newbie

[jonesg]

Hi captains,,
I'm considering getting into boats.
My brother has a 1995 24' bayliner ciera, nice looking boat.
I don't have $5K to float but I'd like something with decent size (to me).
It seems he's always spending money on it, but I'm more mechanically apt then he, he spent $1000 to do his fuel pump in his car, I just did mine for $70. Time is money of course but I have time and tools.

A few questions.

My tow vehicle is a Ford E350 one ton van.
I suspect I wouldn't have too much trouble with anything around 20' ?

I see a few boats on craiglist which need engines, the boats and trailers selling for approx $2K, good looking boats too. I'm partial to a cuddy cabin type, we'd use it mostly for putting around fishing, we're not interested in speed or skiing.
I live in Boston and would put in on cape cod.

Is it not possible to buy a boat with a dead engine and convert it to outboard? reinforce the tail, install brackets etc.?

I have some experience with glassing, I've made molds and pulled my own parts from them, up to 7 feet length.
I get most of my supplies from fibreglast.
Do most of the work on my cars, except tranny work.

I also see a few boats going cheap without a title, what sort of problems does this cause? can they never be registered?

I don't have a lot of cash but can spend maybe $3K max.
Would one of these dead ducks on craigslist be a decent (cheapo) approach considering I can tackle most projects?
Oh yeh, and I like doing it.

I prefer not to have to deal with an inboard V8.

Cheers, Gerard in Boston.

 

[oops!]

Re: newbie

hey jones.......

welcome to i boats

boat university as one moderator call it.

as far as your question about a tow vechile...no problem

as for as converting a i/o to an outboard.....uh....thats a lot of work....

your better off to wait to get what you want...an ob/ with cuddy.....

im told the US econemy isnot doing too well so a lot of people will be dumping there boats soon...good deals coming up soon.....

there is a lot of things to look for in a used boat...solid floor...transom...foam and more.....

but your in the right place....just start asking and reading here....the more you read the better your desisign will be...

cheers
oops

 

[jonesg]

Re: newbie

Thanks,
I'm already finding a lot of boats in people gardens with for sale signs, nice looking stuff around $2K.

Is there a file I can read with pointers for how to inspect a hull?
Obviously the exterior tells its own tale but theres got to be more to it.

Is it my imagination, but it seem boat engines don't last as long as the same engine in a truck. Cracked exh headers etc seem to be common.
Cheers, Gerard.

 

[oops!]

Re: newbie

there is a book called runabout renovation by jim anderson that walks you thru purchasing step by step.....the book is only 15 bucks. so thats worth it.

it talkes about hull inspection.

there is a lot of info in this site in the restoration forum.....search rot.

as far as the motors....there basically the same motors as a car or truck with a few different parts....cam...alt,starter..dist...flame arrestor on the carb.

the reason for cracked manifolds is uasually winterization.....

boat motors are cooled differently and if your not on top of it......kraack..!

but if you do the simple things....like it says in the owners manual...they will last 40 years in fresh water.....
salt is different...the manifolds will have to be replaced every 5 years or so.

if your mechanicaly inclined...i wouldnt be afarid of an inboard....after all...a 350 is a 350 right?

but....outboards are easyer to work on and a lot less hassel when it comes winter time......

keep reading youll do just fine

cheers
oops

 

[jonesg]

Re: newbie

I'm coming across a lot of boats without titles, very cheap or free, are they useless except for parts?
I'm in Boston.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: newbie

If your looking for a boat without a motor, free is the correct price, motors cost a great deal and it would be easy to blow far more than your total budget on just the motor and outdrive. Buy a boat that's been fixed up already and is being sold because the owner wants something bigger or just a different style. He will be selling it for far less than what he has in it and it will come with lots of extras. expect to put 1 to 2 thousand into a hull of that size before it get's in the water and that's before spending anything on an engine and outdrive. Outboards can be easier to work with and switching motors is easy, but they still cost money.

Don't buy anything in a hurry, take your time and you'll find a good deal, if you miss a good boat another one will come along soon.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: newbie

I'm coming across a lot of boats without titles, very cheap or free, are they useless except for parts?
I'm in Boston.

Depends on your state laws. You can sometimes apply for a new title (replacement) if you can prove you own the boat... some states are picky about it, some aren't. I dunno about Massachusetts.

I wouldn't recommend keeping and using a boat without a title. Also keep in mind that a super deal on a boat without title could be buying stolen property, depending.

Keep at it and don't get too eager... a great deal will come along for you in good time. Just be aware that if you pay less than $2000 for a 20 foot boat, you'll probably end up coming back here asking for advice on fixing it up.... that's not a bad thing but just be aware... to get a 20 footer without any rot and in nice shape you could expect to pay $5000 or so, depending on options and manufacturer. It's just the way things are.

If you can, post pics of a prospective buy that you think is great here, and people will look it over and give an opinion.

In a nutshell, the most important things to look for in a used boat are:

1) Good engine - proper compression, no water in oil, no water in gear lube/lower unit, no signs of overheating or excessive rust.
2) Solid stringers, transom, and deck (don't check when frozen)

Try as someone said to find a boat that's been fixed up or well maintained and someone just wants something bigger... bonus points if they can show you a maintenance history.

But frankly, under $2k you're gonna get a project boat... and we all look forward to seeing your pics and posts here

Erik

 

[pduquette]

Re: newbie

Welcome Jonesg ! I'm here on the south shore . I'd pass on any boat w/o a title the e.p. are a pain in the Mass .If the previous owner is willing to apply for new title , showing proof of previous reg + proof pf tax payments and pay for up to three years back reg (penalty??) then you may be able to transfer the reg to you..........no papers=parts only. Keep looking for the right deal and get what will make you happy! Good luck!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: newbie

the title situation is a stick one, as each state is different. some title and some just register, Georgia for one just registers boats, Florida titles them. to bring a boat from Georgia, it has to be registered in Georgia, then Florida titles it. you need all the paper work, or all you have is Yard Art.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.

A 30 year old boat motor combo, may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[jonesg]

Re: newbie

Thanks, I'll steer away from the no title boats then.

I'm refining my target, it looks like I'm seeking something around 18' w, a decent trailer, I don't mind fixing it up myself (boat and trailer) if the price is right in the first place, I have decent experience with glasswork, I still have 2 rolls of 6 oz cloth sitting around.

I much prefer outboards.

Primary use is fishing on Cape Cod, stripers.
I mostly wait until september when my buddy comes up from FL.
Overnite trips would be stent fishing, not camping.

My car is a fixer upper, 1990 volvo 740 I got for $500 because the PO couldn't sort it out and the foreign auto mechanics must be like marine mechanics, they won't work cheap.

So I think I have a better idea what I'm looking for, a good project 18' hull with an interior deck in need of an introduction to a sawzall, on a trailer w/ title and cheap.

Meantime, I'm reading all I can here.
Cheers, Gerard (I'm actually in Canton MA)