another new boat looker...

[109jb]

Re: another new boat looker...

That, I like and it seems to cover the bases - although my wife may need more "comfort" for lounging while I fish . Alos, my limited knowledge tells me this may not be a good bay boat?

You could always have some cushions made for the aft or fore decks, or both.

 

[109jb]

Re: another new boat looker...

If fishing was seriously going to be 50% of my usage, I'd go for an 18' aluminum fish & ski such as this: http://www.lundboats.com/1850tyee_2008.html

That's a good one too, but for the 50% fun stuff it doesn't have the swim platforms (although small), or I think the large storage areas to accommodate all the tubing/skiing stuff.

 

[109jb]

Re: another new boat looker...

That, I like and it seems to cover the bases - although my wife may need more "comfort" for lounging while I fish . Alos, my limited knowledge tells me this may not be a good bay boat?

They also have a bigger version than the one I gave the picture of.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: another new boat looker...

I didn't have that much time to look before. This is the one I remembered seeing that I'd love to have. I think it'd be great for mixed use rivers and bay. Being a deep v I think it'd handle chop pretty well. Bow cushions are available and there's even a small swim platform. Check out the gallery images. THIS is what I was thinking would be ideal. Course you'd have to find something comparable used http://www.fisherboats.com/boat/gallery.cfm?boat=2726

 

[triumphrick]

Re: another new boat looker...

This boat would pretty much suit your needs. The size the make and the Yamaha power are all good attributes.
This boat is only six years old, low hours and well below what you are intending to spend.
It took me about a month to find this brand and model.

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/boa/826279476.html

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

I've been told by the "treasurer" that she wants a fun boat that you can use for fishing, not the other way around.

I can't help leaning towards a new Bayliner, Tahoe, Maxum, runabout. Just seems like a better idea for someone who knows zero about what to look for in a used boat.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

I've been told by the "treasurer" that she wants a fun boat that you can use for fishing, not the other way around.

I can't help leaning towards a new Bayliner, Tahoe, Maxum, runabout. Just seems like a better idea for someone who knows zero about what to look for in a used boat.

I mean bowrider, not runabout.

 

[Irv964]

Re: another new boat looker...

I own a 165 Fish & Ski Lowe with a 90 Merc 4 stroke and it serves our needs perfectly,(they also make a 17 & 18 footer) it came with a swim ladder/platform, ski-pylon, removable combing pads and rails in the bow and 3 seats. On the fishing end of it, it has a large livewell, rod storage, fish finder, removable front fishing platform etc.
In my opinion it is a perfect boat for our needs, it has the comforts and conveniences for my wife and young lad and all the fishing conveniences for me. Check them out, they are a great handling, stable boat imo........Irv964
http://loweboats.com/Page.aspx/pageId/810/pmId/111615/Lowe-Fish-And-Ski-165.aspx

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

I really like that Nitro 189 sport but it does not seem like it would work on chop you may have on a bay. Am I right? If so then I guess I'm looking for that boat with a deep hull with sides?

thanks everyone, you've been really helpful

 

[ezmobee]

Re: another new boat looker...

Yes, the Nitro might not be ideal for the bay. You would want something with deeper sides or "freeboard" as they say.

 

[109jb]

Re: another new boat looker...

The Nitro 189 Sport would definately not be the best in the bay, but if you pick your days could still be used. Nitro also make a similar boat that is a bit bigger, the Nitro 288 Sport. Would be a bit better. Another one I like is the Tracker Tundra line and it has more freeboard and would be much better in rough water. Below are pictures of the Nitro 288 Sport and the Tundra 18WT. The Tundra is also available in a 20 foot version. Other manufacturers have similar boats, I'm just familiar with the Tracker and Nitro lines because there is a BP near me that I find myself at frequently. For your price range you should be able to find a similar used boat in great shape. As far as being able to tell if a used boat is a good one, you can always hire a marine surveyor to look at one for you when you find what you think you want. To get what you are talking about new you will be anywhere from about $25K to 40K range.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

Thanks. I've been searching and have found a few really nice used 17-18' bowriders locally for under +/- $10k. One is a Sea Ray. Most seem to have the 3.0 i/o. I know that most people will say they'd rather have a bigger motor but will the 3.0 not work for me? Again, mostly two adults, sometimes 4, seldom more than 4. Want to tube and ski.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: another new boat looker...

3.0 you will out grow very rapidly, if you are into water sports. 4.3 efi is my recommendation as minimum. i have a 23' with a 5.7 Volvo SX. excellant combo. up to 20' 4.3 efi will handle it.

 

[109jb]

Re: another new boat looker...

Thanks. I've been searching and have found a few really nice used 17-18' bowriders locally for under +/- $10k. One is a Sea Ray. Most seem to have the 3.0 i/o. I know that most people will say they'd rather have a bigger motor but will the 3.0 not work for me? Again, mostly two adults, sometimes 4, seldom more than 4. Want to tube and ski.

I saw your post at the top of page 2. Does this mean that the 50/50 usage has changed?? If so, that opens up a whole world of possibilities. Most any bowrider would work. Since you want to occasionally get into the bay, you may want to look at about 20' bowriders. A few modifications and they can be made pretty good for fishing off of. Biggest problem with using a pleasure boat for fishing is the lack of a live well. That is where all the fish and ski boats have made their mark. There are several boats that are mainly pleasure boats, but have livewells. I'm not an I/O guy, but for water sports what you need is not so much the top speed, but the ability to get of of the hole quickly.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

Does this mean that the 50/50 usage has changed?? If so, that opens up a whole world of possibilities. Most any bowrider would work.

No, still 50/50. My wife just seems to lean towards something more "sporty" I guess. We're mid-40's, kids are grown, we never had a boat but have always dreamt of it, and we can afford to do it now. I really wouldn't say we are, or ever will be, "into water sports". We'd like to try tubing for sure and skiing hopefully (we're healthy active folk but you never know) then go from there. I know we'll do an equal amount of that plus fishing and just floating around. I have limited mecanical ability so giant motors put me off some. I really don't anticipate "growing out of" whatever I buy but I guess a lot of people say that at first. At this point, I'd say I'm looking for an 18-20 open bow in the $10-12K range. Now finding it?... that's a whole other story !

 

[ezmobee]

Re: another new boat looker...

My uncle has a '95 SeaRay 175 with the 3.0. He bought it new in '95 and has used it HARD mainly for watersports and it's done the job adequately for him. He's a hard core skier and when his buddy brings down his V8 powered boat they do of course prefer that one but the 3.0 is able to get the job done for everything he likes to do. Just went for a cruise on it last weekend with 5 adults and my 1 year old. We were going almost 40 MPH and it felt quick out of the hole. I think the 3.0 would work great for you and they are fairly bulletproof motors.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: another new boat looker...

Go for the Sea Ray. They're good solid boats. I'd shy away from Bayliners, as they're notorious for rotting from the inside, out.

Love my 1981 Sea Ray. It's older than me, and holding up better as well.

 

[ckone0814]

Re: another new boat looker...

Is the 4.3 preferred, yes I'm sure but knowing me and my situation, I think a 3.0 would do the job. Now, tell me about outboard vs in. I gotta believe outboard is preferred for less-experienced and mechanically-deficient people? Also better for fresh water fishing too?

 

[Uraijit]

Re: another new boat looker...

4.3 all the way. It's the same block that is VERY common in light truck applications, and is proven reliable. You won't see much difference in fuel economy between the 3.0 and the 4.3, but the 4.3 will have the extra "oomph" that you'll appreciate when you go to pull a skier/wakeboarder out of the water.

I'd recommend an Inboard/Outboard to someone with less mechanical experience (or to ANYBODY, for that matter). The engines are virtually identical to those in a car, so whatever you know about working on them, should transition over quite nicely to your boat.

 

[triumphrick]

Re: another new boat looker...

IMHO I would vouch for the outboard over the inboard. My experience goes back about the past 22 years when the first new boat I bought came with a Yamaha outboard. I fished that boat hard for ten years, and other than plugs and impellers, which I learned to install, that motor never saw a shop or mechanic.
I don't know, but that experience got me out of my earlier I/O's as well as sold me on Yamaha motors.