People put boats in garages, so I will put my boat thread in the garage.
Yall garage people tend to be more knowledgable about these things anyway.

I'm not in a hurry, but I'm constantly on the lookout for a boat.
Here're my search criteria:
-I want it for fishing in lakes, rivers, sounds, and inlets
-has to draft little cause the sound is pretty damn shallow sometimes
-don't want one too big cause I'm not experienced in handling a boat
-reasonably big enough for 3 people to fish on
-fairly simple to maintain
-cheap

I found this on craigslist:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/971658693.html

What do yall think of this boat?
If it's in good condition then is $5000 a good price?
What types of things should I watch out for when looking for a used boat?

I've looked at boats in craigslist ans other places and the prices vary so much it's impossible to figure out.

1/7/2009 4:07:25 PM

Great boat, especially for shallow water, but it won't take a whole lot of seas. Big enough to fish on. Not a bad price, but I bet you could do better. I know you could. I had a chance to buy a boat about that size with a 35 hp yamaha for 3500. Granted, outboard horsepower ain't cheap.

1/7/2009 4:32:37 PM

Thanks for your input.

Higher seas aren't an issue.
I won't be out on any small boat unless it's fairly calm.
I don't go fast either, so splashing won't be a concern either. I know a lot of people talk about how much skiffs splash.

From the pics it looks like its in great condition.
I might call the guy and take a look sometime.
What price do you think I should work towards?
This guy had it posted a lil while back for $5800 so I'm not sure if he's willing to go down.

1/7/2009 4:46:41 PM

That would be good for what you're talking about. I'm not familiar with pricing on those types of boats, but it doesn't seem bad. My brother has a Carolina Skiff JV15 that is pretty similar. It's super light and barely affects gas mileage while towing. We've fished with three on it and it's not bad, but a little more length and width would make it much more stable with that many people onboard.

1/7/2009 4:46:49 PM

A tri hull Carolina Skiff would be nice, but they're $texas compared to my budget.
Maybe since this one's a foot longer and a tiny bit wider it'd be a little better for 3 people.

1/7/2009 4:49:51 PM

He got that boat/motor/trailer for $5900, but it was a steal. Some guy bought it brand new, hooked it to a truck inside his car dealership for a few months, and then sold it on eBay. It had never touched the water and was new in every way. I think it has a 25HP engine which is pretty sluggish with three in the boat, but it does the job fairly well with one or two. It may be a 35 though; I can't remember for sure.

With a skiff you're going to get wet. It's not about going fast. If you get it on plane, especially on a windy day, the spray is going to get blown in the boat. It's not bad, but you might as well be prepared for it. You just get enough spray so that you have to wipe down your glasses every time you stop, but you don't get soaked or anything on a normal day.

[Edited on January 7, 2009 at 4:55 PM. Reason : l]

1/7/2009 4:53:58 PM

Yelp, skiffs are wet and bouncy unless the water is flat.

However, they still are the best and lowest-maintainence craft for your intended purpose.

That doesn't look like a half-bad deal for 5 grand if it's relatively pristine and doesn't have an assload of hours on it. I would tell you to get a 4 stroke model as they are much quieter and more pleasant, but that's probably not to be found for 5 grand.

Just to let you know, however, a 16 foot boat can get pretty small when loaded with 3 people, fishing gear, bait, beer and a day's worth of provisions. If you can swing it, look at something in the 20-foot range.

[Edited on January 8, 2009 at 10:29 AM. Reason : /]

1/8/2009 10:27:51 AM

allow me to jump in on this thread, since all the other applicable theads are old and dead.



What about one of these? It's a Yamaha Exciter 270. 17', twin Yamaha 135 hp PWC engines and pumps (155mm, I think). They'll run 60 mph or close to it.

However, while that's a plus, that's not really the point. I really just want a boat for cruising around with my little girl when she's with me, and maybe occasionally waterskiing. This isn't really what I had in mind, but will it be fine in the Pamlico Sound/Neuse River/intracoastal waterway down around New Bern/Morehead City/Beaufort? Will it pull a skiier with decent authority, even on a slalom ski (I know that's not a strong suit of jet boats, but I figure this one has enough power that it would work).

I looked up the fuel burn...looks like a little under 2 mpg at a decent cruise (30 kts or so), which is about what I expected. How does that compare to a similarly sized boat with a 130-160 hp outboard?

I'll probably buy it regardless, unless I get really strong negative feedback from the boat guys here, just because I can get it for a really good deal. I just want to know what I'm getting into.

1/8/2009 10:59:24 AM

I really like jet boats for the type of stuff you're talking about, but they generally burn a ton of fuel. You can jump em, spin em, and they're relatively safe from damage if you beach them. They have great holeshots and can really move under power, but the fuel costs can be overwhelming.

I can't speak for any specific combo you posted, but I have read that a 21' Stingray can get around 5MPG at a 2500 RPM cruise. That's definitely way above average, but it's pretty crazy to think that much larger boats can get 3.5-4MPG under normal cruising. It really adds up when you go from spending $40 a weekend to $80 a weekend for the same amount of use.

[Edited on January 8, 2009 at 11:29 AM. Reason : l]

1/8/2009 11:25:54 AM

$Fumbler < $Duke

1/8/2009 11:50:31 AM

i wouldn't pay more than $3000

1/8/2009 12:02:05 PM

^^ no, you're actually willing and planning to spend more than I am.

^ for the jet boat or the skiff?

I'd really like a Hydrostream/Allison/Checkmate type go-fast boat, but my fear that it wouldn't be suitable for places like the intracoastal was confirmed in an earlier thread. I was just going to spend $1500-2500 or so on a little outboard (or possibly IO) bowrider...just something to cruise around in, with just enough grunt to pull a slalom skiier. However, I may have found a good deal on a jet boat.

[Edited on January 8, 2009 at 12:49 PM. Reason : asdfad]

1/8/2009 12:38:28 PM

Quote :

"How does that compare to a similarly sized boat with a 130-160 hp outboard?"

its HORRIBLE

1/8/2009 12:58:38 PM

that's what i figured.

dual 2-stroke engines driving jet pumps...not the recipe for economy, haha.

1/8/2009 1:13:59 PM

1/8/2009 1:31:32 PM

where's the mast?

1/8/2009 3:06:34 PM

The skimmer is a pretty nice boat, maybe a lil pricey at $5k though, especially the way boats are selling. Be prepared to get beat to hell on that thing in the sound though.

Which brings me to Duke......that boat will be absolutely worthless in MHC. You will spend the entire time dodging bigger boats and their wakes......would prolly be OK in New Bern and Pamlico though as long as its not blowin

1/8/2009 4:04:59 PM

i didn't read much further than the OP, but here's my opinion:

i've never been impressed by southern skimmers. the fuel tank was under the center console on every one i've ever seen. that kills your storage space and it sucks.

i don't like flat bottoms. they ride like shit and spray a lot of water and you end up soaked in a slight chop. a shallow V-hull like my dad's (in my gallery) will go all the places you want to go. just don't be an idiot. watch your sonar, follow the markers, learn to recognize sandbars, and don't come down off plane in shallow water. you will be fine with a V and be a lot more comfortable. all the "it'll float in 3" of water" bullshit it stupid unless you're chasing drum in extremely shallow water, which i doubt based on the OP.

you can do a lot better if you have $5k to work with. 16' skiffs are extremely common. wait and find someone in a bind who needs money quick. spring is a bad time to buy. wait until gas goes back up and you'll find a better deal. if you want to put a little more in it ($6-7k) you'll get something you'll be much happier with.

with that said, this boat will do what you want. i love johnson engines. it's a solid boat, but i wouldn't buy it.

1/8/2009 4:05:34 PM

Your post is a lot better than either of 69's.
The shallow draft is pretty important. Se7entythree's beach house is on the Bogue sound and most of the year we have to plan around the tides if we expect to be able to get back to the dock in her dad's 21' Scout. What do v-hull boats around 16' draft?

I don't think I'm getting any boat right now unless the dude with the Southern Skimmer drops the price to a crazy amount.
I think the skiff would fit me well and it seems like a fair deal (after looking at other ads) even at $5k.
My mom got laid off recently and my dad was going to pay for half/most of whatever boat I bought...I'm also getting married and might need the money for something else.
I'll be on a constant lookout though...

BTW, everyone says I can find better deals but I never see them.
Any suggestions on where to look?

[Edited on January 8, 2009 at 4:36 PM. Reason : ]

1/8/2009 4:26:34 PM

you'd be amazed the places i can fish on my 16' aluminum ouachita. the only fishing i do that i can't do on it is cobia fishing in the summer. i can fish for bass, crappie, and bream in inland lakes and reservoirs, catch catfish and rockfish from goldsboro to new bern in the neuse, and catch plenty of specks, drum, and flounder in the brackish estuaries. i can fish the haystacks, fish beaufort for spots , and catch sheepshead all up and down taylor's creek.

you could do all that for <$3k

[Edited on January 8, 2009 at 4:42 PM. Reason : my dad stole his hydrasport. got it from collins in smithfield. guy needed cash quick.]

[Edited on January 8, 2009 at 4:42 PM. Reason : lkd]

1/8/2009 4:41:21 PM

I just search Craigslist often. Good deals get snapped up within hours and the postings deleted shortly thereafter, so call/e-mail immediately and try to be the first person to look at it. Let the seller know you're serious and hope they'll give you dibs since you were the first to try to set up a time to look at it (although I have admittedly snaked people in the past when the seller told me someone was coming to look at it at a certain time, lol.)

1/8/2009 4:43:17 PM

we can idle along in about 1.5'. get a pole

[Edited on January 8, 2009 at 4:45 PM. Reason : talking about the hydrasport]

1/8/2009 4:44:17 PM

The JV15 drafts 0'6". I've paddled it through an old dam's lock that was 8" or less before with no problem.

1/8/2009 4:46:04 PM

to put things in scope, i'm somewhat of a minimalist when it comes to boats. i laugh at the guys on 20'+ flats boats (rangers, etc.) catching less than me in my free boat on a frankensteined trailer

[Edited on January 8, 2009 at 4:50 PM. Reason : all depends on what you wanna do]

[Edited on January 8, 2009 at 4:51 PM. Reason : and how much money you have to waste]

1/8/2009 4:50:20 PM

Whateva, whateva. I could catch more fish with a rusty hook and a can of Vienna sausages than you could catch with a new boat and a shopping spree from Bass Pro Shops.

1/8/2009 4:57:26 PM

if i was out there for fish, i'd just save some money and stop at a fish market

1/8/2009 6:41:11 PM

here's a woodfoot story none of you care about

after my first year of grad school, i was drinking with some folks

and i said - "you know if i hadn't come to grad school, and was still making real world money, i was gonna buy me a boat"

and one of the girls looked me in the eyes and said 4 words i'll never forget

"shoulda bought the boat"

1/8/2009 9:53:24 PM

women love boats...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTu3n-DF-Zc

1/8/2009 11:17:45 PM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/1002399796.html

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/1001421212.html

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa/997002738.html


I think I mentioned it in another thread, but the jet boat got sold before I could have it picked up (bought by a dude who drove down from MD without even confirming that it was still for sale, then offered "substantially" more than the asking price when the seller told him that I'd already spoken for it.)

What about those boats? Is an IO gonna be substantially more expensive and/or aggravating in terms of maintenance and repair? Again, I want a boat essentially for 2 things: cruising around the Neuse/Pamlico Sound/Intracoastal with my little girl, and waterskiing.

[Edited on January 22, 2009 at 10:57 AM. Reason : asdf]

1/22/2009 10:41:51 AM

Something weird going on with that first boat. Something is missing from that pic of the engine. Looks like the thermostat is off or something. The ad says it's a 5.0, but the engine cover says it's a 5.7. With boats that old it's going to be all about how they're taken care of. I doubt it is pristine if they're only asking $1850. Walk every inch of the floor feeling for soft spots. Check the stringers for rot, especially at the motor mounts and anything that attaches to them at the back of the boat (swim platforms, etc.)

A new floor isn't too difficult. You'll spend a full weekend or two and probably close to a grand on it if you do it right. Marine grade plywood is around $100 a sheet iirc, you're probably going to want to seal it with a layer of fiberglass on top that ties it into the gunwales, and then you have the cost of new carpet and glue. A lot of times you find stringer rot when you pull up the floor and then you have to make some decisions.

[Edited on January 22, 2009 at 2:08 PM. Reason : l]

1/22/2009 2:03:55 PM

Respect

1/22/2009 6:42:48 PM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/985550866.html

potential good deal(s) for someone? not the sort of boat I want (I mean, I'd like one, but i want something my daughter will enjoy, and I want something i can ski behind).

1/25/2009 1:34:44 PM

Speaking of rough waters, I'm stuck in Jamaica for a week till the seas lay down. Good thing I get paid by the day.

1/26/2009 9:46:31 AM

Quote :

"What about one of these? It's a Yamaha Exciter 270. 17', twin Yamaha 135 hp PWC engines and pumps (155mm, I think). They'll run 60 mph or close to it."

Don't do it. Those things are nothing but a headache when compared to a good-running outboard.

1/27/2009 5:21:59 PM

haha, dual 2-stroke PWC engines? Yeah, I hear you...I was just going to jump on it because it was being sold for a ridiculously low price. In the end, a dude came down from Maryland without even knowing for sure if it was still for sale, then offering the seller substantially above his asking price when he was told that I had spoken for it.

I'd love to have a Hydrostream or Allison or STV, but I don't think they'd hack it in the coastal waters...and that Exciter might handle better, don't you think? At any rate, they're all more than I'm really in the market for at the moment. I just snagged a gorilla of a Waverunner, so the speed thing is covered. I just need something to cruise in with my daughter, and do a little waterskiing here and there.


How about this:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/1029028203.html

Are Force engines really THAT bad?

2/11/2009 12:38:22 PM

it seems like a lot of folks talk shit about Force engines, but the ones i've been around were like any other decent motor in that they'll usually perform fine if you take care of them properly.

2/11/2009 5:56:47 PM

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa/1025828432.html

http://greensboro.craigslist.org/boa/1029686337.html

2/15/2009 3:47:10 AM

^ First link has been deleted by author.
Second link might be a 1995 boat, but I'm pretty sure that Evinrude is much older...Like late 70's or so by the look of it. Not bad if you think the boat is worth the asking price, but that motor isn't worth much.

[Edited on February 15, 2009 at 11:31 AM. Reason : l]

2/15/2009 11:30:29 AM

key west makes some excellent hulls imo

2/15/2009 1:31:37 PM

^^ try that first link again. it works for me.

2/15/2009 3:51:09 PM

doesn't work

2/15/2009 6:04:36 PM

1987 Starcraft bowrider with OMC V8 stern drive. The boat is gray with red and black accents. It is in very good condition and runs well. The interior is gray with black trim. It has a full canvas top which can be put up or down easily. Also has a complete cover which we use when the boat is stored between use. Fully equipped with life jackets, ropes etc. Boat is worth $3000+ but we would really like to sell it fast and are willing to to let it go for $1,900. We started a business and just don't have time to enjoy it at all. Please feel free request more info via email or you can call me at 704-936-6157. Since the boat is in the rack storage at a marina, we would always be happy to provide a test drive to any serious potential buyer. The boat also comes with a trailer.
Edit: Thursday Feb 12th - Here are pictures of the boat....finally. If you are still interested I will have time to show it to a you either Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I just took the boat out today for the first time this season. Luckily it started immediately and still runs as well as when I put it away last year. The trailer which has been in the marina long term storage also looks in good shape

2/15/2009 6:10:11 PM

Sounds like a good deal. Just check for floor rot/stringer rot and see how it runs.

2/15/2009 9:45:40 PM

sounds like it's been taken care of, especially if they cared enough to put it up in a rack. price sounds really good.

2/15/2009 9:54:55 PM

well, that starcraft got sold already.


how about this:

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/boa/1038336001.html

New floor. 3.0L 4cyl...don't know yet how many hp or what kind of outdrive it has.

2/18/2009 11:28:19 AM

I always thought Sea Ray was a quality boat in the 80's/early 90's. For $2k it's hard to go wrong as long as it is structurally sound and runs well.

Looks like the "new floor" is built like a deck rather than a floor though. Not saying that is all that bad, but it definitely didn't come from the factory that way. You could glue some marine carpet over it for less than $200 and it would probably look ~90% perfect, but it'll never be as flat as marine plywood and it might start to bow at the edges as it ages. At least it's easy to repair though.

2/18/2009 1:13:11 PM

yeah, she sent me a few more pictures. they aren't very good, but i'll post them a little later when the internet is running faster here.

The more I think about it, the more interested I am in this one:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/1029028203.html

I kind of wrote it off earlier because of the Force engine, but if he'll take $2000, I might get re-interested in it. I mean, maybe I get a couple seasons out of it and kill the engine, but then I pick up another outboard for what, another $1000? Nevermind, he just sold it.

[Edited on February 18, 2009 at 2:14 PM. Reason : Maybe I'm not meant to be a boat owner, and I'm supposed to stick to PWC, haha]

2/18/2009 2:08:22 PM

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/1039852665.html
For Fumbler to look at.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/1038961378.html
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/rvs/1039148759.html
For TheDuke to look at.

[Edited on February 18, 2009 at 3:32 PM. Reason : l]

2/18/2009 3:25:24 PM

Quote :

"14ft.carolina skiff - $1700 (selma n.c.) Reply to: sale-1039852665@craigslist.org [?] Date: 2009-02-18, 11:56AM EST 14ft.carolinaskiff evinrude,footcontrol trolling motor,84long trailer,with extras 919-795-6327 "

i would never buy a boat from someone too dumb to include the engine size in the ad

2/18/2009 5:12:47 PM

^^ I emailed the dude with the Dixie.

http://eastnc.craigslist.org/boa/1019768795.html

would this be terrible to ski behind? It would be great for cruising around, and it would be cool to be able to cruise out to the OBX, drop the anchor, and sleep in the cuddy (or take it up to the friday night dock parties at the New Bern Sheraton, drink a bunch of beer, and sleep in the cuddy )?

I've skiied behind worse...I've even skiied behind a party barge (on 2 skis, anyway). How would this be? Would it at least pull me up from a deepwater start on a slalom ski? Keep in mind I don't need a purpose built ski boat--I know this isn't it. I want a jack-of-all-trades boat, that will work reasonably well at pulling a skiier.


Also, at this price point, will the prices even significantly increase once spring really arrives? That's the only reason I'm inclined to buy anything before I get home in April. I got my GP1300R for a ridiculously good price compared to what they were going for last summer--I don't want to face a similar price increase with a boat.

[Edited on February 18, 2009 at 7:15 PM. Reason : asfd]

2/18/2009 7:12:55 PM