Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

[ozenine]

Hello,
I really need some advice or direction.
I want to buy a boat but do not know anything about boats. I am very mechanically inclined and the only thing taht do not do is probably engines (and maybe wiring)

I want to start with boating at lowest price possible and then move up as I get comfortable with the "ropes".

I guess here is the wishlist (tell me if I am reasonable):
1) Boat of 16-19 feet including trailer
2) Up to 3-4 grand
3) 6 people seater
4) Will be used in Ontario Lakes
5) Preferably an ability to pull a ski or a inflatable "donut"
6) Will use it for maybe 50 hours running next summer

So question #1: is Is it even reasonable? And under "reasonable" i mean that i do not want to rebuild the engine in a year. Normal maintenance is normal.

Question #2: Inboard or OB? Which one is better? Where can I read about pros and cons?

I have a miriad of questions but will this ones be first ones. I know that I am asking for the basic stuff but please bear with me.
Thanks in advance!
Oleg

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

$3-4k should get you a serviceable 16-18' bowrider. Your biggest concern with the boat will be rot in the wooden components. You want a solid transom and deck. Any soft spots in the deck could be indicative of much more serious problems with the underlying structure.

As to which is better, outboard or I/O, that's a whole can of worms and based mainly on opinion. There are pluses and minus to both. I personally prefer an outboard. Catching up on all the deferred maintenance on an I/O can be expensive.

I may be biased but in my opinion, the least risky way to get on the water for cheap is to find an outboard-powered aluminum boat. On an aluminum, even if the wood components are rotted, replacing them is not a huge deal.

 

[jt185]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

Hello,
I really need some advice or direction.
I want to buy a boat but do not know anything about boats. I am very mechanically inclined and the only thing taht do not do is probably engines (and maybe wiring)

I want to start with boating at lowest price possible and then move up as I get comfortable with the "ropes".

I guess here is the wishlist (tell me if I am reasonable):
1) Boat of 16-19 feet including trailer
2) Up to 3-4 grand
3) 6 people seater
4) Will be used in Ontario Lakes
5) Preferably an ability to pull a ski or a inflatable "donut"
6) Will use it for maybe 50 hours running next summer

So question #1: is Is it even reasonable? And under "reasonable" i mean that i do not want to rebuild the engine in a year. Normal maintenance is normal.

Question #2: Inboard or OB? Which one is better? Where can I read about pros and cons?

I have a miriad of questions but will this ones be first ones. I know that I am asking for the basic stuff but please bear with me.
Thanks in advance!
Oleg

16-19 foot trailer is going to be pretty small unless you get one with a folding tongue. A 16 foot boat can reasonably do what you want. It may be a little crowded with six people though.
+1 on the aluminum boat. Last summer, I bought a 16 ft aluminum Starcraft bowrider with an 80 hp outboard motor with a partially rotted floor for way less that your price point. I don't have time to repair the floor, so I traded it in on a new boat. Yes, I'm banned from the Starcraft club for my actions. But that boat got me out on the water and did what you are hoping for.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

Well -- lets start with some facts:

1) Boats have three basic systems. A) engine, B) electrical system, and C) the boat itself. So -- you admitted that you don't do engine or electrical work you are at a disadvantage in the do-it-yourself category. And worse, those are the two most costly systems to deal with if you have to farm out the work.

2) For a beginner, I always suggest an outboard powered boat in the 15 - 17 foot range maximum -- especially if you are really inexperienced with boating. With an outboard if you hate the engine or it becomes troublesome you can sell it and buy whatever you want. If you love the engine but hate the boat you can keep the engine, sell the boat and buy what you want. With an I/O you can do neither. I/O's are much more difficult to work on and even if you don't do the work yourself, someone else does so the labor rates will eat your wallet in a hurry.

3) A 19 foot boat is getting heavy, needs a bigger vehicle to tow it with and is perhaps a little more difficult to learn the ropes with.

So -- before you buy anything, try to find someone with a boat similar to what you want and have them take you for a spin. Then look, look, and look some more before narrowing down you search to no more than three boats of similar size and style. Then if you intend to make an offer, take someone who is experienced (very experienced) with you so help you check out the boat. Rotten flooring, water soaked transoms, bad stringers, bad engines, and previous owner wiring mistakes are all expensive repairs. So NEVER buy a used boat without an on-water test. Taking someones word that the engine runs like a top means it spins but doesn't start (if you get my drift).

Lastly, with a very extensive search you should be able to find something in your price range. But at that price there will be work to do by you or someone else. Stick with Evinrude, Johnson, Merc, Yamaha engines.

 

[ozenine]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

Wow, you guys are so fast! Thanks a lot for answers!!!
As for the size, here is how I think: if it is say 16 feet then it will fit in my garage, if it is longer then i will have to store it somewhere (which is not an issue except that I want to work on it and will have to tow it home)

Towing is not a problem (i have F150)

there will be rearly 6 people in it, I would say 80% up to 4, 19% - 5 people

I have not seen any aluminums for sale in that size, but I will keep my eyes open.

So, based on your answers I would say that Outboard is recommended... Is it easier to maintain? Are they cheaper to replace? Based on what i have seen outboard motors itself are expensive (used for 4-5 grand at least).

How much hoursepower is enough for this size? I have seen 50 Hp, 70 HP, 90, 120, 170?
Do you need a larger OB for the same size boat than IB?

+1 So I guess I am looking for something like this:
http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-boats-watercraft-powerboats-motorboats-18-ft-boat-115-merc-and-trailor-W0QQAdIdZ162891543

Thanks again,
Oleg

 

[ozenine]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

+1 on the aluminum boat. Last summer, I bought a 16 ft aluminum Starcraft bowrider with an 80 hp outboard motor with a partially rotted floor for way less that your price point. I don't have time to repair the floor, so I traded it in on a new boat. Yes, I'm banned from the Starcraft club for my actions. But that boat got me out on the water and did what you are hoping for.

Great idea, jt! One question, did it had a steering wheel?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

Where are you located ozenine? Some of our answers may vary based on location. And someone may be bored enough to look on craigslist for you

Outboards do more with the same horsepower. That's because they are lighter and have less power loss between the crank and the prop. All engines are expensive to replace. Often times (with either an outboard or I/O) you can get a good deal on a decent used motor if it's attached to an otherwise junk boat.

A 90 is a decent middle of the road powerplant for a 17' outboard boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

Great idea, jt! One question, did it had a steering wheel?

the boat JT traded in was very similar to this one that forum member Huron_Angler is about to buy. In my opinion, you'd be hard pressed to find a better starter boat http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=360409

 

[jt185]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

I'll try to post a pic of my SC

 

[BLU LUNCH]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

jt185 resize your picture

 

[jt185]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

jt185 resize your picture

Well I'm not sure if this worked, but I resized the original in photobucket. It fits on my screen. Does it not fit on your screen?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

Worked. Looks good.

 

[jt185]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

Worked. Looks good.

Thanks. Dang, I miss that boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

Thanks. Dang, I miss that boat.

Your day will come Jt....your day will come. Just wait till us Starcraft guys take over the whole forum. As you can see, phase one of our infiltration has already occurred. You will not be remembered kindly

 

[jt185]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

Your day will come Jt....your day will come. Just wait till us Starcraft guys take over the whole forum. As you can see, phase one of our infiltration has already occurred. You will not be remembered kindly

Maybe it's not too late for me to repent. I'll buy the boat back

 

[allpoints360]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

All good advice.


What I'd like you to know is that good deals come along often. Not everyday, but if you decide on what you are looking for and what you will spend, you can find a good deal.

Pay attention to the extras in deal. Does it include life vests, anchor, rope, extra battery, spare tire for the trailer, anything. Sometimes, these extras can make for a really good deal and would cost you if you had to go out and buy them new.

Good luck.

 

[thedukeryan]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

Location may vary as far as price goes but 3-4 grand will get you a lot of boat here especially this time of year. My suggestion is scrounge around craigs list until you find something that catches your eye. Then post the details on here for feedback. It has worked for me and I am sure countless others. In my opinion I would go with a 18'. That is what my first boat was and I did not find it intimidating at all either in the water or out. I was also able to get it to fit snugly in my garage with just enough room to work around it. You may find a 16' will work for you but I have found that anything that small gets crowded extremely quick and can be very rough if the water is not ideal. If you go to small and the water where you boat at is rough you will likely find your self either stuck in a cove or getting beat up by the waves. I know many people who are scared to go out in boats due to early experiences with rough water and little boats. I remember one time I was out and passed a little tri hull that the family just bought. The kids where crying, the mom was freaking out and the dad was frustrated. Not a very pleasant experience for a new boat owner. I would look for a older well maintained boat and go from there. I wouldn't be so concerned with having to find a outboard or having to find a aluminum.

 

[wa2712nj]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

IMO the first thing to realize is that you are purchasing a hole in the water into which you will pour large amounts of $$$

The second thing you need to realize is that you are purchasing something that (hopefully) floats to which is attached a very expensive motor/transmission (in the case of outdrives).

Particularly with outboard powered boats, a used boat can be worth (for example) $2k for the hull only, $2.3k (hull + motor that is only usable to sell for parts on Clist) up to maybe $10k (hull + brand new motor).

I don't know much about I/Os (never owned one) but one thing to consider is that my not-at-all mechanically inclined neighbor destroyed a brand new one last winter by not properly winterizing the motor/cooling system.

Be sure to take a boating safety course, it is probably required by your state/province now. In WA it is becoming a requirement for any boat over 10hp.

IMO stay small. Some may say why buy a boat and then have to repeat the experience again in a season or two when you "grow out" of the first one, but that first boat will teach you a lot, and the smaller/lighter it is, the easier (and potentially cheaper) the lessons will be. While it won't impress the girls, consider that a 14-16 foot "tinny" with a 25hp tiller-steer outboard could be perfectly adequate for a few folks to go out tubing on. I use a 14 with 20hp to drag my kids around (albeit one at a time). No electrical and no steering system to go wrong, no wood to rot.

I wouldn't buy any boat w/o a test drive. Given you are near Lake Ontario, this may not be feasible now as most folks have probably winterized their boats (or are not the folks you want to be buying a used boat from, see above). So it might be best to just sit tight, learn as much as you can from this forum and others, and look to buy in the spring.

Good luck,

-dm

 

[ozenine]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

[Wow, I am REALLY amazed on this forum. By work I have sometimes to participate on 10+ forums and you are NUMBER 1 for the speed and quality of replies!!!!!


I will start answering now:
I am in Ontario (30K from Toronto)

I wouldn't buy any boat w/o a test drive. Given you are near Lake Ontario, this may not be feasible now as most folks have probably winterized their boats (or are not the folks you want to be buying a used boat from, see above). So it might be best to just sit tight, learn as much as you can from this forum and others, and look to buy in the spring.

I guess this posts serves 2 purposes - one is to learn us much as possible and another one to buy a boat for NEXT season. So I am not in the rush and prefer to wait a bit and not make mistakes. You are absolutely right, most people have boats out of the water now and winterized them, so there is little chanse for test drive. I also feel a bit intimidating to ask for the testdrive on something that is worth not that much :redface:

Are the prices in spring as low as they are now? Are they low now?

So as I understood the aluminum is better becuase if the boards inside will rotten then the hull will still hold, when the fiberglass hull will collapse when frame will rot. Right?

 

[Gomer50]

Re: Absolute beginner wants a boat but very lost

Hello,
I really need some advice or direction.
I want to buy a boat but do not know anything about boats. I am very mechanically inclined and the only thing taht do not do is probably engines (and maybe wiring)

I want to start with boating at lowest price possible and then move up as I get comfortable with the "ropes".

I guess here is the wishlist (tell me if I am reasonable):
1) Boat of 16-19 feet including trailer
2) Up to 3-4 grand
3) 6 people seater
4) Will be used in Ontario Lakes
5) Preferably an ability to pull a ski or a inflatable "donut"
6) Will use it for maybe 50 hours running next summer

So question #1: is Is it even reasonable? And under "reasonable" i mean that i do not want to rebuild the engine in a year. Normal maintenance is normal.

Question #2: Inboard or OB? Which one is better? Where can I read about pros and cons?

I have a miriad of questions but will this ones be first ones. I know that I am asking for the basic stuff but please bear with me.
Thanks in advance!
Oleg

My best advice is since I just bought a 1972 15 foot starctraft bowrider -
(1972) mercury 80 hp outboard.And it sits in my drive way most of the time because I wasnt educated enough to take a qaulified boat person with me to check things out before I purchased,I am a mechanic but this is something else.My motor on this boat has been messed with I dont know how many people nothing matches up according to the manual.So as to advice please refer to someone who knows Boats/Motors and make sure your motor is alittle newer than the seventies because parts are hard to find and very expensive (let alone anything that has to do with boating),and make sure you have an understanding Wife (LOL)