Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

[MariahS]

I know there are quite a few of you wonderful and helpful people around the Twin Cities area, so I was hoping to pick your brains for a little information. I have a couple of things that I was hoping you guys could help me out with.

First and foremost, I'm going to need a marine surveyor. I have a couple of questions about this, and the process, though. I don't know where to find one, and I'm guessing just looking in the yellow pages may not get you the best option. I also don't know how they charge (per boat, per hour?) or if they would just hop in the car with me for a couple of days to check things out? Or if there was someone on here that had a free Saturday they'd like to make a few bucks while shopping?

Next, I've found a couple more boats that I think would be worth checking out. Here are the links:
18' Forester Runabout, 1987
1972 Sea Sprite 17'
Boat - 16 ft runabout with 85 HP Evinrude motor
1976 17ft Crestliner Runabout
Crestliner Muskie 15'
Any red flags or big no-nos that I may have missed in my search? Is this a fairly rounded out list? I know I'm a little bit all over the place in my picks as far as length goes and hp in the motor. Essentially, I just want to go fishing and hang out with a couple of friends with the boat. Maybe tubing once or twice per year, but it's not really a driving factor.

I appreciate all of the advice and help you guys have given to me. I think my husband is getting a little sick of my "Oh, that's interesting! Listen to this..."

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

18' Forester Runabout, 1987 - This boat just looks to be in very poor condition. Rot likely.

1972 Sea Sprite 17' - We've discussed this one before, looks to be in exceptional condition for a very fair price

Boat - 16 ft runabout with 85 HP Evinrude motor - Also looks to be in exceptional condition. Looks to have Power trim on the motor which is a very nice feature. Having owned one, I wouldn't be real interested in a closed bow. They are limited in their usefulness.

1976 17ft Crestliner Runabout - Nice boat with a friggin' kick a$s motor. Closed bow though. Nice price.

Crestliner Muskie 15' - Meh. Interior sucks, price is a little higher, trailer kinda rough. Just doesn't compare well at all to the Sea Sprite.

 

[MariahS]

Re: Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

Arg! I had a whole response typed up and apparently the forum didn't want to post it or something. I'll retype (maybe paraphrased slightly).

The Sea Sprite would be my #1 choice as it seems to suit us best in size, type, condition, etc. My only concern is when I'd called early last week to talk to him, he said the pictures were taken a couple weeks ago. Unless I'm nutso, there's NO WAY that anywhere in Minnesota would be that green with the type of winter/spring we've been having. Makes me question everything else.

I'll probably nix the Muskie due to size anyways. I would think the reason that you don't find many fish/ski boats that small is that it's not practical, which means I don't want it. The Forester is probably out, too.

I don't think I'm as big of a fan of closed bow boats either, but if I'm making the drive I want to see a couple of boats, and maybe get a feel for them. Who knows, maybe it'll work for us. My guess is probably not, but they looked to be pretty good boats for the price.

I'll continue my craigslist searching. I don't want to go up there and come home sans boat, especially if I'm driving my gas-guzzling Burb instead of my sipping Scion xD

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

I think I have mentioned this before, but you may want to plan this when the ice is fully out and you can do a water test before clsoing the deal.

Also, you may want to plan to be here in a day in which you can hit the license center and transfer title. A lot of sellers will not close the deal unless they go to the license center with you.

As to the surveyor, if you do find one, you may not find one willing to take the time with a boat in this range. You may be wiser learning as much as you can and using the surveyor money to raise your bottom dollar.

Here is one you may be interested in.. Affordable boat (140hp merc)

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

I boat all year round in SE NC. During winter there is nothing like a closed bow DC. Being from MinneSoCold you may like keeping the cool breeze away all but during the 18 days of summer up there.

 

[MariahS]

Re: Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

Well, I've got some good news and some bad news. The bad news is that my husband now has to work on Saturday so we can't hit the road . The good news, then, is that we will just wait until the weather is nice enough to take it for a spin on the water. We'll be up May 16-19, so hopefully it will have warmed up by then. It will be a packed weekend, but we'll make it work. Hopefully that Sea Sprite will still be available!!!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

Hopefully that Sea Sprite will still be available!!!

It won't be unless there's something horrifically wrong with it. You have to be willing to move very quickly with these low-dollar boats. To be honest, I actually disagree with the posts about sea-trialing (not that it isn't an excellent idea) because I don't think that really happens that often with boats in this price range. Put together a new list of available boats when you're actually ready to go look at them. Otherwise all you're doing it setting yourself up for dissappointment.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

Check your PM's

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

Duplicate post. Interrupted by call for pizza & beer.

 

[MariahS]

Re: Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

Duplicate post. Interrupted by call for pizza & beer.

I couldn't count how many times I've done something similar.

Is there something special I need to do? I don't see anything?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

I couldn't count how many times I've done something similar.

Is there something special I need to do? I don't see anything?

You didn't see anything because I sent the message to ezmobee. It should be in your PMs now.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Minneapolis Trip (!!!!!)

MariahS - I was buying a boat a few years ago in the Cities. I found lots of great options but kept waiting for the spring prices to go down (best time to buy is in the fall). I was in the market for a 16ft fishing boat. What I found was that most of the boats went off of the market not long after the fishing opener. It seems that everyone gets their boats sold/bought by the time opener hits, then it's slim pickin's after that until fall. That's not a definite, but it's something to keep in mind for coming here in mid-May.

You certainly don't need a marine surveyor for buying this type of boat. IMO you need to bring a knowledgeable friend with you. Offer a free trip to the Cities, a few dinners, etc.

As for the boats, you seem to be targeting boats that are not set up well for fishing. They are more for cruising around with friends. Those full windshield boats make it hard to fish on the move, meaning it's hard to drag lures/troll from the captain chairs. You can do it much easier if you are anchored or drifting and can move to other spots in the boat.

I also agree with others. Have these folks run the motor in a barrel. They likely won't do a sea trial for a $2,000 boat. For a $10,000 boat you can expect it. Feel the motor (not the cover) before they start it to make sure that they haven't already warmed it up. In fact, tell them that you'll expect them to start up the motor cold.