Would this be a good 1st boat?

oregonboatnewb

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
283
I just purchased a 12 ft fiber boat, with 7.5 hp evin... the boat ended up having massive dry rot, so i'm having to scrap it... and i'm gonna sell the trailer and motor for more then i paid for the whole package... I'm looking for a new setup, and i found this one... Anyone seen one of these in person ? Good boats ? How many people could i seat it in comfortable ?

http://eugene.craigslist.org/boa/946976113.html
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

Looks like a good first boat, motor is kind of old but that shouldn't be a peoblem as parts are easy to get.

The price even seems okay.

Don't know the weather where you are but running the boat in the water would be good if possible, if not at least have him start the motor.
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,065
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

Comfortable? Depends on your opinion of comfort and intended use.

I think you should step outside the box and determine what your needs are and what you are capable of supporting with your budget.

That boat has a closed bow section which means CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC!

Are you going to be fishing? How many people? What water will you go boating in?

A small boat is horrible in poor conditions. However, I bet that boat would accomodate a driver, passenger and pull a skier along on a small lake just fine.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

fronm you other thread, it is a much better choice, than what you had, and what you want to do.
 

180shabah

Rear Admiral
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Messages
4,995
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

Definately worth checking out in person.
 

mthieme

Captain
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
3,270
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

Agree with TD and 180.

You're pretty determined.
 

erikgreen

Captain
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
3,105
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

Looks nice from what I can see. Aluminum boats rot very little :)

I'd check out the motor, hear it run. If you have your other motor still, consider comparing it with the new one and keeping the better one, which may be the old one, depending.

Check to make sure you can tow the boat where you need it to go, take a safe boating course, carry life jackets, and have fun! Post your experiences here for us to live vicariously.

Erik
 

ezmobee

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 26, 2007
Messages
23,767
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

I have that exact boat (except mine has a windshield). I added 2 back-to-back lounge seats and 2 jump seats. I had 5 adults in it once and it did fine. However, I have an 85 horse motor. It's a good solid boat. I had to replace my floor and transom and neither were a big deal to do. Check the link in my signiture below to see what I did.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

Also, that motor has to be test run in a barrel, not on muffs, the water needs to be atleast 1/2 way up the leg of the motor.
 

oregonboatnewb

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
283
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

My needs are truly more focused on the ability to carry more people, then fishing or anything else... I've got alot of family, and all are looking forward to getting on the water (If for nothing more to explore some local rivers, hell a kayak with a motor would have done, but i figure since i'm buying something, might as well get something i'll like, and be able to use) It would be awesome to tow a tube behind, as that hadn't been a goal of mine, knowing its possible will help alot ! Do motors that old have Reverse?

Back to back seats would definatly have to be done, as it would be excellent to be able to seat 4 people.

I'll probably fish out of it, as i dont care if i have to throw out a floating island to do so, i've got no problems making things work from less then perfect cercumstances.

Closed bow is a negative, i love being able to explore and lounge all around a boat when its anchored... anyone ever opened a bow like that up (My neighbor is a pro welder) Or would that harm the structural integrity of the boat to much...

Either way, im going to try and make time to go see it today, its 120 miles from my house !
 

oregonboatnewb

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
283
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

This is what i emailed him today

ME:
"Do you have more shots of the boat ? Perhaps some of the inside ? What kind of work has the motor had recently ? New plugs/Impeller/Water Pump in the last year ? Anything the boat would need to have done in the next year or so ? Or anything the boat needs work done to ?
Very interested.
-Alex"

Him
"the boat has new plugs, and a new propeller. It was just certified by the state troopers, and comes with airhorn and fire extinguisher. It is ready to use today. Unfortunately I don't have the ability to take any more photos of it. We had it out in the summer and now I start it each week and let it run for a while. Also has a new battery and new tags, along with a clear title. "

What do state troopers do to certify a boat ? I know on cars, when you rebuild a car in oregon with a branded/reconstructed title, they pretty much just look at it, poke a few things, and issue a new title.
 

erikgreen

Captain
Joined
Jan 8, 2007
Messages
3,105
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

State troopers? they might have looked at the trailer. They won't know anything about the boat, I don't think, unless there's a state that has the troopers do it instead of the DNR or coast guard?

Don't buy the thing sight unseen in any case... go look yourself, and like TD said, run the motor in a barrel, not on muffs.

Opening the bow is probably not a good idea.. in small boats like this one it's structural, so you'd have to replace the structure with something else.

I'd get used to the idea that you're not going to get a perfect boat the first time out... look at it as if you'll keep this boat say a year, maybe two, and find out exactly what you want.

If the price is good and the boat is in good shape, then I'd say this is a good buy for a first boat.

Erik
 

oregonboatnewb

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
283
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

I had a thread where people told me what to look for/how to inspect and try to find a good motor... but i can't find it again, musta got moved or deleted for being in the wrong section?
 

KLINDWW

Seaman
Joined
Aug 27, 2008
Messages
70
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

Here is my simplified version. Before you even start the motor ask to pull the bottom plug on the lower unit. You will be looking for signs of water of metal flakes. From there ask to run a compression test. If you are satisfied from there then a test run would be in order. I have a 77 Startcraft. It looks like the same hull and mine is not a closed bow so you could open it up but it would be more work than it would be worth. You wouldn?t need a welder but a sheet metal worker. You would have to extend the inside gunnels and re-cut the aluminum on the existing bow. Not to mention, after that was complete you still have to paint. If the motor checks out, I?d say go for it. If it isn?t exactly what you want you could probably get most if not all of your money back out of the boat.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

BUYING A USED MOTOR

overall condition, condition of the place you are buying it from, usually tells you how they care for things. compression 100 + psi, and within 10% of each other, good strong blue spark, no water in the lower unit oil. look for discolored paint, (sign of over heat at
one time, also scarred up bolts, as why. have them start it. if they fail to put it in a barrell or tank, or on muffs, or in the water, to start it they don't know what they are doing. best yet is to take it for a 30 min to 1 hour test run. also if remote controlled motor, the controls should come with it.

Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

i don't know what state the boat is in, or have any idea, what a state trooper would do.
 

a70eliminator

Captain
Joined
Sep 9, 2007
Messages
3,762
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

I like that engine, I have one of that same 1967-68 vintage only mine's a 60 hp. sportfour electric start, the motor is very quiet running and has never failed in the 30yrs I've owned it, not even as much as starter problem.
The semi closed bow is nice too for stuffing with life jackets and towels ect. Oh yea, there is an adapter for running that engine on external water, it clamps to the cavitation plate and feeds water into the intake from underneath. I have one it works great, the waterpump is easy fairly easy to change no special tools needed.
 

ebry710

Ensign
Joined
Jan 29, 2008
Messages
981
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

To me, look at your budget, find a local mechanic and really think about that engine. Also decide what you are going to do with that boat. "Salty dogs" drain lower units, clean carbs, replace impellers, and know how to service old units. "Fresh fish" have to rely on the local mechanics.

To me its not about the boat.....it the engine.

Once it is your, iboats forums are great for trouble shooting problem. What is your skill level and how much time do you have?
 

oregonboatnewb

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 6, 2008
Messages
283
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

Wow, just found this, its a 14ft, lots of history on the motor, fiberglass tho =( He sent me lots of picts, looks legit.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/boa/952796928.html


IMAGE_184.jpg

IMAGE_188.jpg

IMAGE_185.jpg

IMAGE_193.jpg

IMAGE_186.jpg

IMAGE_187.jpg
 

mickjetblue

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 23, 2007
Messages
509
Re: Would this be a good 1st boat?

It's hard to believe that these are being put on the market for so low a price.

As long as the motors run, they are both good deals, and both probably sold by now.
 
Top