Breaking into the boating scene

[gullett0003]

So i have decided to buy a boat. Nothing fancy, looking to spend under 4k. I found a 1990 Larson all american 170 SE for 3,500 with a trailer. it has a 3.0 liter alpha one merc drive. From the pictures the boat looks in excellent shape. It is around a two hour drive from my house so i want to be familiar with the make and model before i make the trip. Does anyone have any input good or bad on the manufacturer or model? I'd appreciate it.

PS- what is a "rolling trailer"? is it street legal?

 

[jpenley]

Re: Breaking into the boating scene

PS- what is a "rolling trailer"? is it street legal?

I cannot answer your questions about the boat, but I think I have the Trailer Question covered.

I am assuming they are referring to a roller trailer, which is equiped with rollers instead of bunks as a means of guiding the boat onto the trailer and supporting the it during transport.

Here is an Roller Trailer example:
Roller Trailer

Here is a Bunk Trailer example:
Bunk Trailer

Most Boat trailers use a combination of Bunks and rollers in a configuration that works best for your boat style and provide the easiest means of launching and retrieving your boat.

As far as being street legal. Each state has different requirements, but generally speaking: Yes, if the trailer is in good working order and meets your state's requirements, it should be legal.

Keep in mind that requirements also vary depending on the overall weight, size etc.. So check with your local authorities or your Department of Motor Vehicles for specifics.

I hope this helps

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Breaking into the boating scene

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.

 

[Steve Mahler]

Re: Breaking into the boating scene

Very cool boat from the very little we can gain from that bad picture. Here is the good:

1) larson is a fine brand
2) 3.0 merc is a reliable appropriate powerplant for that boat
3) the fact that the interior looks to be in such good shape is a tremendous good sign, because it takes real care to keep vinyl and carpet like that. From the little pic, it looks like this boat was continuously cleaned and covered, which greatly reduces the chance that the floor is soft, stringers rotted etc.

So now grab your cash, take along a mechanically inclined friend, read a lot on this site, and check her out.

I love that seating arrangement btw, the horseshoe lounger is hard to find.

 

[gullett0003]

Re: Breaking into the boating scene

I love that seating arrangement btw, the horseshoe lounger is hard to find.

Thats exactly what caught my eye! my parents have the standard two captain chair set up and i think i like this better...

the boat is approx. 2 hour drive from my house, can i contact a marina close to the seller to do a quick inspection for me? the sellers are supposed to be emailing me more photos i will post them when i get them...

I'd like to hear a little more about the manufacturer and the 3.0 chevy powerplant. someone told me wakeboarding would be hard with such a small powerplant. what kind of top speed can i expect with a 17 footer with a 3.0 four cyclinder? overall i have heard larson is a very reputable brand but i don't know if that fluctuates model by model...so if anyone else out there has any info it would be appreciated. thanks!

 

[idrownworms]

Re: Breaking into the boating scene

no need to break in the door's unlocked

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Breaking into the boating scene

the boat is approx. 2 hour drive from my house, can i contact a marina close to the seller to do a quick inspection for me?

Where are you located? Where is the boat located? There may be a user on here that would be willing to take a quick look for you. There is nothing like looking a boat in person....however, if you can find an experienced boater to take a look it may be almost as good.

 

[gullett0003]

Re: Breaking into the boating scene

Where are you located? Where is the boat located? There may be a user on here that would be willing to take a quick look for you..

Me: peoria, IL
Boat: near Ft. Wayne, IN on rt 33.

Looking at a map it may be closer to a four hour drive.

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Breaking into the boating scene

That boat seems like a good deal, pending engine condition. With that engine properly functioning with the ideal prop mated to it, I would expect about a 38mph top end. . I don't know how much the boat weighs, or how many passengers you will be accomodating, but my 18 footer will hit 35 with full gas, cooler, and two other adults as well as myself.

You are planning on a test drive before you buy, right?

 

[gullett0003]

Re: Breaking into the boating scene

You are planning on a test drive before you buy, right?

yes i will test drive it. any hoops i should make it jump through? I've only piloted a boat maybe 1hr my whole life (small fishing and hunting boats excluded).

 

[ShaneCarroll]

Re: Breaking into the boating scene

After reading many troubleshooting posts on here (including my own), perform a few very wide "S" turns with the boat at WOT, listen for loud grinding noises during this process (checking gimbal bearing and u-joints); after running the boat for a while, shut it off and try to restart it; check for water in the bilge after use, before boat is put back on trailer; and look for oil leaking in the bilge, as well as the outdrive. Also, on top of the outdrive, loosen the oil level screw, and check the color of the oil, it should be a teal green color, if it is milky, water is leaking in there. Also check the color of the motor oil, make sure it is not milky either.

 

[this forum wont let me]

Re: Breaking into the boating scene

with the little driving experience you have my suggestion would be to have the previous owner bring you out for a good beat run. I say beat run for the reason of the old owner will probably drive the boat harder than you might. But also this gives you an idea of how they may have driven the boat. I will also suggest that they drive around nice and slow with the boat. Just my thoughts good luck.