First time boat buyer-please help

[Anthonym2]

Hello
I am a first time potential boat owner and I know absolutely nothing about owning, maintaining, or fixing boats. I just moved into a house in ohio on a small lake that allows boats up to 21 feet.
I'm looking for a small, open bow, 17-19 foot i/o or outboard. My price range is 4 or 5 k at this time.
I've been cruising craigslist and local dealers but are finding in my price range it's hard to find something from a local marine shop or dealer. Also, when I contact people on c.l. I ask if they have it looked at by a dealer at my cost, which I'm sure is a pain but I have no idea about boats. Anyone who refuses this I stop contact with. However most people say that is ok but seem rather annoyed. ....
Any recommendations on the i/o vs. Outboard, the price range, or the methods I'm going about for my new boat would be appreciated. Most of the boats in this price range typically are late 80's/early 90's
Thank you

 

[keith2k455]

There is a checklist on the top of the forum you should use for more info. Also, what you are seeing is what I would expect given your requirements. One option is to not be in a hurry and watch this season. More boats will be for sale as the next 6 weeks pass by. You will also learn a lot by hanging around your neighbors who have boats and you actually might uncover a great deal. I think it's better to wait, learn and make the right decision than to jump in too fast.

 

[southkogs]

Any recommendations on the i/o vs. Outboard, the price range, or the methods I'm going about for my new boat would be appreciated.

:welcome:

You're going about it the right way. You'll be able to find something in your price range, but maybe not this time of year. Spring brings out premium boat prices.

What do you plan on doing most of the time you're in the boat you get? That'll help determine a few things about what you want. The outboard / IO debate could rage on for days ... each have their advantages, so find something you like.

Remember: Condition is the key.

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats and presumably to the boating world. Taken a boating safety course yet ? :noidea: It is a good idea, because boating is dangerous, so you should know something about it beforehand.

As far as finding a boat, your price range is tough, because it puts you in the lower end of the market and there will be a lot of problem boats in that range that may have been given a shine for the purpose of selling. The checklist on this site is a good idea to start with, but often folks with no prior experience do not know what they are looking at. Do you have any friends who know boats? :noidea: They could help guide you and perhaps come along when you look at some boats.

Spring market will have the good boats (and even some bad ones) going quickly, so it puts you in an even tougher situation of potentially having to evaluate something quickly.

My words of wisdom . . .

Most boats of that era are fiberglass on the outside and a wood structure on the inside. The wood structure gives the boat its strength, the fiberglass hull does not. So, the wood structure can be in a stage of rotting after 20+ years, and you will want to know the signs of rot and look for it.

All engines run great in the driveway ( on what is referred to as the 'ear muffs' which provide cooling water while being run on land). Not all engines that run great in the driveway run well when put into the water. We hear about those stories all the time here on iBoats . . .

CL can be tough to find good boats, but I have both bought and sold boat through CL, you just have to weed out the clowns and the scammers.

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard.

as indicated, your price range is a tough one, however we have all been there. many boats in that price range are highly polished turds, however there are a few not so polished gems available. when they come around, especially this time of year, you probably have hours, not days to look, inspect, negotiate, and buy.

I would suggest looking at an aluminum boat with an outboard for your first boat. the specifics come down to Alumium boats generally only have a piece of wood in the transom that may need attention. Outboards are great for first time boat owners.

However the first thing you need to answer - how do you want to use the boat? Fishing, Skiing, other water sports, burning fuel and smiling, chilling with the significant other, sitting in the back yard needing work, etc. once that answer has been made, let us know. we can help you decide on the boat best for you.

I had the benefit of growing up with boats, so I learned what to look for early, however here is a link to the buyers check list http://forums.iboats.com/forum/gene...eeding-help-buying-a-boat-a-buyer-s-checklist

 

[Anthonym2]

Thanks very much for the responses and I'm really impressed with this site so far.
As Scott asked, looking for something I can do some fishing and tubing (eventually skiing) with my two young kids and wife.
I'm taking a look at this tomorrow possibly the guy agreed to meet at a local dealer to inspect....

https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/boa/5525825867.html

It's a little under the price range so of I had to spend a little to get it up to par I'd be ok with that.
Thanks again!

 

[Anthonym2]

Also....forgot to mention that I have taken a boaters safety course a couple years ago for work as tpenfield had asked....

 

[oldjeep]

Thanks very much for the responses and I'm really impressed with this site so far.
As Scott asked, looking for something I can do some fishing and tubing (eventually skiing) with my two young kids and wife.
I'm taking a look at this tomorrow possibly the guy agreed to meet at a local dealer to inspect....

https://akroncanton.craigslist.org/boa/5525825867.html

It's a little under the price range so of I had to spend a little to get it up to par I'd be ok with that.
Thanks again!

Always hard to tell from pictures, but looks like it is in decent shape for the age.

 

[BRICH1260]

I agree that it looks like a decent boat for the price, assuming it checks out. Only 16' of boat will get cramped real quick.

 

[SkaterRace]

That boat looks like a good one for the price but as you likely saw in the boat checklist transom, stringers and deck are some areas you have to check out well.

 

[keith2k455]

Agreed. Test the guy selling out a little bit. It looks like it spent much of it's recent life tucked in a corner of a garage...this is not a bad thing if it seems like this guy is legit in that it was kept indoors all the time. Trailer looks pretty rust free, so if it is original would point me to believe this was a garage boat. Outboard would be a good thing too. Check your best for signs of rot and water intrusion.

All things checking out, this may be a good boat for you. You can enjoy it, not invest too much and then 2-3 years from now settle the two-footitis and trade for a bigger one that fits your intended use perfectly.

 

[southkogs]

16' may be a little cramped, but depending on the lake and the fact that you're living on it ... we never had a problem with the smaller boat. Our lake was small enough that we weren't out on the water for more than the smallest bladder on board could handle it. Being cramped was typically not an issue.

We also used to use our pontoon as a "barge" for folks to hang out on while the 16' footer towed skiers and tubes. Others would do the same thing with a simple swim platform they towed out and anchored.

 

[redneck joe]

Welcome aboard.



Looks good from pics and a small boat when you live on a lake is fine. Leave the extra people at the dock when out skiing and such. Come back and pick up the next group. Did that for many years, works great and tho a smaller boat plenty of horsepower.



Read the sticky thread on buying a boat and with an outboard two very important checks. Motor tilted halfway up and take your foot and stomp on it a bit while looking at the transom and look for ANY movement and there should be no avail turns on the mounting bolts and nuts if you put a wrench to them.

 

[Anthonym2]

welcome aboard.

when they come around, especially this time of year, you probably have hours, not days to look, inspect, negotiate, and buy.

Yes...this was right. Sold tell next day(today), I was going to look at it tomorrow...back to the drawing board

 

[Anthonym2]

Gents
I'm thinking about looking at the attached 1988 sportsman bluefin aluminum hull 19ft boat.
It's got an 125 i/o.
Can someone help me out with advantags/disat vantages of aluminum vs fiberglass human?
I want something I can pull a tube with and go fishing on, this will be a family boat....there is also a large section of Lake where I live where water levels are only 3 ft deep or so (fishing honey hole) and are thinking aluminum mathe be a good choice for that because I think it's lighter and floats higher?

Any suggestions please let me know.

https://cleveland.craigslist.org/boa/5501819053.html

 

[Anthonym2]

Gents
I'm thinking about looking at the attached 1988 sportsman bluefin aluminum hull 19ft boat.
It's got an 125 i/o.
Can someone help me out with advantags/disat vantages of aluminum vs fiberglass HULL?
I want something I can pull a tube with and go fishing on, this will be a family boat....there is also a large section of Lake where I live where water levels are only 3 ft deep or so (fishing honey hole) and are thinking aluminum MAY BE

Sorry about spelling.....damn auto correct

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... That boat has an OMC motor/ drive,..... Ya Don't want an OMC I/O,....

They've been outa business for 'bout 2 Decades,.....