable kicker be worth?<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />D$

 

[delsol]

Re: First boat purchase - advice please

well bob from philly, boats are at a high price here you are in season now or pretty soon. but try to get later model motor, but the main key is a good water test no water test no cash...because if you buy this boat for 1600.00 and piston goes you neen $1000.00 repair but with a newer engine you might not mine putting that kind of money in it...i brought 3 boat with no test they sounded great at idle in driveway but in water they all showed major problems stalling etc..<br />water test water test water text ..<br />no a buying exbert but a longtime boater<br />bob in philly

 

[delsol]

Re: First boat purchase - advice please

also they all need work , spark plus $25 battery $50 ect ect ectnewer and older,<br />just chechk out a newer motor <br />look in boattrader .com in your area<br />canada>>>>not sure about that site??use you local magazine, but nothing is worst then wanting to ride you boat and have to fix it all summer. i did its the worse unless you like to fix things