A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

fireman_54

fireman_54

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Hi everyone! I will be getting my first boat within the next few weeks. This I know for certain and what I want, but the experience is not on my side other than common sense. What I do have is a great selection of boats being from Michigan, so here are the three that I've made I guess "hold pacts" with.

~1 first choice purely do to distance.
Boat Reliant VIP 1989

~2 second due to interior being okay
1984 imperial 19.5 ft

~3 third i love to fish/ motor is still big enough for me to pull tubes/ skies
Stratos

So what I'm asking is pretty simple in a sense, which would you chose and why/ engine/ outdrive/ ease of use. thank you!!!!

and like I said I'll be getting a boat by the 10th plain and simple. lol
 
RogersJetboat454

RogersJetboat454

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

First one, "Floor is soft" sets off alarms. Boat's typically rot from the bottom up, so if the floor is soft there's a very good chance the stringers/transom may be perished, and the flotation foam under the deck is water logged.

Second one, May be something to consider, but pictures aren't that great. Guy can't even run out to get a couple new batteries, or properly fix the ignition, yet he wants 2K for a 29 year old boat. I'd have to think about that one. If you do go to look at it, any signs of a soft deck would make me have the same thoughts as the first boat.

Third one, same thoughts as the second one. Not a bad looking boat, but obviously the seller doesn't care enough to at least throw a couple batteries in it to make it presentable.

IMHO, you may be able to do better for 2K than these.
 
fireman_54

fireman_54

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

I did forget to mention the second I have talked with and agreed with, if i drive over it will be running and batteries/ ignition in it. Also a close friend has experience in restoring boats and offered a hand. Also I am trading with cash to keep "actual" money transfer down for "re-newing".
 
gm280

gm280

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

Okay that is going to hard to recommend simply because only you know what you want. I will say this though. When you look at boats online, you have no way of knowing if the picture the seller is showing isn't the picture when they bought it new. So take any or all of these pictures with a cautious look. And if they do talk about and things being soft or needs work, you can guarantee you will not be going to the lake any time soon with your purchase, that's for sure. I could take any of the three and make them work, but not for this fishing season... But you need to look them over and look for problems like transom being rotted, floor being rotted, and such. Water is only good with a boat IF it stays on the outside of the haul... Once if starts getting into the wood structure, problems start and grow quickly there after...
 
fireman_54

fireman_54

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

RogersJetboat454 said:
First one, "Floor is soft" sets off alarms. Boat's typically rot from the bottom up, so if the floor is soft there's a very good chance the stringers/transom may be perished, and the flotation foam under the deck is water logged.

Second one, May be something to consider, but pictures aren't that great. Guy can't even run out to get a couple new batteries, or properly fix the ignition, yet he wants 2K for a 29 year old boat. I'd have to think about that one. If you do go to look at it, any signs of a soft deck would make me have the same thoughts as the first boat.

Third one, same thoughts as the second one. Not a bad looking boat, but obviously the seller doesn't care enough to at least throw a couple batteries in it to make it presentable.

IMHO, you may be able to do better for 2K than these.
Click to expand...

The "craze" is just starting since its been so cold this "spring" so far, I am patient but what something that I can take right out on the water.
 
fireman_54

fireman_54

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

I am defiantly taking everything I'm being told with a grain of salt. BOAT = 'bout o' another thousand. also with a newly wed wife house and two trucks she does not like those words and will not let me get anything that even needs air in the tire lol
 
RogersJetboat454

RogersJetboat454

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

fireman_54 said:
The "craze" is just starting since its been so cold this "spring" so far, I am patient but what something that I can take right out on the water.
Click to expand...

Keep your wits about you, and you can find a boat that you can do just that.
Talk to your friend about helping you out. As long as he's not the type that thinks laying new plywood over a rotten deck fixes the problem (in other words, he restores boats correctly), his input while looking at boats may be useful to you.
 
fireman_54

fireman_54

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

okay I guess another thing I should have added, I am trading my Ruger AR15 and max of 750 to 800. which hinders abit but we love our guns here.
 
A

airshot

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

If looking at boats that are that old, especially glass boats the odds of having rot inside goes up immensly...I would seriously be looking at aluminium hull boats, normally the only wood is the transom and easily repairable. If you have rot, you will easily double the asking price in repairs. Just my two cents.

Airshot
 
RotaryRacer

RotaryRacer

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

Welcome to the forum. How's Wayland these days? I grew up on Gun Lake and graduated from WUHS.

You never spelled out what you are looking for and how you will be using it.

From the boats you listed I'd guess you are looking for a boat to use on the local inland lakes (Gun, Green, Gull). You are looking at a selling price of around $2000 and planning to trade a thing that goes bang plus only $750-800 cash. You want to get on the water right away. What are you going to use the boat for?

Unfortunately, I'm afraid most boats in the $2000 range are going to need work at the least and may be complete projects. Soft floors, transoms or any other rot issues typically require a complete rebuild. I have a project boat sitting stored in my garage in Dorr that I'd sell as is, if I could get half of what I have invested....but so do a lot of people.
 
saumon

saumon

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

The Starcraft is a really great hull to start with, but there's nothing in the ad about the engine/outdrive. If it need a new one, be aware that it will take a lot of power to push 22 ft of boat and cost will add up quickly...
 
fireman_54

fireman_54

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

RotaryRacer said:
Welcome to the forum. How's Wayland these days? I grew up on Gun Lake and graduated from WUHS.

You never spelled out what you are looking for and how you will be using it.

From the boats you listed I'd guess you are looking for a boat to use on the local inland lakes (Gun, Green, Gull). You are looking at a selling price of around $2000 and planning to trade a thing that goes bang plus only $750-800 cash. You want to get on the water right away. What are you going to use the boat for?

Unfortunately, I'm afraid most boats in the $2000 range are going to need work at the least and may be complete projects. Soft floors, transoms or any other rot issues typically require a complete rebuild. I have a project boat sitting stored in my garage in Dorr that I'd sell as is, if I could get half of what I have invested....but so do a lot of people.
Click to expand...

Great actually casino is bringing in quite a few people and the town is befitting pretty well.

As far as what I want is, well an every thing boat. Open bow due to friends and the room to fish. HP's so I can pull and play. Projects do not scare me but it has to wait until the winter kinda of stuff. Big News is I do have more money for trade than I thought now looking in the 3k range. which makes a big difference. I work nights and have all day to for the lake / have family on a local lake so it will be in the water most of the summer. My dad has an aluminum boat for fishing so there is no need to have two of the same between us.

Thank you for all of the input so far guys!! I have my needs and wants set in stone/ just needs some more opinions since the wife does not have one/ does not care just wants to enjoy it with me.
 
roscoe

roscoe

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Re: A few nice Choices/ what do YOU think.

The Starcraft will be great if it has the 6 cylinder.

I'b be in that Stratos on Friday evening, jigging for walleyes.


But if you plan on venturing out on Lake MIchigan, the big Starcraft 22-SS is the way to go.
 
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