2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

[Burgh_fisher]

As some of you may know i was looking into my first boat, a fishing boat. After bringing the wife along it has gone from a fishing boat to a family/cruising boat. We both like and are set on a deck boat or open bow. Although i have reasonable boating experience, i lack Knowledge and hands on experience of owning one. Not to mention what will all be involved in owning a larger boat,to dock or not to dock, fees, upkeep, Maintenance etc.
Here is a link of a boat we both seem to like: http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/2836639535.html
I greatly appreciate all the past replies and looking forward to the next ones as the search continues!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

It's good to pick the type of boat first and then shop. But there's right much difference between a deck boat and an "open bow"; one has room and the other agility/speed.

And don't fall for 7 people in that boat, unless they are children. For real capacity, think comfort and picture your typical crew in it, rather than the rating plate.

 

[hostage]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

It doesn't look all that great for the price. He tells you what is new, but doesn't really tell you other important information like the the year and the length? I know a lot of people avoid older Bayliners like the plague, so that in itself would lower the value. I personally would pass, though that is IMHO.

Two years ago I came into the game. I wanted an open bow, I ended up with a Cuddy. If I could have gotten the same boat in an open bow, I might have done it that way. Though I picked this cuddy over many open bows as it was in much better condition and the price was right.

 

[hog88]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

I agree with Cookin. 7 adults in that boat will be cramped and most likely overloaded. I think the CG standards figure an adult at 150lbs or something like that.

 

[Burgh_fisher]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

Thanks for the advice. We would like the room over speed /agility, outside of occasional tubing and fishing of course.
I recall a friend telling me the true meaning of BOAT was Bet On Another Thousand.

 

[Burgh_fisher]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

I agree with Cookin. 7 adults in that boat will be cramped and most likely overloaded. I think the CG standards figure an adult at 150lbs or something like that.

From what i was researching that's correct. Think the math they use is Length X width divided by 15.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

This is a good 4 person boat, and is in no way a fishing boat. Bayliners are entry level boats--not the highest quality or poorest quality boats. It should be pretty fast with a V-8, however the engine is relatively heavy on that size boat hull.

The inboard outboard unit is from OMC, who is completely out of business. Bombardier bought OMC's outboard business, and nobody is supporting their old inboard outboard parts. You've got to have salvage yards to keep these outdrives going.

Keep on looking.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

deleted.

 

[Burgh_fisher]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

This is a good 4 person boat, and is in no way a fishing boat. Bayliners are entry level boats--not the highest quality or poorest quality boats. It should be pretty fast with a V-8, however the engine is relatively heavy on that size boat hull.

The inboard outboard unit is from OMC, who is completely out of business. Bombardier bought OMC's outboard business, and nobody is supporting their old inboard outboard parts. You've got to have salvage yards to keep these outdrives going.

Keep on looking.

Thank you VERY much for that info!!

 

[Burgh_fisher]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

What to look for and how to tell if a I/O is an OMC or not?

 

[HCMQA]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

This looks like a good starter boat. But I believe it is priced too high.

It has a cobra outdrive which yes OMC has gone out of business but this is a solid drive and parts are still very easy to get especially with the V8.

Bayliners are just like any other boat if well cared for it will be a good boat to start with. You will not be so worried about banging it up while you learn how to use it.

Check for rot on any boat you by. I didn't know this when I bought my first boat. However a little rot is not that bad and you can still get years of play out of it as long as it is not Transom rot which is dangerous.

As a not my good friend bought a deck boat for his first boat and it is impossible to park I mean really hard it does not turn at idle speeds other than that it is really sweet and has tons of room.

 

[hostage]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

I was talking to a boat dealer this past weekend at a boat show and he mentioned the occupancy depends on how much extra flotation (foam) the boat has. i.e boat gets flooded what is the max additional weight the boat can take before it is negatively buoyant. Though that is just what I hear from the dealer and you are hearing it from who said it on the internet, so take this suggestion with a grain of salt.

Where are you going to do most of your boating? Where I am a deep-V is a little better as we get a little more chop in Upstate NY. Deep-V will be more stable in rough water, but you won't get the same space as a deckboat or pontoon boat.

Even though you like boat-A better, you might get boat-B better as it will be more comfortable giving the conditions where you boat.

Edit: Forgot to mention buoyancy is not dependent on weight, but by having less weight then the water it displaces. That is why battleships don't sink, until you put a few holes in em.

 

[CoffeeHound]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

Get a boat your wife can live with !! Otherwise you won't be able to live with either of them in peace !!

 

[Burgh_fisher]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

I agree the price was high along with the V8 being both heavy and to much for what i am looking for. I'm personally not liking what i see in the deck boats.
With the advice people have posted both on my previous post, along with reading other posts throughout the forums, have been both a tremendous help and gotta admit a bit overwhelming at times. I am also finding that looking at a few boats just to get a feel in what to look for, and some hands on experience has helped.

 

[Burgh_fisher]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

Get a boat your wife can live with !! Otherwise you won't be able to live with either of them in peace !!

Oh i know that all to well!! Why i went from a fishing boat to the great unknown! LOL

 

[Burgh_fisher]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

This one seems to be more along what we both like.
http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/boa/2827342080.html

 

[hostage]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

I think older carb 4.3L merc's have only 175hp, while the newer ones have 190hp. I was looking at mid 90's and all of them had 175hp 4.3L's. It looks like all the newer ones such as my 2000 has a 4.3L @ 190hp. So either he doesn't know what he has, he is lying, or he put a new motor in.

He says he docked it, though I see no bottom paint. This boat could be water logged, unless he had a lift or something, which is rare at a Marina.

Also he fails to mention the age, does that mean it is very old?

TBH Buying a boat is a curve. After you buy one, the price can drop off quickly, then it hits a point where it slowly declines in value. A lot of time you can spend just a little more and get a much nicer boat. Which will end up saving you more money in the future. I first started looking at boats in 2k, then I saw how much more I could get for $4-5k. Then I got my boat for $7.5k and for the shape condition and all the nicer things this boat had compared to an older boat, it was well worth it. Worst case, I can always turn around sell it for the same, if not more.

Regards,

Hostage

Edit: What is your budget?

 

[Burgh_fisher]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

Thank you very much hostage. I have e-mailed him asking for more Info such as year, past work done and what boat is in need of, along with additional pictures. As far as budget i'm up in the air right now as i started off wanting a small fishing boat but the power of a women compelled me to go a tad bit differently. I am going to set it at 2 to 4k. see what that can lead me to.

 

[hostage]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

It will be difficult to get a good boat at that price. Boating isn't cheap and just like cars it can end up costing more than the boat itself to fix issues it may have. If 2-4k is all you can really afford, boating might not be the best hobby for you. Gas, taxes, repairs, parts, upgrades, launch fees/marina all add up really quickly. I bought my boat for 7.5k, since then I have put around $11k total in upgrades, maintenance, and repairs. This number does not include gas, marina fees, tube etc.

Note: I could have gotten by without spending that extra money and would have still been fine, though I would rather spend a little and have some peace of mind as well as some nice upgrades. i.e. ~$300 for bimini, $225 for boarding ladder, $??? for bellows replacement (not a problem at the time, though wanted to make sure it wouldn't be in the future) etc.

Sometimes it is better to spend money and fix something b4 it breaks during winter, instead sitting out a couple weeks to a month to have something fix.

 

[Burgh_fisher]

Re: 2nd Try at first boat...Opinions

Biggest factors setting such a low budget was Being a first boat. Knowing it is an expensive hobby also wanted to see if boating was for us. Leaving some expendable cash for repairs, maintenance, over looked equipment and such,, on basically a trial and error boat. In hopes of getting a season or 2 out of it.
Marina fees are fairly step here around Pittsburgh unless i go an hour or 2 out of town. In the event we get hooked like i KNOW we will!
This will leave room for investing in a new or much newer boat in the near future. I know probably thinking A** backwards. This all got started over wanting to get a simple yet small river/lake fishing boat. Go figure!
But i totally understand and see your point of view as well.
Although i would rather go back to my fishing boat, now i got the boss lady involved we know it not going to be a smooth or easy ride. :facepalm: