What's the best rig for 5K?

nightstalker · Dec 11, 2003

Just moved to Florida West Coast from CT. and looking to buy a cc/wac rig for about 5K. High and Dry's are tooooooooooooo expensive and wet slips I hear are a little iffy down here, so I'll need a rig with a trailer. I have a Jeep Wrangler (6 cylinder/standard and a mini van with a towing package, so I think I have to keep the total rig's weight at about 3500 lbs. I've read so mush "stuff" about engines(Opti, Ficht, Vro, 2/4 stroke etc.) that my head is spinning. Can any of you water splashers point me in the right direction? Maybe finding a 5k rig is a pipe dream!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stalker

DJ · Dec 11, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

nightstalker, Don't want to squash your pipe dream, but, you're asking a lot for $5K. Can you find it-sure. However, it's going to be used and the horsepower low. Look for small CC's with moderate HP and move up from there.

Solittle · Dec 11, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

nightstalker - Go to your local convenience store and pick up a copy of Boat Trader. It comes out weekly and should give you a feel of what $5k will bring.

JB · Dec 11, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

Moving to Boat Questions.

jam39vw995 · Dec 11, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

I'll been looking on the iboats.com classifieds and also boattraderonline.com and there are quite a number of boats in Florida for 5K or less. Yes, they are used, and some are under powered but not all. I've seen a few nice ones. Like these, 19' Regal SeaRay Is CC, Cuddy cabin? What's WAC? hth

rickdb1boat · Dec 11, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

With air conditioning????

jerzshaw · Dec 11, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

I think this may be above 5k, and for the record I have no affiliation with the seller. www.whalerforum.com/?p=bragboard&ID=210 But seems to me Alot of people like whalers, and even more people like older USED whalers. You may pay more, but you'll get more when you trade or sell down the road. Obviously this is not just true of whalers, but many fine boats.

jerzshaw · Dec 11, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

FYI The guy is asking 6500 With a kicker motor, and 6000 without it. more info: Posted:12/11/2003 8:14:28 PM Since those pictures I have added a 6hp. Johnson kicker mounted starboard, also larger tires and wheeels on trailer, and teak rod holders on front of console. Here is more information.... *proffesionally applied Awlgrip inside & out to OEM colors *1982 Johnson 90hp(would put up against new motor, runs excellent) *new Pate 24gal. tank *Racor fuel/water filter *(2) AC Delco batteries with switch in c-console *new rub-rail from BW *bow light & stern hardware re-chromed *RPS seat (wood re-finished & new cushion from Hall's *BW glass c-console with new Morse control *Sunbrella bimini top *engraved transom plate from CMC Cox trailer *new spindle lube hubs & axle *new springs *new 2"x6" carpeted bunks *new keel rollers *new tongue jack *new lights & wiring all supplys above from Champion Trailer More pictures also available Asking $6500.00 with the 6hp Johnson kicker motor 20" shaft, or $6000.00 without kicker Only reason selling is downsizing to one Whaler and space, not to mention hard to justify two Whalers to Mrs.... Hope this helps. If i were looking for a rig in that price range I'd contact this guy. GOOD LUCK

Knightgang · Dec 12, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

Nightstalker, I am just outside of Savannah, GA and I went to FL (Port Orange just below Daytona) to buy my boat. I have been around boats before, so I knew what I was looking for. I will give you my $.02 of advice, if you use it, that is fine, if not, fine too. I think you will want to look for something around 18'. I am not sure if you want a Cuddy Cabin, or a Center Console. I have seen CC used for both. FOr the price you want to spend, you will be looking at boats around 10 years old or older generaly speaking. In FL there are plenty. You have to ask yourself where are you going to use it to determine if you want an outboard motor or an inboard/outbaord (I/O) set-up. I prefer outboards for several reasons, but it is prefernce. If you are not that familiar with boats, have the ones that you are serious about surveyed, or find a really good freind that knows boats and have them go with you to look at them. NEVER buy a used boat without a seatrial before purchase. Engines do not run the same on the hose as they do under a load. Also, if at all possible, try to buy a boat that is on an aluminum trailer. It will help with the weight and they are easy to load/unload and to care for. I have one an love it. FOr example, my boat is a 1987 Cobia Center Console, 18' with a Suzuki 115 outboard. It is on an aluminum trailer that is only 1 year old and it only set me back $3K. I drove 4 hours to get it, but to me it was worth it. Better than any deal I got here. The floor had already been replaced a few years ago, the hull is solid, and the only things wrong with the engine was a leaking prop shaft seal in the lower unit and bad spark plug caps. I bought a repair manual and the engine is fixed and in great shape. Take a look: http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/knightgang2003/lst?.dir=/My+Photos It way not be the prettiest thing, but it gets the job done until I can afford what I really want. If you have anymore questions on what to look for, please let us know. Knightgang

nightstalker · Dec 12, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

Thanks for all the info. In CT. cc=center con. and wac=walk around cuddy. Jam 39vw showed me a couple of nice rigs. maybe I had better forget a cc or wac for 5k. To whom ir may concern, I don't need air conditioning, I'll use a battery operated fan and a big piece of ice. Wifey says she's sick of hearing my complaints about not having a boat and may be willing to push my buying power to 8k. A friend of mine who has lived in Fl. for many years just called me to tell me about an Orlando boat that his doctor's wife is selling. It's a 1999 20 foot Pro-Line with a 200HP Merc(2 stroke-carburated) with 200 documented hours on it. The rig has a VHF radio, fish finder, GPS, 3 bait wells, solid T top and trailer. He said it's good deal at the asking price of $19,500. That's only about $11,500 more than I got. Is this a pretty, somewhat, very, great, unbelieveable deal? Stalker

Mike Langianese · Dec 12, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

Nightstalker, I agree with several posts that recommend a sea trial before you buy anything. I located a 22 ft. CC in Florida asking price was $6,5000 called the seller said rock bottom price was $5,000. I got directions and was ready to drive down to see the boat when I asked for more photos to be e-mailed and to be sure that the owner would be ready to put the boat in the water. That is when I was told that the boat was as-is in the driveway, wouldnt even put muffs on and start it.

I took the recommendations of the forum and passed. keep looking you will find your boat.

Good luck, Mike

nightstalker · Dec 12, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

This could be it. I found a 1975 17 foot Mako with a 1998 115 HP Ocean Pro Evenrude for $5,200. It has tt, ss prop, bimi.,gps, ff, am/fm cd, dual batteries, bilge pump, live well and an alum. trailer. I don't know much about the Ocean Pro 115 HP Evenrude but I don't think it's a FICHT engine. The deal sounds good and I know that the Mako is a good boat (I owned one). Is that Ocean Pro a reliable power plant for this rig?. What do you think? Stalker

Lou C · Dec 12, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

Do have the engine checked out, but remember, the main disease of old boats is WOOD ROT!!! So check the transom, stringers, floor, bulkheads, etc as much as you can because replacing this stuff is time consuming and messy, even though the material cost is not that bad (wood+epoxy).

jerzshaw · Dec 12, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

I would encourage you to look at the whaler i referenced above, as well as look at another boat on that website. www.whalerforum.com go to the bragging board. look at a boat called JAZZ. That boat is pretty unique, may be for sale soon, and reasonably priced. The boat JAZZ is pristine. teak everywhere. restored. loaded. headturner. Me? I own a new Nantucket and my best friends own Makos's and Contender's. Good luck in whatever you decide. They are all great choices.

mattttt25 · Dec 12, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

the mako sounds nice. sea trial and make offer...

nightstalker · Dec 14, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

Thanks for all the suggestions and help with my rig search. I decided on looking at the 17' Mako center console. I had the engine tested by a local mechanic and the compression was fine. He said that he thought the overall condition of the engine was excellent considering the year. Took it out for a sea trial as many of you suggested and she ran and handled very well. I offered the guy $4,800 and he junped on it. The only problem is that this rig doesn't come with air conditioning (anyone know where I can buy big blocks of ice real cheap)? Thanks Again, Stalker

Bobby Powell · Dec 14, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

congrats on your new rig. About the AC??? Come up to VA and go for a ride off of the coast. You'll be soon asking about a heater...

jerzshaw · Dec 14, 2003

Re: What's the best rig for 5K?

congrats.......... post pics when you can....we would love to see it. sounds like a great deal

What's the best rig for 5K?

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