what is the right type of boat for my life??!

[jeffconnell12]

Okay i know half of you must hate me for all of my posts but i am trying hard to land myself a boat before spring (i know.. loaaadds of time left) but anyways i have now realized this should have been my first question before wasting any more of your guys' time. I will sum it up for you:

I will be boating in the Vancouver (canada) area, mostly just in the inner harbours (ocean) around downtown but i would like to go up north to the indian arm, and occacionally out a few miles? to do some fishing. i want something practical to lounge in with a few friends (boston whalers are out) so id like comfortable seating (no tinnies) also something that could whip a tube around once in a while. I started out looking at 16-18 ft sangsters and older malibus and bayliners etc (no bowriders of course) but am now reconsidering. I want to spend under 3k and PLEASE keep in mind prices are much higher here than in the US, after searching for almost a year now everyday the majority of these boats i post on here go for around the asking price which most of you would figure is way too much.. Vancouver has no care for the current "depression" and any of these 800-1500 dollar boats require seasons of work. i cant go bigger than 18' for sure. Let me know what you think and links as always are greatly appreciated!! I dont need a lot of hp, over 40 for sure, and id love something that gets have decent mpg's. Heres a link of the typical boat i have been looking at, it will also spend some time in lakes.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/rch/boa/2596011424.html

 

[chrome dome]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

just curious whether you saw my comment/question/query in this thread,
which boat was the email about?
last post in the thread
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=520114

coz there's a bit to be learnt from that one if it WAS the blueband,
someone's being naughty and telling porkies if that IS the case,

you should buy yourself a compressor tester, spark tester, voltmeter, plug sockets... can't think of the rest...brain hurts..find the sites that that have serial numbers for model years and also learn to sort the "wheat from the chaff"..if you get my drift..

slow down a tad..if you've got 6 months to spring...it's spring here so must be 6 months or so there..you've got plenty of time to find something that will do what you want..you probably won't use it in winter anyway..or want to be working in a "brass monkey " temperature shed in the middle of winter,
good luck though
cheers

 

[jeffconnell12]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

thanks chrome dome, the email was from the 162 malibu with the 115 hp merc.

 

[CaptainKickback]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

Your budget seems fairly low for finding a boat that is in really good shape, especially since you say the same boat here would cost more there. are you prepared to do a lot of fix up work on the boat you buy? Another issue, you won't be able to sea trial the boat over the winter. one more thing: tiny boat? Several miles out on the ocean? Very cold water? not the best mix.

 

[chrome dome]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

that's the type of sale you need to avoid then,
if they're "mistaken" about the age of the motor what other things are they going to be "mistaken" about?
take your time...read a lot..

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

short answer is you can't.

You need a boat large enough for "a few friends" and for salt water harbor/near shore use. That is at least a 19' and better, 21' center console with a 150. It also has to be reliable and seaworthy.

You cannot buy one for $3000, and you also need $$ to rig, license, insure and store it. You have to go larger than 18'. if you found the right size boat in such bad condition it sold for $3000 you would be putting twice that into it to get it operational.

 

[Philster]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

I can't see the budget allowing the OP to meet all the objectives stated.

 

[jeffconnell12]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

Hey guys. I think I have been misleading you. The ocean I will be in will be very sheltered and only consist of boat wakes. When I go out fishing I will only be a mile or two and the local boat rentals look to be nothing more than a 14 to 16 foot closed bow, sangster looking vessel. There is a lot of shelter and when I take the boar up north in the ocean the width of the passes I will be boating through are at a max a mile wide. And far from the "open" ocean.

 

[jeffconnell12]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

Thoughts?

http://kelowna.en.craigslist.ca/boa/2649671094.html

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

I'd say no to the OMC....all but impossible to find parts.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

Doesn't even list the brand of boat!

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

I live in Vancouver and I've hit 5ft waves in Howe Sound and 3 footers in Indian Arm. Don't underestimate the water around here, it can get rough in a hurry, and 2 miles out is an eternity when you get those short stacked waves.

I'll give it to you straight - don't bother with a glass boat around here for $3k. It's all junk at that price and you'll put another $3k plus in repairs.

You need a 16'+ double eagle or hourston and a reliable outboard. You're pushing $10k for a decent rig without rot or an ancient engine.

You can get an inflatable rib for cheaper (not by much though) which would be fine, but not really a lounging around with friends type of boat.

I have a 16' Lund SSV and I would only venture out to Indian Arm on the calmest of days, and stick to fresh water mainly. I'd never go into Howe Sound with it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

Jeff, as to your opening statement, just STOP opening new topics...... stick to this one and keep asking your questions on this thread...... that way you keep all the info together and it is FAR easier for us to follow and guide you to your best deal.

Questions for you:

1 what is your target budget and your MAX budget?
2 do you have friends with mechanical abilities who could help you rig a boat?
3 how far would you be willing to travel for the right deal?
4 what do you have to tow with?
5 how many years experience do you have both riding in and operating boats.

You can't generally buy a great 30' twin engine cruiser with a trailer for 4k but I have less than that in mine... dedication skill and perseverance can go a long way toward getting around a lack of funds.

 

[southkogs]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

^^^ Kevin, your signatures have been crackin' me up!! "reevets"

Jeff - combine Home Cookin's advice with Smokeonthewater's

What you described above set off the idea of a center console outboard or a walkaround cuddy outboard when I read it. If those types of boats seem to fit the bill (again, see the criteria above), then it comes down to budget. You can trade garage time and elbow grease for funds in many cases, but it requires some savvy to do right. The nice part is it's a buyers market out there - the boat is for sale somewhere, you just gotta' find it.

 

[1980Coronado]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

Here are a couple I found

http://www.buysell.com/British-Colu...a1a1a1az1qzy1a7y-417A215A/?gcid=4626&sct=Ad_5


http://www.buysell.com/British-Colu...-z1az1az1qzy1a7y-3E6F740D/?gcid=4617&sct=Ad_6


I don't believe I'd take either of these 2 miles off shore though

 

[oops!]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

you want an outboard bud....closed bow..i have been looking around here.... and will keep doing so.

i agree......i have been on 15 foot glass boats (rentals on the west coast) yes the water there can get big in a hurry.....so....as we said in another post....keep close to shore till you get better with the boat...

i can see you in an older ob for that price......you may have to do some work to it.....but thats boating.

i went to look at one for you yesterday....but it was a very shallow ski boat......you need one with a deeper hull and more freeboard..

 

[jeffconnell12]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

Hey guys. Sorry for the multitude of new topics. I am so used to my car forums where as soon as they've given you an answer the thread dies. Really good advice so far and I will try and answer all of your questions. My max budget is 2800 + tax etc, I'd love to get away spending low 2 k area. I am mechanically inclined, I have rebuilt top ends etc on cars hower have no boat experience ( mechanically ). I have been boating in the summers for about 12 years and have been driving them for a little less. I would travel up to say 400 km and will be towing with either a 3.2 liter pathfinder or similar sized v6 ford escape. I really like tehe looks of he canaventure. They dont look all that seaworh but again for my price range what does. Here the link posted above of the one I'm into. Thanks again. I will make sure to just keep on this one topic.

http://www.buysell.com/British-Colu...-z1az1az1qzy1a7y-3E6F740D/?gcid=4617&sct=Ad_6

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

ok so with your tow vehicles, a cuddy big enough for your water is out.... you need a self bailing center console with an outboard.... something like a whaler although they are HARD to find anywhere near your budget.... 400 km isn't far ummm lemme see uhhhhh 240 miles.... if you could push that out to 1000 miles uhhhhh ummmm uhhhhhhh eeeeeee 1700 km you might REALLY open up your choices.... example, very recently there was a 20' wellcraft center console available near me..... hull was free and I think he wanted $600 for the trailer.... Some HARD shopping could net you an engine for $800ish leaving you $1400 for travel expenses and misc.

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

I'll give you my psychic prediction of that Canaventure and save you the time looking at it: the steering system will be shot and not repairable given it is near 34 years old, the motor will run fine on the muffs but will make all kinds of noises and have weird power delivery on the water; the deck will have soft spots; the canvas will be non-existent or in tatters, the trailer bearings will need replacement, along with the lights.

I've seen countless used boats in and around Vancouver, and you truly get what you pay for around here, I've yet to see an incredible deal on a glass boat around here. If you're willing to put time and energy into it, that's fine, just be realistic about what you are getting.

If you are going to cruise the ocean, you will be so much happier saving some extra bucks and buying a better/newer proper west coast boat as mentioned above (not a lake boat).

 

[chrome dome]

Re: what is the right type of boat for my life??!

Here the link posted above of the one I'm into. Thanks again. I will make sure to just keep on this one topic.

http://www.buysell.com/British-Colu...-z1az1az1qzy1a7y-3E6F740D/?gcid=4617&sct=Ad_6

not knowing anything about your local waters..and with only the one pic it's a bit hard to see the rest of it...that doesn't look too bad..there is a bazillion boats just like that used in sheltered bays/lakes/rivers here,
they make good fun boats for a bit of fishing/tubing/skiing/cruising...l bought one like that for $500 that literally just needed a solenoid wire put on the right terminal and a new battery, same size donk but a johno..we've had a ball with it..l've since replaced the plastic seats with comfortable ones, made a rear bench seat and replaced the springs/bearings on the trailer..just the normal 'service' items as well,

but they ain't ocean going boats..though some people will push their luck,

when ringing ask for a serial number off the motor so YOU can check it's age..some folk WILL try and tell you anything...if he can't/won't tell you then be wary of the rest of it,

you would need to go over it...and the trailer, new paint can hide rust, but not for long..with a fine tooth comb...transom, hull, floor electrics, seats blah blah, you're not going to get a boat in perfect nick for what you want to spend but you know that..


take all your test equipment..including a mallet.. with you when ever you look at any boat and ask for receipts that CAN be verified... and not from some shonky "top merc mechanic"

you're probably not gonna want to do this and the seller probably ain't gonna be too keen either for that sort of price..but consider dropping the lower unit to check that it will at least drop a few inches..so you know the shaft hasn't rusted into the crankshaft..
as for what it's worth over there dollar or value wise..no idea..but over here that's about what they start at