Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

[Purecarnagge]

I've check our local classifieds
The credit union's free classifieds
ebay.com
numerious websites, but nothing for where I'm at in Iowa.

is this a terrible time in the season to try to buy a boat??? Most of the local marina's don't even have boats for sale at least in my price range.

I'm looking to find a 18-21 foot runaround for 6-9 grand. I'm willing to take something in the 90's. I didn't think this would be such a hard problem after seeing a clean 95 sell for 7500 at the local marina's website.

Suggestions??

 

[Beefer]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

It doesn't sound like you're looking for something too difficult. If I were you, I'd look at neighboring states, the ones that have lots of water (IL, WI, IN). Heck, we have tons of those down here in Florida. You could probably pick your carpet color here....

 

[cr2k]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

Craig's List?

Local marina, local boat shop referrals, bulletin boards at lakes where you want to boat.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

I'll start checking WI/IL and MN I guess... Just suprised that I had nothing like that locally. I swear I've checked every resource that I would try to use if I was selling something.

I'm going to stop by 3 marina's tomorrow. Thanks for the suggestions on neighboring states though.

 

[mnewb1]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

Craig's List for Grand Rapids and Detroit MI have many boats that fit your bill.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

Sounds like you have to expand your area....... put a wanted add in CL but do not list the max $$ you want to spend...... be willing to travel

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

I've been looking around on boat trader, 250/500 mile searches. My goal for a 8k boat or less, has had many different oppurtunities should I be willing to drive for it.

My follow up question to this post (would rather just keep it all on one thread) is the following.

What is the difference between
- Sea rays 18-19ft (Heard nothing on them).
- 18-22 ft bayliners (Heard they are affordable, but typically bayliners are most well known for there larger cruisers, and can be hit or miss in the 18-22ft range)
- Four Winns 18-21 ft (reliable, quality)
- Carver 18-20 ft (heard almost nothing)
- Glastrons (early 2000's or late 90's) Reliable, affordable, very what you need, not luxury or accessories
- Ebbontides (mid 90's) (heard nothing on them)

I'm guessing at some point quality reputation comes in. I've listed what I've heard and gotten opinions from some local opinion.

I guess I would like to open this to the forums and see what opinions people have on these typically older models. I have no idea what stacks with what or in what order for quality.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

I believe the biggest knock on Bayliners is that most were entry level boats to begin with and being such many were bought by 1st time boat owners who really didn't understand what was involved with there proper care. Also most of those sold in this area came equipt with Force outboard engines which many long time boaters don't think very highly of.

I too believe if you watch graigslist in Mn, Wis and Ill you will find what you are looking for!

Could also look at the larger alumium boats like; Lund, Sylvan, Smokercraft or as many here do the older Starcrafts.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

At this point in time, though wouldn't you have thought that engine problems would have already come up and those said problems were addressed over the last 15 years of use?

I have no idea, what Force Outboard motor is...other than its not a I/O is my assumption. I really need to learn more about the engines in these boats and what the differences are. its bad enough I'm not that tech savy, but honestly I'm clueless on these motors.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

Don;t waste your time.... Stick with a mecruiser drive. Parts / service is plentiful. I beleive a properly maintained I/O can be less costly than an outboard but others will argue. Its because most of us that work on cars can work on the engine parts ourselves. Outboards are a totally different animal.

As far as finding a deal, like myself I rushed it, and got too small of a boat. Although mint condition and a killer price, I wish I would have picked different.

MI/MN are loaded with boats for sale. If you can wait, this fall there will be many to pick from. They will practically give them away.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

The Force outboards are a motor that has changed ownership many times though the decades, West Bend/McChullough?, Elgin, Chrysler, Force/Mercury.

Not that they were bad motors, just not as strong as the major players for support/repair. Seemed to have a lot of small gremlins running through them.

As for an I/O, I as many others will suggest, pass on anything with an OMC outdrive. Many parts are no longer available except as used and some are just near impossible to find at all.

Suggest reading though some of the engine forums here to get a feel for what others are experiancing with theirs. Also at the bottom of the forums page is a manufacturers forum. Might want to look through that also for any models that you come across.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

But what about the other brands etc?

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

What do you mean by "other brands"? Boats, motors, drives?

Again my best advice would be to look at aluminum hulled boats. Less worry as to rotted stringers, transoms, motor mounts in I/O's.

Boat preferance is much like auto preferance. Those brands, models that appeal to me may not appeal to you. The best thing is to find one that appeals to you and fills the needs you require then find the best one you can.
I wouldn't be brand specific as long as it met my requirements and was structurely fit.

 

[Purecarnagge]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

What do you mean by "other brands"? Boats, motors, drives?

Like how does a Four Winn's compare to a Glastron typically... or a Carver?? Or I think its Ebonntide?

How much HP is needed for a 18 ft vs a 20 or 21fter? (regular recreational needs, tubing, crusing, wakeboard, possibly skiers).

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

Sorry I can't give you any more specific info on the sizes you are looking for as per manufacturer as it's been quite awhile sense I've been away from the marinas and that class of boat.

While I was involved the SeaRays, Cenutry, ChrisCrafts, MarkTwains, Correct Crafts were all top of the line. Many makers have come and gone sense then along with a number of local makers like Switzer and Hustler which were very nice boats. Again though, the older the boat the closer one has to look for weakness or hidden damage no matter who made it.

 

[gozierdt]

Re: Looking for a used boat, but unable to locate what I'm looking for...

I just went through looking for a similar outfit, but on the West Coast (SF Bay area). I ended up buying a Sea Ray, which seems like a very well built boat from the work I've done on it. The other makes I was especially interested in were Cobalt and Four Winns. I didn't like Bayliner, and was also given (good) advice to stay away from OMC I/O's. I ended up with a 1988 Sea Ray 20' Seville, with a mercruiser 4.3LX motor/Alpha One outdrive, 320 hours. I'm very happy with it, especially the low hours for what I paid. I'd be wary of anything with 1000 hrs and up. From what I've been reading, that's about 1/2 of the motor life for a well maintained motor. Also inspect the hull for cracking- some is OK on the topsides, but on the transom or bottom can indicate big problems. Check the floor for any soft spots.

There are a lot of other good boat builders, some from the mid-west, some from the east, but we don't see that many of them out here.

Oh, and I got most of my leads from Craigslist...