Another "what boat should I get" for saltwater

[computerguy989]

Hello,

I registered on this forum as I am looking for a boat to get to wakeboard and tow tubes behind and need some advice. I have been looking at used bow riders usually 1995-2005 models of sea rays, bayliners, stingrays, and regals in the 16-20' range.

My question is this boat will be almost solely used in saltwater. My friend has offered to allow me to use his dry boat dock behind his house if I get a boat so I have dry storage for it. He currently has an old (1995) regal jet boat and hates it. Because of all the work he has had to do on his boat he is absolutely convinced that I could not get an inboard. This is counter to what my boss (who has worked on boats both inboard and outboard) since he was 11 and says that as long as I flush the inboard it shouldn't make a difference between buying an inboard or outboard.

I want a bowrider because I will not made overnight trips with it. I am also particularly interested in the inboard 4.3 L Mercruisers giving a good balance of power, price, and fuel efficiency between the 3.0 L and 5.0 L.

From what I have been gathering from going though these forums (searching for other users who use it on saltwater), they seem to have some issues with electrical corrosion which I am comfortable fixing. I can do general maintenance with out problems (oil changes and the like) but I don't have the equipment easily accessible to do fix bigger issues.

On the other hand it does seem like there are less mechanical issues on the newer outboards but I can't find any bow riders or dual consoles in my area that have a decent price with a powerful enough outboard to easily pull a wakeboarder out of the water with 3-4 other people onboard.

I detail cars and spend a lot of time and money doing preventive maintenance and detailing on my own car and would do the same if I bought a boat.

Basically I think I would be more happy with an inboard but would using it in saltwater create major mechanical issues in the long run? I expect to run this around 10 hours a month plus whenever my friend wants to use it since it is in his backyard. All the inboards I was looking at were around the $4,000-$8,000 range averaging 150 hours. Is this price possible with bow riders with outboards?

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Another "what boat should I get" for saltwater

My buddy has a 97 Searay 175 with a 125 Merc 2 stroke outboard.

I learned to ski and wakeboard on that boat. He propped it down a bit, but with 5 on board and 1 in the water, it has plenty of oomph to get a skiier out of the water...and wakeboarding is MUCH easier to get someone out of the water...

I'd definitely recommend an outboard for the ocean. Not necessary, but it sure makes sense to me.

 

[omcgreasemonkey]

Re: Another "what boat should I get" for saltwater

i have a 1975 cobia tradewinds ss 173 with a 90 force its plenty ive pulled the kids around on tubes and skis with it its solid and for sale pm me if interested 2500 ill take for it

 

[dave4881]

Re: Another "what boat should I get" for saltwater

I would recommend an outboard also. Outboards flush quicker and easier than I/O's. They are much easier to 'winterize' if you are in a cold climate with freezing temps in the winter. They also have a much better power to weight ratio and perform very well. I/O's generally get better fuel economy, but as they get older that is offset by the increased maintenance expense.

Removing the motor from the saltwater and flushing it with fresh water will go a long way in keeping the motor healthy. This will minimize the repairs needed greatly. Just my 2 cents...

 

[stimps]

Re: Another "what boat should I get" for saltwater

One thing to consider is which is better for wakeboarding which is what you want to use it for. I had the same choices when buying mine and ended up getting the 4.3 I/O. You basically flush them through like you would an outboard so not much difference there. I think the only downside is the bellows/UJ and gimbal bearings that are not on an outboard and require yearly maintenance but it is not hard. The position and weight of the engine make for a better wake and the torque of the engine pulls people out of the water really well. Mines a 1997 and I replaced the manifolds to be on the safe side, other than that it is original and used in saltwater every summer (6month moorings) for it's entire life. Try both before you buy.

 

[computerguy989]

Re: Another "what boat should I get" for saltwater

Thank you everyone for your advice. After thinking about it for awhile I have decided to go with a bowrider with at least a 115 HP outboard. My friend who has the dry dock went out with me this weekend to look at boats. We were trying to look at this boat that we had found on craigslist:

http://spacecoast.craigslist.org/boa/2020498257.html

A 1995 Bayliner with a 1999 Mecury 125 HP outboard with 10 hours on a rebuilt engine for only $2500. He had sold it less then 30 mins before we got there.


We then went to boat shops looking for the same type of boat and either they were in horrible shape or were asking to much. The following boat I was able to talk down to $8,000 but I still thought it was to much for it as the GPS didn't work and we would have to replace an oil fluid pump.

http://www.boatersexchange.com/sear...N&indid=1&sortCol=Length&sortDir=DESC&page=2&


So basically at the beginning of last week I wanted to get a boat right now but I am just seeing what happens now and will jump when I find something I want for a good price.

 

[fd2blk]

Re: Another "what boat should I get" for saltwater

I just went through this and ended up with a Dual Console 115 Salt Water outboard and added a tower. I was looking at three boats a 2001 Moomba inboard, a 2004 Chaparell and the Sea Fox DC. I was real close to getting the Moomba just because the boat was a great wakeboard/ski boat but in the end i had to ask myself what do I realy want the boat to do and I like to fish, shrimp, ski and wakeboard and the DC definatly was the right choice. I added the tower for $400 and the boat makes a nice wake and seats 6-7 easy and as I progress I can always add fat sacs for an even better wake. I had a pole I used for about a month that I made for my old Center Console but the tower is so much nicer and provides storage for all the boards, ski's and vest.

Here are a couple of pics of the boat the day I installed the tower, I have added a second rack for two more boards since and a pic of the boat with the pole and my old CC with the pole

This is the pole worked great just took up to much space

The old boat with the pole

 

[DocTide]

Re: Another "what boat should I get" for saltwater

Had to bump this thread, since its still around and didnt want to start a new one. I am in the same situation. I live in South Florida and LOVE to fish fresh and saltwater. However I have been surfing a long time, and simply love water sports so I wanted to get into wakeboarding. I wanted to know what your opinions were on getting a smaller 17ft MAX, more like 16ft boat with a large enough engine to pull? I have been looking into old model Cobia's and was thinking 115-150HP pure outboard because of the salt and maintenance. Any suggestions? I was looking to get a boat awhile back but had to stop, and am now in the market again. I know wake will never be as good as an I/O or inboard, but can you add balasts to a boat this small? Or a tower?

Are these cobia boats worthwhile and strong, or should I just look elsewhere? There seem to be quite a few on criagslist for some good prices. I have no problem working on a boat if it will save me some money, but dont want to spend all my time and more money then the boat is worth. Any help or advice is GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[ThreeMileBayWaker]

Re: Another "what boat should I get" for saltwater

I just got back from a trip to West Palm Beach, after seeing the water situation down there I honestly don't think a 16ft boat would be a great idea once you start adding ballast to it. You sure as hell won't be going out on the ocean with it, I saw a 24' boat roll just off Juno Beach on Saturday in the swells. Many manufactuers offer a salt water option for a model line, I don't know if this a more recent option but probably would be the best and the larger of a boat you can go would be better.

The salt water option offers a closed cooling system along with multiple stainless steel fixtures and components to extend the boats life.

 

[DocTide]

Re: Another "what boat should I get" for saltwater

I wasnt planning on leaving the intercoastal with this boat, maybe a run to Penut island and back a few time. Most of my fishing was going to be in the Flamingo area flats and backcountry. So I wont be going out to blue water, do you guys think a 16fter will work for these senarios?