things to look for in old boat?

[Ohio Tristan]

I am wondering if there is any newb guide to help in purchasing an older boat. I've been around boats my life, my dad had a smaller aluminum startcraft we used to go downrigging in lake ontario. But I was young then and dont knowmuch about the boats themselves. Looking at buying my first motorboat. Would really like a small cabin cruiser for Lake Erie. Found a 1974 Fiberform 24' for sale cheap on craigslist. Everything the owner is saying sounds good so far. I am wanting to go see it but I guess I dont know enough about what to look for. Upon doing lots of reading and research it sounds like stringers and transom are normal things to rot on older boat. I am not sure if one can see this though? Anything in particular I should be looking for besides the obvious?

I'm not affraid to do some work or eventually some restoration, I am mechanicaly inclined, just not a lot of funds right now due to building pole barn. And I would like something I can get by with for a couple years without needing to put work in yet.

Thanks for any advice...

 

[P 0 P E Y E]

Re: things to look for in old boat?

Welcome to this fine forum.

If your looking at an old boat and this is your first boat, you may just want to hire a professional marine surveyor.

I have found boating to be a life long learning exercise. Getting a hand is cool, especially when entering new waters.

 

[eavega]

Re: things to look for in old boat?

Hi, and welcome.

I can't give you specific advice on what to look for. The previous poster suggested a marine surveyor, which is always a good idea. I've only ever looked for simple boats that I would feel comfortable tearing apart and putting back together, which means outboard motor, no cabin, i.e. nothing fancy.
What I can give you advice on is dealing with Craigslist. The vast majority of sellers on craigslist have a very high opinion on what they have listed. It is rare to find a frank assessment of a boat or motor. Even when you ask very specific questions, most times sellers seem to be willing to stretch the truth (or perhaps answer out of ignorance) in order to make the sale. Usually, a seller on craigslist will tell you that their boat is in decent shape, just needs a little "TLC" and it would make a great boat (do a search for the "Craigslist TLC" threat here on iBoats, just for a little perspective). I'm not saying that all sellers on craigslist are cheats and crooks (hey, I've sold two outboards, as well as two boats on craigslist), but be aware that they are out there. If its cheap, keep in mind you get what you pay for.

-Eric

 

[Ohio Tristan]

Re: things to look for in old boat?

Thanks for the info guys. I'd get a serveyor involved but not sure what the cost would be, reason I am looking at older boats is I dont have a whole lot of cash obviously! And not sure if I could find such services in central ohio... I am sure they are all over the place up on Lake Erie but thats a 2-3 hr drive. Some boats I am looking at are up there but also seems like the better deals are down in central ohio around the city where folks get em and then becomes to much a bother to use them.

The one I am looking at now is a 1974 24' Fiberform. From what I have researched they were good thick hulled boats good for rougher waters (which should be good for Erie since it can get rough). 350 chevy with rebuilt outdrive. They have it listed for $1500.

I might get something more simple like u say, maybe a smaller open bow with an outboard. I'm not very knowledgable on outdrives though. Seems to me something like a 350 chevy inboard should be easy to wrench on, one of the most common engines ever aint it? Outboards I really know nothing about or how to work on.

When looking at smaller older boats, is aluminum much of an advantage? Seems like fibreglass can have issues with bubling and sun fading, and rotted stringers (aluminums dont have stringers do they?). My dads got an older 19' aluminum starcraft setup for fishing. It would need a lot of work but it would be free to start off with at least. 4cyl gm in, mercruiser out. Wood and seats are pretty well trashed and hasnt had boat run in probably 15 years.

 

[eavega]

Re: things to look for in old boat?

Outboards I really know nothing about or how to work on.

For the older two-stroke outboards, there is just not much to them. The OEM Manual and not being afraid to turn some bolts, and you can pretty much do anything on these motors. I didn't know anything about wrenching on motors in general, let alone outboards, a year ago. Since then I have gotten a 1960 10 HP Johnson, a 1967 20 HP Johnson, and a 1972 50 HP Evinrude and brought them all back to life. These motors are just not complicated at all.

When looking at smaller older boats, is aluminum much of an advantage? Seems like fibreglass can have issues with bubling and sun fading, and rotted stringers (aluminums dont have stringers do they?).

For your first boat, a lot of people will tell you aluminum is the way to go. They are easier to work on, and definitely have less issue with rot. Having just started my first rehab of a fiberglass hull, I can tell you that getting my tinny in usable shape was infinitely easier!

My dads got an older 19' aluminum starcraft setup for fishing. It would need a lot of work but it would be free to start off with at least. 4cyl gm in, mercruiser out. Wood and seats are pretty well trashed and hasnt had boat run in probably 15 years.

Free trumps $1500 in my book. Make a frank assessment of your dad's boat, estimate what it is going to take to get it on the water. I would bet its gonna be less than $1500.

Good luck

-Eric

 

[ezmobee]

Re: things to look for in old boat?

My dads got an older 19' aluminum starcraft setup for fishing. It would need a lot of work but it would be free to start off with at least. 4cyl gm in, mercruiser out. Wood and seats are pretty well trashed and hasnt had boat run in probably 15 years.

AN ALUMINUM STARCRAFT????? for FREE?? And you're even thinking about looking at something else? That's the perfect starter boat. Even if every piece of wood in it is rotten it's not that big a project to replace. Plus it's got a proven powerplant with good parts support. I would look no further. Head over to the restoration to section to see what a bunch of us on here are doing with these old Starcrafts.

 

[dkorzun21]

Re: things to look for in old boat?

I would make sure that it runs good, and the steering and throttle is loose and free, I had a problem with mine and ended up sinking almost a grand it it. But take your time look around make sure its somthing you want and dont jump on the first boat.

 

[Ohio Tristan]

Re: things to look for in old boat?

AN ALUMINUM STARCRAFT????? for FREE?? And you're even thinking about looking at something else? That's the perfect starter boat. Even if every piece of wood in it is rotten it's not that big a project to replace. Plus it's got a proven powerplant with good parts support. I would look no further. Head over to the restoration to section to see what a bunch of us on here are doing with these old Starcrafts.

I take it the aluminum starcrafts are more than just an old cheap boat then? I just talked to my dad yesterday and he thinks its really in usuable shape that the floor should be solid but the seat aupholstery is shot and the doghouse might need replaced. But it has been sitting for a long time (was winterized... 15 yrs ago). He said he'd even let me keep a couple of the downriggers that are on it. Unless something catastrophic has happened to the motor or outdrive in the time that its sat then I think I have my starter boat.

I'll have to check out the restoration section... I'm sure I'll need the help! Thanks guys!

 

[ziggy]

Re: things to look for in old boat?

i think the most important item to look at on an old used boat is the condition of the boat itself and the wood in it. transom, sole (deck), stringers, if you can see them, foam that could be water logged. if ya get a boat that's got issues in these areas, your in for a boat rebuild, which i've never done, but looks to be major labor involved. something that seems easy to me for a quick check for rot is looking at the drain hole. if it's got a dark stain running from it, it may be an indication of wood rot where you can't see it..

other than that. get something that is common for the era. my old boat came with a chevy 250 L6 (mercruiser 165hp) with a mercruiser 1 drive. there was a gob of them out there. common, better chance of getting parts. proven engine drive package. possible oem support as mercuriser is still viable (read, omc is not)...

when buying a used boat. also, don't believe a word the owner states unless you confirm what he's saying. remember, they want to sell their boat and will say anything to get rid of it.. many folks get screwed listening to the po i think...

and whatever ya do, don't buy w/o a sea trial. operate everything on board and be sure that it works..

another thought is don't get stars in your eyes to all the amenities (add ons, like sonar, bells and whistles, stereos, etc) a particular boat may have. you will likely want to change that stuff anyways to suit your needs, not the po's needs.. an example is what my boat came with. a 8 track player and a cb... both obsolete... i personally would rather have a boat w/o any add ons. though in my case, i did want a stereo and since the old one was there, it made it easy to upgrade to new. same with the cb. made it easy to R&R it to vhf...

when i was looking at boats i also found that many of the boats i looked at that had 'stuff' screwed to the transom, generally, had a much higher chance of transom rot.. screws not sealed proper.. i passed up quite a few boats for stuff mounted to the transom that i was more than suspisious of... made for a no sale... the boat i ended up with has nothing screwed to the transom.. other than the drive. good luck on your hunt...