First boat purchase-Need help

[Jim Cahoe]

I am looking for my first fishing boat and know next to nothing. What would be considered the top 3 motors? How many hours is normal before the lower motor needs to be overhauled?
I am looking for something to both fish from and run around the lake? Maybe pull an occasional skier? Any suggestions and what would be the minimum HP motor?

I am planning on spending $2500 or less and realize I will need to do some work.

Thanks

 

[oops!]

Re: First boat purchase-Need help

Hi Jim....

Welcome to iboats !

You will get lots of good opinions here....go get the popcorn and sody pop and start reading.....lol

However I think we need a bit more info.

Like ....what part of the country are you in.....and what kind of lake do you intend to boat on...

How many people will be in the boat on average and what is your level of experience with boats.

These questions can help us better to help you.

cheers
oops

 

[edfishing2]

Re: First boat purchase-Need help

Jim,
I have had a blast with my first fishing boat (5th year now). Don't let the size fool you and you can get one for under 2500 right now on craigslist. Mid to late 1980's Jason bass boat 15.5 foot which is rated for 115 hp. Mine has a 100hp Evinrude and goes plenty fast for me. The boat is light, stable with two people and handles chop just fine. It is easy tow. Two thumbs up for small Jason, Javelin, Stratos, HydraSports boat in the under 18 foot range for me. I have also pulled my kids around on tube. Top three motors depends on who you talk to and how it has been taken care of. Yamaha has good reputation around east TN, Mercury has some die hard fans, mine came with Evinrude so I like it. Look using statewide craigslist search for Jason boat and you can find one in Morristown TN with a Mercury there is a Fish and ski model in Atlanta GA area, and a couple of others.
There is a killer looking Javelin in the Chattanooga region with 115 Yamaha, There is a Jason in the cinncinnati OH area, lexington KY area with 70 hp yamaha, the one in western KY area Owensboro is sweet looking but is above your budget. Good luck and right now is the best time to buy.

 

[roscoe]

Re: First boat purchase-Need help

I am looking for my first fishing boat and know next to nothing. What would be considered the top 3 motors? How many hours is normal before the lower motor needs to be overhauled?
I am looking for something to both fish from and run around the lake? Maybe pull an occasional skier? Any suggestions and what would be the minimum HP motor?

I am planning on spending $2500 or less and realize I will need to do some work.

Thanks

Welcome to iboats Jim.

Please take no offense to any of the comments you read hear.

We need to know more about where yoe are, where you will use the boat, etc.

And you also need to learn more about boat, thats why you are here, right?


So, where are you located?
Where will you use the boat? ocean - salt ? rivers? lakes? what size lakes? The great Lakes or something like 900 acres?

What experience do you have with boats?

Are you looking for outboard power, or an i/o powered boat?

How many hours is normal before the lower motor needs to be overhauled?

Not sure what you mean by that.

Some motors last 1500 hours before a rebuild. Some last only 100.
Its all about maintenance.

Lower units can last 50 years, or 5 months, again its maintenance.

Are you partial to aluminum, or fiberglass?

Type of fishing? Lake trout, bass, panfish?

Do you want/need livewells, coolers, casting deck, downriggers, single console, dual console, full windshield, or tiller operated?


I am looking for something to both fish from and run around the lake?Maybe pull an occasional skier? /COLOR]


You can do that with a 16' aluminum, with a 40 hp motor.

Or a 20' center console with a 200 hp.


The top 3 motors?
Outboards: Mercury, Evinrude, Yamaha.

I/o's : Mercruiser, Volvo


Now, exactly which motor, hp, and vintage, is another question.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: First boat purchase-Need help

I have to parrot everyone else as they have all asked very valid questions. More info is needed, then realize that from experience there is no such thing as a perfect boat that will fill all your needs or desires in one package. Too many trade offs for different situations. Size, weight, hp, amount of maintenance, number of people aboard. Just the requirements for fishing different species or style dictate different hull designs. A big bass boat would not do well fishing shallow marshes same as a 14' rowboat would not do well trolling Lake Michigan for salmon, or Lake Eriee for walleye . A 15' runabout will pull a skier though not as well as a 18' I/O.

 

[roscoe]

Re: First boat purchase-Need help

I guess I'll throw out a suggestion.


Aluminum.
18'

Starcraft, Sylvan, Smokercraft, or Blue Finn RIVETeED hull.

Vintage 1973-1988

80-115 hp outboard, 1984 or newer.


Long lasting boats.

Great riding hulls.

Easy to work on motors.