Any small boat expert around?

[movingex]

I am considering buying a smallish (16-18 ft) fish/ski boat mainly to just cruise around and pull my kids on tubes and later ski or wake board. I'm looking at used boats in the $3500-$4000 range. I've seen several on Craig's list and a couple of other places that seem like OK deals.

What are some of the main things I need to be aware of or look out for. What are some of the pitfalls involve in buying a boat?

Here are some examples of what I've been seeing on CL.
84 16 ft Deck Boat 115 hp. OMC
http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/1874964093.html
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/1874969449.html
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/1874379293.html
http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/1819788366.html
Is it really reasonable to think that I can find a good boat in this price range?

Thanks for any info.

[ka5txl]

Jeffery, if you have a chance listen to the Big Boat and outdoor show on KSKY 660am It's starts at 6pm call and ask them, there is also the texas fishing and outdoor show on KRLD 1080am on sat and sun morning's at 5am. What I would check is 1) how long has it sat up and why so long, 2) how long has the fuel been sitting in the tank, 3) charge levels on the batteries, 4) if it's fiberglass the the condition of the hull, 5) I would have them meet you at the lake with it a prove that it works. Also there will be 3 titles in the transaction 1) boat title, 2) outboard motor title, 3 trailer title.

The two best days in a boat owners life, the day he buy's the boat and the day he sell's the boat

[revjvegas]

Originally Posted by movingex

What are some of the pitfalls involve in buying a boat?

A boat is a hole in the water you keep throwing money into.

[Richard-SSV]

One thing to consider is the horse power. If you're just pulling tubes you can get by with a low horse power motor, but if you plan to do a lot of skiing or wakeboarding then you don't want to skimp on HP. Trying to get a skier out of the water will be tough, especially on the skier as they will get a face full of water until the boat gets up to speed. A lower HP outboard is usually equal to a higher HP inboard/outboard. For example, a 115 HP outboard can produce the same torque as a 150 HP I/O. person. I used to have a 140 HP I/O and it was tough getting riders up. I would shoot for at least 200 HP on an I/O if your budget allows.

The second thing to consider, and perhaps the most important, is the compression in the cylinders of older boats such as the ones you're looking at. Once you find the boat you want it will be worth your wild to have a compression check on the motor. Most everything else on and around the motor can be repaired or replaced, but if you are losing compression in one of the cylinders the motor is toast. I learned the hard way with my first boat. It had lost compression and wouldn't run after it got up to operating temperature. That was $1200 down the tubes.

There are really two major things that need to be in good shape: the motor and the hull. If the motor runs and the hull doesn't leak then everything else can be fixed up. The problem with used boats is that you have no idea how the previous owner(s) took care of it. Buying a 20-25 year old boat is a bit of crap shoot. If the upholstery isn't completely trashed then that's a good sign that the boat was taken care of. If the previous owner took care of the cosmetic appearance of the boat then chances are they kept up with the mechanical maintenance as well.

As for the happiest day in a boaters life thing, that is true for most boat owners. I've owned boats for almost 10 years now (I'm on my 4th) and I've seen a lot of people come and go in that 10 year span. You're definitely going about it the right way in buying an inexpensive used boat. Find out if you like boating enough to stick with it. If you do then you can always upgrade down the road. If you don't then you haven't wasted a ton of money. If you do get into wakeboarding or skiing, then an inboard boat is what you want. You can probably find a 1980's Ski Nautique 2001 in the $7k-$10k range. These boats are easy to work on and throw a great wake!

[movingex]

Originally Posted by ka5txl

Jeffery, if you have a chance listen to the Big Boat and outdoor show on KSKY 660am It's starts at 6pm call and ask them, there is also the texas fishing and outdoor show on KRLD 1080am on sat and sun morning's at 5am. What I would check is 1) how long has it sat up and why so long, 2) how long has the fuel been sitting in the tank, 3) charge levels on the batteries, 4) if it's fiberglass the the condition of the hull, 5) I would have them meet you at the lake with it a prove that it works. Also there will be 3 titles in the transaction 1) boat title, 2) outboard motor title, 3 trailer title.

The two best days in a boat owners life, the day he buy's the boat and the day he sell's the boat

I appreciate the info.

[movingex]

Originally Posted by Richard-SSV

One thing to consider is the horse power. If you're just pulling tubes you can get by with a low horse power motor, but if you plan to do a lot of skiing or wakeboarding then you don't want to skimp on HP. Trying to get a skier out of the water will be tough, especially on the skier as they will get a face full of water until the boat gets up to speed. A lower HP outboard is usually equal to a higher HP inboard/outboard. For example, a 115 HP outboard can produce the same torque as a 150 HP I/O. person. I used to have a 140 HP I/O and it was tough getting riders up. I would shoot for at least 200 HP on an I/O if your budget allows.

The second thing to consider, and perhaps the most important, is the compression in the cylinders of older boats such as the ones you're looking at. Once you find the boat you want it will be worth your wild to have a compression check on the motor. Most everything else on and around the motor can be repaired or replaced, but if you are losing compression in one of the cylinders the motor is toast. I learned the hard way with my first boat. It had lost compression and wouldn't run after it got up to operating temperature. That was $1200 down the tubes.

There are really two major things that need to be in good shape: the motor and the hull. If the motor runs and the hull doesn't leak then everything else can be fixed up. The problem with used boats is that you have no idea how the previous owner(s) took care of it. Buying a 20-25 year old boat is a bit of crap shoot. If the upholstery isn't completely trashed then that's a good sign that the boat was taken care of. If the previous owner took care of the cosmetic appearance of the boat then chances are they kept up with the mechanical maintenance as well.

As for the happiest day in a boaters life thing, that is true for most boat owners. I've owned boats for almost 10 years now (I'm on my 4th) and I've seen a lot of people come and go in that 10 year span. You're definitely going about it the right way in buying an inexpensive used boat. Find out if you like boating enough to stick with it. If you do then you can always upgrade down the road. If you don't then you haven't wasted a ton of money. If you do get into wakeboarding or skiing, then an inboard boat is what you want. You can probably find a 1980's Ski Nautique 2001 in the $7k-$10k range. These boats are easy to work on and throw a great wake!

I really appreciate all of the good information. Very helpful.

[iCe]

Couple of things-

The most expensive part of a boat is the engine. You can get a deal on a boat with a seemingly good engine and if it bites the dirt then you no longer have a deal, you have the aforementioned hole in the water that you pour money into. I have one of those Thankfully I have no intention of ever selling it so I don't have to worry about resale value and I enjoy it when I use it.

A 25 HP 4 cycle engine does not pull the same as a 25 HP 2 cycle engine. I love my 4 cycle but I can tell the difference between it and the old 4 cycle engine as far as how fast my 14' Express planes out.

[Jim Boyd]

I bought a new 17 foot Glastron 135 hp inboard-outboard in 1996. One spring a big storm ripped my boat from its dock and flipped it, rear-end, into the lake. After I fished it out of the lake, we had it worked on, and it was no worse for the wear. We take that boat out tooling around the lake about every weekend, and we love it. When family comes to visit, we take them out water skiing and tubing with no problem. So, after 14 years, we still love our boat, and do do our dogs.

You do have to maintain it just like a car, and go through the hassle of getting it in and out of the lake, but I wouldn't sell mine.

[MT Stringer]

Don't forget to check the transom for rot. Older boats had plywood sandwiched together and glassed over. Soft spots might indicate trouble ahead. Same goes for the floor. Compression check on the engine is a good thing to have done before you buy it. You will probably be money ahead to have a good mechanic check out the engine.

Good luck.
Mike

[bones]

I would buy new or not at all. No point in buying a future problem.

[movingex]

Originally Posted by bones

I would buy new or not at all. No point in buying a future problem.

I appreciate your input but I highly disagree with with this. I've bought a lot of used stuff in my life and for the most part I've always been very happy with not paying the premium of buying new.

When I buy something used I always factor in the "what if it's a piece of crap" aspect. Most of the time my investment is so small that it's not going to kill me one way or another.

I know that buying new is a personal preference for a lot of people but just because you buy something used doesn't mean that it's going to be a problem. If you research and consider the pros and cons and know as well as you can what you are getting into it won't be a problem at all.

If anyone else has any input on buying/maintaining a used boat I would greatly appreciate any advice.

[David Whatley]

Buy a name brand, and keep in mind the layout of the boat. I have never regretted the rangers I have owned, nor the skeeter.
Personally I prefer outboard to I/O but thats me.

[brewercm]

I owned a 21' Cajun bay boat and a 17' BassTracker and myself enjoyed the 17' much more. The bay boat was great but getting it into and out of water for quick trips the 17 footer worked much better for my style of use. This was especially true when I'd be loading and unloading by myself.

Just make sure you take into account what you'll be using it for most of the time and buy accordingly. Other than that you've been given some great advice to look at so far.

[Richard-SSV]

Originally Posted by bones

I would buy new or not at all. No point in buying a future problem.

Nothing wrong with buying used if you know how to, or are not afraid to learn to, work on a boat. Boats are much easier to work on than cars. You have a motor, a transmission, electrical, and a steering linkage..... that's pretty much it. The only reason some people use that old saying about "Bust Out Another Thousand" is because they were too lazy or to afraid to maintain their boat themselves. Example, a marine mechanic will charge $125-$175 to change the oil in your boat. You can do it yourself in under 15 minutes for less than $25.

Back in 2003 I bought a used 1996 Ski Nautique for $11,500. I kept it two years, never had any problems with it, and then sold it for $12,700. How's that for buying a used boat?

[bones]

Originally Posted by Richard-SSV

Nothing wrong with buying used if you know how to, or are not afraid to learn to, work on a boat. Boats are much easier to work on than cars. You have a motor, a transmission, electrical, and a steering linkage..... that's pretty much it. The only reason some people use that old saying about "Bust Out Another Thousand" is because they were too lazy or to afraid to maintain their boat themselves. Example, a marine mechanic will charge $125-$175 to change the oil in your boat. You can do it yourself in under 15 minutes for less than $25.

Back in 2003 I bought a used 1996 Ski Nautique for $11,500. I kept it two years, never had any problems with it, and then sold it for $12,700. How's that for buying a used boat?

I think you have a point but it all depends on the cost of the boat and the required up keep. A $10K dollar boat, and a $210K dollar boat have different maintenance needs and different mechanical needs.

So while some boats can be worked on by individuals others require skilled mechanics.

I bought one used boat. It was a Yellowfin. The only reason I bought the boat was because I knew the guy that owned the boat and how well he took care of it not to mention the price was right. I worked on it and maintained it to the best of my ability. Since that boat, I have only purchased new because I knew that no one would build and operate a boat like I would.

I also like having the hull warranty and engine warranties.