Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

[JoLin]

I've been kicking around the idea of going to 'the dark side' ( ) to score a used 16-footish boat that I can trailer with my small SUV (Mitsubishi Outlander- it's like a RAV4 or CRV). I want to use and keep the boat at a waterfront condo we own in Stuart, FL (on the St. Lucie river). I spend a month or 2 down there in the winter and it drives me nuts that I don't have anything to use.

1. Don't need an ocean-capable boat. I want to be able to tool around the Okeechobee and St. Lucie rivers on decent days. Lots of canals to explore. By the same token, though, I'm looking for something more 'serious' than a low-freeboard rowboat, with remote steering and controls. I saw a Starcraft 16' Center Console that looked like what I have in mind.

2. The boat would be slipped for about a month at a time. It'll sit on a trailer when I'm not there.

I'm not even sure exactly what I'm asking- are there common 'gotchas' in a used aluminum boat? Aside from the usual electrical and mechanical inspections, what do I need to confirm in terms of hull, deck, etc. when I'm shopping? Are particular brands preferable. I like 'heavy duty'.

Thanks, all.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

The single most common "gotcha" on a tin boat is corrosion under the transom wood (where it is not seen). The bright side is the ease of repair for 90+% of any aluminum boat problems.

I have a 16' SS Starcraft which is a bowrider and adequate freeboard for your use. They are light and easy to tow

I guess what I am saying is be willing to travel to purchase (away from primary salt water history use).

I have seen some real diamonds in the rough up here in VT and close to Lake George. The "heavy duty" boats are normally the heavy gauge aluminum which are normally found on the West Coast or up in Alaska.

Keep an eye on CL and determine how far you are willing to travel. As a good example I have looked at many boats for iboats people here in my area and other iboats member's have done the same.

FYI I grew up in Nassau County a long time ago

 

[JoLin]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

Bingo! Exactly the kind of guidance I'm looking for. Thanks, Bob. Yes, I've been browsing ads in the tri-state and Hudson Valley CL. I wouldn't mind travelling a few hours...

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

Starcraft are popular and a good boat. Alumacraft is also; very tough and the 16' is a serious boat with a 50 on it. I've had both. I currently am running alum and have had many over the years....just liked to trade boats. Alum solves a lot of problems. But I had glass also and liked them too. Just different functions.

Mark

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

Here is what I would consider a diamond in the rough and I bet the price could be negotiated http://burlington.craigslist.org/boa/3126168380.html

It's the same hull as mine and will take a larger motor.

and here is another http://burlington.craigslist.org/boa/3058530228.html

Based on your location the further away you get from LI the cheaper the boats will be unless you go north to CT or MA

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

growing up we had 16' Starcraft bowriders which were kept moored in salt water in the summer, used exclusively in salt in the chesapeake bay, eastern shore seaside, and the rivers. Ran fine with a 55; easy to manage, trailer, etc. Lightweight. Used for fishing, skiing, transportation, general family use.

For a "second boat" it would be fine. Unlike the newer fiberglass bow riders, the hull design was seaworthy and it shed water well in chop and swells. However, it didn't feel as solid as fiberglass boats, and I felt like the joints were being worked loose in rough water. If you would be using it only on "good days" it will be fine.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

Maybe check out Express Boats, and Sea Ark Boats, for all-aluminum jon boats, any size, shape, power you want or need...lots of jon boat dealers around. All aluminum, no rot, no maintenance, light weight to pull by trailer, easy to rig or modify for your specific requirements....

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

...lots of jon boat dealers around.

A John is a specific use boat and that is rivers where there aren't big waves. Yeah they get used for all kinds of things, but they have their limitations. So, since you are talking about rivers they could be an option. They do make them with higher sides like a Lowes' Lake John that I once had. I would definitely opt for higher freeboard as you mentioned. One thing, they are definitely easy to board as you just drive them up on the shore and have the family to get in....no wet feet. You can get seats with a back, which are much more comfortable than just a cushion to sit of if you have a John with cross seating, that clamp on or you could screw the mount to the top of the seat....if the boat has foam flotation, not relying on trapped air for flotation.

Mark

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

I would look for a welded hull over riveted. No leaks. Stronger. Crestliner has been producing welded hulls for a while. Not sure what you want to spend....

 

[JoLin]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

That bowrider in Bob's ad looks promising. I'd like to keep cost below $2500., so I know it won't be perfect. No Jon boats- I just don't like them. I'm a pointy bow, v-hull kinda guy, the more deadrise the better. No need for bow mounting, either. My condo has a deeded slip.

I've gotten some great advice here, folks. Luckily, I'm in no rush at all. I'll just keep my eyes open and be prepared to jump when a good deal comes along.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

Does it have to be tin? b/c a 16' carolina skiff would be nice--light, maintenance free, unsinkable, inexpensive, operates with lower HP than most boats its size; can be rigged however you want. Or a 17' whaler

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

16 to17' range, Alumacraft, Lund, Smokercraft, Sylvan and Starcraft all come to mind. They all make bowriders in that size.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

Does it have to be tin? b/c a 16' carolina skiff would be nice--light, maintenance free, unsinkable, inexpensive, operates with lower HP than most boats its size; can be rigged however you want. Or a 17' whaler

Not necessarily. I really am keeping all options open. However, total weight of the package needs to come in well below the Mitsu's tow limit (2000 lbs). A 15' CS might work (you're right- they're very light for their size), but in general I'm not a fan of low freeboard, shallow draft boats. They tend to be a wet ride- fun when you're young, not so much when you're an old fart like me. And not to start a war, but used Whalers are ridiculously overpriced.

 

[catfish58]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

I tow my 16.5 ft Lowe FM165 with a 1992 Nissan Pathfinder 3.0 liter. Your Outlander should do fine with a 16ft tin boat.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

UPDATE- got my boat!

A long conversation with Linda revealed that she wasn't gonna be happy with a center console (okay, it wasn't that long- she said 'NO!' :facepalm: )

Once you eliminate CC's in that size, pickin's get pretty slim, even off Long Island. I finally stumbled on one last week, only 10 miles from my house. It was the kind of CL ad I hate. Vague description (1995 Sylvan aluminum fishing boat, 85 hp Yamaha, trailer), no pics, and a (too high for me) $3000. asking price. I figured with that size motor it probably wasn't a tiller steer rowboat (though I swear you can't take that for granted- some boat owners are certifiable!). Confirmed with the owner that she had paperwork for everything, and took a ride over.

It's a '95 Sylvan Pro Select 16' dual console. Motor is a 1988 Yamaha and the trailer is a 2007 Venture roller. It's all in good cosmetic shape and the motor runs and shifts fine. Stone cold, I got compression readings of 100-105-108. It's a lot more horsepower than I want or need, but the boat is at least rated for it.

Electrics work, trailer works, and total weight comes in around 1750-1800 lbs. Two visits and a phone call and we settled at $2300. for the package. At that point I was glad she placed such a crappy ad- I could tell nobody else was biting. I registered and insured everything yesterday and I'll be picking it up tomorrow.

BoatUS insurance wants pics, so I'll post them here if I can figure out how to do it.

 

[stylesabu]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

you'll be very happy with that boat. I had an 82 deep v with a 75 hp suzuki.it will handle small waves, I had mine on lake mich I just don't loose sight of shore.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Tinny Owners- Looking for Some Advice

you'll be very happy with that boat. I had an 82 deep v with a 75 hp suzuki.it will handle small waves, I had mine on lake mich I just don't loose sight of shore.

Thanks for that. Sounds like it'll be just the ticket for the way I'll use it. the Sylvan hull doesn't have as much deadrise as I'm used to seeing around here, but it's got some. Funny, I'm more nervous about going to a small boat than I was the times I upsized (21' to 24' to 27'). Is there such a thing as 'minus-eleven-foot-itis'? I shopped hard for the most substantial rig I can haul with my little car. It'll be in my driveway in a few more hours- can't wait!

I'll spend a week tearing into it and getting familiar with where everything is, then use it around home a bit. I want to do a major service on the trailer and line up some spare parts. No rush on my end- it may or may not make it to Florida this winter. The boat came with a VHF radio and fish finder and not much else. I'm shopping for everything I need on the cheap, and that takes time. Last night I answered a CL ad- picked up 2 brand new fenders, a new fire extinguisher and a couple of dock lines for $40.

I can't wait for Linda (my 'anchor wench') to ask... 'wait- where's the windlass??'