Low Cash Boat Options - Best value in the market, and what boat is best suited?

[ScooterMcTavish]

Hey all,

So my wife and I are in the process of closing on a cottage. Problem is, the 6' beam 15' runabout we have is a bit too small for the lake it is on. When there is no one there during the week, the boat is fine. When the lake is full of 24' wakeboarding boats on weekends, it is sadly undersized. After taking about 5 minutes to get up on plane when pulling the kids through 2 1/2' waves, they lasted all of 30 seconds before we hit more wake and threw them off the tube. Yikes.

Good part is I have two buyers lined up to buy my runabout, and I can actually get my cash back on it (1985 Glasstream 152 Tempest with a 120 MC I/O). Bad part is, with the cost of the cottage, we're cost constrained as to what boat I can buy. Although I'd like $7K to go shopping, I have a feeling the budget will be in the $5K range.

From what I can see (guess), something in a 20' fibreglass boat with an 8' beam might be a better fit, and we would still like an I/O and open bow. However, looking through boat listings:
a) There seems to be not a lot of boats over 17'
b) 1/2 the older boats 19' and up seem underpowered with Merc 120s or 140s
c) There is no consistency in pricing
d) I'd be lucky to get anything nice in a 90's vintage

Engines seem to be the usual suspects of OMC, Mercruiser, and Volvo.

So in looking for combos, what is good, and what is bad. And yes, I know to many a budget of $5K means everything is bad, but my Glasstream worked out OK for a $1K boat - just took a few parts and a lot of elbow grease. I just need the boat to get me through a couple of summers, which up here in Canuck land means likely no more than 200 hours.

So where is the best value in these older boats? From forum posts I've read, Mercruiser seems to be the best choice for an I/O and OMC the worst. Boat-wise, I've seen Chris Craft, Bayliner, Glastron, Invader, Citation, and the odd Sea Ray (usually rough) in my price range, plus some older jet boats.

And where should the priority be, mechanics or cosmetics? Seems there are a number of mechanics who can work on a boat for a reasonable rate (and I can turn a wrench as well), but anyone who does reupholstering bends you over a barrel while taking your wallet out of your pocket.

Welcome your feedback.

 

[four winns 214]

You really don't need help. You've pretty much got it figured out. Since you asked, for $5K, if you're patient, you should be able to find a mid-late '80s Sea Ray in the 21' range with a 5.0L Merc with an MR or Alpha 1. Just make sure the transom and stringers are sound. It may take a while to find one, but they're out there. I know you specified '90s, but if you're willing to go a little older, you can buy more boat. I've had my '84 '21 Sea Ray cuddy since 2006 and it's covered 1,500 miles on trips on the Ohio, Cumberland and Monongahela rivers. It's a good little boat.

 

[southkogs]

And where should the priority be, mechanics or cosmetics?

... yes.

Condition is overall. Any engine/drive is gonna' break on ya' at some point. Any interior is going to need care. You want a hull that's been cared for and maintained to be structurally sound, a power plant that has been cared for and maintained to be mechanically sound and an interior you find reasonably comfortable. Mechanics will indicate how well the system functions, but cosmetics will suggest how well it's been maintained. You need both considerations (though, you're not always looking for perfection).

As an aside: a 19' will break down waves better than a 15', but that doesn't necessarily mean that it'll cut it down enough when your lake is all chewed up from a buncha' water sport boats runnin' around. The lake I grew up on could support 3 or 4 18' boats waterskiing, but the minute one 20' wakeboard boat shows up the party's over.

Be a little careful in your expectations.

 

[kjsAZ]

at the age of boat you end up with the budget the brand plays a secondary role and the condition and maintenance level gets important. OMC's aren't bad per se (except for some) but the problem is that it's sometimes difficult and/or expensive to find spare parts. To long since OMC did bite the dust.
I personally prefer Volvos if they are the correct ones (they had some bad years) as I had serious issues with Mercruiser drives but that was most likely due to the torque of the engines they were mated to from the manufacturer (brand new boat!). The current alpha I have is just fine but runs on a small 3l gas engine and not a super-charged Diesel. Mercruiser parts are the easiest to get......

There's absolutely no consistancy in the prices especially for the smaller used boats. It also varies a lot depending on where you are. When I was looking for my last boat it took quite some time to find the correct one. Many boats were available in the same price range but conditions were from total trash via horribly butchered to just OK. One day after 5 months of frustration there was another ad for a boat which looked decent. I went there and came home with the boat......... All you need is patience! Didn't end up with a brand I had ever considered but it was in pristine condition and serves me well since 4 years.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Thanks guys,

Glad to see that I've sort of thunk this through a little bit.

Funny enough, someone moving is desperate to get rid of a '92 Monterey 206 - going to look at it right after work. Has the Volvo 4.3 in it, plus comes with a snap cover and a bimini. Looks pretty good - I'm sure it's not perfect, but have heard good things about the Monterey boat, expecially that they don't use a lot of wood in the floors (equals no rotting).

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

As an aside: a 19' will break down waves better than a 15', but that doesn't necessarily mean that it'll cut it down enough when your lake is all chewed up from a buncha' water sport boats runnin' around. The lake I grew up on could support 3 or 4 18' boats waterskiing, but the minute one 20' wakeboard boat shows up the party's over.

Be a little careful in your expectations.

Appreciate this comment, but the draft was so shallow and the beam was so narrow in my 15' (6') that any sideswells just about dumped us. Not that we have to tube when the lake is super busy, but to even have some stability for fishing would be great. Plus, with a bit of additional speed and power, we can go a little farther away from wakeboard central for a little bit of offboat swimming if we want.

 

[tjatech]

You are probably well aware of this, but just wanted to re-iterate so that you don't have to go through my situation - definitely take a very close look at the transom and stringers on whatever you look at.

I have been reworking an early 70's tri-hull over the past few years that I picked up for almost nothing, but due to my inexperience didn't check the transom and stringers when I got it. I've made (IMHO) a very nice boat out of it (re-upholstered and re-built the engine myself), but now realize the integrity of the hull/transom is questionable. I'm sure you'll find a great boat - just don't make the same mistake as me.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Our '87 Searay in my signature would be perfect, IF you can live without a bowrider-- It has a midcabin, potty room, galley with a basic sink, alky stove and ice box... the cabin isn't huge but being a 21'er it will surprise most people. Has a 5.7/Alpha One, trim tabs, gets well into the 40's, and I've gotten over 6 mpg on Lake Powell with it (30mph with the drive & tabs set just right, it just sips gas). It'll pull toys around no problem. It's built like a brick shiphouse, and rides as well as our 26' Chap. One of these in decent shape can probably be had for $4500 give or take.

 

[southkogs]

Appreciate this comment, but the draft was so shallow and the beam was so narrow in my 15' (6') that any sideswells just about dumped us. Not that we have to tube when the lake is super busy, but to even have some stability for fishing would be great. Plus, with a bit of additional speed and power, we can go a little farther away from wakeboard central for a little bit of offboat swimming if we want.

Cool, you're thinking through it fine. I just thought I'd toss that in for consideration. And, I went from a 15' to a 17' (almost 18') and I like the bigger boat. I'm sure I'd like a 20' even better.

 

[oldjeep]

Appreciate this comment, but the draft was so shallow and the beam was so narrow in my 15' (6') that any sideswells just about dumped us. Not that we have to tube when the lake is super busy, but to even have some stability for fishing would be great. Plus, with a bit of additional speed and power, we can go a little farther away from wakeboard central for a little bit of offboat swimming if we want.

If your usage is fishing and tubing, maybe you should be looking at a nice wide aluminum fishing boat and not glass runabouts.

 

[Stumpalump]

Boating on small lakes and going off road have gone thru a similar transformation. Back in the day your stock Jeep or small dirt bike could take you a lot of places and most places were wide open to do as you please. The non mechanical, non adventurous wimps would never venture off road for fear of a mechanical issue, getting stuck or eaten by an animal. Dirt bikers had balls of steel and were just a few hardcore fellas. Enter the quad ATV. Any 9 year old or drunk can ride one. This crowded the land, accelerated erosion bumps and caused land shut downs making pleasant off roading a thing of the past. Us off roaders call them Quad Tards because that's what a majority are.They have no skill and drive in circles. Us boaters thought it was bad with the advent of the jet ski. No more peace and quiet and forget about a guarantee that you could ride the slalom ski in that glassy cove. It sucked but then they invented the wakeboard and boats to make huge wakes... A typical boater with a 15-19' boat had to fight the wakes so he bought a 18-24' boat. Those boats make bigger wakes and to tolerate the ruff conditions the average small boat is plowing off plane to handle the wakes. Before you know it a peaceful lake is nothing but 2-4' boat generated chop. They typical wake boarder is just like the Quad Tard. He drives in circles, has little skill and ruined the areas for the rest of us. The sport is jumping them hence the wake but good luck finding one out a hundred that can clear the wake. Unskilled Tards that ruined your lake.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Hey Oldjeep, comfort is important for the DW, so a fishing boat is out. I had thought of this, but after showing her the 4th picture that got a "no" I had to change tactics.

FR, I have seen some great prices on the cuddys as well, but DW insists on an open bow. As she says, so be it. Though if I find the right cuddy I may convince her.

Stumpalump, still laughing at your post. Where I live, I hate to sit outside on a weekend, as it seems every kid in Town has a dirtbike that they need to rev to its fullest as they do a 1/4 mile wheelie past my place. And yes, I noticed the folks on the lake certainly have more money than brains, such as tearing by the marina pulling a wakeboarder so that all the boats that are moored get some serious dock rash. I really can't believe how so many of the boaters have little to no consideration for others or boating etiquette.

Like the idiots pulling kids on a tube that tore within 30' us at 40 MPH while we were stillfishing.

Regardless, the Monterey was a piece of crap - overall condition was poor including a plate-sized place on one side where the gel coat had rubbed down to the fibre, spider cracks all over the real gel coat, missing rear seats, a chewed prop, cracked and worn seats, and a non-functional dash board. I swear they photoshopped the ad, because the boat was good from far, but far from good.

 

[Scott Danforth]

my buddy and I were laughing about starting the 3500 club. each of us and a few others found great boats at killer deals for $3500

his is a 1988 Carver Montego 2557 with volvo penta AQ271 found in a storage barn. 208 original hours. The guy passed away, and the widow didnt know how to boat alone, so it sat until he made an offer.
Mine is the '88 cruisers Rogue with the same drive - bought off a co-worker that didnt use it much, couldnt turn a wrench if he had to and realized that boat maintenance costs either time or money
Another good friend of ours picked up a mid 90's SeaRay 190 that was being sold due to a divorce.

the deals are out there. you just have to look.

Not sure where you are located, however there are many geographically expensive locations with some economical locations within 300 miles. For example, buying boats in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois can be expensive, however a drive to St Louis netted me a 25% savings on my SeaRay and I bought it from a dealer.

 

[southkogs]

my buddy and I were laughing about starting the 3500 club. each of us and a few others found great boats at killer deals for $3500

I'd join that club ... I've never spent more than $1,000 purchase price. Though I will admit a couple of those were pretty lucky strikes.

...the deals are out there. you just have to look.

... and be patient. Cool, collected patience is one of your best friends when buying outta' the "cheap seats."

 

[bruceb58]

Not sure where you are located, however there are many geographically expensive locations with some economical locations within 300 miles. For example, buying boats in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois can be expensive, however a drive to St Louis netted me a 25% savings on my SeaRay and I bought it from a dealer.

Agree with that. My brother drove from Los Angeles to Texas to buy his Formula. I drove from LA to Lake Havasu AZ last December to buy my pontoon.

I always do a huge geographic search when i am looking at boats. Gives you a better feel on what people are asking.

 

[Mel Taylor]

Boating on small lakes and going off road have gone thru a similar transformation. Back in the day your stock Jeep or small dirt bike could take you a lot of places and most places were wide open to do as you please. The non mechanical, non adventurous wimps would never venture off road for fear of a mechanical issue, getting stuck or eaten by an animal. Dirt bikers had balls of steel and were just a few hardcore fellas. Enter the quad ATV. Any 9 year old or drunk can ride one. This crowded the land, accelerated erosion bumps and caused land shut downs making pleasant off roading a thing of the past. Us off roaders call them Quad Tards because that's what a majority are.They have no skill and drive in circles. Us boaters thought it was bad with the advent of the jet ski. No more peace and quiet and forget about a guarantee that you could ride the slalom ski in that glassy cove. It sucked but then they invented the wakeboard and boats to make huge wakes... A typical boater with a 15-19' boat had to fight the wakes so he bought a 18-24' boat. Those boats make bigger wakes and to tolerate the ruff conditions the average small boat is plowing off plane to handle the wakes. Before you know it a peaceful lake is nothing but 2-4' boat generated chop. They typical wake boarder is just like the Quad Tard. He drives in circles, has little skill and ruined the areas for the rest of us. The sport is jumping them hence the wake but good luck finding one out a hundred that can clear the wake. Unskilled Tards that ruined your lake.

Yup! My experience exactly on both the off roading and boating. Age and infirmities have pretty much cut out the off roading for me but I can still run a boat and thank God am able to do most of that on weekdays when the human generated turbulence isn't quite so bad.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

General observation today:

Why is it when I'm not looking for a boat, there's tons available, but when I'm looking, I can't find anything?

I'm sure I'll also see something better once I've bought one. Gah.

And I got a firm firm firm no to the cuddy cabin.

 

[Brian 26]

Ah the grass is always greener......

I'm sure I'll also see something better once I've bought one. Gah.

Yes you will! Stay off craigslist after purchase or be prepared to buy a 2nd one and sell your first one.

Seriously though, if you do wait long enough you'll find the exact boat you want at a good price, however it is very tough to wait when it's 85 and sunny and you have no boat.

 

[ScooterMcTavish]

Ah the grass is always greener......



Yes you will! Stay off craigslist after purchase or be prepared to buy a 2nd one and sell your first one.

Seriously though, if you do wait long enough you'll find the exact boat you want at a good price, however it is very tough to wait when it's 85 and sunny and you have no boat.

LOL, same thing with buying a car,

May have found a 90 Glastron 180 Futura local for 5K. Comes with a V6. Should be looking at it next week.

 

[Pony]

however it is very tough to wait when it's 85 and sunny

This sounds like a magical place....