Should I buy this boat?

[sporanox]

This is my first boat I may purchase tomorrow, I am looking for any opinions about this boat, based on the vast knowledge here that far surpasses mine. I am going to use it for skiing, fishing, and tubing. I do not want too big of a boat since my car is a smaller sedan.


I have a chance to buy the following boat for $2500.

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/boa/3071683198.html

Any opinions on this boat would be appreciated. Also, is it possible to put a Bimini top on this and about how much would that run.

Thanks

 

[sporanox]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

This is my first boat I may purchase tomorrow, I am looking for any opinions about this boat, based on the vast knowledge here that far surpasses mine. I am going to use it for skiing, fishing, and tubing. I do not want too big of a boat since my car is a smaller sedan.


I have a chance to buy the following boat for $2500.

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/boa/3071683198.html

Any opinions on this boat would be appreciated. Also, is it possible to put a Bimini top on this and about how much would that run.

Thanks

Many views but no replies, any input would be great.

 

[foodfisher]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Not my style, cute is the best I can offer.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

take it for a long test drive-run the crap out of it. (Offer to buy gas) you should run a compression test and they should all be with in 15% of each other . Ask about the maintenance ,ask for recipts on service or parts. A proud owner will tell you all about it--some one with poor awnsers I would be leary. I hope you have read up on the 120 mercury Sprt Jets in PWC secton on what motor look for and what to avoid.
Good Luck-

 

[bkopp85]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

trailer tongue looks pretty rusty cant tell for sure from the pic though

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Never having owned a jet boat, I can only repeat what I have been told or read. Not much of a fishing boat. Hard on gas. Poor control at low speeds. Expensive repairs. A lot of fun for watersports.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Looks like it could be a fun little boat. I echo the point that a sea trial is key however. You may find you don't like how jets handle. I'd also educate myself on the mechanicals in order to better gauge its condition.

You could certainly put a bimini on that for a few hundred dollars I imagine. Just get the width, decide how long you want it and where the anchor points will go.

Good luck!

 

[TimBobCom]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

All depends on where you want to use it and how you want to use it. I occasionally see similar small jet boats on some of the lakes I frequent and you hardly ever see more than 2 or 3 people on them, there just isn't much room by the time you pack on a cooler and a few friends. It seems that they also tend to ride fairly rough when the water gets choppy, but any small boat is going to.

Personally, I wouldn't, it's not really my style, it's too small for my uses (4-6 adults regularly) and I do remember reading a few horror stories about those jets when I first started reading about boats about 5 years ago.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Pass on it.

They really did not hold up well, or perform well, and won't do very well for tubing, skiing, or fishing.
A jet boat is roughly 30% less efficient than a prop powered boat.

Also, not sure if that is a Mercury based motor, or if it was a Force based engine.

Either way, I would pass on this boat.

Seems over priced too.




Here you go, and its a classic:

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/boa/3080934897.html

 

[southkogs]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

I like the Starcraft better. I've got no experience with the little jet boats tho'.

 

[jrisebo]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

This is my first boat I may purchase tomorrow, I am looking for any opinions about this boat, based on the vast knowledge here that far surpasses mine. I am going to use it for skiing, fishing, and tubing. I do not want too big of a boat since my car is a smaller sedan.


I have a chance to buy the following boat for $2500.

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/boa/3071683198.html

Any opinions on this boat would be appreciated. Also, is it possible to put a Bimini top on this and about how much would that run.

Thanks

no, thats not a boat for a first time boater.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

You can be sure that boat has had the dog crap run out of it for the past 16 years and the motor is probably on it's last leg.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

That boat with that motor is really only like a 3 adult kinda boat.

That starcraft roscoe posted is a really nice package for a great price.

 

[laserbrn]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

I have never liked those style of boats. If you want a freakin' PWC, get a PWC. These things have made me want to barf since the first time I saw one. Run, don't walk from this boat. RUN, RUN, RUN!

 

[sporanox]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Thanks for the positive and negative feedback. I checked out the compression and all was good. I bought the boat, price was right and it looked clean and drove fairly well. Not a huge boat or speed demon, but good for a first boat. I need to replace the gas gauge components and a few other minor issues, but seems OK mechanically. The trailer just has surface rust with paint peeling, a drill and rustoleum can cure that. The family is excited as well as myself.

 

[QC]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Cool, have a good time. Spend some time learning how to safely handle a jet. Welcome aboard!!!

 

[TimBobCom]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Cool, hope you and your family enjoy it. Where will you be boating?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

Congrats and have fun! I think you'll probably be upgrading after a season or two but I don't think you can get hurt for what you (most likely) paid for the jet boat. Good luck with it.

 

[skagit17]

Re: Should I buy this boat?

those are a good beginner boat...it is like a huge jet ski. not my style but if that's what you want go for it.