What do you guys this of this boat?

[BigB9000]

So I have my 15' flat bottom right now.

Its crappy, old, trailers rotted, boat feels sturdy as hell but the floor flexes in the water. I cant bolt a ski pylon to it because of the home made 2x4 floor supports in the way, so I cant ski with it. and, mainly, its bouncy in the water.

I really want a V-bottom. But I don't want to do any fiberglass work. (not that I cant, I don't WANT to) and I don't want to do a 3rd complete boat restoration. So I'm looking for a 15-20 footer, that will support a 115hp Johnson outboard

So, due to my budget, I cant go buy one of these new and shiny, probably not rotted 1991+ V-bottoms.

So I was looking for aluminum hulls, that could handle a 115hp outboard, and found this dude:

its a 198x whatever 17' Aluminum.

max hp is 110 (but so is my boat)

No trailer, no engine. $700


What do you think?

if its in as good of condition as the seller says it is, think it will last years too come? Good for skiing? stable? easy to tow with my 96 Caprice?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What do you guys this of this boat?

It's a closed bow. I have a closed bow and hate it. It's a colossal waste of space. An open bow is so much better for fishing and more fun for cruising around. You're on the right track though. A 16'-18' aluminum will go great with your motor and be easily towed with your caprice. Look for a Starcraft Super Sport (or anything similar) like the one here: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=260400

 

[ziggy]

Re: What do you guys this of this boat?

looks dandy to me.
i disagree with the closed bow being a waste of space. mine is closed bow too. under general use, under my bow, is 2 spare life jackets, my bailing bucket/p bucket, and my garbage can. i also camp in my boat. 2 sleeping bags fit along with the other regular stuff i carry under the bow. with two sleeping bags and my reg. stuff. my under bow is full. the stuff is light weight and out of the way which leave the rest of the boat to me, not my stuff..... i think it's usefull space. ya just need to find out what to use it for for your boating application.... i will say that it's more difficult to deploy an anchor with a closed bow. not impossible, just more difficult to deal with.... that'd be my gripe with a closed bow.... but i like mine and get around the anchor thing.... good side of the closed bow too is that ya can go out in rougher seas easier w/o fear of scooping up a wave over the bow. it just washes off w/o incident if ya do stuff the bow, which i've done.... if i changed boats, i'd look at closed bows again, might even try to seek one out....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What do you guys this of this boat?

looks like a good deal, even if the deck is bad, easy fix. the only thing i would change is rehinge the walk thru window, so that it swings rather than lay down. the walk thru is a big plus on a closed bow boat. you will not need all the 115 power on that boat, but it will be nice getting a skier out of the hole. you will have to move your complete johnson controls, as the merc/mariner will not work.

 

[JoeCrow]

Re: What do you guys this of this boat?

Looks great,
but isn't there wood that will rot in an aluminum transom as well?

 

[Joe_the_boatman]

Re: What do you guys this of this boat?

Looks great,
but isn't there wood that will rot in an aluminum transom as well?

yep. It's a 4 hour job to replace once the motor's off, though. Not tough at all.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: What do you guys this of this boat?

Looks like a nice boat to me. If it looks that good in person, go for it.

If you get it,,, I've got a trailer for you, new axle a few years ago, new coupler, new wiring/lights, new fenders, just painted. Had a 16.5' fiberglass boat on it before.

I'm up in Vegas, but will let it go pretty cheap

(PM me if interested)

 

[mthieme]

Re: What do you guys this of this boat?

For $700, looks good.

 

[lucky7]

Re: What do you guys this of this boat?

i like it, its got charicter, its not ugly, looks like a good deal. my first boat was a closed bow and its nice in rougher water, the storage was good to have, but it costs seating capacity.

 

[jennis9]

Re: What do you guys this of this boat?

We love the open bow on our Starcraft... and when we need it - we put the bow cover on to shield the waves to close off the bow - works great (thanks TD for the suggestion). I like the extra seating it gives us - and the storage under the seats is easier to get to than the closed bow. We have capacity for 10 - which is a really fun day out tubing and skiing (most of the 10 are kids).

The craft shown is a cool looking boat - if it fits into YOUR style - get it. I like the lines and TD is right - the walk through will make it easier for you. You will love having a tinny.

ZIGGY, ANCHOR COMMENT: Just read about a product called 'drop n stay' on our local fishing forum - is perfect for 17-22' craft and acts like a shock absorber - makes it easy to attach the anchor to the bow cleat. May want to look into it if you find it awkward to tie the anchor. http://www.drop-n-stay.com/

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: What do you guys this of this boat?

other than less stress on the cleat i do not see an advantage.