Age of Your Boat

[jkust]

Re: Age of Your Boat

I have wondered the same thing about the old boats but then this is generally a repair forum. I bet a lot of the old boat owners have afforded much newer cars and trucks. I see it all the time at the ramps... ancient boat beautiful newer truck. I guess it is about priorities. At least in the colder climates with short seasons, I would bet the vehicle gets the priority over the boat.

 

[FSTHUH]

Re: Age of Your Boat

my baby is nine months...

 

[Aqualift]

Re: Age of Your Boat

My Glastron is 39 years old. I was specifically looking for an older boat, as I'm a fan of the classic looking closed bow runabout from that era. It sort of transports me back in time. I also enjoy working on older motors.

 

[nickt892003]

Re: Age of Your Boat

I have a 1972 sea star with a 105hp chrysler. My oldie but a goodie runs better than most of my buddies newer boats

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Age of Your Boat

My rig is about 42 years old and you couldn't drag me out to buy a new version of her for $1500 kicking and screaming. I see boats like mine for <300 all the time and the aluminum is heavier gauge than the new ones in mos cases. What would the new boat do better...they would both float adhering to the same laws of physics.

Also new boats have so many new-fangled gadgets that break before the boat is even wet that I'd guess those folks are often embarassed to post a question on how to fix their windshield wipers or ipod accessory jack on their brand new $50,000 boat.

Course they just take it to the dealer. But what happens when the warranty runs out? Someone buys it used for a steal and posts on iboats for expert advice...the cycle continues

 

[geeco1]

Re: Age of Your Boat

Boy, this is a multi-faceted question. I think that when it comes to older boats, there are basically 2 different types of owners. 1.) Some like the nostalgia of older watercraft. 2.) Some like the reduced costs of older watercraft.

I bought my first boat about 10 years ago. It was a 1981, 14 ft fiberglass bass boat with 50 hp merc. I paid $1300 at the dealer. I eventually dropped a new deck in it with carpet ($50), and 4 new seats ($100). My kids and I fished and tubed with it for about 6-7 years until they got too big. We sold it for $1400. I figure we caught lots of fish and had lots of fun for the $50 that I didn't get back (plus fuel etc).

My current boat, I've only had for about a month and I paid $1500 for. It is now 21 years old. We have already had it out several times and are creating new memories. Can those be done with a new boat... of course. But it doesn't have to be new. Will I have to do some upgrades to my old boat... of course. But I can do those as time and money permits.

One more point... if you buy a new boat, you are not going to be apt to change things on it. With an older boat, you can rip-out the seats, re-configure, etc (within reason) and still be money ahead.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Age of Your Boat

With a boat Payment I will cringe everytime I pay the bill each month.

With an older boat payed in cash I wont have that monthly cringe. Of course what ever boat I decide on it must reliable and I will plan a maintenance and upgrade budget for it.

Just trying to think this through so I do not have a constant money pit broken down boat. I will never hear the end of it with my wife.

 

[pkrainert]

Re: Age of Your Boat

my boat is 41 years old... doesnt seem like it when i take it out though.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Age of Your Boat

Just trying to think this through so I do not have a constant money pit broken down boat

Solution=

Buy a used boat in fair to good condition that does not leak(fiberglass or aluminum) set up for an outboard w/ NO motor for $500-$2000 (craigslist)

Keep in mind that fiberglass hulls are much heavier and will require a larger outboard that will gulp fuel while a tinny=smaller outboard=sips fuel to go the same speed

Have it professionally inspected or use iboats forums to inspect them yourself it you are game to learn what to look for(floor, transom, etc)

You will be able to find all types of hulls in this range, so by all means take your time and test drive some if you want(or go out with friends on their boats) to make sure what style hull is best for you(pontoon, deep-V, tri-hull, catamaran, deckboat, etc).

Then take your remaining budget($2,000-3,000) and go out and spend the money on a motor that is in great condition. That way you can pick out exactly what kind of boat you want and make sure it is powered reliably by a smooth-running outboard.

[It's possible to buy a hull for $1000 and repower it with the remaining $4000]

If you're looking for an I/O then disregard this advice since they are difficult to swap in/out compared to outboards.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Age of Your Boat

Running a 1985 SportCraft with a 1985 90hp Johnson. Still tinkering with getting the motor running right, but it floats and gets me too and from my fishing holes. And like TD said earlier, if I bump the dock a little harder than I plan, I'm not going to cry over it. I guess older just works out better for me. Would I like a nice new boat? Probably. Would I want to make the payments, or worry about every little ding? HECK NO!

 

[OMCboater]

Re: Age of Your Boat

mine is a 40 yr old 1969 tri hull I/O.
The only reason I bought this (or any) boat is my neighbor wasn't using it anymore and I heard him starting it up (on muffs) in preparation for selling it. Upon closer inspection it turns out the stringers, floor, transom and motor mounts were mush and this boat would never see the water again without major work.
I actually bought the boat for the enjoyment of working on it, not for the enjoyment of boating (odd as that may seem). I have a desk job during the day, but I like to tinker so in my leisure time I do stuff like rebuild a boat, build an off road rig, some welding and grinding here and there, - just for the enjoyment of it. Now that the boat is done, I am enjoying using it, but I still enjoyed rebuilding it even more.
So for me, I have an older boat because a newer boat just simply wouldn't be as enjoyable.

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Age of Your Boat

Solution=

Buy a used boat in fair to good condition that does not leak(fiberglass or aluminum) set up for an outboard w/ NO motor for $500-$2000 (craigslist)

Keep in mind that fiberglass hulls are much heavier and will require a larger outboard that will gulp fuel while a tinny=smaller outboard=sips fuel to go the same speed

Have it professionally inspected or use iboats forums to inspect them yourself it you are game to learn what to look for(floor, transom, etc)

You will be able to find all types of hulls in this range, so by all means take your time and test drive some if you want(or go out with friends on their boats) to make sure what style hull is best for you(pontoon, deep-V, tri-hull, catamaran, deckboat, etc).

Then take your remaining budget($2,000-3,000) and go out and spend the money on a motor that is in great condition. That way you can pick out exactly what kind of boat you want and make sure it is powered reliably by a smooth-running outboard.

[It's possible to buy a hull for $1000 and repower it with the remaining $4000]

If you're looking for an I/O then disregard this advice since they are difficult to swap in/out compared to outboards.

Thanks for the Advice. I'm leaning towards I/O.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Age of Your Boat

I didn't know anything about Iboats at the time we bought our boat, I really liked the way she looked and the engine looked easy enough to tune up, took her out for a test run and I knew right there I wanted her to be mine, like alot of people have said here, I was able to afford to buy her ($3500.00) for an 18 yr old boat. I don't recall age ever being an issue, She really appealed to my eye and she ran great, needed some work and I am still working on her, but thats what makes her mine. I have had problems with her(minor) but that doesn't matter, I have learned *alot* from the these guys on Iboats, like it was mentioned, Its like a boating family out here, we get to share our experiences (Good and bad). Argue and laugh!!

 

[RoyR]

Re: Age of Your Boat

I stumbled onto this site when I was looking for help with some issues with my boat....again, if I had buckets of money in the basement, I wouldn't be here either. Looks like a good group, so I'm staying. Learned a lot here and is going to save enough money in labor costs to buy a plane

 

[rs2k]

Re: Age of Your Boat

Why buy a brand new Toyota when you can have a 3 year old Lexus? Why buy a brand new Cessna 182 when you can have a 5 year old Bonanza? Why buy a brand new Learjet when you can have a 10 year old Gulfstream?

I have a 28' twin engine cabin cruiser for a fraction of the cost of a brand new 18 footer. Even major repair tends to be a lot cheaper than boat payments over time.

I have found that old stuff is a lot more fun to own. 9 years ago I hated worrying about my new S10 and I was so down when it got its first dent. On the other hand, I really like my 1995 Ford F-350. It's a park and forget type of truck.

Unless it's an electronic device or an engine part I find buying things used to be much more rewarding.


I also like the style of the older boats much better. for example, the rounded windows make new boats look like toys and do nothing but increase cost.

 

[madurodave]

Re: Age of Your Boat

I have been hunting for a "good deal" for a long time. Ended up with a 2000 model and am very proud of my purchase and would hate to have a payment. Handing over 79 crisp one hundred dollar bills hurt and I know I have dropped at least another 1k.

With that said, I always buy newer used. As soon as you drive off the lot with something brand new, it depreciates exponentially. Simple economics as far as I am concerned. Of course, I like to tinker around and learn as well.

Good luck with whatever you end up with.

PS- Furthermore, I am glad I have had some minor boat issues because I really like iboats and the members!

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: Age of Your Boat

For me part of it is the money thing, but more than that is a love of older boats.
There are millions of people out there paying ungodly money for classic cars when you can get into a decent classic boat fairly cheap, sure they need some work but what used boat doesn't.
I currently own a 1973 Glastron Carlson cv-16 s/s and a 1961 Whitehouse pocket cruiser.

 

[SeanT]

Re: Age of Your Boat

With a boat Payment I will cringe everytime I pay the bill each month.

Oh don't worry, they'll offer to take it right out of your bank and you won't even feel it!

 

[AZBoatDreamer]

Re: Age of Your Boat

Oh don't worry, they'll offer to take it right out of your bank and you won't even feel it!

LOL Yes I could use auto bill pay. Still its the thought of having payments on a boat.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Age of Your Boat

Lots of people here boat in fresh water, or just during the summer and trailer the boats. It's harder to keep the old ones going in salt water, especially if you moor it, and if you use it severalmonths out of the year. But it can be done!