Newbie needing advice on purchase

ric · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2014 4:22 pm

if you can't afford to buy a boat that is mechanically sound, you shouldn't be buying a boat.

Drenski · **Posted:** Fri Aug 29, 2014 5:02 pm

Lou, that is a great looking boat and only about 1.5 hours from me. I guess I'm just not familiar with the manufacturers that make these more sea worthy boats. Can you share some of their names please. It's more than I can afford but maybe I just need to keep saving and hope some other expense doesn't come up.

As for the mechanically sound boat mentioned by someone else. It's for that reason, and a few others, that I didn't purchase this last boat. I also saw a place in the hull where it had been hit and repaired. Looked like a good job and I couldn't feel a difference in the are compared to the rest of the hull but it was not quite the same color.

I'll keep my eyes open for something in hopes that I'll get lucky. Maybe I'll just look for outboards.

I was looking and there are a bunch of outboards for sale up here too. The boat trader has a few but most of us up here look on www.ksl.com. What hp would I need to pull a wake board or tube? Seems like there are a bunch of 85hp's.

LouC · **Posted:** Sat Aug 30, 2014 7:16 am

Key West
Sea Hunt
Boston Whaler
Grady White

These are boats that are built for coastal conditions and will hold up much better than the typical I/O bowriders and cuddys we have here. They certainly do cost more, but that comes back to you in:
1) much better resale values
2) much lower maintenance costs
3) safety, they are all foam filled, outboard power is safer in small boats

If you can't find boats like these where you are, then in freshwater an I/O is fine, but try to get the newest best condition one you can afford. Even doing new upholstery is very expensive. I know, I did it all except a new engine and/or drive. I've used the boat 11 seasons worth and its still in very good shape now, much better than any other 26 year old boat I see around here. But that took a lot of time and money.

I've looked at the small boat market in Long Island here, and I can tell you it breaks down like this:

$5000 and under, junk
$5000-$10,000, some junk, some fairly good
10,000-$15,000, still some junk, but most fairly good
$15,000-$20,000, much better chance of finding a good well maintained boat you can use for years.

Think of it, most people would not put their family in a 20 year old beater vehicle either. Boats are no different and the safety risks are actually greater esp here in coastal conditions.

crossram · **Posted:** Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:39 am

there are boats for sale that are in the $5000.00 range that are in good shape . with some mechanical skills, like you say you have .any boat can be repaired.you want to find the best buy in your budget, decide how much you can do yourself and how much you can afford to pay to get work done. LouC has a 26 year old boat he did a lot of work to . My last boat was a 1977 that i had to do the same with all new floors, cabin wood ,vinyl new bimini top, cover, I only had money in material because i did all the work myself i had that boat for 8 years just sold it this spring and my currant boat is 25 years old . just make sure on what you are going to get that the high dollar items are in good working condition ,like out drive . hull and the main structure of the boat everything else can be repaired

LouC · **Posted:** Sat Aug 30, 2014 10:50 am

A lot of it depends on the ability of the owner to do their own work. When I advise people to get newer low maintenance boats its because I don't know what skills, patience etc you have, so that's the best advice I can give. But yes as crossram says, if you can do your own work, you can make an older boat work for you. It really depends on how much skill, time and patience you have. You are in freshwater, very dry climate so it should be much easier to find good older boats there than here. Here, its all salt water and the climate is damp most of the year. Corrosion, wood rot, etc are big issues. On the other hand when I was up in Lake George NY, I saw older boats that looked new because they are in a pristine freshwater lake, only are used 4 months each year and are stored in boat houses or barns, not left outside.

There are some things about the older boats that ARE better, don't get me wrong.
1) more room inside, easier to take apart interior for major work.
2) thicker 'glass layup (when oil was cheaper, they used more 'glass).
3) simpler mechanicals, both OB and sterndrive.

Drenski · **Posted:** Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:20 am

Thanks for all the info, guys. I'll keep looking but now I have a lot of information to take with me and use while I search. As for fixing an older boat, I'm not afraid to remove a stern drive and overhaul it. The engine is a different story but I can do some things. I've only done fiber glass a few times and never on a boat so I'll steer clear of those problems, especially the soft floors, and the upholstery although I've always wanted to try my hand at sewing things like seat covers. I'll definitely chose a better boat now that I've talked to all of you.

Just an FYI, here's the link to the boat that first started my post. That guy that bought it out from under me has turned around and posted it on the same site for $2k more. Check it out.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad ... =&ad_cid=2

crossram · **Posted:** Sun Aug 31, 2014 9:40 am

that is a good looking boat .a shame it got away . Dont take all the negative comments on buying an older boat as the gospel. every one is just trying to point out what to look at and how to not make a bad choice .I think all the comments on that 190 made you hesitate to pull the trigger. when you find a boat like that it wont be on the market long

LouC · **Posted:** Sun Aug 31, 2014 10:02 am

Yes the boat looks immaculate, inside and out. However....its a Ford EFI engine....and many key parts for the electronic ignition, and fuel injection are
NO LONGER AVAILABLE

meaning that if something critical fails in either system...you will be
SOL

and would be back on here posting, how do I adapt a carb to a Ford injected engine. See I told you right...

http://www.crowleymarine.com/johnson-ev ... /53942.cfm

http://www.crowleymarine.com/johnson-ev ... /56694.cfm

You'd be actually better off with one of the slightly older ones, that still used a points distributor and a carb. You can get the tune up parts in the aftermarket and you can always get a new Edelbrock Marine carb. EFI and electronic ignition are great, till you can't get the specialized parts, then they ain't great, they are a show stopper.
If you want an I/O and I bet that's what you will find in 99% of the cases, then look for a late model Merc boat, make your life easy, parts are everywhere even if an Alpha doesn't shift half as well as a well adjusted Cobra

or Volvo.....

pickledboater · **Posted:** Sun Aug 31, 2014 10:24 am

Keep looking and be patient. With the lack of water around there should be a plethora of nice boats coming up for sale this fall when it starts to be winterizing time. Don't be afraid to have some of the local dealers keep an eye out for a good one. I would trust MOST of the dealers in our area. PM me and I'll let you know who my favorite one is.

Drenski · **Posted:** Sun Aug 31, 2014 8:22 pm

Yeah, I'll just be patient and keep looking. I found another one that looks greeat but it's old.... but it looks great.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ca ... d=31322124

I'll be seeing this one on Thursday.

How do you PM?

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2014 1:52 am

Drenski wrote:

Yeah, I'll just be patient and keep looking. I found another one that looks greeat but it's old.... but it looks great.

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ca ... d=31322124

I'll be seeing this one on Thursday.

How do you PM?

Boom Chicka Wa Waa....now THAT is a 70's boat that just screams pimpin'. Is that red velour in the bow!? Sorry, I'm a 70's guy, so naturally I love it.

To PM, look at the bottom left of the dialog/posting box. Under the signature line or picture you will see 2 buttons, one says Profile, the other says PM. Click the PM one.

Drenski · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2014 6:35 pm

I know. It's great isn't it! I'm thinking the nostalgic look is cool. It appears to be in good shape. We'll see on Thursday. Do you know how loud the motor will be for the people sitting on each side?

fi.na.tine · **Posted:** Mon Sep 01, 2014 10:46 pm

You should work in an 8-track player and a pair of 70's swim trunks to that deal....

That or dress up like Huggy Bear to seal the deal...

LouC · **Posted:** Tue Sep 02, 2014 12:28 pm

Lol and get a 77 Chrysler Cordoba with Corinthian Leather as a tow vehicle...

Drenski · **Posted:** Wed Sep 03, 2014 12:50 am

Chrysler Cordoba. Awesome. I guess it would be considered a boat wouldn't it?

www.iFourWinns.com

Newbie needing advice on purchase

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