Lady is still boat shopping please read

[frantically relaxing]

That first CL houseboat is an old rental boat. A few years ago, and maybe still, Aramark at Lake Powell was giving similar Boatel's away. The only catches, no motors, and you HAD to take it away, get it out of their hair. They had motors for them for a good price too. $20k for one of those seems a bit steep...

As for steel boats-- We've owned our steel SkipperLiner for almost 9 years. It's been in the water all that time but 3 winter seasons on the hard. My rust problems have amounted to less than a square foot total surface rust on the bottom, a little rust on the waterline in places, and some rust around 2 sink drain thru-hull fittings. Of note is, the waterline and thru-hull rust is on the port side, which has always faced west...

And aluminum isn't infallible. Our aluminum 'tooned Party Cruiser about sunk on our maiden voyage because one of the logs was full of water. Pinhole at a weld joint. And a few months later one of the trailer guides punctured the starboard center log.

I may have a square foot of rust to take care of every 3 years or so, but I'll never have to worry about a waterlogged transom or stringers. Or waterlogged hull coring. Been there done that one too...

 

[boaterlady]

Chad- I'll be patient. I know I have to be. I'll listen to my gut and ignore my heart...wish I could do that in my love life too hahaha.

I was thinking about offering $10 k cash if that boat seems decent on Saturday. I agree the price is way too high but he did say he wou,d take out the expensive sonar gps system to lower the price. Blue book on a similar one is around $12 k. I like that he had the survey done. I'm still not sure it's steel after all but will know soon. I'm not going to rush. I was hoping I could get a deal sooner than later but it may have to wait til after I get back from my Africa trip which is February to April . I just thought being colder now I would have better luck is the thing, in regards to getting a better deal.

 

[Illinoid]

Check out lots of boats, every boat you look at has something to teach you and when you are ready to pull the trigger, Get It Surveyed, if you cant afford a good survey you can't afford what it can cost you not to get it done...like a 5 or 10 thousand dollar repair. A good surveyor should also be able to tell you what flaws you can live with and which ones could cost you your life. If you plan on sleeping on a boat things that happen slowly can get really serious before you you awaken.

 

[redneck joe]

throw the 'book' price out the window. A boat is worth what the seller is willing to take and what you are willing to give.

 

[boaterlady]

We will go see the boat today with the steel bottom as if nothing else we are learning. As for the survey, the owner said he had one done two years ago and can furnish prof which is a good thing. I'm not sure if the fact he actively goes out on it is such a good thing as it means more wear and tear than usual for a houseboat. But at least it obviously has no major issues or he wouldn't be using it...right?.

 

[redneck joe]

We will go see the boat today with the steel bottom as if nothing else we are learning. As for the survey, the owner said he had one done two years ago and can furnish prof which is a good thing. I'm not sure if the fact he actively goes out on it is such a good thing as it means more wear and tear than usual for a houseboat. But at least it obviously has no major issues or he wouldn't be using it...right?.

no, it is not obvious - a survey completed by the owner is like having the owner tell you what is wrong. I needed a survey for insurance reasons a few years back on my own boat - he 'missed' what I knew was wrong and (horrors) noted the carpet needed cleaning. He knew it was only for insurance so glossed over things.