Completely new, totally clueless

[dirty diesel]

I'm just getting into the idea of getting a boat. I know nothing about boats, but I am an expert at car restoration and I am an aircraft mechanic/inspector by trade so I'm no slouch when it comes to mechanical stuff. I live in Pittsburgh, PA so I'll only be cruising in "fresh" water rivers. The only thing I do know that I want is a bowrider powered by a GM based V8 (preferably 350cid or larger). I was looking to spend up to around $8k on an older boat that needed some work. Any guidance on what brands are good and which to stay away from? I did read the sticky on what to look for when purchasing.

 

[64osby]

Welcome to iboats. :welcome:

Bow riders are great. Now you need to figure out a few more things like length, weight, fiberglass or aluminum.

You can spend $8K on a boat and put $5K in to it. You can spend $1K on a boat and put $5K into it. Both will net you a nice boat, just depends on how much time you have to work on it and how soon you want to be on the water.

 

[boatman37]

$8k in pittsburgh can get you a pretty nice bowrider. there is one in fox chapel i looked at that was nice. it was about a 1997 sea ray 21' with a 5.7 merc. he wanted about $10,500. that was a few months ago so not sure if he still has it but i think about $8 or 9 is more reasonable. BTW-i'm at the end of the beaver river at the ohio in bridgewater

 

[ziggy]

Completely new, totally clueless Yesterday, 02:15 PM


I'm just getting into the idea of getting a boat. I know nothing about boats

if that's the case, imho, ya need to get involved with the united states power squadron or us coast guard aux. they have starter boater safety classes. i did the usps and then took further classes from weather to maint. and repair to piloting. there is much more to having a boat than being able to repair and fix it. though having those skills will be most beneficial for owning a boat. there is also chapmans piloting and seamanship and boat handling book. check that out somewhere or buy it. it's a very thick book with everything about boating in it. a very good resource.
my only suggestion on what to buy would be to try and find something that isn't made out of wood. ie stringers and transom and deck. many old boats have issues with these parts that rot away. since they are unseen and hard to diagnosis w/o tearing apart parts of the boat to find out if theses parts are serviceable. i think many a boat buyer has been hosed in the end by these major failures that are hard to find.
one last thought. if i were to get another boat, i would strongly be looking for an outboard powered boat. the drive train of i/o's is generally maint. intensive. i could personally live w/o maint. intensive.

 

[rlrobian]

Boatman37,
Since this is your 1st boat I would also recommend an outboard. I am in the process of restoring a 1988 Century inboard with a 4 cyl. 2.5L GM engine and the outdrive is giving me fits. I boat on the Ohio, further south in Wheeling, be carful of the currents. Stay the hell away from the barges. Stay even further away from their wakes. In a small boat the barges rear wake, directly behind the tugs, will pull you into the tug. You may want to test/experiment with you boat up at Pymatuming instead of the river. If you have a problem you float way, or into a problem. The USCG Auxiliary's Safety Squadron's class need to be high on your list of TODOs.
Have a great time and welcome to the madness.
RL

 

[dirty diesel]

Thanks for the input guys. I'd probably doing my practicing way up the Yough before I'd be comfortable enough to head downtown. I really wouldn't even get a boat if i couldn't get a V8 inboard or I/O. I personally hate the look and sound of outboards. Maybe a stupid reason but that's my opinion.