1st time boat owner

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

unless you are given a guarantee of the seller deliberately misrepresents the item then it doesn't matter where you buy a USED boat.

If they tell you that the engine is in perfect condition AND you can prove it then you have a case if it isn't.

You need to VERIFY that everything is in good shape before buying it and that often means you have to spend money to get someone else's boat checked out... if it fails you're out the money but at least you didn't buy the boat

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1st time boat owner

My worry about Craigslist is if something ends up not working. With no experience or idea what I'm looking for, do I have any rights protecting me from a dud?

NO But if you follow the checklist at the top of this forum when you look at a boat I promise you won't make a bad purchase.

Additionally, remember boating costs money, another good reason to not have a payment gas is expensive, maintenance is expensive, Boat stands for Bust out another thousand. There are taxes insurance, and all the normal stuff associated with owning and motorized vehicle.

Marine mechanics are a whole lot more expensive than a car mechanic as well, being in Pennsylvania you will either need to learn to winterize and recommission an Inboard/Outboard yourself or you will have to pay someone to do it annually, the investment you made in your boat you will want to protect it so it will either need to be stored in a garage, or well under cover you will need life jackets and vests, probably a throwable and fire extinguisher, so if you spend $1000 on a boat be prepared to spend $800-$1000 initially as well.

This time of year you probably won't be able to test run many inboard/outboard boats either, so you will need to take someone to at minimum run a compression check.
I also highly suggest you go to BOATUS.com and take the free boater education class.

 

[tazrig]

Re: 1st time boat owner

I'm doing so well. Haha

You are though... you just don't realize it yet.:thumb: You're bringing what you find to us first and getting good advice from many boaters who have many hundreds of years experience between them. You will eventually find something that doesn't have any glaring faults we can see. Then you hire a marine surveyor or trusted marine mechanic to look at what we can't see in pictures and/or paperwork and THEN make up your mind if it is for you. Remember you've got got a long time between now and summer. See below about what a marine surveyor does. (probably won't be as big in scope considering what you are looking to buy)

iboats.com Review | March 2013

 

[Maclin]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Boatsville - 1983 SUCCESS BOWRIDER - PITTSBURGH, PA

??

The 170HP mentioned in the ad may mean it has the 4 cylinder 170 or 470 and also known as 3.7LX. That would not be a good starter boat/engine combo in my opinion.

Try to stay with an Outboard when looking, no big hole in the back of the boat to worry about

 

[Maclin]

Re: 1st time boat owner

I read the ad again and it mentioned the engine has closed cooling so it it most certainly is the 4 cylinder 170/470/3.7LX. I recommend you take that off the list for now

 

[tazrig]

Re: 1st time boat owner

I read the ad again and it mentioned the engine has closed cooling so it it most certainly is the 4 cylinder 170/470/3.7LX. I recommend you take that off the list for now

+^^^The reason for that is the 470 closed cooling model of engine this boat has is more prone to overheating issues than most. Not what you want to start out with.

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Pittsburgh Boat Sales | 1988 Sea Ray Bowrider 18 foot with outboard for sale | McKeesport, PA

Thoughts?

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Merc engine. I had an 89 SR cuddy 20' - small soft spot in floor by seat turned out to be a soft stringer next to the fuel tank other than that a good boat, mine was not an outboard

 

[tazrig]

Re: 1st time boat owner

The interior is a little beat up but I think your getting warmer by looking at outboards. Less systems to be worried about. Here is a beginning of season checklist for an inboard/outboard just to give you an idea. The less systems you have the less systems you have the less that need checking. View attachment Beginning of season Checklist.pdf

The only really potential bad thing that jumped out at me is in picture seven. The floor may have been "double decked" from the ski locker forward. Thats when the floor gets soft and instead of fixing the problem someone just lays a new piece of wood over the bad so when you walk on it you don't feel the bounce of the rotted wood Underneath. Here is a picture (from another boat) that shows it a little clearer:


I think for $3,000 You should be able to do better. Just to give you an idea here is another Sea Ray that someone found last year for the same price.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: 1st time boat owner

missed that step up but if that is what happened they spent as much time making it look good as they would have maybe repairing

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Pittsburgh Boat Sales | 1988 Sea Ray Bowrider 18 foot with outboard for sale | McKeesport, PA

Thoughts?

rotten floor cover up w double deck patch and new carpet..... Notice that carpet looks new but seats are ratty.... her bones are rotten

buying from a dealer almost guarantees that you'll pay top dollar...

Help us help you...... How much are you willing to spend? What things are important to you? speed? room for up to how many? Fuel economy? IE 2 mpg or 4 mpg (yeah boats are THAT bad on gas)

If you want a really plush boat at minimal cost you have a much harder time avoiding rotten junk....

The Starcraft that Sig posted would be GREAT to start out with and you could be into it and on the water for less than the $3000 boats you have been posting up... (Just looked and it has been sold... nvrmind)

He also posted THIS one... I'm confident that it could be bought for $3000 ..... Looks like a really nice boat and having sleeping quarters adds a whole new level to boating..... One of my favorite things in the world is waking up already on the water.


We have been giving you a LOT of feedback on the boats you post up but you are giving us NONE on the ones we post..... If you hate em tell us... if you like some things but dislike others tell us....

 

[Natesms]

Re: 1st time boat owner

The only really potential bad thing that jumped out at me is in picture seven. The floor may have been "double decked" from the ski locker forward. Thats when the floor gets soft and instead of fixing the problem someone just lays a new piece of wood over the bad so when you walk on it you don't feel the bounce of the rotted wood Underneath. Here is a picture that shows it a little clearer:
View attachment 220916

That might* be factory. My 92 crownline has the same step up in it going into the bow.

 

[southkogs]

Re: 1st time boat owner

Pittsburgh Boat Sales | 1988 Sea Ray Bowrider 18 foot with outboard for sale | McKeesport, PA

Thoughts?

^^^^ yup, that one's been ridden pretty hard. Too expensive for what you're gettin'.

Go with some of Smoke's questions … some of us weirdo's will actually comb ads for ya'.

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

rotten floor cover up w double deck patch and new carpet..... Notice that carpet looks new but seats are ratty.... her bones are rotten

buying from a dealer almost guarantees that you'll pay top dollar...

Help us help you...... How much are you willing to spend? What things are important to you? speed? room for up to how many? Fuel economy? IE 2 mpg or 4 mpg (yeah boats are THAT bad on gas)

If you want a really plush boat at minimal cost you have a much harder time avoiding rotten junk....

The Starcraft that Sig posted would be GREAT to start out with and you could be into it and on the water for less than the $3000 boats you have been posting up... (Just looked and it has been sold... nvrmind)

He also posted THIS one... I'm confident that it could be bought for $3000 ..... Looks like a really nice boat and having sleeping quarters adds a whole new level to boating..... One of my favorite things in the world is waking up already on the water.


We have been giving you a LOT of feedback on the boats you post up but you are giving us NONE on the ones we post..... If you hate em tell us... if you like some things but dislike others tell us....

I will try to help you as much as I can. I would like to pay *ideally* less than $5,000. Enough room for at least 6 people. Obviously the better the gas mileage, the happier I would be.

The hard thing for me is all the terminology and the small things you guys are finding. To me, these boats don't look bad, but I'm not as informed as you guys.

The boat that you posted, I like. I just wonder is it too big for me just starting out? But at the same time, I don't want a little row boat. Also, if it seems pretty goid, why has it been listed on Craigslist for 2 months?

Sometimes I just feel like if I didn't think and rationalize so much, I'd be better off.

I'm sorry if I'm coming across as rude or cold. I truly do appreciate all the help you all have been giving me. It's great to know that I have someone to help me with this.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

No apologies needed.... We don't mind 'whoopin' the answers out of ya a bit lol
ANYTHING you don't understand just ask.
As for why it hasn't sold remember this is winter... Hardly anyone buys boats in winter. OR it might BE sold and they just didn't delete the add.

It MAY seem too big at first but a few trips to the lake and you'll start wanting it to be bigger.
We call that 3 foot itis or shrinking boat syndrome.

A 22' boat handles exactly the same as a 17'er

At least 6 people especially if adults puts you into a bigger boat anyhow

 

[Livelaughpens]

Re: 1st time boat owner

So would I be better off waiting until the weather breaks to try and find something?

 

[tazrig]

Re: 1st time boat owner

I wouldn't. Now is the time to look when things aren't moving. I remember last spring we were working with someone and every time he found a good boat it would be sold by the time he got back to the buyer. Now is the time to educate yourself about what you want and don't want, features you really like. Things that tend to hold up over time and those that don't etc.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: 1st time boat owner

This is not a boat for a first time buyer but I think it fits what you need.

I like the fact that is has a properly fitted boat cover not just a tarp covering it. The upholstery is in good shape, its newer Rinker makes a good boat as well.

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/4245943438.html

He is asking $4500 but I am sure an offer of $3800 in the dead of winter would probably get it. The only concern I have is the outdrive being held by a strap not sure if he did that because there is a potential problem or if he randomly did it for storage.

The gel coat looks properly cared for. It is an I/o but looks like a decent boat in your price range.

93 rinker 19' open bow

Could probably get this one for $5k

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 1st time boat owner

no definitely shop now, but just don't get in a hurry until you find the right boat..

Have you or your b/f ever operated a boat or do you have any friends of family with boating experience?

Example, I have taken people with no experience out on my 30'er w twin engines and within a couple hours I can have them docking just fine. OTOH I've seen people who have been boating for years who can't dock a 16' bowrider without slamming into the dock and can't get on a trailer in less than 5 or 6 tries.

Also it was mentioned to take a safe boating class..... You (both of you) could be doing that now and would learn a LOT from it.

A few lessons can go a LONG way toward making your first boat a joy instead of a terror.

 

[tazrig]

Re: 1st time boat owner

This is not a boat for a first time buyer but I think it fits what you need.

I like the fact that is has a properly fitted boat cover not just a tarp covering it. The upholstery is in good shape, its newer Rinker makes a good boat as well.

He is asking $4500 but I am sure an offer of $3800 in the dead of winter would probably get it.

The gel coat looks properly cared for. It is an I/o but looks like a decent boat in your price range.

93 rinker 19' open bow

Could probably get this one for $5k

Looks like a clean boat. My only concern is to make sure you know what you need in your jurisdiction for being able to prove ownership and register the boat and trailer. For instance the ad says he has a "title" for the boat but only a "bill of sale" for the trailer. Will just a bill of sale allow you to properly title and register the trailer?