Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range UPDATE bought one

[thaphillips]

Hi I am looking for my first boat and need some suggestions. My Dad have a 1996 Aluminum Bass Tracker so I have had some experience w/ boats.

I am looking for a boat in the $2,000 to $3,000 price range. I would like a boat mainly for kneeboarding, wakeboarding, and pulling tubes. It needs to be small enough to pull behind my 1998 4.0 Inline 6 2wd Jeep Cherokee. If possible I would like a boar small enough to fit in 19' garage. I am willing to get a boat that doesn't fit in the garage, but it would be much better to store the boat inside.

What types of boats should I be looking at? Where do you recommend buying these boats. I have seen alot of trash on craigslist and replied to a bunch of ads and never gotten responses.

I was going to bid on this boat on ebay, but the guy is insisting on not letting me test drive the boat.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...0418747374&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK:MEWAX:IT

No test run tells me the guy is hiding something. He lives about 30 min away from a lake too.

I have also been looking at Checkmate boats and 70's Tri Hulls. I'm not sure about the Tri Hulls they didn't feels like they handled well.

Am I being unrealistic thinking I could get a decent old boat in the price range?

 

[thaphillips]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

I should also tell you that I am looking for a boat that seats up to 4 people and I don't want a bass boat.

 

[thaphillips]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

I am thinking 16' with an outboard would be best.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Wow, that guy is sure full of it, claiming the trailer alone retails for 5 grand.

A mid 80's Ebbtide DynaTrak with a 90 hp would be nice, available in 16, 17.5, and 19.5' lengths.


http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/boa/1802001908.html

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

If you don't know a lot about boats, fiberglass and associated problems, and outboard motors, it will be very difficult to find a decent ski rig in that price range. You need to find a friend who has extensive knowledge in these areas to help you weed through the junk.
I would steer clear of inboards/stern drives in that price range, along with Force outboards.
JMO,
JBJ

 

[thaphillips]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

I'm an auto damage adjuster by trade. So I think I can trust my skills on assessing damage. I do have a friend that owns a boat who is going with me.

What are people opinions on tri hulls?

What is your opinion on the checkmate predictor, like an 80's model?


My main goal is to ski. Party is second goal. Fishing isn't one of the things I am looking to do.

I whish the checkmate was an open bow.

 

[thaphillips]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

If you don't know a lot about boats, fiberglass and associated problems, and outboard motors, it will be very difficult to find a decent ski rig in that price range. You need to find a friend who has extensive knowledge in these areas to help you weed through the junk.
I would steer clear of inboards/stern drives in that price range, along with Force outboards.
JMO,
JBJ

Yeah my Dad has a force 75 on a bass tracker. I have a new starter for it on order this week. Also found out I needed an anchor the other week when the boat wouldn't start on a choppy lake.

I have driven a few boats, but never purchased on for my own. I thought the form would be a good idea, as there is a lot of knowledge here.

 

[ebsworj]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

That ebay boat is a joke. It won't do anything well. Looks like you have to sit on the floor then raise pedistals?

Your not going to get much boat for that price. I'd look for a Bayliner Capri. As others have said stay away from the Forces if you can but at that price you probably can't I used to have a Force 120 that was a hard starter but she ran descent.

 

[BigBoatinOkie]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Honestly, it's the wrong time of year to be looking for a quality boat in that price range. Not saying it can't be done, but I think you'll be more likely to find one in the off season. Now, if you are like me and have zero patience, you may not be able to wait, so just be careful and check out the prospective boats very carefully. If it would be possible for you to bump up your price range to say $4500-5000, then you would have a lot better choices. I've been hasty in the past and wound up wishing I had been more patient. Sometimes I look on craigslist and tell my wife "oh man, look what we coulda had if we woulda waited just a couple more months". I hope you find a good one. Good luck.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

I believe the biggest gripe about tri-hulls is that they will beat the snot out of you on rough or slightly rough water, especially for people riding up front. They're not necessarily bad boats. They're not the most attractive to look at, either.
Getting a test drive on the lake is a biggie on buying a used boat, especially an older used boat in your price range. The test drive on the water can tell you a lot of stuff, like whether or not the hull is waterlogged, leaks, the lower unit holds gear or not and whether it shifts properly and has good power throughout the speed range. Checking the bilge for water and the lower unit for the same is really important, along with moving the motor on the transom and feeling how solid it is, along with looking for stress cracks and such that indicate a bad transom. If you're looking at an old fiberglass boat that's been left outside, keep looking for another boat unless you like doing fiberglass work.
If you can't get a test drive, there's almost positively something major wrong with the rig on a boat in that price range. It could be an easy fix or a total rebuild of motor and boat, only an expert would be able to tell for sure.
Try running some craigslist ads and stuff by some of the guys here for starters. I like to look at the background of the pics as much as the foreground in determining if a boat or other used item is worth looking at.
BTW, it's almost impossible to find a ski rig in that price range that doesn't need at least some work to make it reliable. Impeller, fuel lines, l.u. seals, rewiring, etc. are common items that need attention on a used boat.
Good luck finding a good one. The "chase" for a good cheap used boat is half the fun!
JBJ

 

[pinellas50]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

I agree. It's going to be tough to get into something decent in that price range. I was in the same price range when I was looking. I looked at a lot of junk that people were very "proud" of. I got to the point where I would just ask for the address so I could drive by and take a look. There were many I saw from 50 ft and didn't bother to stop the car. Then I happened across my Starcraft that needed only a bilge pump and an oil tank on the motor(because of the fallen off magnet from the sensor problem common with these motors). The boat had already been repowered with a slightly newer motor. It replaced the Force that had been on it.

I ended up paying $3500 for mine which put me slightly over budget but I think it was worth it. This boat is light years above everything else I had come across for months. Just keep looking and learn the things to look for that are going to be problems. I also suggest that you are mechanically inclined before getting into a boat in the age range your budget is going to put you in.

 

[shrew]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

There are 3 golden rules to buying a boat:

1) Don't buy a boat you haven't seatrialed.

2) Don't buy a boat you haven't seatrialed.

3) don't buy a boat you haven't sea trialed.


I personally wouldn't buy a boat that wasn't surveyed, however the cost of a survey can be be between $500 -$800 done properly, so that may not be an option for you. Unless your familar with NMMA and ABYC standards and are a mechanic, it's doubtful that skills in Automotive estimation will translate over to the marine industry well.

In my opinion trihulls tend to ride over the waves, rather than cut through them. I find this tends to make for harsher ride with more pounding. I think there's a reason you don't see any builders building trihulls anymore. The entire industry doesn't all but abandon the 'best' ideas in architecture and design, if you get my meaning.

Fitting a baot into a 19ft. garage is going to be a challenge. Even a 16 ft. boat is going to have an outboard on the back and a few feet on tongue on the trailer up front. It will undoubtedly be a LoA > 19ft with the trailer. You might be able to work a boat in diagonally if the garage is wide enough. If yo uget a good cover, you should be all set.

 

[1stgenbird]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

I for one would check out some aluminum boats like Starcrafts. Less likely to have issues like fiberglass boats do; rotten internal wood frames, cracked gelcoat, etc.
Go for an outboard, too.
I know you are looking to by now, but getting a good deal off-season may be to your advantage. Might be difficult to sea trial at that time depending on the weather.

 

[gixxerjim]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Tri hulls are stable to walk around in when the water is calm (although this is like saying a car has a nice ride over smooth roads!). They beat you up in rough water and are bad on gas all else being equal. And maybe not as nice to look at as V-hull. My opinion only on the look of them!

 

[ryanmvwi]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

I think you should be able to get a pretty decent boat in the price range... It may need a little bit of work though. I would definitely go for an outboard in that price-range. You're probably looking at late 70's to mid 80's in that price-range though.

You can definitely get a tri-hull in that price range. I would think around 2k or even under it. I own a 79 15' yar-craft tri-hull and it handles pretty well. It actually rides a lot smoother than the aluminum starcraft I had before it, just because of the extra weight. I have a 70 horse on it and it easily pulls a tube/skier with 4 people on-board. With the way the bow is shaped it's fairly roomy for a 15' boat as well.

I see a lot of fairly nice boats around here (Wisconsin) in your price range. I would just make sure you check it over well. Check for a soft floor and definitely check out the transom...stand on the motor and make sure it doesn't flex.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

focus on the motor; that is what you are really buying. Used trailers are a dime a dozen, and old hulls aren't far behind. But you want a motor in the 70-115 range--price used ones and see where they land in your price range....
Forget a 4 person boat in a 19' garage on the trailer.

 

[KermieB]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

For all of you anti- Ebay people.... You don't have a clue what you are talking about if you don't use Ebay.

The guy selling this boat may be a little whacked out with his estimated value, but he has over 300 feedbacks and he's 100% positive. This may mean NOTHING to you, but to Ebay (and those of us who know), it means that if you buy this boat you are covered under their "Buyer Protection Program." This means Ebay trusts this guy enough to offer you a money back guarantee if this boat is a piece of junk that won't run.

The boat and his claims to it's sea worthiness is probably exactly as he describes. Too bad the estimated claimed value is not covered by the guarantee.

 

[thaphillips]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Wound up getting a 79' Checkmate Exciter that I ran for half the season last year well into October. The motor is clean and has less than 400 hrs. It's in my signature below. Just wanted to update everyone and say that I bought it for $3200.

 

[thaphillips]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

I got some videos of it in my links.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Re: Need boat suggestions for 2K - 3K Range

Sweeeet looking boat. And a very good price.
Around here, the motor would go for more than $3200