New

[MrPunem]

I'm new to this forum and the boating world. I live near a very large lake in arkansas and am looking to by an inexpesive used ski boat that hold 6-8 people. Now my question is when looking to by one what are the more important things I should keep a lookout for? I dont mind doing some minor cosmetic work and just want one powerful enough to pull a tube.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New

For a first boat and the usage you've indicate you're probably going to be looking for around a 17-19' bowrider. You need to decide whether you prefer an outboard or an I/O. What kind of budget are we talking about?

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: New

I live near a very large lake in arkansas and am looking to by an inexpensive used ski boat that hold 6-8 people. Now my question is when looking to by one what are the more important things I should keep a lookout for? I dont mind doing some minor cosmetic work and just want one powerful enough to pull a tube.

http://fayar.craigslist.org/boa/1341044974.html

-6-8 people...maybe at least 6 comfortably
-pull a tuber...easily
-needs a little cosmetic work...absolutely
-inexpensive...depends on your tax bracket I guess

Not sure about Suzukis but I've seen older ones still running

Good luck

 

[MrPunem]

Re: New

Thanks for the reply's guys....this is already one of the better forums I'va been on...and thats just generally speaking....well I'm trying to convice my wife so my budget is pretty tight for right now. If I could find something for less then 500 I think I could get the ok....I'm not looking to get on the water this season, although that would be nice, but next season is my goal because I am expecting to have to put work into it. And if I have to I can buy a motor after next tax season. Also Huron Angler, notice your in michigan, and you went on craigslist just to help me out....thats awesome dude!!! I am impressed, granted it doesnt take much but appriciate the hospitality

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New

Did you forget a zero?

 

[JimKW]

Re: New

You are trying to buy something that you will take your family out on for $500? Not sure I would want to go that route. When I bought mine I would not even look at anything under $2500.

 

[MrPunem]

Re: New

HAHAAH I wish....I've been on craiglist looking and have noticed they are out there, just few and far between, and its a matter of settling.


These are just some, any thoughts

http://fayar.craigslist.org/boa/1345132508.html
http://fayar.craigslist.org/boa/1344230767.html
http://fayar.craigslist.org/boa/1342601314.html
http://fayar.craigslist.org/boa/1318210141.html
http://fayar.craigslist.org/boa/1307541692.html
http://joplin.craigslist.org/boa/1344600866.html

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New

Word of advice for getting into boating cheap......go aluminum. Cheap fiberglass hulls are nothing but rot buckets.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: New

Did you forget a zero?

Did you forget that you paid $200 for your rig?

Buying a hull that floats for less than $500 is feasible. The link I posted is a good deal ONLY if that outboard is going to run for at least two seasons with just a little work.

Getting a running outboard, good trailer and decent hull for less than $500...not as common.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: New

Welcome to Iboats!

The first one is a big NO..OMC Stringer drive...RUN FAST AWAY FROM THAT!

The 4th one..the old SeaRay has potential.
The one with the outboard motor is a maybe.

Anything OMC powered i would stay away from.

Biggest thing to look for is soft floors,rotted transoms and what shape the engine is in.
A compression test on the cylinders would be a must.

 

[geeco1]

Re: New

MrPunem,

Although I will give you credit for the willingness to fix-up a boat, might I suggest this. You mentioned that you are not concerned about getting on the water this year. Most of the boats that you listed are in the $500 range as you indicated... however, it looks like most of them will take another $500 - $1000 for repairs. I would suggest that you take your current $500, then add to it throughout the winter the additional $500-$1000 that you would spend on fixing-up the boat. Then in early Spring look for a boat that is around $1500. This would probably buy you a better boat than you can fix-up. I know that the excitement is to buy now, but I think that you might be better off to buy a little better boat in the Spring. Heck, by the time spring rolls around, you might even be able to put more money with it and go to $2000 - $3000.

Just a thought.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: New

Word of advice for getting into boating cheap......go aluminum. Cheap fiberglass hulls are nothing but rot buckets.

I always favor aluminum as well...EZ is right. The only reason that I posted the link for the fiberglass boat is that most skiing and tubing bowriders are fiberglass in order to create a larger wake=more fun behind the rig

I'm looking at getting a Starcraft aluminum that I will use for tubing, skiing, LOTS of fishing...so an SS open bow would be ideal. They are usually over $500 though even lacking an outboard.

Aluminum are absolutely easier to maintain, cheaper on fuel(much lighter), do not require as big of an outboard, easier to repair, more durable and...well driving around the lake in a tin can is just cool

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New

Did you forget that you paid $200 for your rig?

No I sure didn't. However, we put major money into the motor and interior before we were out on the water safely. MrPunem, I recommend you spend some time checking out the projects going on in the restoration section. Yes you can get a cheap boat and bring it up to safe operating condition. But outside of a small tin boat with a small outboard you aren't going to do it for anywhere near $500. Those boats you listed either have no motor, or an obsolete motor you'll have a tough time finding parts for.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: New

The last 2 boats i bought were in Jan. and Feb. The prices really drop in the winter..

My current boat was 1100 bucks. I have put another 2k or more in it since but it will last for years to come.

2500 will buy a decent boat in the winter...

 

[MrPunem]

Re: New

Once again thanks guys, The main ones I was looking at was the 3rd and last craigslist post, I say my budget is 500 but I'm just looking at it as an original purchase, I dont mind investing over time. I understand I'm not going to get the whole Kit and Kabootle for 500. Appriciate the help, advice and opinions.

And fyi I have been talking to the guy with the boat in joplin and he says is in sound shape both boat and trlr, with a Bimini Top which has been stored inside and in good condition, which may be worth 200 itself, what do you think? Any thought appriciated....even if you all think I'm and idiot

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: New

This is a future CraigsList "take it away for free" boat waiting to happen...

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: New

No I sure didn't. However, we put major money into the motor and interior before we were out on the water safely. MrPunem, I recommend you spend some time checking out the projects going on in the restoration section. Yes you can get a cheap boat and bring it up to safe operating condition. But outside of a small tin boat with a small outboard you aren't going to do it for anywhere near $500. Those boats you listed either have no motor, or an obsolete motor you'll have a tough time finding parts for.

EZ I hope you took my comment tongue-in-cheek What was your ballpark cost in total for your splash? I would guess at least $1500 considering that you didn't exactly cut corners and have the motor professionally serviced.

If Mr. Punem is looking to buy a hull/trailer that needs a little work and then is shooting for using his tax return to repower then I'd say a bare aluminum or fiber hull could be found for aound $800 and then another $1000 for a reliable outboard. So the comments are pretty accurate for total cost if you factor in the repowering.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: New

Don't worry Huran Angler. I didn't take any offense. I'm glad we are now aware that MrPunem understands that $500 is just the entry fee and knows there will considerable work after that.

You will find that old fiberglass tri-hulls and closed bow runabouts are a dime a dozen. Open bow V-hulls are more desirable and when fixed up will have a more modern look. I'd keep my eye out for a bowrider set up for am outboard or an exceptionally cool looking closed bow. The ultimate find would be an aluminum that someone doesn't know is worth more due to being aluminum (that was the case in my project boat purchase).