I need help...making a decision for my family

[trishbowtie]

We are trying to make a decision between these two boats, both around $500.00. The bayliner is a 1977 tri-haul with a 70hp. Everything is good to go, and its ready to drop in the water. The other one is a 1972 Crestline 115hp. we are looking for a boat that we can take our sons fishing, and drag them around the lake on a tube. Both boats are 16-17 ft. They are both solid and run well. Just looking for some in-put, cuz we are new to boats and would appreciate any and all comments. Thank you!

 

[woosterken]

Re: I need help...making a decision for my family

welcome to iboats!! what part of ohio you in?

what you want to do on both of theses is put the motor down, in the position it would be in ,in the water.
and step on the plate above the prop ,to see if the transom moves, thats the back of the boat , that the motor is hanging on.
if it dose thats a sighn there is probably rotten wood in there, and if it is, then its a good bet that the stringers (frame) under the deck (floor) is bad also.

you say the bayliner is ready to go, after a good looking over, have the owner give you an on the water test ride.that way you will see that it runs and how it acts on the water.
ask if there are records for repairs and maint.
check out the trailer also,ask when the last time the wheel bearings were repacked, (should be done at least yearly).
check the tires for dry rot (cracks in the sides)

woosterken

 

[ezmobee]

Re: I need help...making a decision for my family

As was mentioned, your biggest concern on either of these boats (and most all older fiberglass boats) is rot in the wooden components of the hull: deck, stringers, transom. You want a solid deck and a transom that doesn't flex. ANY soft spots in the deck could indicate more serious rot in the stringers below. I like the looks of the Crestliner better and the bigger motor. However if the 115 motor is also a 1972 then it is an electric shift model which you may want to avoid due to a parts availability issue with the lower unit. '73 or newer are not electric shift. A compression test on any used motor is always a good idea.

Lion hunter hinted at it in your other thread, but I'll reiterate. If you're looking to get on the water cheaply, I strongly recommend an aluminum hull with an outboard motor. The have aluminum stringers so not rot worry there and even if the deck and transom are rotted, replacing them is a much simpler job. Check out the Starcraft manufacturers section of this web site for some examples.

 

[geeco1]

Re: I need help...making a decision for my family

I also agree with what the previous posters said. However, I will direct my answer to these two particular boats.

All things being equal (both boats being in good shape, motors good, etc), I would pick the Crestline. The V-hull will give you a smoother ride and the 115hp will give you the power that you will want. The Bayliner would also get you on the water, but the tri-hull rides rougher and the 70 hp will probably make you wish you had a little more omphhh.

 

[mbgaski]

Re: I need help...making a decision for my family

, but the tri-hull rides rougher and the 70 hp will probably make you wish you had a little more omphhh.

Particularly true with him having mentioned tubing. I'm typically in no hurry to get down the river - my boat ain't no speed demon, but I do go out in the lake just to have fun every now and then with friends, and tubing is really something you don't want to try in an underpowered boat. It's just no fun.

Assuming both are in good condition, get the 115hp.

Just curious though - what type of fishing do you intend to do? This type of boat will typically be good for fishing where you anchor out and throw out a line to stay - eg, some types of bream/panfish fishing, catfishing, etc. If you plan on fishing for bass, bowfin, or anything that requires a lot of repetitive casting work (ie, even if you're bream fishing with small spinners), it's going to be a little more uncomfortable. It can be done, and I have done it, but the front/rear platform setup on bass boats typically is just more suited to that type of fishing. YMMV

 

[hostage]

Re: I need help...making a decision for my family

Welcome to the forums, you have come to the right place for getting great info. Luckily you came here before you purchased something. I have seen many posts about people purchasing a boat w/o knowing what they are doing and end up purchasing a costly headache.

No matter what do not buy anything till you have taken it for a test drive, you would never buy a car w/o test driving it first.

The main problem with older boats are what most others have already mentioned, rotting stringers, transom, and deck.

Parts are another issue with older boats. My grandfather had a tri-hull boat that he towed us around for many years when I was younger. He bought the boat new well over 35-40 years ago. He is a grease monkey and former welder and would fix anything that broke. Alas, the boat got to the point where even he couldn't repair it as no more parts were made.

Just be weary of purchasing someone else's headache.

-Hostage

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: I need help...making a decision for my family

Good advice above about how to check for rotten floors and most importantly the transom. Beyond that, do a test drive and make sure everything functions as it should. Motor should stay up when using the power tilt, beware if it slowly sinks back down or if it will slowly sink if you pull downward on the prop when it's tilted up. That means the power trim is bad.

BTW, I just have to mention this since you seem to be a first timer:

You are aware that the outboards on both of these boats are 2 stroke outboards, right? Do you understand what this means? You MUST mix oil with the gas. If this doesn't make sense, say so now!

Beyond that, you have to be aware that when buying a $500 boat you have to limit your expctations.

The Famous Grouse's #1 Universal Law of Boats States Thusly: As long as you have a boat, you're never without something to do.

You follow where I'm driving you? Maintainance and repairs ARE part of the game. By buying a boat--especially one of this age--you have to be willing to pony up for the repairs that are inevitable with any boat.

But keeping these things in mind, go out there and have fun. This is a great hobby and there absolutely no reason why you won't have fun with either of these boats as long as you do some basic checks and water test the boat.

Grouse