Ready to take the "plunge"!!

[jackler]

Hello,
I have been cruising this forum for the last few weeks, as I have been spending hours searching the web for used boats.
I have decided that I am going to buy my first boat. I have a special needs child who loves to fish, and I want to step off the shore and get him onto the water.
I plan to fish mainly lakes around the Twin Cities (MN) area, and some river fishing along the St. Croix River in WI (when the water conditions allow). I am also attempting to do this on a budget.
With that said, I have a few questions for those that are more experienced than I when it comes to owning/fixing/using boats.
For starters I am working with a budget of $3000-3500, and decided that I would like to start with a 16-18 ft aluminum fishing boat. I have been concentrating my search on side console models because of my comfort level with that boats I have operated. I have found some options in the local area (I have found that prices are higher in the Midwest and they seem to be on the way up).
Question #1, In that price range I have found that most packages are going to be late 80's to early 90's, with a 40 hp motor. Condition and electronics vary, but that is what I am looking at. Any brands that I should run from? Motors?
Question #2, I have found a couple options that offer a later model boat, without the motor. I could get into a 1995-1998 16 ft boat without a motor for around $1500. That would leave $1500-2000 for the motor and any electronics I might desire. Is this a better way to go? Later model boat with the purchase of a used motor elsewhere?
Question #3, what would one expect to pay for a good used motor (Yamaha, Evinrude, Johnson, others) in the 50 hp range?

Thank you all for any help you may offer, I must say I am pessimistically excited!!

 

[thumpar]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

I am not an expert in that type of boat but can tell you you are better off buying it all together. Find the boat with all the stuff you want.

 

[pckeen]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

I don't know what your child's special needs are, but if you need either wheelchair space a space that a child is unlikely to be able to fall from, consider a 60's or 70's Starcraft - something like a Holiday - they have a large flat bottom, with back to back seats near the wheel, and empty space with deep sides behind that. Lots of space to move around and manage a child.

We have young kids - so something safe with lots of space was great.

 

[Teamster]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

I'm gonna say get a 16 foot Lund, Alumacraft or Crestlinr with a 40 horse tiller,....

Those models are very popular in the our area and there should be no shortage of them,..

And the tiller opens up the boat giving more space to move around,..

And having a tiller keeps everyone in the boat in front of you, Making it easier to keep an eye on them,...

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

It will be a lot easier and comfortable for all if you take a closer look at pontoons.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

Welcome to iboats! Great to hear your child loves to fish and most of us here share that same passion! We are a HUGE community and your special needs are not alone.

Aluminum boats are great. Low maintenance and easy to handle. I am partial to bow riders since they are easy to go over the bow while launching and depending on where you launch it is nice to have that capability.

I would strongly advise that you look for a pre-owned package and avoid buying one w/o a motor. Motors are costly and older used motors can be a tricky purchase. Just as an example.......look at these used motors Outboard Motors For Sale

Now here is a tidbit to keep in mind....... many of the "packages" offer by major manufacturers were sold with minimum power. If you look at new boats ......you will see smaller motors (20-30 hp). There is nothing wrong with those packages and they just do not perform like a higher power boat. Now with that information.......they show up used quite often in the used market. People buy them as a starter boat and then catch "two foot fever"

Another suggested place to look is here on iboats Boats For Sale - Buy & Sell, New & Used Boats, Owners & Dealers and you can shop from the computer.

Be advised that prices are going to go up as the weather gets warmer. Read this post about buying tips http://forums.iboats.com/boat-topic...help-buying-boat-buyers-checklist-635170.html and most of all don't get overwhelmed with all of the tips.

We like to have fun here. There are many that have been boating (and repairing boats and motors for a LONG time) and have the "been there - done that" experience. Ask away on your questions!

One more note...... you used the term "first boat" .......... Please take a boating safety course (Involve the significant other and children too) so you have a family awareness on safety.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

It will be a lot easier and comfortable for all if you take a closer look at pontoons.

I agree for comfort........ The only factor no one has mentioned........ Tow Vehicle. Small aluminum boats are easy to tow and towing a pontoon is very different from any other trailer.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

Welcome aboard.

looking for boats near the twin cities will have higher pricing, however if your willing do drive, take a look on craigslist down near the quad cities, Rochester, Chippewa or even the fox cities area (Green Bay, Appleton, Fond du lac). for $3500 you should be able to land a late 90's to early 00's side council with a 40 or 50hp with PTT within the throwing distance of a stick. Craigslist adds are starting to run as everyone has boat fever in the mid west with the boat shows starting. I would also check the on-line newspaper listings. many people still list boats in the paper in the mid west.

I would get a ready to run rig as others have mentioned. I would also look at adding your own electronics. my recommendation is a good hand-held vhf, and a depth/fish finder

for fishing I would be looking at an aluminum boat, with live wells myself. you did not mention which special needs, however that will also influence your purchase. do you need wheel chair access? high gunwales? or just a nice platform to spend an afternoon with your child. this will help determine seating arrangement, layout, with or without windshields etc.

Tracker, Lund, Starcraft, Mirro Craft, Lowes, Forester, all are common in the midwest (MN, WI, MI, IL IA) area. Motor wise you will find the highest percentage of Johnyrudes and mercs in the area than other brands.

 

[Teamster]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

Something like this might fit what your looking for???

1991 Alumacraft Comp CS

 

[jackler]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

Thanks so much for the information, it all will be very helpful!!
I should have been more clear on the "needs" of my son, there are no physical concerns with him, thanks for asking.
I did kick around the pontoon idea, however I would have some towing vehicle concerns.
As far as a tiller is concerned, my wife would really like a "steering wheel".
I read on this forum somewhere that when your buying a "preowned" boat you are essentially "buying a used motor, and getting a boat for free". It appears that the motor is the biggest part of the purchase, and also the hardest to confidently buy (especially in the winter).
I have read many articles and posts on the process for buying used motors, even in the winter, great information on this site!! And when I do seriously go to look at potential purchases, I will be bringing along some help.
Without having a lot of background in outboard motors, I have a fear that I will overpay for whatever I buy. For a point of reference, can you please give me an idea of what a good, used 40-50 hp motor should cost?
Thanks again

 

[jackler]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

Teamster, yes that is what I have been focused on (I assume everything on CL will come down buy 15%) I actually called on this one, no luck being able to see it as of yet.
Is this a good starter boat? Seem fairly priced?
Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

Thanks so much for the information, it all will be very helpful!!
I should have been more clear on the "needs" of my son, there are no physical concerns with him, thanks for asking.
I did kick around the pontoon idea, however I would have some towing vehicle concerns.
As far as a tiller is concerned, my wife would really like a "steering wheel".
I read on this forum somewhere that when your buying a "preowned" boat you are essentially "buying a used motor, and getting a boat for free". It appears that the motor is the biggest part of the purchase, and also the hardest to confidently buy (especially in the winter).
I have read many articles and posts on the process for buying used motors, even in the winter, great information on this site!! And when I do seriously go to look at potential purchases, I will be bringing along some help.
Without having a lot of background in outboard motors, I have a fear that I will overpay for whatever I buy. For a point of reference, can you please give me an idea of what a good, used 40-50 hp motor should cost?
Thanks again

I wouldnt say a preowned boat is like buying a used motor and getting the boat for free. many high quality preowned boats out there, many within your budget.

Heck, if you look, you can join the "3500" club as my friends and I joke about. each of us found a boat worth about 10k for $3500. one was a 1998 Rinker I/O rwith a 5.7 that was part of an estate auction on a really crappy weather day, one was a 1988 Carver Montego twin cabin with 208 hours on it, stored in a barn for 15 years because the owner died and the wife didnt want to use it after then (after he bought it, she said he could have had it for the $1500 back storage - she just wanted it to go to a good home). My Cruisers was bougth from a co-worker that was afraid of boats with only 612 hours on it. He didnt know how to work on them, and just had shelled out a bunch of money to the marina to "go thru everything" because he was affraid to break down on the water. After he recieved the bill, he was "done with boating"

That being stated, there are a few 40-50hp motors on CL within 200 miles of the twin cities in the $1500-$1800 range

 

[Teamster]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

Teamster, yes that is what I have been focused on (I assume everything on CL will come down buy 15%) I actually called on this one, no luck being able to see it as of yet.
Is this a good starter boat? Seem fairly priced?
Thanks

Those Alumacrafts are well built, And those Yamahas were almost indestructible,....I've never heard of one needing to be rebuilt outside of user error, More than likely they ran it out of oil,....

As long as the paperwork on the rebuild is in order I wouldn't be scared of it,....

That boat is a little underpowered in my opinion, But it would serve your needs on the St.Croix and inland lakes just fine,..And it seems fairly priced as long as there isn't anything wrong not shown in the pictures,...

 

[pckeen]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

I read on this forum somewhere that when your buying a "preowned" boat you are essentially "buying a used motor, and getting a boat for free"......For a point of reference, can you please give me an idea of what a good, used 40-50 hp motor should cost?

When you buy a used boat in that price, the condition of everything is important: boat, motor and trailer. In that price range, there is a lot of junk. Be prepared to look for a while. There are diamonds out there, but it can take a while to find them. Lots of boats are about to come on the market as the weather improves.

Its hard to say what a good, used 40-50hp motor should cost. Often, if people are selling a motor like that, they are repowering because there have been problems with the motor they are selling. Late 80s to early 90s motors range in price from $500-$1500. If you buying a used motor to put on a steering wheel boat, you will also need to purchase controls and cables, and will need to match the shaft length to the transom height. Unless you are Unless you are installing yourself, you will have to pay for installation costs.

With regards to the Alumacraft you are looking at - Yamaha's have a great reputation. Check to see if the carbs have been cleaned, and how it has been maintained.

 

[jackler]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

Thanks all!! Any information and input is greatly appreciated.

 

[jackler]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

Hello all,
I thought I would give an update on my search (with a few questions of course). It has been difficult to do much in the way of boating here in the area. It has been very cold (below 10 degrees for weeks, snow, frustrated inhabitants), so I have spent much of my time pouring over adds. CL, dealer listings, auction sites, boat trader, etc... I have called on some, looked at three, but haven't found "the one". I am being patient, and although I am not spending a great deal of money, I don't want to buy a pile of junk.
I do feel like I have narrowed the search down to a few model choices, here is where the questions come in!! For the money I am looking to spend ($3000-3500) and within a 300 mile radius, I am looking at 1988-1990 Alumacraft Classic and Dominator models. I like the layout of these boats, and you can find them in my range with trolling motors, graphs, ready to go, but I have never fished from one. Most of the time these packages will be equipped with a 40hp, but sometimes higher or lower hp. They seem like a good boat to handle with one person, but could accommodate three (albeit a little cramped).
Are these good boats to fish from (small lakes, river in good weather), are they pretty stable boats? What would be considered underpowered for this unit (is the 40hp the lowest to go)? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Teamster]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

I like the Dominator better, It has a v hull which will track better trolling/back trolling,...

The Classic and Lunkers have a modified v hull,...Which is a pain in the rear trolling/back trolling,...I own a 16 foot Lunker and it sucks for trolling and back trolling,..In my opinion,.....

Did you ever go look a the Alumacraft Competitor on C-list posted earlier in the thread??

 

[jackler]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

"Did you ever go look a the Alumacraft Competitor on C-list posted earlier in the thread??"

I did call on it a few times, it was listed with a broker on consignment. Every time I left a message, they failed to return the call. Not real interested in selling it I guess

 

[jackler]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

You are about to hear a lot more from me! I am now officially a boat owner, complete with many little issues, but hopefully few big ones.
I am the proud owner of a 1989 Smokercraft Magnum with a strong running 65hp Evinrude. The boat is in decent shape for its age, new decking put in last season, really nice trailer. The boat is very deep, seems very wide, and has lots of storage.
Thanks for all the input, I am sure you guys field a lot of the same questions from us "newbies", but in my case it really is appreciated.

 

[thumpar]

Re: Ready to take the "plunge"!!

Congrats. Pics?