Mako 17 vs Shamrock 17; need advice...

[wespants]

I'm hoping to purchase a new boat this year. This will be my 2nd boat (sold the first one a few years ago when I moved away from the coast). Here is what I'm looking for in my next boat:

Towing weight under 3500lb (max cap on my current vehicles)
Close to 3500lb OK b/c planning on larger tow vehicle in the next 2-3yrs
Will use in large inland southern lakes (Lanier in GA & Hartwell in SC)
Will also tow (5-6hrs) to various beaches in GA, FL, & the Carolinas 1~5X/yr
Want something that can venture out a couple miles on nice days
Will use with friends for serious inshore & nearshore saltwater fishing
Will also use some for serious bass & striper lake fishing
Will use with family (toddler age & growing) for fishing/riding/swimming/tubing
Plan to purchase used & do light restoration myself (paint,wiring,hardware)
I plan to install a t-top & leaning post (except no post in the Shamrock)
I want a 4 stroke engine for low noise and better economy
Prefer a clean classic look (I'll install recessed cleats, etc to avoid snags)
Will use an aluminum single-axle trailer to conserve weight
Mako will be between '85 and '95 model; not sure about Shamrock
I plan a 115hp 4-stroke OB for the Mako if I get it

I'm still considering some other boats, but I think I've pretty much narrowed it down to these two very different boats. I'm familiar with operating a single OB boat a little larger than these, so I feel the Mako is a comfortable transition. I'm a little weary of the single IB because I don't have experience with operating it. I've read about the difficulty of handling these, especially in reverse. I'm also not familiar with the maintenance requirements or other ownership issues associated with the inboard (examples: preventive maintenance for the transmission or parts/service availability/cost for the different engines found in these boats).

I hoping the good folks on here can help me with these 3 questions given the information above:

1) Is there something about he Shamrock that would immediately take it out of the running based on the information above (example: is it too heavy after adding the t-top, really expensive to maintain, too hard to drive, etc)?


2) What are things to watch out for that are specific to these models (example: avoid this engine on the Shamrock or check this spot in the Mako for softness)?


3) What would you buy and why?


I appreciate everyone's help!!!

-Wespants

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Mako 17 vs Shamrock 17; need advice...

it really sounds like you want 2 style boats in one. fishing and family. with a growing family, and a weight limit. have you considered, looking at larger, aluminum hull boats. it will give your growing family more room. and meet your weight limit. there are plenty of nice boats on the market. there are going to be a lot more, and a lot of repo's.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[wespants]

Re: Mako 17 vs Shamrock 17; need advice...

tashasdaddy,

Thanks for the reply! By the way, I'm pulling for the Gators in the national championship game even though I'm actually a Bulldog fan (live in Athens). I know the Gators will represent the SEC well.

Anyway, I was actually considering an aluminum boat (Lund or Lowe) for a long time, but I have decided that my primary purpose for this boat will be fishing in saltwater so I want to go with fiberglass. I know the small size and lack of seating isn't ideal for the family, but it will do until I can come up with something else. I'm considering getting a large sailboat down the road, and in the meantime my inlaws have a nice cabin cruiser slipped on the lake, so I mainly want to rig this boat for fishing although the wife and kids will be along sometimes. So for the questions you asked above:

1) Use: primarily fishing
2) People: 2 adults, 2 kids or 2-3 adults fishing
3) Powerplant: Outboard or possibly straight inboard; not I/O
4) Budget: <$15k, hopefully <$10k by doing restoration myself and buying lightly used 4-cycle OB (if I buy the Mako)

Probably my biggest reasons to shy away from the Shamrock are:
1) lack of a cooler or storage in front of the console b/c of the engine
2) difficulty in handling the single screw IB, especially when backing/docking
3) maintenance/reliability of the engine

I've seen several engines in these Shamrocks. Which are good? Which should I avoid? Which of my 3 concerns above valid?

Thanks.

 

[kandil]

Re: Mako 17 vs Shamrock 17; need advice...

It sound like a CC is the boat for you Mako are very nice boat have you looked at the Sea Pro CC? they are great for fishing and they have a large cushion in the front for sun beading perfect for the wife

 

[wespants]

Re: Mako 17 vs Shamrock 17; need advice...

I'm familiar with the Sea Pros. They seem to be a nice rig and I do like the cushion in the front. That is a nice selling point for my situation. I really like the 2003 and newer models where the trim color was changed from teal to sliver and some of the hull designs changed as well. Does anyone know about long term reliability of these boats? I'll give them another look.

Hoping to go tomorrow by Bass Pro and show her one of the life size Mako replicas they have there. If she likes it, I may go that way instead of the Shamrock just because of price and availability of the Mako. Will be looking for a '85-'89 model I think.