Boat Advice.

[Jayb123]

Hi all.. I was wondering since I am actively boat looking for a *very* budget friendly smaller boat. Am I better off:

1. Looking for a Boat, trailer and motor cheaply as a package?
2. Find a Outboard, then find a decent hull.

I ask this because I already have a decent newer 2006 Magic Tilt Trailer... that could handle around a 16' boat.

Based on the question would I save money buying individually or together in general?

 

[1979checkmate]

Re: Boat Advice.

Most generally, together. A good running outboard will set you back quite a bit.

 

[444]

Re: Boat Advice.

Here's a few truths about smaller, budget boats. A trailer with a junk hull on it is worth less than an empty trailer. A bare outboard motor is often worth more than a complete boat with an outboard on it. A Boat for sale without a trailer is worth peanuts.

If you get lucky, you might be able to find a boat/motor for sale without a trailer. Problem is, most smaller boats for sale without a trailer, usually don't have a trailer because the boat hull is junk. Your best bet at finding something reasonably priced that doesn't need a hull restoration is to find a complete boat/motor/trailer combo that's ready to be thrown in the water. Then reselling your trailer. Buying a hull and an outboard seperately is usually the most expensive way to go.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boat Advice.

when you buy cheap old boats, you are buying the motor primarily with the boat secondary and trailer irrelevant.

when you buy the "package" (aka BMT) you know everything goes together, and you can test run it. You can see how the rig was maintained--a motor sitting on a junk boat is likely to be junk but you can't tell when it's on a sawhorse.
You might find a deal on seperates then blow the savings by having to buy controls for more than the motor.

So unless you really know the used market and what can go with what, get the BMT. Keep the best trailer; sell the other one.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boat Advice.

The best deals on outboards are usually ones that are still attached to a crappy boat

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Boat Advice.

Definitely look for a package deal. You'll spend less, and have a better chance of things matching up. Less headaches = more time on the water. That's what it's all about.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Boat Advice.

I guess my opinion is biased by my own experience. My currant rig was bought as a boat and trailer and as far as I'm concerned was a steal! It had been sitting unused for about 6 years by the expired registration sticker on it. Being an aluminum hull as it's saving grace. I was then able to locate a nice running Evinrude for it also at an almost stole it price. All in all I believe I have less than $800.00 invested in this Lund, Evinrude, trailer and repairs. Of course this does not include the cost of the Tempress seats, mounts, bases and Humminbird fishfinder that I've added as extras that I wanted but didn't need.

Now as a disclaimer, I live in an area where there is water everywhere and boats are plentiful in all states of condition so picking and choosing isn't a problem. It's more a situation of be patient and what every you are looking for will show up! I've even passed on a few deals only because I didn't have the money in pocket at the time or the wife told me "NO WAY, Not until something else goes"!

So if you are looking for an outboard boat I would have no problem with looking at a boat w/o an engine on it! The biggest trick around here is finding a solid hull that needs little to no work. All else can be found reasonably. Inboards or I/O'S may be a different story but again I have no interest in those.

 

[Jayb123]

Re: Boat Advice.

Ya i have seen some BMT's that look as if the motor is worth the price of admission alone. I will continue to keep looking. The problem is however if I do find a "real good" deal on either a boat or motor and decide to buy then I am locked into taking that route. So I guess waiting for the proper "real good" deal is in order

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Boat Advice.

Yeap, if you're looking to do this on a low budget then patience is the key! I would also suggest aluminum hulled outboards on a restricted budget. Less chance of finding hidden major hull repair that's going to cost big money.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Boat Advice.

I agree with most that the boat/motor/trailer package is the way to go. However, you might do some looking around for boat yards. Being in upstate NY, you should be able to find a few of these places. You know the type. There is generally 50-100 old boats scattered on a large plot of land. You can often find a decent / budget-friendly boat and motor combo that may not have a trailer. I just past a place like this in northwestern WI. There had to be over 300 boats of varying condition. Of course the trick is finding a seaworthy boat, not one that was ditched for good reason. Now this method might get you the budget-friendly boat, but it's not an avenue for the newbie. You need to know your boats, know what to look for in terms of typical boat damage, engine soundness, etc.

If this is your first boat then I'd stick with a classic combo package that you can test on a lake with the seller.