Looking for first used boat

[Afzape]

I know there are tons of these questions, but I like it when you guys give your opinion of a specific model someone is looking at. I found this boat http://wichitafalls.craigslist.org/boa/2496647639.html in my area and thought it was a pretty good deal if it checks out to be in good condition. I don't know anything about Renken during the 80's. The only thing that bothers me is the seller saying he doesn't have time to meet at the lake. Let me know what you think.

 

[solmate]

Re: Looking for first used boat

NEVER buy a boat without a sea trial.......... too many problems to list that you can't find out about without being on the water. Brand of boat doesnt really matter with a boat of this age its all about condition, care & maintenance..... I'd pass & thats my 2 cents

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Looking for first used boat

boats like that are a dime a dozen. For $1500 an experienced boater might be able to make a go of it, but there is no way a first time boater should start his boating experience with that one. Way too many red flags.

As a first time boater you need to pay for reliability. It has to be running and you have to have someone experienced check it out, and explain to you the down sides so you can decide whether to accept them. A lot depends on your time and skill, and how much of the boating season yo udon't mind missing while it's benig worked on.

Also, many boats and boat designs are more durable than others and less likely to have hidden problems. A boat like that is probably the worst for hidden problems. A single-hull aluminum with an outboard is probably the best, then a closed-hull (like a whaler) with an outboard.

 

[haley]

Re: Looking for first used boat

Pass

They replaced the carpet and seats. No idea if they did the deck or stringers underneath.

 

[4speedy]

Re: Looking for first used boat

Yeah something is up.
Dropped price to rock bottom because lost a $5 key?
Something is very fishy here!


If it sounds to good to be true it must be!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Looking for first used boat

Just another voice who agrees - You can probably find several more that you can try for that same price. Hang in there until fall and you'll have a LOT more options too.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Looking for first used boat

I'll bet priced dropped cuz he figured out it is rotted! I've owned 2 fiberglass boats & love 'em both but they both rotted. I bought them old & cheap & got more than my money's worth. My next will be aluminum. A lot less to rot.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for first used boat

Doesn't say what size or brand of motor/drive either.

 

[TyeeMan]

Re: Looking for first used boat

Yeah what's up with that? Dropped price cuz the key is lost? Ok, go to the marine store, spend $20.00 or whatever on new switch with a new key, spend 20 minutes installing new switch with new key. Something fishy there in Wichita Falls. .

 

[oops!]

Re: Looking for first used boat

lol.....just a side note.....

when you are at an auction......the auctioneer says....we dont have the key...but we have the title and all the papers. !

(translation)......something is really snookered !... we tried to start it ....but we heard a large BANG.....there was a cloud of smoke......and after that the engine wouldnt turn at all.....so we threw away the key so you cant start it before you buy it.


lol

 

[PeninsulaPaul]

Re: Looking for first used boat

OK That's funny, I don't care where you're from.....

 

[45Auto]

Re: Looking for first used boat

Hard to tell from a few pics, but it looks like it has been fairly well taken care of with newer interior work done sometime recently. As others have said, it could easily have rotton floor, stringers or transom under the "nice looking" stuff. Expect a buch of small stuff to be bad (trim pumps, bilge pumps, lights, horns, shift cable, bellows, u-joints, etc). If you're a mechanical type person and can do your own repairs, it could be a nice deal if it has a decent engine/outdrive package and you get someone knowledgeable enough to check everything out before you buy.

If you're going to have to pay someone to fix anything wrong with it, boat labor rates run $100 per hour. It won't be worth it if there's anything you can't fix yourself.

 

[Afzape]

Re: Looking for first used boat

Thank you all for the wealth of knowledge. I never thought of the "we blew the motor so throw away the key idea". I was thinking buy the key and such, put it in on the spot and say if everything runs right I'll give you $XXXX for it from there.

This is just one of the many boats I have looked at. I'm not a brand new boater. I grew up on boats. We just always had a pontoon so I don't know much about fiberglass boats.

I'm very mechanically inclined (I weld and machine on aircraft) and don't mind doing my own repairs. I actually take interest in repairing problems and making things better so it won't happen again.

I would rather have an all aluminum boat, but I don't see many made in a fish and ski or bowrider style.

The search continues.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Looking for first used boat

I would rather have an all aluminum boat, but I don't see many made in a fish and ski or bowrider style.

Look harder!!! My Starcraft SS: http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/New Boat/IMG_1134-2.jpg