renken runner
Cadet
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2007
- Messages
- 15
I have definitely been bitten by the boating bug. I've read everything about boats I can get my hands on.
The trouble is that I live in Central Illinois where there isn't a lot of water. There are small lakes, nothing really big, at least close to me. My "problem" if you want to call it that, is that I just came across some Carver boats and a Chris Craft that have been sitting around (outdoors and uncared for) and they are in rough shape mostly inside and some on the outside. I can probably get a great deal on any one of them but the Carvers, even though pretty beat-up, look enticing.
I have a 1976 Renken 19' open bow ski boat that I just bought about a month ago, but the thought of being able to spend the night out on the boat and have a cabin to sleep in, well, like I said I've been bitten. I don't mind the thought of restoring the boat. I've restored houses, cars, etc. Its in my blood.
My questions are, if I were to buy one of the boats like I described above (don't know the length but I think they are around 27 to 30 feet, all I know is they have cabins and some have fly bridges) how deep does the water have to be? These boats seem so big compared to my ski boat it seems they need lots of room and a deep lake. What size lake would be sufficient? We've always got Lake Michigan but going to Chicago with a boat in tow just isn't that appealing. Hopefully someone from Illinois is out there reading this and knows what I mean. Am I getting in too deep for the area I live in and the size boat that seems to be calling my name?
Secondly, is there anyone out there who likes to restore old boats like these and knows whether it would be a good investment to take a boat like one of these and restore it? I could never afford a new one that is the size of these, but I'm willing to put in some sweat equity. I've noticed in all the restoration projects that I've done that the old axiom "they don't make 'em like they used to" is true and I've seen some people write that you get lots of room on the old boats that you don't get on the new ones. Anyone's thoughts, especially anyone who know what I'm talking about as far as Illinois lakes goes, would be much appreciated.
The trouble is that I live in Central Illinois where there isn't a lot of water. There are small lakes, nothing really big, at least close to me. My "problem" if you want to call it that, is that I just came across some Carver boats and a Chris Craft that have been sitting around (outdoors and uncared for) and they are in rough shape mostly inside and some on the outside. I can probably get a great deal on any one of them but the Carvers, even though pretty beat-up, look enticing.
I have a 1976 Renken 19' open bow ski boat that I just bought about a month ago, but the thought of being able to spend the night out on the boat and have a cabin to sleep in, well, like I said I've been bitten. I don't mind the thought of restoring the boat. I've restored houses, cars, etc. Its in my blood.
My questions are, if I were to buy one of the boats like I described above (don't know the length but I think they are around 27 to 30 feet, all I know is they have cabins and some have fly bridges) how deep does the water have to be? These boats seem so big compared to my ski boat it seems they need lots of room and a deep lake. What size lake would be sufficient? We've always got Lake Michigan but going to Chicago with a boat in tow just isn't that appealing. Hopefully someone from Illinois is out there reading this and knows what I mean. Am I getting in too deep for the area I live in and the size boat that seems to be calling my name?
Secondly, is there anyone out there who likes to restore old boats like these and knows whether it would be a good investment to take a boat like one of these and restore it? I could never afford a new one that is the size of these, but I'm willing to put in some sweat equity. I've noticed in all the restoration projects that I've done that the old axiom "they don't make 'em like they used to" is true and I've seen some people write that you get lots of room on the old boats that you don't get on the new ones. Anyone's thoughts, especially anyone who know what I'm talking about as far as Illinois lakes goes, would be much appreciated.
So your best interest is to get a boat you will get more use out of.There is quite a bit of difference from a 19' b/r to a 21 cabin cruser that can get in SOME tight water.look at the classifieds and watch for the draft stay within 2 1/2 and you should be O.K.I just had a thought ..You are between two of the country's biggest rivers.I spent many years on the Mississippi and it is alot of fun.If you did that.You could buy any thing but trailering would be a hassle.If memory serves Docking prices on the Mississippi are very reasonable and It is has it benifits..NOt having to trailer your boat there means you can get there mighty fast if you wanted to..Good luck,,P.S move closer to the water.