Stupid Newbie question

[mj05]

Hi guys... I'd love to get and restore an 18' Starcraft SS someday, however.... do to the fact that I'm trying to get into farming, I neither have the funds nor the time. Unfortunately, I can't shake the boating bug! I need something cheap, reliable and fun. It don't need to be the fastest, nicest, or most comfortable thing on the lake as long as it can hold a family and pull a tube! I'd even be happy with a simple(tiller steer), open fishing boat,(you know, the plane ones with bench seats) or a flat bottom.... heck I'd even go for an inflatable if would work and was cheap enough! The question is... can those types of boats work? Enough capacity for a family? Power rating? Sorry this is such a long and weird post I just want to have some fun on the water! I'd appreciate your thoughts!

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

With boating, like most fun things, you do not get all three (cheap, reliable and fun).

Choose any two

 

[mj05]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

With boating, like most fun things, you do not get all three (cheap, reliable and fun).

Choose any two

LOL How about cheap, fun, then I find a good deal on an outboard cause the carb needs cleaned and the guy doesn't know it?!

 

[JimS123]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

With boating, like most fun things, you do not get all three (cheap, reliable and fun).

Choose any two

Well I have to differ. Depends on how hard you are willing to look and how much you really want one.

The OP's wide range of requirements should make it an easy task.

I bought a 14" aluminum tiller steer "fishing boat", motor and trailer for $1200. It came from a dealer and the motor had just been reconditioned (i.e., tune up, water pump replacement, lower unit gear oil change, etc.) I painted the trailer and put new tires on, which cost another $150. It works for fishing, cruising and my boys even got to get pulled on a tube.

$1200 to me sounds like pretty "cheep". The entire rig has never cost me another dime, and we probably have just as much fun it it as we do in out bigger boat. YMMV.

 

[mj05]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

Good to hear! What HP are you running? What's the max?

 

[hoytvectrix]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

What kind of farming are you trying to get into? Crop? Hay? livestock?

 

[mj05]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

What kind of farming are you trying to get into? Crop? Hay? livestock?

Dairy eventually... but sheep for now.... they're actually pretty profitable. Maybe 60-100 milk cows and 100-200 ewes.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

Here's my other boat...

100.00 for the 1950 (sumthing) 14 foot Lonestar..
200 for the evinrude 6hp that runsa like a champ.

300 bucks of fun!

If you are persistant and QUICK..the deals are out there!

 

[hoytvectrix]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

Dairy eventually... but sheep for now.... they're actually pretty profitable. Maybe 60-100 milk cows and 100-200 ewes.

Thats sweet. My uncle used to have a big dairy farm, but sold the cattle and went to crop farming, and raising steers

 

[mj05]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

Hey kev... what's the max hp on something like that?

 

[mj05]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

Hoyt... what can you run on those flat bottoms?

 

[PGFISHER]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

There are NO stupid questions; you just need to know something; however you MAY get some stupid answers.

 

[scanman]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

My aluminum jon is narrow & terribly unstable for 13'6" but the boy has tubed behind it & the 9.9 evinrude. Got the boat & trailer for a hard days yard & tree work.

 

[mj05]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

There are NO stupid questions; you just need to know something; however you MAY get some stupid answers.

LOL Just like someone said..... There's no stupid question just stupid people! hahaha! You iboat guys are great! Please keep the responses coming as I'll probably make a purchase based on your advice.

Scanman, you really tube behind a 9.9? I was thinking I'd need between 30 and 50 horse to get 'er going.

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

Hey kev... what's the max hp on something like that?

The most i would put would be a 25hp....
She moves with the 6....would be great with a 15 and scary fast with a 25...

 

[bow wow rider]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

in boating, there are no stupid questions... only stranded skippers.

 

[mj05]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

Kev... Give me an idea on MPH with a 15-20 or 25

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

Kev... Give me an idea on MPH with a 15-20 or 25

It will depend on how loaded she is...type of hull...but all ican go by is the 6hp pushed me my woman and gear...well over 500 lbs at 12 mph, I would think a 15 would be in the 20mph range and a 25hp should see close to 30...
But these are all swags...lol

 

[mj05]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

Thanks CBK! Let me complicate things.... 4 adults + kids + maybe a picnic lunch(for when we beach her), pulling a tube.... what do you guys think I can get away with as far as size and power? A plain jane fishing boat like Kev's (above) except over 16'? with what, a 30+ hp motor?

 

[hoytvectrix]

Re: Stupid Newbie question

Hoyt... what can you run on those flat bottoms?

On flat bottoms you can run just about anything. I've seen guys with a 10 footer with a 3.5 hp motor, and have seen them up to 22' long with a 250 hp.