New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

[Bwana Don]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

If you get it for the right price and don't mind spending some money on the motor then go for it. Just go in with your eyes wide open. It is a nice looking boat. I have been eying it myself but it's bigger than what I want.

Maybe some of the I/O guys here can give you a better idea of what's involved with the motor.

 

[fshngho]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

If yall' don't mind, my 2 cents has a question. In the top right pic, is that the engine, outdrive, and part of the transom sitting on the ground? It looks like there is no transom on the boat. Top two pics were not taken at the same time, notice the two tires next to the boat? Ja, I would call this guy and find out how MUCH work is needed. You may be considering a boat that you have no desire to own. If you break down the access included, it would not be a bad price, but not if someone tore off the transom (metal & all ) and you have to go from scratch. At the very least, buy the equipment and get the boat free.
Dale

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

Stop and think this out. A electric down rigger is around 3-4 hundred EACH--Fishfinder 2-4 hundred. Fish gear if you can use it 2-3 hundred. Lets see thats about 15-16 hundred right there The boat then becomes Free even with some engine work. A new Intake manafold may be about $250. That is a Hell of a buy if the hull and interior are useable. IMHO . Like I said I have a 22 Holiday that I bought on the west coast for $3500. Complete with down riggers and two motors . Bust boat buy I have made and I have bought more than I like to admit. BUY IT

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

On second thought I just brought up the photo enlarged it and I too see a boat in pieces. Not a good way to start, there is also part of the floor in front of the engine. Sorry If the boat was together ok . I should have looked closer . I would not touch it except for Parts. Ed - SORRY for the earlier post

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

Guys, I looked closely at the pics and I'm pretty sure I can see the reflection of a complete transom in one pic and an intact outdrive in the other. I'm thinking the pile on the driveway is from another boat.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

On second thought I just brought up the photo enlarged it and I too see a boat in pieces. Not a good way to start, there is also part of the floor in front of the engine. Sorry If the boat was together ok . I should have looked closer . I would not touch it except for Parts. Ed - SORRY for the earlier post

Actually, I'm pretty sure what you are seeing there is the other motor that he had planned to put in. He said that he took a sawzall to the other boat and just cut it out all together like that.

It may very well be a good deal for someone - at $1500 I still need to save my pennies and keep looking. Maybe he'll come down on it yet.

Cheers!

 

[Pugetsound]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

OK!! Does the other engine come with it. ???? Really if I was not 2400 miles away I would buy it. Make him an offer for a bit less and then if he still wants the full price make an offer to still get it and make a few payments till its paid for. You would need to see the rear of the boat and a photo or two of the interior to really decide. Good hunting. ED

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

Hmm, this gets more interesting. A spare motor comes with it. Any idea the condition of the other motor? This changes things a little bit. I'd think seriously on this one. Maybe not for the full $1500, depending on what you can afford.

All that Salmon gear, and down-riggers too! That'll come in handy on Michigan and Huron. Gear like that runs some bucks.

Found this one. It's probably out of your price range. Just for coparison;
http://www.boats.com/boat-details/Starcraft-Islander/111768001

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

wow, that's one rough outboard conversion!

My buddy and I just dragged this one home 2 weeks ago for $1600 http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Chris Boat/ Motor runs, boat is sound but needs some cosmetics. Trailer is solid but running gear is hosed. It had 4 wheels on it when we set out

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

Hmm, this gets more interesting. A spare motor comes with it. Any idea the condition of the other motor? This changes things a little bit. I'd think seriously on this one. Maybe not for the full $1500, depending on what you can afford.

All that Salmon gear, and down-riggers too! That'll come in handy on Michigan and Huron. Gear like that runs some bucks.

Found this one. It's probably out of your price range. Just for coparison;
http://www.boats.com/boat-details/Starcraft-Islander/111768001

Well, he says that the spare motor is good. To me, unless I can see it running, I have to assume otherwise and I am thinking that motor isn't quite in the position to be ran, eh! So, if I am assuming that I have two bad motors than I have to assume also that I might not be able to make one good one out of the two. Maybe, maybe not. For me to be feeling good it would have to be below the 1K range.

Overall, that is a lot of assuming and guessing and maybes for me.

You are definitely right about the extra gear that is worth some money for sure, but, I have to keep my priorities in order - hull and trailer first, motor second, then everything else.

Your comparison is a nice one. I know there are a bunch of boats out there (especially in the summer) in the 3K range that would be great, water ready boats. I am going to try and find that one great deal. You know, where you guys come on here and say "hey great deal" or "you stole that boat", something like that. Or, where the seller is debating taking it to the scrap yard v. selling it. You know that kind of deal. I am thinking this way mainly because that is all I can afford at this point. In the meantime, I'll just kepp saving up until I find that great deal, or, I have enough cash to buy that water ready boat.

Besides, my wife would "accidentally" back over me with her mini van if I spent too much on this boat. She would say something like "Oh, sorry. I didn't see you there. I was watching your great big honking boat that you paid too much for and didn't see you there. Maybe if you got rid of it and remodeled my kitchen than I wouldn't run you over anymore."

Cheers!

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

wow, that's one rough outboard conversion!

My buddy and I just dragged this one home 2 weeks ago for $1600 http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w200/ezmobee/Chris Boat/ Motor runs, boat is sound but needs some cosmetics. Trailer is solid but running gear is hosed. It had 4 wheels on it when we set out

Dude! 4 tires when you started and only 2 left when you got home

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

I hear you on the money. I just spent $1500 at the Ford dealer to get my Ranger running again. Christmas hit me too. I have money, I don't have money.

I think I'll buy a cheapie and then put money into it as I can afford it. My wife wants me to pay off the home equity loan before I buy a boat. Unless it's a super good deal (cheap) I'll need to sleep in it.

Keep looking and keep saving; Good Luck

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

Dude! 4 tires when you started and only 2 left when you got home

We had about an hour trip with it from the seller's place back to my buddy's place. About half way there I noticed my truck was downshifting to go up even the slightest inclines. I pulled over and saw that one of the bearing buddies was gone from one of the front hubs. Grease everywhere and the hub was hot as hell. We ditched the boat in a nearby parking lot and went to find a Wal-Mart. Bought new buddies and a grease gun. However when I went to install it, I saw that the bearings were basically GONE and I could see daylight through the hub. I knew the boat weighed under 2000 lbs and I checked the load rating on the rear tires and made the executive decision to just pull the two front wheels off. When we pulled the front wheel on the opposite we saw that the rear seal was also gone on that one with grease everywhere. The rear axle had apparently had some work done to it more recently because everything back there was in excellent shape. Boat towed fine on just the two and we had a cautious but uneventful rest of the trip. Only issue was we didn't put the trailer back on the truck before pulling the wheels and that made our tongue weight like 4 zillion pounds!!! We got 'er done though.

jasoutside, my advice to you would be to tell the seller of that boat that you don't mean to be insulting but you are working with a strict budget for the overall project and that if a time comes that he's willing to take $750 for it, you'll gladly pick it up. It is a unique boat and would be well worth the effort to fix up.

 

[Bwana Don]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

jasoutside, my advice to you would be to tell the seller of that boat that you don't mean to be insulting but you are working with a strict budget for the overall project and that if a time comes that he's willing to take $750 for it, you'll gladly pick it up. It is a unique boat and would be well worth the effort to fix up.

That sounds like some great advice.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

jasoutside, my advice to you would be to tell the seller of that boat that you don't mean to be insulting but you are working with a strict budget for the overall project and that if a time comes that he's willing to take $750 for it, you'll gladly pick it up. It is a unique boat and would be well worth the effort to fix up.

Yah, that was pretty much the route that I was thinking to go. Now, if I could find a few hundred bucks in my couch cushions I'd be all set (rats).

Cheers!

 

[WATERHAM]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

What's up jaoutside, I fish the same waters you are probably looking to fish (Sag. Bay walleye, Lake michigan salmon, Huron trout). I've got an Islander and love it. I've got the 191v w/ 3.0l mercruiser but would reccommend the 221 just a little more fishing room motor's still enough though . Awesome boats, when it blows up and your 22 miles from home ( the kind of days that will pucker your butt hole) it's nice to know you are in a sturdy boat. They are light, but use it to your advantage in responsiveness. I know of a project boat for sale on M-13 in Kawkawlin, I think the guy wants less than 2 grand for the boat and trailer, not sure if motor is operational. Good luck on you search, just look around the Great Lakes, Islanders are everywhere.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

What's up jaoutside, I fish the same waters you are probably looking to fish (Sag. Bay walleye, Lake michigan salmon, Huron trout). I've got an Islander and love it. I've got the 191v w/ 3.0l mercruiser but would reccommend the 221 just a little more fishing room motor's still enough though . Awesome boats, when it blows up and your 22 miles from home ( the kind of days that will pucker your butt hole) it's nice to know you are in a sturdy boat. They are light, but use it to your advantage in responsiveness. I know of a project boat for sale on M-13 in Kawkawlin, I think the guy wants less than 2 grand for the boat and trailer, not sure if motor is operational. Good luck on you search, just look around the Great Lakes, Islanders are everywhere.

Yup, that is exactly the fishing grounds I'll be working on. I think the 20' to 22' range should be just about right for me. And, I'd be pumped to get my hands on an Islander for a couple of nickles. They are out there, I just need to find em'.

I'm pretty sure that I saw that same boat but I am thinking that he was asking around $2800 for it. Interior was pretty well shot, non running motor, great hull, ok trailer. Way over priced for me anyway. Thanks for the heads up though! Still hunting, still saving.

Fresh fish sounds awesome about now eh!

Happy New Year Guys!

 

[fshngho]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

JA, been there, done that, and so have a lot of guys here. Patience is a virtue but it don't get you on the water faster. Save those dimes and you will find a deal. I can promise you, only buy a boat when it feels right or you will regret it. You will want to smile during a resto, not think " if only ". We will all still be here, waiting on pics and ready to help. Besides, no one wants to make SWMBO mad. you gotta sleep sometime. Dale
EZ, you sound like me in years past. " Damn the bearings. full speed ahead!" or " Bearings? We don't need no stinking bearings!" Ahh, good 'ole days.

 

[jasoutside]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

JA, been there, done that, and so have a lot of guys here. Patience is a virtue but it don't get you on the water faster. Save those dimes and you will find a deal. I can promise you, only buy a boat when it feels right or you will regret it. You will want to smile during a resto, not think " if only ". We will all still be here, waiting on pics and ready to help. Besides, no one wants to make SWMBO mad. you gotta sleep sometime. Dale
EZ, you sound like me in years past. " Damn the bearings. full speed ahead!" or " Bearings? We don't need no stinking bearings!" Ahh, good 'ole days.

DUDE, IT"S HARD BEING PATIENT! But, I am right there with you. I need to wait for just the right boat at just the right price to feel good about this purchase. Maybe tomorrow, maybe a year from now, we shall see.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: New guy here, post #1, help me pick out my new (old) boat!

DUDE, IT"S HARD BEING PATIENT! But, I am right there with you. I need to wait for just the right boat at just the right price to feel good about this purchase. Maybe tomorrow, maybe a year from now, we shall see.

I have to echo fshngho's sentiments...I searched for a good 1.5-2 years and boy am I glad I was patient

I almost bought a 16' Starcraft side-console that came with a dinky little 7.5hp Merc for $800 w/ trailer about 1.5 yrs ago(I wanted the 7.5hp for my 12' rig at the time).

I ended up spending $200 more and got a 80hp that runs on a 16' SS w/ trailer. I know for a fact if I'd jumped the gun on the other rig I'd regret not having a bigger motor on it, or spend another $800 for a big OB.