Absolutely NEW!

[Amistad]

I am talking about myself.
New here, on forum. So, Hi, Folks!!
I need you help and suggestions !!
And I also new in boating.
Have had inflatable boat for 3 persons, but every day dreaming
about real ship or yacht!
I have a lot of questions, so please, help!
1. About dream: I`m living in Florida.
So, this is must be offshore boat mostly for fishing (one of my hobby),
And with cuddy, and toilet for my guests from WI or NY.
Capacity- about 8-10 persons. and engine not less than 150 hp.
Question is: what kind of boat is better-Pro line, Trophy, Sportcraft etc. ??
2. What kind of engine is better-outboard, or I/O?
And why? What engine is most reliable and cheap in maintenance, most economical
(Volvo, Evenrude, Mercruiser, OMC ?etc.)
3. If I`ll got I/O I will have electricity supply from engine alternator.
Question: will I have power from outboard engine? If not, how I will be able
To charge my battery?
4.Should I mix oil and gasoline for outboard engine?
5. Where I can get information about a boat( what it`s mean ?transom?, ?canvas?,
Deck, head, strings?etc.) ?
Actually this is QUESTION # 1!
For boat my wife sucreficed $ 3500-$4000.
Thank you, everyone, for pension, time and response.
Sincerely, Alex .

 

[Amistad]

Re: Absolutely NEW!

For example this one:

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/boa/2593080174.html
or
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/boa/2596524022.html

any ideas?

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Absolutely NEW!

There is no objective way to answer many of your questions.

To the question about power, all outboards of the size you'll be looking at will have an alternator to charge the battery.

Outboard vs IO - Mostly a matter of opinion, but be aware that older 2-stroke outboards are not very fuel efficient. 1-2 miles per gallon is a good figure to use to get an idea. Obviously that is per engine, so dual outboards will geat about .5 to 1 MPG when running open water.

Generally, most larger 2 stroke outboards have oil injection if they were made in past 15-20 years. You put straight gas in the fuel tank and they have a second tank for oil. The engine automatically mixes the oil with the gas. Obviously you must verify this is the case with specic models.

In the price range you state, you are going to have limited choices. I think it would be best for you to do some looking on your own and come back with questions about a specific model.

Finally, when you talk about "offshore" fishing, I would suggest that you proceed carefully until you gain a significant amount of experience. Everything changes once you get out of sight of land and the consequences of equipment failure and human error become harsher as you get fruther away from land. As the captain, you are responsible for your boat and everyone on board your boat. You must understand and stay within your capabilities and that of your equipment.

Grouse

 

[cribber]

Re: Absolutely NEW!

Also contact your local Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary and enroll in the Florida Boater's Safety Course. Everyone new to boating should take this at least once. The dealer I got my boat from paid for my safety course when I bought from him. Those two boats you posted from CL will definitely need some work. The Pro-Line looked to be the better of the two since the 1st one has a dead motor. And also th pro-Line add said the trailer is good for local hauls to the ramp. That says you'll likely need to do trailer repairs too. There are deals out there and then there a duds out there. Don't by a boat without taking it for a Sea Trial.

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Absolutely NEW!

8 to 10 people offshore, I'm thinkin somewhere in the '32+ range.

With either a single diesel or twin gas engine(s)

Min 20 grand for a fixer uper. Another 10 grand in repairs and upgrades. Probably pick up something that needs a complete restoration for next to nothing, but, you'll spend the 20 on that one anyway. Add the cost of monthly slip rental. The list goes on

Better talk the wife into some more boot.

Not trying to be a bummer just some reality.

Better rethink the priorities or start with a entry level boat and slowly work your way up.

JMHO

 

[F_R]

Re: Absolutely NEW!

You say you want 8 to 10 persons offshore capacity? That's way out of my league, but I think you need to leave some of those people home or start thinking a bigger boat with twin inboards. And dig up some more money.

Why don't you prowl around a local marina and talk to some of the captains? Find somebody that will take out a party of ten and see what kind of equipment he has.

 

[Philster]

Re: Absolutely NEW!

8-10 people have trouble fishing on charter boats, even of the Hatteras* style!

Boats and seamanship have a learning curve that is measured in decades. Jumping into a serious offshore boat/adventure requires one to complete a big chunk of that curve.


*Pictured: Hatteras-style offshore yacht.

Dreams should have starting points. Yours is the raft. Now have a set of objectives to reach your goal( dream). I think you should look for an outboard, small center console boat to fish with 2-3 buddies as your next objective.

Pictured: your next objective.


For the record: My dream is a 35' fishing boat and 27' performance boat sitting on lifts behind my house on the water with huge dockage, deep water and a small beach for the kids -- Toss in some Waverunners, etc. A gazebo would be nice, too.
.

 

[Amistad]

Re: Absolutely NEW!

OK!
Everything as usually?I asked about boats, answers are about my dreams and my wife`s budget.
Thanks a lot to Cribber and Grouse for useful replying. I will take courses. And boat with one engine.
But other questing are still there!
Second chance:
1.what kind of engine is better (efficient, reliable)? For example, I`ve read that
I should aware of OMC. But found in Craigslist post with boat with Vilvo- penta 4cyl.
Makes 5 to 6 mpg. Can I say, that I/O more efficient, then outboard?
What is better-Volvo, Mercruiser or Ford?
2.what boat is better, because I`ll buy very old boat(because of budget). For example,
I found on some topic, that old Bayliner is not good choice. Much smarter to buy Pro-line, Aquasport, Wellcraft? Is this statement truth?
3. When I`ll be check boat very first time, what spots and places I have to look at first?
What is most important?
4.I saw on Craiglist boats with passport capacity 10 and 12 person(enough room to seat) with length of 23` and 24`.
That is I am talking about! But not about party for 12 people with beer, dancing and wild sex on the deck.
Please, guys, any information and your own meaning.
Alex

 

[Amistad]

Re: Absolutely NEW!

Guys!
This is example:
http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/bar/2596613381.html
what do you think about this old boat?
what kind of problem I will get with this vessel?
On first look it is not bad forold boat,but...who knows??

 

[sqbtr]

Re: Absolutely NEW!

That is a sweet find.

The little 4 cyl is fresh water cooled and one of the most economical to run. It won't be a speed demon but will get you there and back. Any more than 3 people and they get crowded.

Wood rot is the main concerne, and would be of any boat of that vintage, weather it was a Bayliner or not.

Take a look over at the restoration forum and see what you can get into if you're not carefull about what you buy.

In your price range I wouldn't say one manufacturer would be better than another,it's all about maintenance and how it's been stored. Gotta keep the water on the outside.