Newb looking to buy... questions.

[zbaber]

Ok, I'm looking to purchase a boat to enter the boating world / hobby.

I dont really need anything big, I was thinking about the 14-17 foot range.

99% of my boating will be on a smaller lake (under 900acres). I would use the boat for leisure cruising, tubing, and just to enjoy those hot summer days.

I (like most) have that little itch for speed, I'd like the boat to be able to run approx 40-45 mph on smooth water. (with 1 passenger)

It would be myself and my girlfriend in the boat. occasionally 1 more passenger, or our dog. at most 4 people in the boat at a time, but rarely.

A couple times a year, the boat will go to a very large lake, yet the waters are usually pretty calm.


Would either of these two models suit my needs? I would like to stay lower on costs upfront. Maintenance would be done by myself, (I've got training / experience in both auto and motorcycle mechanics)

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1160380805.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1159736681.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1159531045.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/1159475572.html

I'm not against doing some work to fix a boat up. I actually enjoy stuff like that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[saumon]

Re: Newb looking to buy... questions.

When i look at these ads, the first things that comes to mind is "rotted to the hull".

The engine part of the boats were kind of fun, easy and not so messy. Have a look at the restoration section and decide if you're ready to this kind of work (grinding, scraping, cutting, laying, mixing then sanding, sanding and sanding).

As project boats they were perfect but if you plan to ride this summer, if i were you, i'd look at an aluminum hull.

 

[zbaber]

Re: Newb looking to buy... questions.

I understand that deck replacement / restoration would be alot of work, and I'm prepared to do so, though before purchase I would thoroughly inspect each boat, obviously I wouldn't purchase a total basket case. I'm not so much looking at those exact boats, more so just using them as reference, as that style / size / power range is what I'm seeing in the price range I want to shop in. I'm capable of going higher, just would rather stay in the sub 2k price bracket.

I'm mainly concerned with how the smaller boats handle on various types of water (rivers, smooth smaller lakes, choppy larger lakes, etc) All use will be fresh water, mostly lakes, the missouri river a time or two, and a couple large lakes once or twice a year.

I'm also wondering if the boats referenced above (assuming good running condition and safe to operate) can support the type of use I'm looking for, and are capable of the speeds that I would like to run as referenced above.

Thanks

 

[zbaber]

Re: Newb looking to buy... questions.

When i look at these ads, the first things that comes to mind is "rotted to the hull".

The engine part of the boats were kind of fun, easy and not so messy. Have a look at the restoration section and decide if you're ready to this kind of work (grinding, scraping, cutting, laying, mixing then sanding, sanding and sanding).

As project boats they were perfect but if you plan to ride this summer, if i were you, i'd look at an aluminum hull.

What sort of aluminum hull boat would meet my needs/wants as described above? I dont see to many aluminum hull boats aside from fishing boats (which I'm not really looking for the features a bass boat has, or do I need the accessories that come outfitted on them. (live well, seating arrangments, rod storage, trolling motor, etc)

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Newb looking to buy... questions.

Here's a link to a picture of a Starcraft Supersport. http://saganaga.net/images/StarcraftSS16_1.jpg It's a 16' bowrider. They made them in numerous lengths in both outboard and I/O configurations. That would be my ideal boat. They are rugged, inexpensive, and versatile. They've been making them for decades. Other manufacturers such as Sea Nymph, Smokercraft, and Crestliner all made similar aluminum hulls. Most of the newer aluminum boat do indeed seem to be geared towards fishing but many of the 70's and 80's models seems to be simpler runabouts. Aluminum hulls aren't a sleek looking as glass ones but you run less of a risk buying one. Even if the transom and deck are rotted out, it's not a huge project to replace them. The stringers are just aluminum angle.