Is it out there?

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Is it out there?

RotaryRacer,
Everyone of those fits what I want ALMOST. Twice now during the thread, I specified 2-6 years old. I have never been fortunate enough to be in a position that I can own a newer boat, but I cannot buy new. I am not looking for anything older than 5 or 6 years. If thoes you listed were in that year range, I would be very interested.
Thanks for the effort,
Steve

Just trying to help piper.

I read every post and knew darn well you were looking for a newer boat.

I think the point that can be taken from the time I put into it is two fold. 1999 were the newest Lunds with V6 i/os readily available in the Great Lakes region. And the few of these "newer" boats that are available demand a premium due the limited number in existence. $21K for a 13 year old 19-21 ft boat is pretty much right up there with some top of the line runabouts. While I limited my search to Lund, the boat you are looking for is the proverbial needle in a haystack. You may have to adjust your criteria to find THE boat that fits "most" of the things you are looking for.

For me, a lot of the fun in buying things is in the search. I wish you luck in your endeavor.

 

[shrew]

Re: Is it out there?

If thoes you listed were in that year range, I would be very interested.
Thanks for the effort,
Steve

So you didn't even LOOK at the links he posted. A complete stranger took the time to do a search for boats that might fit your criteria. A search you could have easily done yourself. Adn you didn't take the time to look at them?

Everyone here is honestly trying to help you out. I'm going to assume that the written word doesn't convey the intended tone of the post, however you'r posts read like your throwing around a lot of attitude for someone asking for help.

Just sayin'

 

[piperdriver]

Re: Is it out there?

Racer,
Everything is easy when you know what to look for. Where to look is helpful too. I have been looking at Craigslist. With the information that I have now, I can make a more narrow search pattern. Most of this info on the thread has been very helpful.
As far as age--it does make a difference. Yes good maintenance goes a LONG way to increase the longevity. There is still a matter of fatigue, hours on the engine, corrosion. I cannot be convinced that a 15 year old boat/motor requires less maintenance than a 3 year old boat. I am to the point where I want to turn the key and have a good chance that it actually starts.

 

[piperdriver]

Re: Is it out there?

Shrew,
How would I know that the boats were older than I was looking for if I didn't open the links. I really don't appreciate being judged convicted and tried. I looked at everyone of them. I thanked him for his effort. My original question was manufactures, and models that fit the criteria that I had set.
If your are mistaken me trying to keep the thread on point as attitude, feel free not to reply.
To those that did give me information, I am appreciative and grateful. I have a lot of manufactures to look at now.
Please forgive my ignorance in this matter.

 

[saumon]

Re: Is it out there?

You could always call or write Lund's to ask if they still make them and, if not, when did they stop (my guess is they stop making them like 10 years ago, but I could be wrong). That way, you won't loose your time looking for something that doesn't exist, cause you seems to be pretty stuck on the 2-6 years...

 

[QC]

Re: Is it out there?

If turn key is what you want. Find one with a junk engine and repower. As good as new if the hull is sound. I guess fatigue may be an issue, I'll leave that to the reevit guys to comment on.

There is no reason that you can't have a turnkey, 15 year old, boat.

BTW, we can't help but post exceptions to your first post qualifiers. We suck at following directions.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: Is it out there?

I cannot be convinced that a 15 year old boat/motor requires less maintenance than a 3 year old boat.

Sorry that you can't be convinced.

I do hope you find a 3 year old boat that wasn't hammered on and then neglected by by some tool who has more money than brains. Shoot, it only takes a few days of cold weather on an engine full of water to completely trash the driveline. (Including engines built in 2012)

I also hope you don't miss out on a boat that was meticulously maintained by and old fella who cared for his equipment and kept the boat in his heated garage while the cars stayed out for the last 15 years. (This boat may very well cost thousands less than the other that is trashed)

Good luck and have fun.

 

[saumon]

Re: Is it out there?

Aside from the fact that what you're looking for may be non-existent, let me tell you the real deal about 1-5 years boats around here (this may not apply to outer space). It happen all the time.

First off, please excuse my english, as i'm french speaking. Ok, guy typically goes at a boat show in the spring, a nice boat caught his eyes, and the salesman sell him a monthly payment, something in the 200$/month range for a 25k$ boat, with a low interest rate for 15 years. Most of the time, he didn't even know, nor did the salesman, the real total price. "Hey honey, it's only 40$/week, it's not that much, we can afford it" and he signed right there at the show.

He use it like crazy the first year, less the second and, after the third summer, realize that he's paying 12 months a year for something he's using only 3 or 4 weekends on the summer months, then you add the gas, the insurance, and so on, so it's not worth it and he want to sell it.

HERE is the problem: he post it on the classifieds, asking for what he owe to the bank, wich is around 20k$ after 3 years on a 25k$ boat, considering he's paying mostly interests in the beginning. But he'll never find a buyer at that price; the more realistic market value for this kind of boat being around 15k$. So, as a buyer, unless you convince him to loose 5000$-6000$ on the sale, wich will require some Jedi mind trick, you're a lot better to go to your nearest dealer and buy a brand new boat with full warranty for 25k$, that you'll be able to finance on 15 years, than buying his 3 years old, without warranty, 20k$ boat for wich you'll have to pay cash to him or maybe take a short-term loan.

 

[64osby]

Re: Is it out there?

I bought a 37 year old Starcraft on a Tuesday and hauled it 250 miles on Thursday last summer, had a fantastic vacation, splashed the boat and the OB motor ran perfect, no leaks. It was a great deal and we used it deep into the fall. The boat was maintained extremely well and stored inside and covered, it is basically original. I use it as a fish and ski boat. I don't care that it is 37 years old the form and function is perfect for our uses. I can't wait to get it out this year.

To place a limit on your search years seems to limit the possibilities. There are several examples that I have seen on this site of older barn finds or very well maintained boats. I would rather buy something from a long term owner, the chances that he abused it are much less than a short term owner.

My .02

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Is it out there?

"Re: Is it out there?
I will look at those also. My geographical references were to the point that the location of the boat is not important. I can go anywhere the right boat is.
I am not in a position to have one built. Like I originally said, probably a used boat a few years old. I was not really aware that this is an uncommon combination. I will continue the hunt with this new info---
Thanks again-- "

I don't think you ever said what your price range is, a few years old can mean anything, a used Cobalt will be much more than a new Bayliner. This was also to give you an idea of brands to look at, they may have built exactly the boat you are looking for 4 years ago for someone. I live in the Seattle area and bought one of my boats in Orlando, then drove it home.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Is it out there?

Piperdriver, you won't find many heavy aluminum boats (North River, JetCraft, HarberCraft, FishRite, etc.), in an I/O. They'll either be jets or outboards. I've seen a few but most of them were 5.7's or better. A 6 or 7 year old heavy will run you about the same as a new Lund so that's probably not in your market. Still though, it's a lot easier to finance a heavy that's 7 years old than anything else because they do hold their value. Making 400.00 a month payments for a while isn't so bad if you're not sure how long you're going to keep it.

I used to swear I'd never take out a loan for a boat but I did and couldn't be happier with that decision. I've got a brand new boat and I've been able to rig it with everything I've ever wanted but couldn't afford while I was fixing everything else that was wrong. Just an FYI, I wouldn't trade what I learned doing those fixer uppers for anything. I definitely learned what to look for when buying a boat.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Is it out there?

Correct on it being difficult to find an I/O in these brands, but most of them will build whatever the customer orders, so if he's stuck on this combination, they are an option.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Is it out there?

What price range are you trying to stay in?

 

[sschefer]

Re: Is it out there?

Correct on it being difficult to find an I/O in these brands, but most of them will build whatever the customer orders, so if he's stuck on this combination, they are an option.

They're not as willing to mod as they used to be but yes, they will if you pay. I was under the impression that he wanted something a couple of years old to keep the cost down but still get something nice. The heavys are all gonna be in the 18-30 grand range if he can find one in an I/0 with a 4.3. Most of them were 350's or 502's in the inboards. The outboards have the most flexibility when it comes to engine configuration. I'm pretty sure thats why most of them are being built that way now. When the economy changes you'll see the big block boats make a comeback, well if fuel prices come down. I know that little 16 footer of mine with the 60 4 stroke Merc is the cats meow in my mind. Beats the heck out of all the work I was dealing with the bigger boats and that 35 gal gas tank has only seen a gas station twice in a year.

 

[piperdriver]

Re: Is it out there?

You guys ALL make good points. I have been looking now for about a month, and not knowing what makers to look at I was not making much headway. I have done the most comprehensive search in the last three days, than all the previous ones combined. That is thanks to the guys that gave me some brands to look at that would have the best chance of having the combination that I was looking for.
Everyone's tastes are different. I have worked as an aircraft mechanic for a major airline for the last 20+years. I have raced stock cars, and built high power race engines. I have turned a wrench on something ever since I was able to look over a fender with my dad.
The things about it is that I have a health issue that will not permit me to do work like I used to. I would love to buy an older rig and re-power, I have two beautiful 350's in my shop right now that could be turned into a great motor, but the cold hard reality is that I can't. As far as wanting a newer boat, yes, the odds are that it is going to require less repair. I said maintenance before, I misspoke, I meant repair, they all take maintenance. My price range is whatever the market will bear for the rig that I am looking for.
One of the best boats that I have ever owned was a mid 70's tri-hull, I don't even remember what is was, but it had a volvo 4 cylinder. It had t carbs, and was as trouble free as could be. It would run like a top. I could work on things then.
Thanks again for the ideas, and manufacturers to look at. I have added the jet drives to the mix also. I am only interested in the automotive based units. Im sure that something is out there that will fit the bill.

Thanks again guys,