looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

[wolfe1974]

hello,

I am looking at this boat. I really have no experience with this type of boat as the boats i have owned were just your average 18-19' bow riders. I havnt had a self bailer ot rub built boat. can anyone that has owned one of these give me some insight into what to look for or whether this is a good idea. i am going to hang a 135hp evinrude on the back. I am also curious if it would be enough power for lake boating. thanks

 

[heatz1express]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

How big is the boat? I have an 18 ft. center console Bonito with a 115hp on it and the performance is great! Sometimes boats with scuppers can give a bit of a wet ride or atleast wet feet. water comes in! I'm not familiar with the Sea Pro so io don't know if it's an issue. As for enough power for lake boating...what lake? Here where I am on Lake Simcoe (a fairly large lake) there are days when no boat has enough power to be out there safely! On those days when I have found myself on it when I shouldn't be the 115 has gotten me home. lots of power to pull a skier,boarder or tube too!

 

[wolfe1974]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

the boat is a 204 so it is concidered a 21' boat. i boat mainly on lake keowee in the upstate of sc. we are fairweather boaters. at least we try to be.

 

[heatz1express]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

the boat is a 204 so it is concidered a 21' boat. i boat mainly on lake keowee in the upstate of sc. we are fairweather boaters. at least we try to be.

You should have more then enough power. good luck!

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

Unless that boat is real light and holds little fuel the 115 sounds light. I have a heavy 21'er. With 4 people, gear, 90 gallons of fuel my 150 HP 4 stroke is what I feel minimal.

 

[heatz1express]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

Unless that boat is real light and holds little fuel the 115 sounds light. I have a heavy 21'er. With 4 people, gear, 90 gallons of fuel my 150 HP 4 stroke is what I feel minimal.

poster's outboard is a 135 h.p. I was just saying that on my 18fter the 115 is adequate.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

If it were the center console model, it would be rigged with a 150, and a cabin makes it heavier, I would assume. But if you already have the 135, may as well.

depends on what you want to do, as far as "enough" power.

Are you sure you want a cabin? all they end up being is storage space.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

great storage place, lady area -- for porta potti. not to mention it keeps the boat from getting wet when the wind picks up.

If it were the center console model, it would be rigged with a 150, and a cabin makes it heavier, I would assume. But if you already have the 135, may as well.

depends on what you want to do, as far as "enough" power.

Are you sure you want a cabin? all they end up being is storage space.

 

[wolfe1974]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

well i am not sure I want a cabin but i want to get on the lake! i bought my current boat ( with the 135hp motor) and i basically got taken. it was my first outboard and i didnt really check the transom etc. now since i have found iboats i will be much more carefull. so i guess what i am saying is that i am looking for the best deal in the best condition to get me on the lake! so if i find a cabin boat that isnt rotten that is what i will buy. so far this one looks good.

 

[wolfe1974]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

oh and i forgot most of our boating consists of tubing and some skiing and just general lake type activities.

 

[wolfe1974]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

are the tub built boats just as prone to rot as a regular built boat?

 

[JoLin]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

What's a tub built boat? Not familiar with the term.

My first boat was a '86 Pro-Line 21' walkaround cuddy with a 175 hp Johnson on the back. Topped out at 39+ mph and had good power all around. Not sure what kind of performance you're looking for, but there's a basis for comparison, fwiw.

The WAC style didn't work so well, and we moved on to a bigger boat in 2 years. Not enough room in the cuddy for sleeping and I agree with HC that the cabin kinda turned into a 'junk drawer'. Not necessarily a bad thing if you like to carry a whole bunch of stuff with you, but doesn't work real well as a cabin boat.

My .02

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

I'd look for something without a cabin in the 19-21' range, center console w/ built-in bow seating or dual console.

Those who buy small boats with cabins thinking it will be a good idea seldom find it works out that way. And it's not worth all that space, weight and structure just to pee. Boaters, like campers, know how to deal.

Look at Carolina Skiff if going new since they are often sold without motors and have good choices for how you rig them.

It may be hard in the used market to find a good hull with no motor; don't limit yourself but be ready to get a used rig and just sell the 135.

Look down toward the coast to find a better variety of boats besides the rotted-out lake boats. You may want something you can trailer down for coastal boating, too. Also may be a better market for the 135.

 

[wolfe1974]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

thanks for the recommendations. i am still looking and i do get that cuddys are a waste in small boats. it is just that this particular boat is a saltwater boat and it probably doesnt have the rot trouble and it was a boat that a local boat repair shop owner has owned for a long time. i will still keep looking. thanks again

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: looking at a 1989 sea pro walk around anything to look for?

You will n not find a CC with the amount of fishable space as an Edgewater 205 EX.

thanks for the recommendations. i am still looking and i do get that cuddys are a waste in small boats. it is just that this particular boat is a saltwater boat and it probably doesnt have the rot trouble and it was a boat that a local boat repair shop owner has owned for a long time. i will still keep looking. thanks again