Got My First Boat

[cwhite6]

Besides a jon boat I had with no motor or trailer, it is my first boat. I have been looking for a month or so for used boats. I have seen everything it seems. Budget was limited, so that didn't help. Saturday morning I called a guy about one I saw on the internet and he still had it. Drove down an hour later and picked it up. It is a 2008 Carolina Skiff J16, with a 1994 25hp Nissan with electric start. I got it for $1900. Maybe not the best deal, but I am really happy with it. The hull itself is less than a year old and he paid $1800 for it last year without the trailer or motor. He bought a bigger boat and needed to unload it. I went riding in it yesterday for a couple of hours with my buddy and my 4 year old daughter. We had a blast. Boat scoots pretty good with the 25 on it. Today I learned on here that I can change a gasket and the 25 becomes a 30hp. Same motor, different gasket. I am tickled to death with it. I am going to have the Carolina Skiff dealer here add the rear deck with live wells they sell to it and a center console in the future to go from tiller to controls. Take care!

 

[KurtG]

Re: Got My First Boat

That's a good little setup and deal! I looked at a couple 16s last year, but they wanted too much $$ for the boat (try ~2x what you got yours for) and I was looking for something a little beefier.

 

[capt sam]

Re: Got My First Boat

Actually I think you got a really good deal on that boat, the old Nissan's are bulletproof motors. Also I think everyone should start out in a small boat until they become more knowledgable and confident in their boating abilities, I have no idea why so many people buy a 25' cruiser for their first boat.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Got My First Boat

Welcome to iboats!! If you do a search of the archives you will probably find many how to articles on a rear deck and live well. Probably even find one on installing a center console. Will save you big dollars.

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Got My First Boat

Thanks alot for the welcomes guys! I completely agree on starting small. But, where I fish this is the largest boat I will need. Lots of bayous and small lakes. I considered building a rear deck myself, but Carolina Skiff sells the rear deck with two live wells in it for around $220. My building skills are not the best, so I am going just buy the one they sell. It is fiberglass, matches the boat and they will install it. Good piece of mind for me.

 

[eaglejim]

Re: Got My First Boat

Let's see some pics

 

[FlyinGuy1017]

Re: Got My First Boat

Good deal on the decks. You'd be in for half that in material. Sometimes it's better to pay for it.

Congrats on the buy.

Happy boating.