Hi all: Newb introduction and maybe a couple of Q's??

[projectcop]

Hi y'all;
Been wanting to get out on the sacramento delta for a long time; after finding very few places can be fished from shore. So; I've been doing a lot of research into getting a boat. I've pretty much narrowed the choices down to either an older I/O tri-hull or maybe a 16-20 footer with cuddy cabin (might want to stay out there overnight once in a while).
I have no problem purchasing an older boat and maybe having to do some work on it. I've been working on cars since my teens, and worked in an automotive machine shop in S.F for 10 years, so I can handle the mechanical and light wiring. I've even done some light fiberglassing in the past, in case that comes up.

My 2007 F-150 with 5.4/auto/3:73 gears should be able to pull pretty much anything I would get, but how do you think it is going to act at the ramp? It has been lowered 3" in the rear and 2" in the front. It still has that "rear-end high" truck rake to it. It also has 22" rims and street tires.

Also, how do you know how far to get your trailer into the water? I imagine when putting in, you would get to where your boat is just about to float off and give it a little nudge? But what about when coming back in? I don't want my first couple of times at the ramp to be an embarrasing experience, with other boaters standing there, arms crossed; pissed off at me as I struggle to either launch or load my boat, holding them up in the process!!

Come on guys, a little advice for the newb????
Any comments would be appreciated...............................................

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Hi all: Newb introduction and maybe a couple of Q's??

Welcome to here, all of the questions you have asked can be easily found by searching the forum. Many of us had the same questions when we first joined. The primary issue your asking about & most important thing is buying a used/older boat. Unless you know what to watch out for you could easily get yourself into a few thousand dollars in repairs. My advice would be to find a friend that knows boats & have him/her go to look at the boats that you like & then go from there. I just got finished re-decking my bowrider due to a waterlogged deck, I sure don't really want to have to do that again, not very hard, just a lot of work. As I stated in the beginning, do the searches & educate yourself before buying anything. Good Luck

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Hi all: Newb introduction and maybe a couple of Q's??

Well your ability to pull the boat out of the water depends on the weight of the boat and the type and condition of the ramp. I back my trailer in just to the point the fender are covered but trailer designs and different boats don't all work the same. Experience will answer all these questions for you.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Hi all: Newb introduction and maybe a couple of Q's??

You should do a lot of reading in the restoration forum here.

http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=22

You'll see the problems people are having with buying used boats and will know what to look for when you make your purchase... and if you buy a boat that needs some fixing up you'll know what to do.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Hi all: Newb introduction and maybe a couple of Q's??

consider an outboard when buying an older boat. Lots of opinions here about that.

as for trailering, if it's a roller trailer, you don't go in as deep

 

[Cincyrunner]

Re: Hi all: Newb introduction and maybe a couple of Q's??

Concerning how to launch/recover depends on a lot of factors....ramp conditions, type of trailer, type/size of boat, to name a few. I have a 19' BR with a bunk type trailer, and back up in the water just until the back end of my boat floats. At this point, I look at where the water level is on my fenders...which is usually just at the top. Note where this water level is, because you can use this as a guide on how far back to put your trailer when you take the boat out of the water. I usually start my motor before unhooking the bow strap, just in case the engine won't start and I need to pull it right back out again to work on. I don't want to be holding up the ramp trying to get my engine going. Once I have the engine idling, then I'll unhook the bow line and reverse off the trailer.

 

[projectcop]

Re: Hi all: Newb introduction and maybe a couple of Q's??

Hey, thanks for the adice, all. I have been reading a lot in the various forums for about the last week, and have found a lot of very useful info there. You guys appear to be a bunch of knowledgable, willing to help people and so thus begins a mutually beneficial relationship!!!!!!
Thanks a lot!!!!