Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

[MotorheadI000I]

Hey.
I am finally deciding to get back into boating and was looking for some ideas. I am trying to find a smaller boat (14-16ft) that can hold 4-6 people and weighs less than 2000lbs. I dont want a fling/rage/mirage ect.. I would like an I/o rather than an outboard (just a personal preference). I have been doing some research and looking into some and finding it difficult to find them. It may be a silly thought, and I may be stuck with sea-doo and yamaha jet boats. Personally Id rather avoid jet, great fun but lots of headaches.
Just figured Id get some feedback and see who has what out there.
Thanks!
Edit: Rather not be a fishing boat, Ill fish from it but more of a day thing going out to have fun.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Hey.

Where do you boat (kind of water) and how old are your 4-6 passengers? Frankly, I'd be looking at around 18 ft for that number of people.

How do you plan to use the boat? Just riding around, lounging at anchor, water sports?

What's the reason behind the 2000 lb. weight limitation?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Hey.
I am finally deciding to get back into boating and was looking for some ideas. I am trying to find a smaller boat (14-16ft) that can hold 4-6 people and weighs less than 2000lbs. I dont want a fling/rage/mirage ect.. I would like an I/o rather than an outboard (just a personal preference). I have been doing some research and looking into some and finding it difficult to find them. It may be a silly thought, and I may be stuck with sea-doo and yamaha jet boats. Personally Id rather avoid jet, great fun but lots of headaches.
Just figured Id get some feedback and see who has what out there.
Thanks!
Edit: Rather not be a fishing boat, Ill fish from it but more of a day thing going out to have fun.

Ayuh,... I agree with JoLin,... You need to be lookin' at 18' to 22' boats to meet yer expectations...

 

[MotorheadI000I]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

I had / have a four winns fling. This seats 4. But honestly I hate the set up. I have no issues with the 4 seater, just having a little extra room is nice. I like to pull it with my wrangler hence the length. Anything over 16/17 footish gets heavy and I tend to just use the truck. i prefer the wrangler camping ect, just more fun / enjoyable.
Area I use it would be smaller lakes in Michigan. Not necessarily lake Michigan, though once in a great while but with the fling I never really left site of the pier.
I know the newer challenger seadoos seat 6. Watersports and a day on the lake is what it would be used for.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

I think you will be hard pressed to find an I/O that has a total weight (boat, trailer + gear) of less than 2000 lbs.

An outboard would be lighter and perform as well or better than an I/O. Even then it will be very hard to find something less than 2000 lbs total

 

[MotorheadI000I]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Gotcha, was just a thought on the I/o. I like the motors better, but my experience with outboards is that fling engine which was a johnny 115 crossflow. Coupled to that set up it just seemed to always be needing attention for everything.
Trying to find option I suppose. Even the 2k mark isnt really a hard one. Any other opinions or boats out there in that size would be cool though, so many out there its hard to find some!
thanks guys!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Having a Wrangler as your tow vehicle makes it tough, alright. Short wheelbase and all. I recently bought a 1995 Sylvan 16' aluminum dual console boat. It was the most boat I could find, that I can safely tow with my mini SUV (Mitsubishi Outlander):

Boat dry weight - 820
Trailer weight - 550
Motor (85 hp OB) 270
1/2 tank fuel - 100
Misc. stuff aboard 100

In towing configuration I'm at 1800 lbs. The boat has a capacity of 5 passengers or 750 lbs. (whichever number is lower). You might want to 'think tin'

My .02

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Maybe something like this:

Key West Boats Inc. - Your Key to Performance and Quality

Still too heavy though.

 

[smclear]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

It may be a silly thought, and I may be stuck with sea-doo and yamaha jet boats. Personally Id rather avoid jet, great fun but lots of headaches.

"Gotcha, was just a thought on the I/o. I like the motors better, but my experience with outboards is that fling engine which was a johnny 115 crossflow. Coupled to that set up it just seemed to always be needing attention for everything. "

If this is the reason you believe a jet is nothing but headaches, you really should not discard the Sea-Doo's or Yamaha's. Their engines are not an outboard powerhead hooked up to a pump. They have proven history of reliability. If your reason is something other than the engine, then that is another animal. I absolutely love mine. It has given me no problems whatsoever.

I just found some pictures of an old boat we had that sort of fits your criteria. Not sure of the weight, but everything else is there. It was very cramped.

It is/was a 5 Meter Century Riviera. Not sure of the year but the photo was taken in 1985.

 

[jack7771]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Starcraft makes lighter boats. Check out Sport Runabout 185 I/O Ski Fish | Starcraft Marine

 

[JoLin]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Starcraft makes lighter boats. Check out Sport Runabout 185 I/O Ski Fish | Starcraft Marine

Jack, the 'package weight' of that rig is over 2700 lbs. It isn't clear if that includes the weight with a trailer(?), which would weigh 600-700 lbs.

 

[sickwilly]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

A Stingray 180 LS / LX comes in right at 2200 pounds with an IO. Pretty roomy too.

 

[agallant80]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Check out Stingray. They offer two boats 19 footers your choice of I/O or outboard for something like 19K with trailer. You may also want to look at the Bayliner Element. It is an outboard which I think is way less work over the years. No bellows, gimble etc.

 

[coolbri70]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

I like my old runabout, they had a short bow, leaving a large area to set up seating to suit your needs

 

[JoLin]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

A Stingray 180 LS / LX comes in right at 2200 pounds with an IO. Pretty roomy too.

With a trailer, fuel and gear he's looking at 3000 lbs. Quite a bit more than his 2000 lb target. Somethinbg like this might be a possibility:

1750 Tyee

Total weight of boat, motor and trailer is 2500 lbs. There are a bunch of aluminum boat manufacturers, and a 16-17 ft 'bowrider' type might be just what the OP needs.

My .02

 

[jack7771]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Jack, the 'package weight' of that rig is over 2700 lbs. It isn't clear if that includes the weight with a trailer(?), which would weigh 600-700 lbs.

Yes, the package weight includes the trailer, which could weigh 1000 lbs.
The same length Stingray boat will be heavier. That being said, I myself prefer the Stingray.

 

[jack7771]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Today boat manufacturers are making heavier boats than in the past. For instance, a 1986 16' Starcraft bowrider weighed in at 1000 lbs, and the 110 hp Evinrude added 288 lbs.

 

[jestor68]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Check out the Bayliner site. Their 170 bowrider(17 ft) with 90 hp Mercury weighs 1753 lbs.

 

[airshot]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

To meet your specifications you will need an aluminium boat, I have had many and they are great. Biggest problem is the I/O in a 16' ft boat. Not very many ever made as the I/O is to heavy for such a small boat and you will never seat 6 people in a 16 'I/O even if you could find one. I had an 18' alum Starcraft with a 70 hp Johnson that was a sweet outfit, seat 6 adults, more room without I/O on inside and easy on fuel and less than 2000 lb tow wgt. Now have a 22' alum with a 140 hp I/O seats 8 adults and only weighs 3000 towing wt. I would never seat 6 adults in a 16' boat unless it is "very" calm as the handling of a boat this size will be greatly diminished with that much weight. You might want to reconsider your desires.

Airshot

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Trying to decide on a boat Type Ect

Gotcha, was just a thought on the I/o. I like the motors better, but my experience with outboards is that fling engine which was a johnny 115 crossflow. Coupled to that set up it just seemed to always be needing attention for everything.

There are other reasons why an outboard may be the better choice and I wish I had considered these before I bought my I/O: I can't just look behind me and tell whether the outdrive is up or down. I can't just look behind me at the dock and tell which way the outdrive is pointing before I slip it into gear. The outdrive is below my line of sight when I'm at the helm. Finally, If I had an outboard I could have boated many times this winter where I can't with my I/O as it's been winterized.

Food for thought....