My 1st Boat

[laserbrn]

Well I bought a boat yesterday. I have always talked about getting a little fishing boat, but I kinda didn't think it would ever happen. I always talk about getting a pool table and a motorcycle for my g/f also, so we'll see what happens on those fronts later.

I constantly search CL looking for deals on pool tables, motorcycles and boats thinking someday something will come along that will grab me. Yesterday was apparently the day for the boat.

It's not a fantastic, amazing, beatiful boat like so many members here have. I've been blown away dabbling into the world of boats, even for the brief time that I have. Amazing stuff around here. I'm hoping it gets me on the lake and gets me fishing because that's what really matters to me. I'm relatively new to fishing, completely brand new to boating and excited as I think I can possibly be @ the age of 29. It makes me feel 8.

I didn't grow up around boats and don't hardly know the first thing about them. So I bought a 14' Sea Nymph with an 8 horsepower outboard figuring that's a good start.

I'm not however new to forums and I'm hoping that my new found friends here will help me when I need it and guide me in getting this boat into shape and on the water.

I picked it up for $600 + trade on some stuff that had ZERO value to me, so $600.00. I was planning to spend around $1800.00 to get a little fishing boat all ready and on the water and having this to start with @ $600.00 seems amazing. I don't know where to throw money at it yet as it hasn't been on the water.

The engine only runs for about 10 seconds, then quits so I'm going to take it into the shop. Sounds like the carbs need to be cleaned and it needs to be tuned up and I don't think that will cost much. I would do it myself, but I just want to get it running and onto the water so I can check for leaks and make a plan of action for this thing. Don't want to start with fiddling with a carb when I have no idea how it should run when it's running right.

I've posted some pics, let me know how I did for $600.00 and how she looks.

Thanks.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: My 1st Boat

For $600 you have done very well. That is a nice little rig, and it looks like you scored some great accessories there too

The seats, seat bases, fish finder, gas tank, fire extinguisher, trolling motor, and Nissan are worth 600 right there.

Sounds like the motor needs to be gone thru, but has potential. You aren't running it dry are you? Put it in a barrel so the water intakes are submerged by 2-3" so you don't burn the motor up.

Probably safe to assume that the spark plugs and impellar should be changed. Check for compression on both cylinders before you spend a dime on it. Comp should be within 10-15% of each other.

As far as the hull, looks like it needs to be washed and checked for leaky rivets. They can be rebucked to tighten, and then I'd recommend buying a can of Gluvit to seal all seams and rivets to insure a dry boat. This is available here at iboats.

Glad you're excited about the new rig, boats are tremendously fun for all ages.

Welcome to the forum, and the tin can club

 

[laserbrn]

Re: My 1st Boat

Thanks. I have seen mention of this Gluvit on this forum already. You can see in the photos that something has been smeared over the rivets to obviously stop some leaks. Has anyone ever had a riveted boat welded? I have a friend who's a great welder and I'm sure he'd take that on for me. I also saw a 14" Gregor hull on CL yesterday and if it's still for sale I might pick it up and sell this one. It was only $400.00 for a welded hull. Is it a pretty easy battle against the rivets or a constant pain in the butt?

Is Gluvit applied from the inside? I can't figure out why someone would slop a whole bunch of that stuff on the outside.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: My 1st Boat

Welds can crack, I have had good luck with riveted hulls. If they leak they only leak a tiny bit, weeping in a rivet. If a weld fails then a hug crack lets in more water.

That said, a good weld will hold up if done right. Good welded boats usually cost more than riveted.

I thought it looked like gluvit on the exterior. It does protect the metal quite a bit.

I'd just paint over it and keep the Sea Nymph

 

[laserbrn]

Re: My 1st Boat

I have been stuck in your threads for what feels like hours! I love the decking in your boat. I thought about doing a spray in bedliner, but a friend of mine pointed out the extra weight, the annoyance if a rivet leaks and the overall pain it may be in the future. Glad I saw your thread and that you now expresse the same concerns. I love the look of the wood deck, so like you, I may start with that.

I'll probably start with the stern and see how difficult it is to build. My stern has one gas tank and my battery. I am thinking about building a little deck to just go over it and make cubbies that open up to access to battery. I though I read that I couldn't enclose the gas tank though.

 

[Bass Buster One]

Re: My 1st Boat

Welcome to the boating/fishing world, laserbrn. Hope you understand, though, it's habit forming, but fantastically fun. I bought my first boat just 6 years ago; a Lund 14' Northern Pike (very similar in style to your boat). The 20hp Mercury on it was shot so bought a brand new 25hp Mercury electric start tiller for her. Loved the boat and caught a ton of fish out of her. The boat, shot motor and trailer cost me $500. The new motor was a major investment and well worth it. But, the boat, was an even greater investment. Likewise, it was a riveted hull, but never leaked a drop and had never been repaired. Best thing you can do with your hull.......wait till spring and put her in the lake. Watch carefully all around the interior for leaks and repair those first. But, I guarantee you, you'll find very little water coming through. I agree with the painting, but after you check and repair any major leaks (ones that create standing water of any depth in the stern area). You will really enjoy that rig and learn as you go.
As for the habit, .....well, now I own the same Lund boat (motor stolen, now a row boat for cove fishing), a canoe, a 1987 18' Venture Tournament Edition Bass Boat and a 1993 17' Sea Ray Bow Rider. Whew!! Gotta love it!!!

 

[laserbrn]

Re: My 1st Boat

I'm guessing it's habit forming and while I have a lot of habits, I enjoy entertaining new ones every chance I get. I was hoping to get this thing into the water long before spring (it's warm here in Southern California), but I'm starting to suspect that the shop I took the boat to for OB service is going to take longer than I expected. I asked them to clean the carb(s) and start it. I didn't know yesterday what to look for well enough so I need them to make sure the water pump is running.

I have some budget left for this thing which is great so the next great discussion is fish finders. I suspect the one that is on there is complete junk and being a newb I'd like to learn on something modern. I don't need it to have every bell and whistle available, I'd actually prefer it operate as simple as possible, but a nice high res screen and possibly color would be nice. Any input on where to start that research? I like to be pretty well informed before making a purchase and they always take me a long as my mind doesn't rest unless I feel like I got exactly what I wanted and at a price that satisfies me. I'm the kind of guy that can't buy it new unless it's ridiculously cheap, and has to search for days/weeks to get a good understanding of the pricing. So I figure by the time I read all the reviews, learn everything is to know about and THEN begin the search, I will have fished a few times in the boat and I'll be frustrated living without it.

I'm thinking if I do restore this boat fully (which is likely AFTER the first season, gotta do some fishin' first) I would go with a bare hull. Is that pretty easy to do and keep it looking good? I'm afraid the stripping process and polishing would be a ton of work.

 

[jcupo6]

Re: My 1st Boat

I don't know where to throw money at it yet as it hasn't been on the water.
Thanks.

Congrats on the new boat, it's a nice little setup! This would be my recommendation, get the motor running and get all your safety requirements. Don't through a bunch of money into it at first. Use the crap out of the boat for a couple months, then see how you feel about it. You may love it and want to throw some cash in it customizing it to fit your needs, or, you may realize you would really like a bigger boat. If you're like many of us, the "Bigger boat syndrome" might hit you pretty hard! Either way, enjoy and good luck!

 

[laserbrn]

Re: My 1st Boat

I'm thinking that. The electronics would really be the only thing seeing as I want to use it for fishing. I've always been a believer in using technology when I can. A bigger boat sounds grand, but I think I'll have this little boat a long time regardless. Just hooking it up today to drive it to the shop it was clear how easy this boat is going to be handle. It's just easy to move, easy to deal with, perfect for after work runs to the lake! I work about 10 minutes from the lake so I look forward to this summer.

 

[skeeter16]

Re: My 1st Boat

Thats funny! You'll find that most shops take longer than you expect and always seems to cost more too! I've heard that B.O.A.T. stands for "bust out another thousand!", and found that to be true. Outboards are pretty expensive. The water pump is like a propeller attached to the drive shaft, and do invest in replaceing it, cheap insurance to protect that outboard. Buy yourself a cheap compression checker, I paid 9 bucks from harbor freight tools. Health of your outboard is directly linked to that compression. If you dont know 2 stroke engines, google how they work. Remember too, it only takes 5 seconds of running it out of water to ruin your water impellor!

 

[laserbrn]

Re: My 1st Boat

Oh yeah, I haven't started it out of the water. I know that it's forbidden. Whent he PO started it it was submerged in large tank of water. I know that B.O.A.T. Acronym and I know that people say that "A boat is a hole you put in the water and throw your money in", but I'm hoping this little tin can gets me around the lake good and cheap for years to come. I'm not trying to rock a big' ol fancy boat and I'm not trying to turn heads, I just want to get out, get away from work and family and go out on the lake with my Labrador.

If it can turn into a nice project restoring this thing than fantastic. I'd love to make her look like new again and have a nice looking aluminum boat, but I doubt it will become a life long obsession with the boats. Like I said, I've got motorcycles and pool tables to worry about as well, and I'm sure they would be restoration type projects as well. It's just something that I can appreciate when it's finished rather than just forking over the money upfront.

So let's hope this motor is in good working order. Apparently it's fairly obvious that it was in salt water. I don't buy that it's the kiss of death, but I'm sure it's not a terrific thing. The lower part was painted, presumably to stop the corrosion and rust.

It doesn't surprise me and I certainly don't feel shafted. I believe that this boat likely lived its early life as a dinghy probably pulled behind a larger vessel and used as a landing craft. At least that's how I like to think it started. I figure with salt water exposure so obvious and the old age of this boat it's likely it's been a lot of places and been through alot. It deserves to be restored and I'm sure it will have many many more years and I'll enjoy taking it on travels with me.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: My 1st Boat

Well, I received a call from the mechanic. He says the engine is fine and he's sure it's just the carb. Water pump is working, compression is good, everything seems just fine. Just all gummed up and he's working on cleaning it now.

So if all goes well its $150 fix. So $150.00 for the motor, and $600 for the package, I'm into this boat for $750.00 and I think it's good to go. I have a few bucks for some decent electronics and money left to pay for the annual passes for the lake for both truck and boat. I think I'm all set. I'm pretty freakin' stoked on this find and purchase. Due diligence paid off. I used to be so impulsive.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: My 1st Boat

That?s a great looking set up. And, for the $750 total, you got it for a steal. Like others have said above, I?d just fish out of it for a couple months and see how it goes. I wouldn?t discount the depth finder quite yet. See how it works?it might be more than adequate.

One thing I don?t think has been mentioned is anything about the trailer. Along with motor maintenance and safety gear, the next biggest issue could be the trailer. Take a couple hours to go over the lighting and especially the bearings. Depending on how far you?re going, raising the fenders and switching to 12? wheels will really help in bearing life and how the trailer rides.

Overall, you got a great deal on a really nice boat. At that price, you could use it for many years and easily get your money back out of it. I did that with a 12? aluminum. Had it for 11 years, did regular maintenance on the trailer and motor, and sold it for $100 more than I bought it for.