Looking for first boat

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

Would a V6 Dodge Ram be able to pull something of that size out of the water?

 

[jc55]

Re: Looking for first boat

I like the Ebco, okay price, good looking little boat. garage kept, cool. If it's a 4.3/mercruiser...that would be good. Stay away from OMC combos.

Bayliner seems a little high priced. New motor? Hmmm...

Glastron...Okay here's what I think...there's a boat with teenagers hanging all over it and a wakeboard tower...I'd stay away from it. Sure, it's dad's boat, but everyone is driving it. Just my opinion but a reasonable one.

What I do is I fall absolutely in love with a boat, print it out and put it on my fridge. Mull over it, fall in love with it some more, then go for it. Good luck!

A v6 dodge will pull anything you're looking at. 4wd would be handy at the ramp.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Looking for first boat

Would a V6 Dodge Ram be able to pull something of that size out of the water?

Unless you have steep ramps, you should be fine.

 

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

Thanks for all the great replies guys. Im really looking forward to getting out and seeing some of these boats in person once i get some time. This boat is a bit above my price range (at least the asking price) also i think its probably a little overkill in both size and power but i have seen a couple of these Celebrity's on the market. Whats going to be a typical fuel burn for these bigger V-8's?

1995 Celebrity Status 200 $8,000 obo

 

[tazrig]

Re: Looking for first boat

Also just saw this one. Not sure why it has such an old motor.

1999 Glastron!

Because the original motor was stolen, wore out or blew up and when they went to replace it they didn't want to or didn't have the money for a new one.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Looking for first boat

...Whats going to be a typical fuel burn for these bigger V-8's?

1995 Celebrity Status 200 $8,000 obo

There are many variables but roughly 11- 20 gallons per hour depending on how fast you run it. Sometimes you can get better mileage from a v-8 that doesn't have to work as hard than an underpowered V-6 that is straining to keep up.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Looking for first boat

i get about 2.3 mpg at a comfortable cruise with my V8

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Looking for first boat

Do not get anything that comes with the line, "all you have to do is...."

This is one of the Truths of Life: learn it; believe it; live it. If it were "all you have to do", then why didn't the seller do it?

I frequently see this in discussions about obtaining a title for the trailer. Very few people get away with driving around without a tag on their trailer so you'd think there would be motivation to get it taken care of. Then they try to blow smoke in your face by talking about how easy it would be to get the trailer registered. You find out later it's generally not easy at all and may well be impossible. It's too late then.

This Truth applies to all issues; not just trailer registration.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Looking for first boat

Thanks for all the great replies guys. Im really looking forward to getting out and seeing some of these boats in person once i get some time. This boat is a bit above my price range (at least the asking price) also i think its probably a little overkill in both size and power but i have seen a couple of these Celebrity's on the market. Whats going to be a typical fuel burn for these bigger V-8's?

1995 Celebrity Status 200 $8,000 obo

Man, that thing is dirty lookin'! Not just quick wash-down dirty, kinda' looks like stains on the bow deck. Trailer probably moves okay, but looks like it's been run down a few miles of bad dirt road too. Seems pricey for a '95 to me (I realize it was outta' your range anyway).

 

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

Is it best to stick with a merc cruise or Volvo engine over something that has an OMC Cobra?

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Looking for first boat

Is it best to stick with a merc cruise or Volvo engine over something that has an OMC Cobra?

if you are not mechanical and/or new to boating stay away from any Cobra's. If you are good mechanically and have an urge to always play with the outdrive, its one of the best. If you are a 'i'll change the oil in my truck 1000 mile after I should go mercruiser. VP is a good in between.

 

[tazrig]

Re: Looking for first boat

Is it best to stick with a merc cruise or Volvo engine over something that has an OMC Cobra?

Yes. Considering this is your first boat it is just better, easier and wiser to stick with a merc or a volvo. Easier to fix because parts are readily available. Also if the Cobra drive is attached to a FORD block you are in twice as much trouble with parts both in finding them and paying a premium for them if you can even find them. It's your first boat. You're going to run into problems you never could have imagined. (trust me on this one) why compound the problems with equipment that is no longer manufactured.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Looking for first boat

That Celebrity looks like a neglected POS, no way I would pay $8k for that.

I was in your shoes two years ago. Similar price range, shopping in the same region, first boat. I ended up with a 2004 Tahoe Q4 with a Merc 4.3 that was in pretty mint condition. I actually found it in Tulsa. A few notes from my experience:

Good cheap boats go quick! Search Craigslist often, both locally and regionally. I had to drive 2.5 hours to get mine but it was worth it, and I just got lucky and was the first person to see it posted (within minutes). When I got there the seller had over 20 people that were waiting in line after me, and some even offered to pay more than his asking price to jump to the front of the line.

Look at a LOT of boats. That's the only way you'll start to distinguish features that you like, brands that you like, and know what is nice vs what is crap. I looked at a bunch that I was only semi-interested in just so I got some experience.

Don't rush! Buy a neglected boat and your experience will be expensive. Buy a good one and you'll love it. My Tahoe is by no means a Cobalt, but it has cost me very little over the last two years because it was well taken care of. Most of the money that I've spent on it has been preventative, because I'm OCD like that.

Clean = taken care of. Ok, so it's not 100% true, but the filthy boats that I looked at also tended to have soft floors, torn upholstery, and suspect mechanicals. Ask yourself, if the owner didn't care enough to even vacuum the thing out and wash it, what else didn't they bother to do?

I would sell you my Tahoe as I'm currently shopping for a 21' to 25' boat (growing family), but it will be a little more than $10k.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Looking for first boat

Where are you located? I know where there is a nice one in MN that is in your price range
2005 bayliner 195 19ft with tower

Edit - should have looked down a few more posts OK is a ways away

 

[southkogs]

Re: Looking for first boat

Is it best to stick with a merc cruise or Volvo engine over something that has an OMC Cobra?

Short answer: yes.

Later OMCs are actually not bad choices and if you know what you're doing you can keep even the older ones going for quite a while (I rather like my nautically-unfashionable drive). But for a first boat buyer, don't do it to yourself until you know what you're getting into.

 

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

Found this one but I assume the floor is probably suspect even though he claims it's in good shape. Also has an OMC motor that we've discussed. Although the price is intriguing if the floor is ok.

I'm pretty mechanically inclined and will have pretty ample time to mess with stuff although id rather not.

MUST SALE. Bayliner 1988

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Looking for first boat

Found this one but I assume the floor is probably suspect even though he claims it's in good shape. Also has an OMC motor that we've discussed. Although the price is intriguing if the floor is ok.

I'm pretty mechanically inclined and will have pretty ample time to mess with stuff although id rather not.

MUST SALE. Bayliner 1988

If you are looking for cheap entry and the possibility of dumping thousands into it then go for it Looks identical to my first bayliner (87?). If you consider that one, make very sure that you water test it and that the shift engagement is perfect. The gear sets and cable for that drive are very expensive and you need a degree to get it adjusted properly

The seats are no big deal - cheap, but check the floor around the ski locker and motor box really well.

If your budget really is 10K, then keep looking and buy yourself a nice first boat rather than something that is likely to need some love.

Also - $2500 is a bit high for an 88 bayliner unless it is in awful good shape.

(I like bayliners - so much that I bought a second one, so don't take this as bayliner bashing)

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Looking for first boat

Big question to the original poster - how mechanically inclined are you? Break Out Another Thousand definitely pertains to people that pay a shop to maintain or repair their boat. If you aren't mechanically inclined or don't have the ambition (or spouse) to support a long restoration project, I would strongly encourage you to look newer and up your price range a bit. $10k should buy a nice condition and reliable boat, probably a little less with some shopping. You want this to be a great experience that turns into a lifelong hobby, not another punch line.

 

[onewhippedpuppy]

Re: Looking for first boat

Here's a few that I would consider:

Clean looking Larson for $8500: 2002 larson 19'
Must sell = negotiable: 2003 glastron mx
Clean Tahoe: 06 Tahoe Q4------Great Shape
Clean looking Bayliner: '03 BAYLINER 205 SKI BOAT
Maxum with newer motor: Ski boat for sale or partial trade - 2001 Maxum
Chaparral with new motor: 2002 chaparral
Glastron with extras: Glastron GS 185
Really nice Sea Ray: 2003 Sea Ray 176 BR Super Clean
Sharp looking Stingray: 2003 stingray boat
Clean looking VIP: 2000 VIP 19 3.5 chevy inboard

I stopped at this point, there were plenty more. Remember that it's winter, don't be afraid to make an offer. That cheap boat won't seem like such a great idea when it's broken down on the water and your wife is yelling at you. By the way, searchtempest is a really great and free Craigslist search engine that lets you search multiple sites quickly. Great for stuff like this.

 

[Flysooner9]

Re: Looking for first boat

Thanks for the ideas. I know I initially listed 10k but in reality probably closer to 5k. I know I'm riding that fine line between finding junk or a gem at that price.

I don't mind getting my hands dirty and will have ample time to tinker with things, but not interested in any major restoration projects. Want something that will be fairly lake ready and have items I can work on as I go. (Upholstry, stereo, upgrades).