do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

[jeffconnell12]

Hey guys, i started an earlier thread looking for some advice on a good under 3k first purchase, i started my search with fiberglass but was pushed away from them when considering all the possible unforseen hull work etc (consider this boat will be quite old), i am now looking for an aluminim one, as a package (with a motor, steering controls etc) but i am some what unexperienced with boat prices, would this make for a decent deal (in canada) .. thanks!! **this boat will be 90% ocean, and there are lots of calm areas around me however id love to be able to take it out into the.. "open ocean" and do some fishing.. but its primary purpose will be lounging on

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/pml/boa/2639362905.html

 

[mr 88]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

Nice boat with the safety kicker for your ocean jaunts.Price is 500-1000 too much in my neck of the woods,although the kicker adds value for sure. IF it was me I would be looking in the 18'+ range."Lounging" is tough on a 16' and you will be looking to go bigger in no time.Also fishing equip and hitting the Pacific would dictate more HP and square footage in the cockpit.Do yourself a favor and look at a couple boats 16-20' and tell me what would make you more comfortable.No huge difference in weight as far as towing goes.This is the time of the year that the buyer has the upper hand, so use it with your bargaining.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

If it test drives with no serious issues it appears to be a great deal. The running kicker engine is icing on the cake. I agree that it is a little smaller than you need for "going out" any where in salt water.

 

[jeffconnell12]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

Hey guys thanks for the quick responses! i would personally looooove a 19ft er buuut in reality i only have sufficient space for a 16 max beside my (parents ) house. I just called and they said i can come test drive it.. which is nice to hear, i am new to aluminums so anything major i should check? make sure no leaks at the rivets.. (i am learning to weld *sidenote) and check the gears etc..

 

[mr 88]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

Well with the engine/engines first and foremost is the water impeller.When was it changed last?If more than two years ago,change it.A compression test would be nice,but if you do not have the gauge all you can go by is how it runs at different speeds.The transom should have wood on the inside,take a small pick or screwdriver and poke around to see if you can find any soft wood.It may need replacing do to the year of boat.That is not a big deal on a tin boat.Tough to see leaks coming through the rivets.Ask the guy if it leaks.After test ride pull the drain plug and see what comes out,should be fairly dry,as long as it's not raining and you don't get any splash over the gunwales.Leave plug out until you get to the ramp as some water may be "stuck" in the ribs of the boat.Quite often the center drain channel under all the ribs get filled up with debris and does not allow the water to flow out,no matter what the angle.Then when you hit waves it sends the water over the ribs and to the stern of the boat.
PS 2400 in my mind means show him the money...2000 and tell him that's your budget and prepare to walk if he balks.He will stop you before you get in your car and take that amount.

 

[southkogs]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

I had one of those E'rude 50HPs. It was a beast ... you couldn't kill it.

Looks like a good deal if everything checks out. Good luck.

 

[jeffconnell12]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

thanks again guys! .. i hear a lot of chatter about the rivoted vs welded.. this boat is a compromise.. and i am on a budget, and this fits nicely into it plus a whole bunch of extras what do you guys think.. am im going to have a leaky craft? i plan on test driving it this week!

 

[oops!]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

jeff.....if you do have a leaky craft......dont worry about it......because you are on a budget.....we can fix it. and at 2400....you are not going to get a perfect boat in van.

that is about good as deal as you are going to get.....i would prefer a larger motor......but that "sounds" like a good starter........dont go far in a 16 footer....a wake from BC ferries will flip you if you dont take it right.

where are you gonna boat?

 

[oops!]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

btw.....watch out.......if you are going to the white rock area to boat.......you know the cops have spotters on the boarder

 

[jeffconnell12]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

well, currently im in delta and i go to the slough a lot ...in by 8 foot dinghy with rebuilt 4.hp haha but i am moving a few blocks from downtown so ill be boating around coal harbour and hoping to do some trips to north van area, like deep cove, and areas like steveston in richmond. Also of course make some trips to the interior. My dad has property on ruxton island, near galiano, i know this is not the..realistic boat to do it in, but would i have any chance with all the appropriate safety gear? id love to be the first to step foot on our land hahaha.. pathetic i know. Any shot at crossing the straight and making it to victoria? thanks!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

if you don't have a compression tester buy one.... small price to pay for the knowledge you get from it

 

[jeffconnell12]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

what should i be shooting for compression wise? i am good with cars so if anything relates im looking for even 100-150? also would this engine be 2 cyls? or..3? thanks!

 

[oops!]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

well, currently im in delta and i go to the slough a lot ...in by 8 foot dinghy with rebuilt 4.hp haha but i am moving a few blocks from downtown so ill be boating around coal harbour and hoping to do some trips to north van area, like deep cove, and areas like steveston in richmond. Also of course make some trips to the interior. My dad has property on ruxton island, near galiano, i know this is not the..realistic boat to do it in, but would i have any chance with all the appropriate safety gear? id love to be the first to step foot on our land hahaha.. pathetic i know. Any shot at crossing the straight and making it to victoria? thanks!

jeff....they make naniamo in bathtubs all the time !

yes....on a good day...but make sure you know what the weather is doing........even the straight kicks up hard enough to stop the ferries.
i would suggest to stay near the shore for a little while.....till you get more comfortable with bigger water....

i would also have a marine vhf radio if you are going to galliano.......cellphones can carp out !

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

I'm guessing 120 plus.... no more than 10% difference between highest and lowest

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

Hey my boat is over 40 years old..There is a ton of old Starcrafts on here that are riveted and dont leak a drop
Thats a clean hull and nice little boat, but I agree, key word is little
Stay close to shore, watch the weather constantly and make sure you have a good marine radio AND a antenne LONG enough to get reception

 

[jacoboregon]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

I know they don't have quite the room to lounge, but have you considered an inflatable? You can get more boat for your money and be MUCH safer out in open water. I feel safer in my 13ft commando then my friends 18 footer, plus it is much more friendly in smaller water, and easier to move around.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

That boat is a nice deal. I had a similar boat and it was a lot of fun. I sold mine for almost as much and it was older and didn't have a kicker (and wasn't in Canada!).

 

[jeffconnell12]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

thanks again guys, so when doing the compression test, what should be done after pulling the plugs, i will be turning the engine over at the control with the key.. if it has a kill switch can i just flip that? thanks!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: do i buy this boat??!! (first timer)

remove all plugs... if it had a distributor ground the coil wire. If it has coil packs ground all spark plug wires... open throttle to full.... crank engine max psi (or very close to it should be attained in 3 revolutions..... count revolutions (needle will bounce each revolution and you can tell by sound) test each cylinder with the same number of revolutions.....

BTW batt needs to be fully charged. slow cranking will give faulty numbers