Advice about boat purchase

[greenbush future]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

Both of those boats are great brands and for what they do, I would always desire a bigger motor, and you might be better off gas wise if you don't tear it up all the time. But the issue I see is you are gonna need about 4-6 more feet to be comfortable boating with all the kids. Kids don't stay put like adults do, and I think you will be searching for bigger boat much sooner than you think. Buying and selling boats is not the most exciting thing, and it gets expensive too. Max capacity has no reflection of actual ride and comfort and use IMO. Just because it says you can fit xx people really doesn't mean much. You will be packed in like sardines in a 20 foot boat. I'd say those boats are good for about 6 adults and gear, any more and you will be unhappy.

 

[58 Sea Fury]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

I haven't been able to find a 22' or 24' boat in my price range. I've been searching about a year. Would you recommend buying from a private owner or a reputable dealer/service technician? I am torn! Anyone ever use an aftermarket warranty service? Is there a carfax for boats?

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

Unless your boat dealer/technician offers a warranty, I don't think you're much better off buying from a dealer than from a private individual. I would think any sort of aftermarket warranty would be outrageously expensive and hard to justify on a $10,000 boat.

One thing to keep in mind: the capacity of a boat really depends on how it will be used. We do two types of boating: one, we go to the river for the day, carting food, drinks, skis/tubes, etc. for everyone. All our stuff stays with us all day. The second type of boating is when we're at our cabin in Ontario. That type of boating features trips from our dock and we generally carry less gear. When boating at our lake, our boat (about 19') can carry 7-8 people fairly comfortably for cruises around the lake, tubing, etc. That many people on day trip to the river will make the boat feel pretty cramped, especially when we're crawling over coolers, towels, bags, etc. The type of usage makes a big difference...

Eleven people on a 20' or 21' boat for an entire day would be pretty tight, even if most of them were smallish people, I think.

Jim

 

[58 Sea Fury]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

Our usage would be more like a dock it and use it. I am doubtful we will have more than 7 or 8 in at a time but if for some reason we had more who wanted to go for a ride we legally could. How much is a survey for a boat? Is it worth it? I'm thinking of going with the Larson. The other boat is actually 7 hours away and the Larson owner/technician has been more willing to work with me by sending videos and making arrangements to store it for me if needed as well as a brief warranty period. Any idea how fast a 5.0 would push a boat that size?

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

Pontoon. ...will do it

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

with motors, size is not everything, what's the power output is what you look at. Multi port injection is more fuel efficient than a carburetor or central/ throttle body injection and direct injection is even better. I have a carbureted 5.0 in my car that make about 225 hp, I work on 2.4 turbos that make that much and are a lot lighter

 

[58 Sea Fury]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

Both of these boats are carburetor. I'm thinking the Larson. The Crownline was actually a bit further away and the guy didn't seem too interested in working with me being so far away. With the Larson he sent me a video of a walk around the inside and out of the boat and video of starting it up. He worked with me on the price as well. I still haven't seen a 22' or24' in that price range. My concern is always the floor in a boat this old. You did an excellent job with your restoration coolbri70. My brother has an older Larson too a 1960.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

What are the benefits of MPI? How much does a winterization typically run? As we get closer to boating season isn't there a chance the prices could jump significantly? Thank you.

MPI is Multi Port Fuel Injection much like todays cars. It is computerized, more fuel efficient, starts without having to pump the throttle and stores fault codes that help in diagnosing what is wrong even if the engine only does it occasionally.

Winterization for a boat your size basically consists of

1) changing your motor oil, gear oil and putting stabilizer in you tank along with topping it off.
2) You then drain the water out of the block (so no freeze damage) and add antifreeze if you want to help prevent rust.
3) If your engine is fuel injected run a mixture of gas, outboard oil, and stabilizer through it for about 5 minutes before draining water.
4) if it is carbed than you skip step 3 and just spray "fogging oil" into the carb until the engine stalls
5) With either engine clean the outside gently and spray with a coating of CRC multi purpose lubricant or the like. (to prevent rust)
6) Store drive in the full down position.
7) disconnect the battery(s) (+) terminal first (-) terminal last and put back (-) terminal first in the spring.
8) Cover whole boat appropriately with shrink wrap or waterproof tarp.
9) remove all drain plugs from boat.


You cost is going to depend on how much of the above you do yourself and how much you have the yard do. If the yard does the whole thing probably around $250-350 per engine and $300-$400 for shrink wrapping.

You are right about prices going up as the weather gets warmer. I would try to negotiate a deal based on a sea trial in the spring. The seller doesn't have to do this but a small non refundable deposit might sweeten up the deal and let him know you're serious. You can learn somethings from just a compression test and running the motor on muffs but you really need to run the engine under load to find out what you need to know before you spend the kind of money you're talking about spending.

 

[Brian 26]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

Just based on what we know I would pick the crownline.

Any idea what the difference in MPH and Fuel efficiency would be between the 5.0 and 5.7?

If one is fuel injected that will be the more efficient motor.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

i like the crown for two reasons - looks like it has a bigger bow area so the people up there will have more room and the bigger engine. You don't have to use it, but nice to have it when you want it.

The 'double decking' could be a quick fix to bad floor but more than likely is was raised at install to allow a wider floor platform for a smaller area. Doesn't seem like much but in a bow an extra 2" can be 'felt'. If the boat is overall in great shape I'm guessing not a repair job.


that all said - it really sounds like a pontoon is what you want if you want to just putt out, anchor up and play. Or a deckboat; a good compromise. Note there are four adults here, still a bench seat in the back for a couple kids. My friend has one of these and there is lots of storage too.

 

[58 Sea Fury]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

I like the Crown too but the guy showed little interest in working with me because I'm so far away. I would love a little bigger boat but don't have the cash to get a bigger boat. The other sent me videos of the boat and has worked with me on the price and a warranty. It also includes the top. I think they both look well cared for. A 5.7 is preferable but it is 2.5 more hours away.

 

[58 Sea Fury]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

What is the best way to check the floor? Are there certain areas that are more prone to rot than others? I know to check at the back by the ladder due to the screw holes, is there anywhere else? Do ski locker areas tend to rot out quicker? Thank you.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

I don't think you will find much wood around the ski locker... The stingers and bulkheads shouldn't be wood, so the only wood is going to be the lid. (In my boat, the ski locker was carpeted and the drain hole was located such that about a quarter inch of water would always be left in the, causing the carpet to show mold. Nothing down there to rot, though.)

If you take a medium to large flat blade screwdriver, you can try turning the large pan-head machine screws that hold the ladder. If they turn easily, or if there's a lot of play in them, it means the sealant may be compromised, letting water in. I'd be very cautious, and really investigate thoroughly. You will only be able to see about a third of the transom from inside the engine compartment because Larson installed carpeted panels on either side of the engine bay. The carpeted panels are screwed to the transom core and will prevent you from seeing the core where the ladder is attached. You should be able to see the transom all around the keyhole, though, and you probably will want to poke it with your screwdriver to make sure it's good and solid.

I also would check the floor of the rear compartment for soft spots. It will most likely be carpeted, though. Rapping with a metal hammer might reveal soft spots, but I'm not sure.

Elsewhere on the boat, check the decking near the seat pedestals, up front of the ski locker (where the fiberglass floor of the bow section ends, right under the windshield), and around the large access panel covering the gas tank (in the center just in front of the rear seat; you might be able to see/feel in the carpet the screws that hold the fuel tank cover).

You don't want to find any soft spot on the floor whatsoever.

Hope that helps!

Jim

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

I like the Crown too but the guy showed little interest in working with me because I'm so far away. I would love a little bigger boat but don't have the cash to get a bigger boat. The other sent me videos of the boat and has worked with me on the price and a warranty. It also includes the top. I think they both look well cared for. A 5.7 is preferable but it is 2.5 more hours away.

looks like you are in Chicago area?you got to be able to find something and i missed the part where you have FOUR little kids, and they might bring friends. I'm really thinking pontoon, and you can go nice and cheap on those.



this one for $6k.

24' Pontoon boat Brunswick 1993

1993 Brunswick Spectrum Cruiser 24' with a 90 Horse Mariner OB motor. Carborator's rebuilt recently. New interstate battery. Also includes life vest, anchor, fire exstinguisher, built in sink, changing room. Two tables. No trailer. Great boat to fish or swim off.
All new seats. Can arrange for local delivery. Will discuss any reasonable offer. Cash only.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

I like the Crown too but the guy showed little interest in working with me because I'm so far away. I would love a little bigger boat but don't have the cash to get a bigger boat. The other sent me videos of the boat and has worked with me on the price and a warranty. It also includes the top. I think they both look well cared for. A 5.7 is preferable but it is 2.5 more hours away.

looks like you are in Chicago area?you got to be able to find something and i missed the part where you have FOUR little kids, and they might bring friends. I'm really thinking pontoon, and you can go nice and cheap on those.



this one for $6k.

24' Pontoon boat Brunswick 1993

1993 Brunswick Spectrum Cruiser 24' with a 90 Horse Mariner OB motor. Carborator's rebuilt recently. New interstate battery. Also includes life vest, anchor, fire exstinguisher, built in sink, changing room. Two tables. No trailer. Great boat to fish or swim off.
All new seats. Can arrange for local delivery. Will discuss any reasonable offer. Cash only.

 

[58 Sea Fury]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

Can we wakeboard and ski behind a pontoon? I am a ways from the Chicago area, Des Moines, that's what is making this so difficult. Tough to get a good look at a boat from this far away.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

If skiiing and wakeboarding are important to you, I don't think a pontoon is what you want. Especially when the kids get a bit older.

 

[58 Sea Fury]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

Last question....probably: What would a good estimate for the top speed of the Larson 206 SEI with a 5.0 and one person be? I tried to find it but couldn't. Thanks again.

 

[dan02gt]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

Last question....probably: What would a good estimate for the top speed of the Larson 206 SEI with a 5.0 and one person be? I tried to find it but couldn't. Thanks again.

Here's a test on almost the same boat with the 5.0L carb:

2005 Larson Larson Senza 206 Tested & Reviewed On US Boat Test.com

They say 51MPH and I think that is a reasonable number for that boat.

 

[58 Sea Fury]

Re: Advice about boat purchase

Thank you for all of your wonderful advice. I am going to buy the Larson. First I/O boat...wish me luck