Newbie needs advice on which boat

[franco802]

Hello all,
just wanted to introduce myself. I am not new to boats, but I am new to buying and owning a boat. Been on and off my uncle's fishing boat since I was seven years old. Now it's time to buy my own">

I am looking to spend about $2500.00 or less on a boat no bigger than 18 feet. I am not a boat mechanic nor a fabricator, but have worked as an automobile technician and have done some electrical work. I am pretty mechanically inclined.

I will be useing the boat for cruising and mostly fishing. Something that dosen't suck a crap load of fuel like a BB 454 Chevy">

I been looking at the boat trader for quite some time, but have been scared away from deals offering 1970s-1980s boat for 2-3k. I also went to a local new boat dealer close by and looked at the new 2006 Bayliner 175BR. Nice boat for $11k!

Problem is, I don't know what brand to look for. I know Bayliners are good boats (I think?), but not sure on what brands with what engines to look for.

What do you guys think? Thanks in advance.

 

[DJ]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

Bayliner has a bad reputation. Undeserved, in many respects, in my opinion.

Bayliner was one of the first to really mass produce boats, thus they could make them inexpensively, compared to the rest of the industry.

Because of that, they were bought by many "newbies" that knew nothing about boats and less about maintenance. To that end, they still suffer in resale value.

You're going to get headaches, if you buy a boat in the $2-3g range. Unless it's a simple fishing boat. If you can somehow double that amount, you can get into something decent.

Fall is the best time to buy a boat.

Following are some tips for checking out a used boat.

1. Stomp around in it. ANY soft spots in the floor represent major problems.

2. Look for water stains running out of any hardware attached to the transom. Also, "knock" on the transom, with your knuckles. It should sound like a solid door.

3. If it's an outboard, lift the engine all the way up. Grab the engine by the skeg (fin below prop) and rock the engine up and down. If the transom flexes, there are problems.

4. Get compression readings on any engine. Your looking for all cylinders to be close to each other.

5. Loosen the lower drain plug on the outboard lower unit. NO water should come out, or should the fluid look milky.

6. Check the fit of the trailer to the hull.

7. Jack up the trailer wheels and spin them. They should be quiet.

 

[franco802]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

Bayliner has a bad reputation. Undeserved, in many respects, in my opinion.

Bayliner was one of the first to really mass produce boats, thus they could make them inexpensively, compared to the rest of the industry.

Because of that, they were bought by many "newbies" that knew nothing about boats and less about maintenance. To that end, they still suffer in resale value.

You're going to get headaches, if you buy a boat in the $2-3g range. Unless it's a simple fishing boat. If you can somehow double that amount, you can get into something decent.

Fall is the best time to buy a boat.

Following are some tips for checking out a used boat.

1. Stomp around in it. ANY soft spots in the floor represent major problems.

2. Look for water stains running out of any hardware attached to the transom. Also, "knock" on the transom, with your knuckles. It should sound like a solid door.

3. If it's an outboard, lift the engine all the way up. Grab the engine by the skeg (fin below prop) and rock the engine up and down. If the transom flexes, there are problems.

4. Get compression readings on any engine. Your looking for all cylinders to be close to each other.

5. Loosen the lower drain plug on the outboard lower unit. NO water should come out, or should the fluid look milky.

6. Check the fit of the trailer to the hull.

7. Jack up the trailer wheels and spin them. They should be quiet.

Ok, some good advise there. Let's say I can double what I want to spend, I figure I can. I just thought I could get away spending less money.

Ok, let's say I want to spend around 4-5k. Now what can you guys recommend? Thanks.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

For 4 to 5K you should be able to find a mid 90's model boat in good condition.
Definately stay away from inboard/outboards..Too much work and time to keep them serviced and winterized.
Find a good solid boat with an outboard engine.Have the engine checked out.Make sure the floor is solid and the transom has no flexing.Look over the trailer good also.
I bought my 87 I/O Starcraft for 2500 bucks but had a ton of work that had to be done.I now have about 4000 in it. My next boat will be an outboard for sure!
Keep looking,there are some good deals out there.
Welcome aboard and keep us posted!

 

[DJ]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

Late 80's, early 90's should be available, at that price.

You may find very well maintained boats that just have dated colors or styling. Colors can be changed.

I'm not afraid of an I/O as long as you spend a couple hundred bucks to have it checked out.

1. Look for block, exhaust manifold leaks.

2. A vacuum check, while running, tells a great deal regarding the health of an automotive based engine.

3. Check the lower unit.

4. Listen for Gimbal bearing noise.

Actually, you'll probably find I/O's to be cheaper.

STAY AWAY FROM OMC PACKAGES. OMC is kaput and parts are hard to find.

Volvo is OK as long as it has an American engine.

On a boat, that age, MerCruiser is your best bet, for an I/O.

As far as outboards, all are OK, except for Force. Also, many of the Japanese engines are difficult to find service and parts for, especially Suzuki/Nissan-Tohatsu.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

The most important thing is the test drive. Buying a boat without a test drive is not a great idea. When you go on the test drive, watch how the owner starts the boat. If he is having to spend 20 minutes doing a prayer dance and opening the shroud and jiggling things to get it going then that is a warnng sign. It should perform well, get up on plane and drive normally. It shouldn't be a dogged out slug.

Look at when the boat was last registered. If it has been 5 years since it was used, and it is sitting outside, it will most likely be at least in the beginning stages of rot. The interior will look like hell. If it has been stored inside, that is a different story. Sometimes people just stop using their boat due to a lack of time to use it and it ends up sitting, but most people selling boats either need the money or ar unloading a potential nightmare that they are tired of trying to keep running.

I/O boats can be good, the main expense is the outdrive. There are more maintenance issues with I/Os, and those issues get ignored until its too late. Outboards have less maintenance issues, but can be asthetically displeasing, especially to the wife. Women hate outboards. You ask most women to point to a boat they find pleasing, and they will point to an I/O runabout. If you are mechanically inclined, there are great deals out there. I have forgotten how many times I have seen people buy boats dirt cheap because it didn't run and a carb cleaning later it was running strong. Unless you want to dive ino a serious project, don't bother with the $500 boats, too itchy....

Also, if you are mostly fishing with some cruising, buy a boat suited for the task. A fishing boat can cruise just as well as a cruiser, but a cruiser can be miserable to fish from. This really depends on the type of fishing you do. Bass or panfishing needs at least a fish n ski with a front trollin' motor. Trolling for bigger fish can be done with a cruiser that is rigged with a gas kicker out back.

 

[hal2814]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

My first boat was a 77 Ebbtide with an 89 Evinrude 120HP on it. I spent $2600 for it and it ran fine for me. In the three years I owned it, I had to replace the stator, replace the impeller, and replace the fuel pump. That means I put $500 into it (stupid $300 VRO pump) but I was able to sell it for $2200 so I got a boat for 3 years for $700 plus fuel and oil expenses. I was never more than a day out of the water since the Evinrude was quite serviceable. My current boat is a 1990 Galaxy I/O I bought for $4500. I've been very happy with it as well but I am glad my first boat was an outboard. They really are that much easier to work on.

I have to second the advice to stay away from an OMC I/O. There are some great deals on Cobra-run boats and I prefer the outdrive package to the Mercs around that time, but parts are hard to find and a good OMC mechanic is even harder to find.

I'd also stay away from the L-Drive found on Bayliners and maybe a few other boats. Folks selling them will claim they're I/Os but you can tell they're not by the fact that they're 2 cycle engines.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

Where will you be running the boat? A calm lake, or in some rougher waters? If you are in open water, then you will want some vee to the bottom of the hull. If you're in calm protected lake water, then you can go with a flatter bottom or pad.

 

[franco802]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

Where will you be running the boat? A calm lake, or in some rougher waters? If you are in open water, then you will want some vee to the bottom of the hull. If you're in calm protected lake water, then you can go with a flatter bottom or pad.

I will be in the ocean, no lakes for me d

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

Having had both, I/O's are a bear to work on. I liked the thread someone posted where they said that if they owned one again it would remain at a marina and someone else would repair it. d

Why don't you go to a boat ramp and ask questions of people who are loading and launching. Would just take a minute of their time, give them an opportunity to rant/brag, and you could learn a heck of a lot from the BTDT crowd.

Mark

 

[Solittle]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

Don't discount an older boat in good condition. They are out there. Condition is far more important than age.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

You may want to be looking at a little larger boat. Definitely something with a little transom deadrise to cut through the waves smoothly. A 16' or 17' boat will be a little tricky to handle in some waves. You will probably want to consider a self-bailing cockpit as well.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Newbie needs advice on which boat

An older omc that has been in saltwater...I would check it out really good.