newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

[billsnogo]

The wife and I are looking for a small boat we can cruise the Mississippi and local lakes (minnesota) and ran across a 15' 1995 bayliner 1401 with a merc 40 horse. Price seems low to us at $2000 with trailer.

I can't seem to find any info out on these boats, and don't know what to worry about when looking it over. The owner says it has power tilt/trim, new tires on trailer, a prop that was new a week ago (has receipt) but has a nick in it already, new battery last year, clear title on boat/trailer, has minor scratches on back of boat, and supposedly runs good. (will ask for a lake test if he will).

Does this sound like a good starter boat (I know it is very little to go on). I also keep looking at speed boats since my dad had a 70's sidewinder low-pro, and that was so fun, but figure since we will not be tubing much and the gas saving compared to a 115-150 tower of power.......

Any advice or input will be greatly appreciated.

 

[billy4hp]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

The wife and I are looking for a small boat we can cruise the Mississippi and local lakes (minnesota) and ran across a 15' 1995 bayliner 1401 with a merc 40 horse. Price seems low to us at $2000 with trailer.

I can't seem to find any info out on these boats, and don't know what to worry about when looking it over. The owner says it has power tilt/trim, new tires on trailer, a prop that was new a week ago (has receipt) but has a nick in it already, new battery last year, clear title on boat/trailer, has minor scratches on back of boat, and supposedly runs good. (will ask for a lake test if he will).

Does this sound like a good starter boat (I know it is very little to go on). I also keep looking at speed boats since my dad had a 70's sidewinder low-pro, and that was so fun, but figure since we will not be tubing much and the gas saving compared to a 115-150 tower of power.......

Any advice or input will be greatly appreciated.

If that's the hull I am thinking of, they call it a Bayliner Mosquito up in Washington State... It's an awefully small boat and get's tossed around a bit...

What are you going to use it for and what are your expectations?

The price is on par for what I have seen them for locally...

As for what to look for:

Lake test if possible

No soft spots in the floors, transom or rest of hull

Compression test of engine, not looking for a specific number, but all cyl.s should be within 10% of each other

Engine should not overheat, ask when the impeller was last changed?

Does it idle and accelerate smoothly? Does it fire right up when cold?

What works and what doesn't (gauges, radio if equipped, power trim and tilt, trailer lights, etc).

Most importantly (to me) don't fall in love with it before you see it. Don't be afraid to walk away if you don't get a warm and fuzzy feeling after the lake test. There are too many good boats out there to be had @ a good price these days...

 

[billsnogo]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

What are you going to use it for and what are your expectations?

Hope to cruise the mississippi, and medium to small lakes, no large lakes when the weather is good. No real fishing, maybe pull a single tube behind, or take a total of four people on out occation, but mostly just two people and two small terriors. Swim off the back on hot days.

Would I be better off with something like this?
1974 larson speed boat with 1989 125hp force motor. It runs good. It has power tilt/trim. The trailor is a roller and only needs tires. The seats, battery, lights, bilge pump, fuel tanks and much more have been replaced. It has a stainless prop on it

 

[billsnogo]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

Or a slightly larger boat with almost twice the power.
1986 mach 1 16.5ft open bow, 1989 merc 75 hp 4cyl. shorelandr trailer. both in good shape, engine in excellent running cond. never a problem. power tilt and trim. built in fuel tank. tube, skis, life jackets go with

 

[billy4hp]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

Personally, I would be leaning toawrds the Mach 1 (never heard of that name before)....

IMO, the built in fuel tank isn't a plus unless it is removable without dismantling the boat...

 

[grego]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

Pretty small boat! If I were fishing the feeder creeks, i would say yes.
a first time buyer should buy at least a 17 ft. or more, for getting out and just cruising. More space,more power and you don't have to GRAB the rails when you pass another boat or a tug or a barge or just the wind. 40 horses: if you get caught in a sudden rain storm even on river, you may have a devil of a time making headway toward home. IMHO. OH! the force moters have NEVER been a powerhouse engine, every other 125 hp engine will kick it's butt, BUT! it is a very dependable engine. Starts and runs EVERY time.

 

[22E6441]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

I think you'd get the most enjoyment out of the 1986 Mach 1.

Bow riders are awesome. Dogs love them too.

I think the other boats will be too small and that you'll rapidly become unhappy.

The mach 1 is a nice size for a first boat....both length and power.

Of course....I have no idea what kind of shape they're each in....just saying.

 

[billsnogo]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

Thank you for the replies, it is helpfull. It is important to have room for the dogs too. I will keep searching then for a 16' or bigger.

thanks again

 

[dorelse]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

Coming from someone who's been on the Mississippi (Red Wing, MN/Lake Pepin)...I would say that the 14ft Bayliner is going to be too small...unless you stay above the locks where the barge traffic won't be.

Some of the larger cabin cruisers really put out a huge wake, and that 14ft boat would be pretty stressful.

Either the Larson or the Mach 1 would be a better choice. The Mach 1 with the open bow will feel bigger.

You NEED to check the floors on these boats...soft spots = wood rot. Force motors that have been maintained well are good motors...but like all motors, if they've been abused, they will show it. (Like everything, they have detractors and fans. I own an 85HP Force, and its been rock solid for me.)

 

[dorelse]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

What about something like this?

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/boa/1292691375.html

 

[68C15]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

ya know, if I had a second chance to buy my first boat I would be all over that 74 Glastron like stink on s**t. looks to me like a Ford 300 which I find to be VERY reliable. but I know nothing about outdrives.

 

[billsnogo]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

What about something like this?

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/boa/1292691375.html

It is a bit higher than I was looking to go to be totally honest, I am trying to stay around $2000, that and it sounds like the maintenence/winterizing is much easier with an outboard. Thanks for the advice, we will go no smaller than 16' than.

I am passing on the smaller bayliner and going to look at this hopefully this weekend and have him take us out on the water to test it
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/boa/1291107874.html

 

[ezmobee]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

I am passing on the smaller bayliner and going to look at this hopefully this weekend and have him take us out on the water to test it
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/boa/1291107874.html

That looks like a perfect first boat. Good luck!

 

[22E6441]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

What about something like this?

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/boa/1292691375.html

Ditto. That looks like a great first boat....I bet you could get it for $2000 without much trouble.

 

[billsnogo]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

That looks like a perfect first boat. Good luck!

I am going to look/test that boat out friday after work, and possibly this one too since they are relatively close by
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/boa/1287628993.html

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

has been deleted....must have been a good one he might have sold it already

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

It is a bit higher than I was looking to go to be totally honest, I am trying to stay around $2000, that and it sounds like the maintenence/winterizing is much easier with an outboard. Thanks for the advice, we will go no smaller than 16' than.

I am passing on the smaller bayliner and going to look at this hopefully this weekend and have him take us out on the water to test it
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/boa/1291107874.html

I wouldn't put much stock in that "seats 7" statement.The weight limit is the important number.My 16/17 ft bowrider states--6 passengers or 900lbs.That includes coolers,toys,etc...

 

[billsnogo]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

Okay, I went to go see two boats today.

First was a 17' 87 Bayliner Capri. 85 HORSEPOWER FORCE OUTBOARD MOTOR. IT HAS AN ESCORT 3500 POUND CAPACITY TRAILER (nice shape)WITH NEW WHEELS AND TIRES AND PERMANENT REGISTRATION. I HAVE THE TITLE FOR BOTH THE BOAT AND THE TRAILER. THIS BOAT HAS POWER TILT AND TRIM, NEW PLUGS, AND PROPELLER. IT HAS A BIKINI CONVERTABLE SUN TOP WITH TOP COVER AND ALUMINUM TOP BOWS, THE FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COVER, AND THE REAR ENGINE WELL COVER. AT MY ASKING PRICE THIS PACKAGE INCLUDES LIFE JACKETS, VINYL COVERED ANCHOR AND LINE, DOCK BUMPERS, TOW ROPE, SKIIS AND OBRIEN TUBE!!! HULL IS IN GREAT CONDITION, (interior seats are torn and rough) JUST SERVICED AT HANNAY'S (FORCE DEALER) AND REPLACEMENT PROPELLER

Sorry about the caps, that is the way it was posted. Nice boat except the seats were quite worn. He is firm on $2K

Second is a 1979 Mark Twain 17ft Sonic Deluxe Runabout, 1986 Mercury 150hp Outboard, Run And Starts Good, Matching Roller Trailer (okay shape, some rust), the upholstery in this boat is in good shape and has a large open bow area Licensed till 2011, built in fuel tank, in floor ski storage, no soft spots in floor, all guages work (fuel, trim/tilt, tach, battery), radio, new battery and bilge pump, nav lights, interior courtesy lights, boarding ladder, Included Extras: 3 props (17, 19, 21 pitch), bimini top, full bow and cockpit mooring covers, custom canvas cover, trailer with newer tires, life jackets $2500 OBO

Water tested boat and ran good except I heard a grind when he put in forward gear. It also smoked a bit, but am not sure what amount is normal. No title for boat or trailer, but he said it could be transferred with just the boat registration numbers? Not sure about that

Not sure what to do, take the plunge on one of these, or wait a bit.....

 

[ezmobee]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

You DO NOT want an 80's Bayliner with a Force for $2k. Get that one right out of your head.

Mark Twains were really good solid hulls and that Merc is a good motor. That one sounds pretty decent. The gear grinding could be totally normal if he didn't give it a nice quick shift into gear. And the smoking is pretty common on 2 strokes especially if it hasn't been run in a while.

 

[cgd7777777]

Re: newbie look for his first boat hopefully tomorrow

I have never actually seen a Force out on the water the only place I've seen them were at shops or old boats left to die
SERIOUSLY