let me start off by saying i know nothing about boats.....i am looking to buy a boat this summer to cruise around LKN on.....i need some ideas on a good beginner boat (reliable and good quality) for less than 10k....help please....kkthnx

3/27/2007 7:12:17 PM

find a boat you like, and before you buy, post boat size, trailer make, and engine specs and we'll tell you if it's decent.

best places to look=classifieds, internet, small marinas. dont buy from a car lot, and larger marinas will expect more $. Also, consider a sailboat, can find a pretty nice one under 6k that's still trailerable. if you go to the coast, look on the sides of the road.

3/27/2007 7:43:21 PM

If you are looking for a lake boat for sale, I might know of a 19ft Bayliner Bowrider coming up for sale. I think its an 03.

3/27/2007 7:44:43 PM

how about this.....

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/2/87831872.htm

3/27/2007 7:46:19 PM

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/6/5/87858965.htm

3/27/2007 7:51:34 PM

You do know what the difference between a boat and a trashcan full of burning money, don't you?


The trashcan.


That said, if I were to get a good inexpensive boat that was worth a damn, I would spring for either a Sea Ray or a Stingray, oh about 17' or so, with either a V6 or four cylinder stern drive and power trim...of course all stern drives are power trim...but there is a slight chance that all outboards won't be.

I'm a pretty big fan of stern drives simply because I feel that ultimately, they are more reliable and easier to maintain. They are also quieter too. Of course, the new four strokes and HPDI outboards are a different story altogether. But I'll bet you won't be able to snag one very cheaply.

Some folks will argue with me, but a Bayliner is a cheap boat, and it shows.

3/27/2007 7:53:55 PM

^that is why i always heard it was best to buy used....the above is a Sea Ray for $6900....

3/27/2007 7:58:06 PM

a wise man once told me "The two happiest days of a man's life are the day he buys a boat, and the day he sells that som bitch"

3/27/2007 7:58:15 PM

i am just looking for something small and fairly cheap that 4 people can cruise in and drink beer and tube....this is a first time buy so i need some direction here.....what should i look for when buying a used boat????

3/27/2007 8:00:49 PM

boat stands for

Bring
On
Another
Thousand

3/27/2007 8:01:09 PM

It is only best to buy used if you can check out everything thoroughly and if you know or can find out the history of the boat.

Been in salt water? That's not necessarily a bad thing, provided the engine has been flushed frequently, and the zinc anodes are in good shape and kept that way.

The only way you can be absolutely sure of not having a problem is if you buy new. IF you can afford new.

That said, the Sea Ray you have pictured is a good boat. The Merc 3.0 is a good engine, though not a raving powerhouse. That boat will do a steady 35 all day long, but not much more. Believe me, 35 is just dandy unless the water is smooth or you have an aggressive vee hull. I've done 55 in a 19' Stingray on Lake Jordan with a little bit of chop and it beats ya to death.

My roommate has the 2001 version of that Sea Ray, and it's a nice little boat.

3/27/2007 8:03:21 PM

Do you want an inboard or an outboard?

3/27/2007 8:03:36 PM

suggestion find a friend with a boat don't burn the money

3/27/2007 8:05:07 PM

cant afford new at this time.....just looking for a new toy.....inboard or outboard doesnt matter to me i guess....is it better to buy from a marina??.....how can i find out the book values of these boats??.....how many hours is too many???....come on guys lets have some criteria....

3/27/2007 8:09:17 PM

I will argue FOR buying a boat. But only if you're prepared to spend money buying gas and parts and such...because it's not a matter of IF you have to fix something...it's a matter of WHEN.

There's nothing like having your own boat and not having to rely on your friends when YOU want to go out.

For me, there's nothing like driving over to Oriental and jumping on my sailboat whenever I have time. I won't give that up if I don't have to.

As far as answering your questions: I'm not really sure how to go about determining the market value for a boat. As far as hours, the fewer, the better (obviously). If you could find one with under 1000 hours, that would be okay. Under 500 would be even better. Again, a lot of it depends on maintenance. If you bought from a marine dealer, you'd stand a chance of getting a boat that got better than average maintenance (and you'd be surprised at just how few people maintain their boats by the book), but of course you'll pay a little extra.



[Edited on March 27, 2007 at 8:14 PM. Reason : shizz]

3/27/2007 8:10:22 PM

yeah i might be living on the lake with my own dock so i HAVE to get a toy.....trying to do this reasonably

3/27/2007 8:13:41 PM

See above.

Remember, running a marine engine for 2000 hours is a lot of time...considering you're doing it at 4000+ rpm's constantly most of the time.

3/27/2007 8:17:36 PM

a lot of people check here for ballpark figures:

http://www.nadaguides.com

There are also a lot of local boats for sale on craigslist if you are willing to pick through the crap.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/


Also, you said you may live on a lake with your own dock. If you plan on keeping the boat in the water, expect to pay $texas for fuel at the marina.



[Edited on March 27, 2007 at 8:39 PM. Reason : ]

3/27/2007 8:33:01 PM

Quote :

"he new four strokes and HPDI outboards are a different story altogether"

3/27/2007 8:39:39 PM

how bad is it to store these fuckers in the water??

3/27/2007 8:49:59 PM

It can get pretty bad with outdrive since if they aren't lift kept.

3/27/2007 8:52:14 PM

^^ many people do use lifts, but i also know quite a few that leave them in and only take them out for cheaper gas and a wash. Most people take them out during the winter.


If you have the money and will be living on Lake Norman, a boat will be a good toy because in my opinion its one of the only things to do there. (its where i grew up)

it can get pretty crowded though.


Those boats that you posted are at Thunder Marine on Highway 150. They are probably worth checking out but if you get farther from the lake you may be able to find something similar for cheaper

[Edited on March 27, 2007 at 9:02 PM. Reason : *]

3/27/2007 8:59:44 PM

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/2/87831872.htm

i am really digging this one and it is in the area....i might go take a look....any advice on the brand or price???

3/27/2007 9:01:11 PM

do you know what's required with the upkeep/maintenance of a boat?
factored in the yearly costs to own one?

asking because you said you know nothing about boats - just do your research first if not

3/27/2007 9:06:01 PM

http://www.geocities.com/palmbeachboating/buying.html

i am doing a lot of reading on here

3/27/2007 9:11:37 PM

be careful when accepting advice off of a internet site, not everyone knows what they're talking about.

with that said, imho is that i/o (inboard/outboard) motors are more expensive to repair because of the stern drive. Outboards are generally the way to go. Stay away from Johnson/Bombardier, go with Yamaha, Honda. With an outboard, everything is right there if you have a prob on the water and they are easier to maintain.

On a final note, nada guides are god and make SURE you check every detail before you buy it. The hydraulic lift on the drive/engine should work FLAWLESSLY and all lights should work. Same deal on the trailer. Scummy dealers will put a sick boat for a decent price on a shitty trailer and bank all the way home. I think KBB does boat trailers.

3/27/2007 10:45:06 PM

That little 17'er is going to get tossed around pretty bad on a rough day at Norman. It would still be fun, but the 19' ones are going to do a lot better job of keeping the bow from shooting out of the water as much on a rough day.

3/27/2007 10:45:52 PM

Quote :

"Stay away from Johnson"

The E-Tec's are some of the best motors out there.

3/28/2007 9:15:15 AM

^i've had several johnson motors, and they've all been great.

3/28/2007 9:20:23 AM

Absolutely

I have an E-tec on my 21' Carolina Skiff and I LOVE it

3/28/2007 9:29:14 AM

I would recommend a Jones Brothers Skiff. I am partial to this brand since I do most all of the design work on all the models. They are extremely well built and come with factory rigged yamaha four strokes. Life time warranty as well which hardly any boat company will offer. The other thing I noticed in this thread is a lake boat, I would never buy a boat i could only use in one body of water. If I was you I would buy a boat that can be used in both saltwater and freshwater that can be used for fishing and water skiing and has a shallow enough draft to allow for shallow lakes or low tides at the coast. The only difference would be if you were extremly serious at wake boarding you could get a competition ski boat and if you were really big into offshore fishing you could get a shearline. Sounds like a Jones Brother would be the best bet for you and your needs

3/28/2007 1:52:36 PM

http://www.akmccallumco.com/

3/28/2007 1:54:05 PM

a flat bottom for a lake is not a great idea. Jones Brothers, James Batuea, Carolina Skiff are all made for inland coastal waters. They're marginally ok (they float) on a lake, but they're not intended for recreational use like a pleasure boat.

Stick with bayliner, seadoo, scout, sea hunt, that rinker's ok, and searay. If you're primarily going to use it in/around raleigh/charlotte, they're perfect. If you plan on making trips to the coast, they're still great. Stick with a dual console ski boat-more comfortable, better skiing/wakeboarding options.

BTW, my boats are:
14' Laser II
18' Sea Hunt, Dual Console, 90hp Johnson
28'5 Hunter


Edit:
Johnson's are ok motors, I have a 2001 90hp 2-stroke ob, its had 0 problems, but the company has been traded so much that the resale is not gonna be as hot. Yamaha and Honda are established brands. The new parent co., Bombardier has only been established with johnson for 5 years. Its a safer bet to go with the jap models. However, the e-tec is one badass ob.



[Edited on March 28, 2007 at 8:27 PM. Reason : johnson]

3/28/2007 8:15:39 PM

Having grown up on Lake Norman I will say this:


TAKE A BOATING COURSE. There is nothing worse (and more dangerous) than people who come to the lake with their boats and put them in the water and just go. There are rules to boating just like there are rules to driving a car. LEARN THEM. Be safe. There are too many people who don't know what they are doing on the water and it isn't safe for anybody. If you don't know of any place that offers boating courses check out the Lake Norman Power Squadron. There is a Raleigh Power Squadron as well if you don't live at the lake.


And as a side note, if you plan on drinking while boating, do so responsibly and hide it if you're driving. The cops love to pull you to "check for your life jackets." Just don't be stupid and you will have a great time.

3/28/2007 8:37:59 PM

double post

[Edited on March 28, 2007 at 8:39 PM. Reason : .]

3/28/2007 8:38:20 PM

^^^Skiffs are used for recreational uses almost always. 99% of our customers that buy these boats from us use them to tow people with tubes, pull skiers, and wakeboard. They have larger boats to go fishing and other things on. And you are correct these boats do float and float really well which is huge benefit if something was to ever go wrong because they don't sink even with a huge hole in them unlike some of these ski boats you mentioned. I just don't see why someone would buy a boat that is going to be confined to one body of water unless they specialize in something like I mentioned in my previous post.

3/29/2007 7:33:21 AM

take a hard look at a Stingray as well, made in SC, solid boats and a whole lot of bang for the buck. I know my 19' has maxed out at 57 with a 4.3 carb motor. Brand new it was right at 20, but they have brand new 18' models with the 3.0 for around 14K

3/29/2007 8:39:46 AM

^^You're kidding, right? Skiffs are used by clam and crab fisherman for their deckspace. They are also used by recreational fisherman (trout, seabass, flounder gigging) and duck hunters.

A skiff throws off a wake of about 6 inches, and has a flat bottom that accelerates like a 1968 VW Beetle. It's not the optimal wakeboarding/tubing boat. Also, for inland (Read:Lake Norman) use, he's gonna want something with lots of comfy seats for his friends and a docile ride. There is maybe one padded seat on a Jones Brothers for 1.5 people (that's 3 asscheeks), or room for seven on a similar boat (sea hunt is mine) that puts out fun wake.




As for storing boats in the water, no sweat, you just gotta cover it, wash it before you use it, and run it at least 2 times a month.

3/29/2007 11:21:12 AM

Quote :

"Some folks will argue with me, but a Bayliner is a cheap boat, and it shows. "

agreed

3/29/2007 1:37:02 PM

^^Guess you missed this picture

"Skiffs are used by clam and crab fisherman for their deckspace. They are also used by recreational fisherman (trout, seabass, flounder gigging) and duck hunters."

That is called versatility which is not a negative but a positive factor when purchasing something such as a boat.

"The Bateaus are extremely popular along the North Carolina Crystal Coast. On any given weekend, it's not usual to see a large variety of Bateaus - basic models used by fisherman, trollers with T-Tops, families pulling wakeboards and towable tubes, olive drab boats for duck hunters, and maybe even someone hauling an ATV to the banks. For family sports or fishing, Bateaus can be customized to fit your needs."




[Edited on March 29, 2007 at 3:38 PM. Reason : .]

3/29/2007 3:23:24 PM

http://www.everyboat.com

3/29/2007 3:34:27 PM

A flat bottom would be a bad idea on Norman. There is too much boat traffic. You would get pounded really badly.

Definately look for something with a V-Hull.

3/29/2007 8:15:28 PM

this guy has said that he wants a boat for recreation, why would anyone recommend a skiff? they are great boats for what they are, but horrible for a fun day with friends on a lake. at the best you could argue that they arent that bad for recreation, but why settle for that if he can get good for recreation

3/29/2007 8:19:26 PM

^4

musta missed the picture

3/30/2007 2:03:23 AM

i want a boat so bad.

3/30/2007 8:55:47 AM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/300481410.html

Quote :

"STINGRAY 99 180RX - $8500 Reply to: sale-300481410@craigslist.org Date: 2007-03-26, 12:41AM EDT Simply immaculate 99 Stingray. Boat is equiped with a Mercruiser 3.0. This one owner boat has it all and best of all it's ready for summer fun. Boat has never been placed in salt water and never left in the elements. Boat sits in dry storage at Smith Mountain Lake (SML) when not in use. Boat, motor, and trailer are all in great shape and all have been maintained properly. This is a must see and I would love to demonstrate the boat. I have plenty more pictures so just ask. Please call me anytime. I can be reached at 336-404-0147. Thank You, Dan Loftis"

[Edited on March 30, 2007 at 8:35 PM. Reason : ]

3/30/2007 8:22:15 PM

THANK THE LORD SOMEBODY BEAT ME TO THIS!!!

Quote :

"TAKE A BOATING COURSE. There is nothing worse (and more dangerous) than people who come to the lake with their boats and put them in the water and just go. There are rules to boating just like there are rules to driving a car. LEARN THEM. Be safe. There are too many people who don't know what they are doing on the water and it isn't safe for anybody. If you don't know of any place that offers boating courses check out the Lake Norman Power Squadron. There is a Raleigh Power Squadron as well if you don't live at the lake. And as a side note, if you plan on drinking while boating, do so responsibly and hide it if you're driving. The cops love to pull you to "check for your life jackets." Just don't be stupid and you will have a great time."

And the Sea Ray and Rinker are good choices in my book, for starters...

[Edited on March 30, 2007 at 11:20 PM. Reason : +]

3/30/2007 11:19:09 PM

PM sent

[Edited on March 31, 2007 at 12:01 AM. Reason : .]

3/30/2007 11:59:58 PM

i would def take a course....

3/31/2007 9:26:01 AM

I SHOULD BUY A BOAT!!!

3/31/2007 10:37:23 AM