First Time Buyer Shopping

[Blinky Brown]

In the market for fishing boat 23'-25' walk around with cuddy cabin with trailer preferred. Center Console highly considered just want to consider some comfort for the wife and kids on those hot sunny days at the Jersey Shore. See anything out there let me know. I'm Located in South Jersey Shore area. Thanks for looking out. So far I have have just been on the forum and internet expanding my knowledge as much as possible. Will be attending Jersey and Philly Boat Shows also.

Also considering Center Console 23'-25'.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: First Time Buyer Shopping

Welcome to iBoats, as I see you have recently joined the forum. . .

In searching for used boats, I have found the following resources on the Internet fairly useful.

Boats for Sale - Buy Boats, Sell Boats, Boating Resources, Boat Dealers, Parts and Accessories - BoatTrader.com

Boats for Sale in Atlantic City, New Jersey | Used Boats on Oodle Marketplace

Powerboat Listings - powerboats for sale

And then there is always Craigslist, which can be hit or miss. There are quite a few makers of walk-around/cuddy boats.

My favorites are:

Grady-white
Stamas
Pursuit

I see that you are looking at older boats . . . One thing to be aware of as you look at older boats, is that the core structure of most fiberglass boats of that vintage is actually wood. 25 - 30 year old wood in a boat can have some water retention and rot issues. So, you will want to understand the possibilities and be aware of it as you look at boats.

 

[Blinky Brown]

Re: First Time Buyer Shopping

Thanks for the feedback. Was even looking at an older 86 Aquasport however it was sold. Not gonna rush thru this process. Just researching, doing my homework, and keeping in touch with guys like you expanding my knowledge. Thanks

 

[Blinky Brown]

Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Looking at 1988 Grady White Gulphstream 232 walk around that has been kept outdoors the last season or two with just cockpit cover protecting that area and cuddy entrance. Rebuilt inboard in 2011. What should I look for, soft floors, transom damage, etc.? Or just look for another boat that has been
winterized?

 

[Watermann]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

It would help to know where the boats located and if it's moored. The boat not being covered doesn't really mean it wasn't winterized although this year's winter reached pretty far south.

 

[drrpm]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

How extreme is the climate where it is? Has the engine been winterized? Was it well maintained prior to the current lay up? I count a season or 2 as 3-6 months. A marginally covered boat in a mild climate for 3-6 months that was well maintained before that should still be OK. A 26 year old boat with a lifetime of neglect would be easy to pass.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Blinky, give us your definition of Winterized.

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

The term "winterizing a boat" generally means prior to winter/freeze conditions, water is drained from the engine block and manifold (for sterndrives), drive oil change also,, some pump antifreeze in block, some leave it empty...either way is reliable.. the boat being uncovered is telling...it would tell me to be very cautious, if that boat's life has been left that way in the harsh north, I'd walk away.... if it looks beat up, it probably is

 

[dingbat]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

My Grady has never been "winterized" as professed here. Grady's are not sofa boats. Believe it or not, they are made to be used and left outside when done. Mine has lived its entire life with just a tarp thrown over the helm cover and the boat is still in new condition.

My 1988 Grady was treated the same way. I paid $18k when new. Sold the "abused" boat 14 years later for $12.5k to the first person to look at it....

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

dingbat.. you missed the word "generally"......sounds like you did the right thing also...........

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

I've owned several boats and never have winterized them. I start and run them once a month, make sure all water is drained, and covered well. I use DryZAir to keep the cuddy and boat area free of moisture.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

To some, Winterized is strictly driveline prep for freezing weather. The OP's first post made it seem like they expected Winterization to include covering, etc. To me that is just weather protection, and can (should?) happen year round.

 

[Boats-A-lots]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

I agree.. seeing a boat just sitting not covered, opened to the weather, or sitting on the trailer with grass growing up under is a sick site. can't imagine why some one would just waste money by doing that.

 

[WIMUSKY]

Re: First Time Buyer Shopping

I merged a couple of your threads. Please keep all your boat buying questions within this thread. Having multiple threads about the same subject can get confusing......

Thanks and good luck!

 

[dingbat]

Re: First Time Buyer Shopping

Looking at 1988 Grady White Gulphstream 232 walk around that has been kept outdoors the last season or two with just cockpit cover protecting that area and cuddy entrance. Rebuilt inboard in 2011. What should I look for, soft floors, transom damage, etc.?

two concerns and an issue you'll most likely find on a Grady of that vintage.

1. Transom rot is an issue. Look under the aluminum angle capping the motor cut out and around any transducer mints etc.
2. Motor size. That boat requires a lot of HP. Twin 150 are pretty much the "under powered" norm. I have friends with 232 with twin 175hp and twin 200hp. An I/O makes things worst because of the additional weight and less than optimal weight distribution

3. The hatch panels in the floor will most likely be "soft". Pretty normal on a boat that age. Pretty easy to fix, if you want

 

[Blinky Brown]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Blinky, give us your definition of Winterized.

Boat put away in warm indoor climate during winter season on east coast. Also tightly covered. Did I miss anything?

 

[Blinky Brown]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Moored? Boat is located in south Jersey and taking in rain and snow where not covered.

 

[Blinky Brown]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

East coast south jersey is where boat is located. According to owner it was last stored in 2011 as well as put in water. In 2011 a new engine rebuild was done and only 10 hours of ocean time.

 

[Blinky Brown]

Re: First Time Buyer Shopping

A 5.7 350 Jasper power pack job was done in 2011 after bad head job was discovered.

 

[Maclin]

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Re: Boats Not Wintertized Pros/Cons

Boat put away in warm indoor climate during winter season on east coast. Also tightly covered. Did I miss anything?

That is a lot to expect is all, few boats get that level of care.