I need to buy my wife a boat.

[32251]

I need to buy my wife some sort of runabout so that she will have something that she enjoys being in rather than my old fishing boats. I see all sorts of nice 70s 80s runabouts for cheap money, but I do not know anything about which companies put out a quality product that would be worth getting and putting a little work into.

I need something on the smaller side, three people and a couple of small dogs would be comfortable in, high speed is not so important, preferably an outboard for ease of access while working on.
What are some boats and motor brands that might be worth looking at and what are some that I should avoid. Thanks for the advice!

 

[jacknbella]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

Come again? You need to buy YOURSELF a boat for which SHE can ride in, unless she is planning to maintain it, clean it, trailer it, etc... No seriously, it's a buyer's market out there so you should have plenty to choose from in many different price ranges. Others will chime in with good suggestions though... Just hang tight!

 

[gandude]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

...I need to buy my wife a boat...

... Did she say "buy me a boat" to you? I thought these things only happen in dream land.

I am jealous!

 

[32251]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

...I need to buy my wife a boat...

... Did she say "buy me a boat" to you? I thought these things only happen in dream land.

I am jealous!

I have bought 5 old fishing boats in the last year...you know $100 here...$600there. Fix em' up sell them and try to make a little. When we just want to ride around on the lake, the fishing boats are not making it a fun comfortable family thing so she is into getting a runabout.

I am not kidding when I say that THE BOAT IS NOT FOR ME!!!...sort of.... Through the use of recovering redneck psychology and mind altering suggestion I can get her to think that I am getting this boat for her and she is the imperial commander of said vessel....and I will be able to actually go buy it and have some fun keeping it running while she chauffers me around....is this a plan or what?!

 

[32251]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

With something that old (70s - 80s) name brand is not going to mean much of anything. How the previous owner maintained it will be far more important. snip...

Bubba. Your incredible comprehensive post is probably the best and most thorough advice I have ever seen on buying a boat. Surely you have this in a PDF file and just send it out all over the world when you see this question.

I thank you for sharing your expertise!!!!

 

[Les Robb]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

Bubba 1235 ( I wonder where the 4 went ) your little check list should be in every used boat buyers hand when he goes to look. My hats off to you for the service.

Luck ya'll
PS back to original question, does your wife know her little runabout will be a lot more expensive than your little dirty uncomfortable fishing boat. (Assuming it isn't a 50' Hatteras)

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

I have always had a bow rider with an I/O (17' to 20')
My wife over time has learned to love the water as much as me.
We live on a 725 acre lake which is one of the bigger lakes in this area (I know still kinda small)
Our lake has a very shallow and gradual shore line so having her out with my I/O made me very nervous.
I bought her a Sea Doo Jet boat and she loves it, and I don't have to worry when her or the kids take it out and no spinning prop for the teens to get hurt on.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

Beware of the Captain Bligh syndrome! Command makes some people do crazy things. Good luck

 

[LIQUID PROZAC]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

I have bought 5 old fishing boats in the last year...you know $100 here...$600there. Fix em' up sell them and try to make a little. When we just want to ride around on the lake, the fishing boats are not making it a fun comfortable family thing so she is into getting a runabout.

I am not kidding when I say that THE BOAT IS NOT FOR ME!!!...sort of.... Through the use of recovering redneck psychology and mind altering suggestion I can get her to think that I am getting this boat for her and she is the imperial commander of said vessel....and I will be able to actually go buy it and have some fun keeping it running while she chauffers me around....is this a plan or what?!

too funny good to see that she enjoys your passion

 

[scipper77]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

Why is "who's in charge?" such a prominent theme with marriage? I think it's great that she wants to have a boat. The other day I asked my wife how she felt about taking our (my) boat out without me and she got cold feet about piloting without me in the boat. I gues my constant pointing out of everything I see being done wrong around me when we are out that makes her realize how much thought and consideration goes into every move I make on the boat. Things like no wake zones, speed limits, angle of approach, etc...

How many times has someones wake sent you for a ride on one of your fishing boats?

If you can find a larger aluminum boat it's probably your best bet. Lighter, easier to tow, better on gas, kicks up less wake, and no wooden stringers to worry about.

 

[Thad]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

Well, I think this kinda fits the post.

Some years back, everyone was on my brother-in- laws' roof, you know, manual labor kinda stuff.
My mother-in-law said she was going to get some lunch for everyone.


Four hours later, she pulled up in front of the house with a brand new 18' bowrider in tow. Should have seen the look on my father-in-laws' face. I don't know if he was crying because she did it without him, or if he, at that point in time, realized what a great wife he had.

Now there is someone who knows what she wants!
So I say take her shopping with you, or sit back and wait for her to bring one home. Either way, enjoy the ride

By the way, we never did get any lunch, finished up the roof and took out the new boat

 

[woosterken]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

32251,
you don't say where you are but check this out............

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=341521

woosterken

 

[32251]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

NICE!!! I am in Atlanta, he is over in Guntersville,Al.
Not that far away. Good deal for someone.

My wife would be just as happy if I bought home a pontoon boat! I hope we can find something sporty she will latch onto.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

Oh I'm sorry I thought this was a thread "NEED NEW WIFE FOR MY BOAT"

 

[32251]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

Oh I'm sorry I thought this was a thread "NEED NEW WIFE FOR MY BOAT"

!!!!!

 

[32251]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

Looks like the least price way to get into a cruiser/runabout is to pick and choose amongst all the old 70s/80s Glastron boats. I am finding them for $4-600 that look like a bit of work would make for a cool old boat. Any one have any favs from that era.

 

[salty87]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

Looks like the least price way to get into a cruiser/runabout is to pick and choose amongst all the old 70s/80s Glastron boats. I am finding them for $4-600 that look like a bit of work would make for a cool old boat. Any one have any favs from that era.

whichever one gets me back to the ramp

seriously, with a boat that old it's all about the care it's received...or not.

 

[78ImperialT]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=341521

ive got the perfect boat for your wife

 

[Tubingluvr]

Re: I need to buy my wife a boat.

Looks like the least price way to get into a cruiser/runabout is to pick and choose amongst all the old 70s/80s Glastron boats. I am finding them for $4-600 that look like a bit of work would make for a cool old boat. Any one have any favs from that era.

I have a love for the glastron carlsons, bought a cv-16ss a few months ago and I love it. I have been waiting years for this boat. Any time you can get 50 mph out a 4 cyl. it's all good.