First day of the rest of my life.....

[Home Cookin']

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

do not think that your purchase price is all you will spend. The older the boat the more you will spend no matter how "good" the condition is.
Focus on the motor not the stereo and bimini. You can buy the toys with the money you don't spend on the carbs or water pump.
As for trailering, consider your needs: will you be trailering often, on highways and/or long distance? Do you have a particular ramp and is it hard or easy on vehicles? For short hauls you can tow with just about anything (but i don't know what your 300 is).
Stick with outboards. That's my prejudice. But they avoid the achilles heel of stern drives: the leaking bellows.
Not commenting on the hulls b/c I don't like that type of my boat for my type of use.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

This another good one: http://reading.craigslist.org/boa/1274869615.html Ebb Tides have a bit of a following here on iBoats.

 

[Plasma George]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

$2000-$3000. I want/need to learn all about boating before I get a nice one. I wanted to keep it around 1990. Absolutely a bowrider. If I keep it 16-17-18, I can do the tongue hinge device and get it in my garage. (Damn HOA..wait, I'm President!).

I didn't want to go too old, I don't like the looks of the older boats, interiors...I want/can add a nice sound system, must have bimino top and cover.

 

[dorelse]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

This another good one: http://reading.craigslist.org/boa/1274869615.html Ebb Tides have a bit of a following here on iBoats.

That looks nice...although, how did a boat that was used so very little, have a floor rot out already? (ie...did the barn not have a roof?)

I'll give that seller credit though, he's seems to have disclosed everything about the boat.

I was also going to suggest the possibility of looking for a boat on some of the 'fan' sites? Like classicglastron.com or others...most of those guys really like their boats and are selling only because they found the next diamond in the rough and can't justify owning 4 boats, but are well maintained b/c they really like them....just a thought.

 

[dorelse]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

I just throw this out there...bimini's are relatively cheap and easy to add to any boat, so don't let that stop you.

 

[Plasma George]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

This another good one: http://reading.craigslist.org/boa/1274869615.html Ebb Tides have a bit of a following here on iBoats.

I saw that one....funny point about it rotting, but never being used. Why doens't he just install the carpet, then sell it ?

Check out this Ebay ID "220455868383"...near Allentown. Looks in prestine condition. Which I dnon't knwo how you can fish, and maintain a perfect carpet and seats????

The only issue with these 2 styles, over the Capri style, I'm not a fisherman. I may take the rods out with friends, or my kid, but I see the boat being used more for fun stuff. Tubing, skiing, cruising around.

 

[dorelse]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

You're going to have a tough time using it for water sports with a 40 HP motor on the back...otherwise, yes, looks like a good one.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

That's a real good boat for a good price. However, not enough power. You aren't going to ski behind that. I think you'd want a minium of 70HP.

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

http://reading.craigslist.org/boa/1282387046.html

what about this one

 

[Kracken]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

Nice boat, HEAVY.

I am guessing: 4000 lbs

 

[Plasma George]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

http://reading.craigslist.org/boa/1282387046.html

what about this one

Woah ! Trying to kill the 300 !

For those that aren't familiar....
It doesn't have a hemi, but has the larger 3.5 V6, and weighs in at slim 3800lbs.

 

[freelancer]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

[FONT='Verdana','sans-serif']Found my on Yacht World the 1st day it was posted and locked it up. The internet is a great resource but don't forget that skippers are always trading up and you may find a nice steal at a local boat yard or marina. I ran a boat detail in the 90s, I worked primarily for dealers that asked me to take trade-ins and make them ready for resale; many times they'll send anything under $4,000.00 to auction for wholesale value, that?s when you can get a great deal if you make an offer. May not fit your timeline but it's an option.[/FONT]

 

[Kracken]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

rule of thumb.

you really don't want what you are towing to out weigh the tow vehicle.

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

Wow, that car is really nice, and really low to the ground. It could be a real bugger trying to launch, you may end up with a trunk full of water. I'd go with the others, look for a starcraft or other aluminum and a roller trailer, as you won't get the boat deep enough to load/launch with that car and a bunk trailer I'd say..

Ian

 

[Plasma George]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/boa/1265755774.html

Did you guys see this one ? in Manheim which is near Lancaster.

16', I/O 140hp....seems like a good starter, but I know nothing about the Sunbird....looks very similar to a Capri.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

I saw that one but didn't post it to you because the price is too high and I didn't know what kind of drive it had. I think Sunbird's used mainly OMC's. OMC's aren't bad and shouldn't necessarily be avoided at all costs (like an L-drive) but again they are no longer made and some parts are tough to find. I probably would still consider one if the price was right. This price is NOT right. Sunbirds are a low end boat like Bayliner but if well maintained they can be fine. Email the seller and find out what kind of drive it has.

 

[Kracken]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

That would be a great starter boat, a little steep on the price.

 

[109jb]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

If you are trying to keep the towing weight down, consider aluminum. They are generally lighter per foot, and hence perform as well or better on lower horsepower. Also, an I/O will be heavier than a outboard. A trailer for a 14 to 18 foot boat will be about 500 lbs. Also consider that any boat could possibly weigh a bunch more than the advertised dry weight if it has waterlogged foam.

 

[dorelse]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

Now, that's more like what you should be looking for! Does $3k really seem overpriced? I don't think that is in my area...but, it may be for PA.

Much better choice for you. I have a friend who owns one with the OMC drive, and its been a good boat for him. Just make sure the floor is solid.

Nice job.

 

[Kracken]

Re: First day of the rest of my life.....

That is about a 1600.00 boat. New that boat cost less than 10K.