New Here and starting looking at boats

[Ron-O]

I've just started looking at some boats to take the family out on the river and lakes. My neighbor and I went and looked at one of his co-workers boats tonight. It was a 1985 Sea Ray Seville Cuddy Cab. 19' with a 140 Mercruiser I/O. Needs a good polishing on the out side but interior is descent. The only issue is the motor leaks water while running. Looks to be the gasket at the intake of the motor. The owner usually just turns on the bilge pump to remove any water by the motor. He's asking $3500 but would probably take $3K maybe less. It has a small cover for the top but no factory top. Also a easy load trailer. Any opinions on this? Maybe I should just run away from this one. I'd like to have a boat that would be good for fishing with the family more than anything. I'm open to suggestions of a $3K to $5K family boat.

Ron

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

RUN If there are signs of neglect that show .... there are worse ones that do not. Too much for that boat .... that age..... just politely say no thank you and RUN

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

I have to agree; if turning on the bilge is his way of dealing with a leaky outdrive then I would hate to think of the way this boat has been maintained. I would be willing to bet there is at the very least some serious transom rot... for beginners. If you are looking for boats in the 3K range, I would seriously suggest looking at an outboard. An I/O in that price range is very likely to be either seriously outdated (read hard to find parts or obsolete) or seriously worn out. OMC is no longer manufactured and the parts are very hard to find; the law of supply and demand thereby dictates the price of the replacement parts is going to be as if they are made of gold. Same thing goes with older drives of other makes as well. If you find a boat with a newer Mercruiser (Alpha or Bravo) or Volvo Penta drive you can fair pretty well. Trouble is, these boats well maintained are going to be more expensive.​

 

[sea wolf]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

Don't buy a project boat as your first boat. That's what this one sounds like. A poorly maintained boat can quickly turn into a maintenance nightmare. Keep looking.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

Ron-O, welcome to iboats. tell us a little more about the family. ages, interest. where you will be boating. this gives us much more, to work with, and will get you better advice.

walkaway from that one. in the price range you will find an outboard to be a better match.

 

[Ron-O]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

Well, let's see.. I have a wife, a 5 year old daughter,both love to fish and a 19 year old son serving in the Army right now. We'd like to find something we could use on the river and possibly go to some lakes close to us. Most of the time it will be used on the Ohio River. I really thought a cuddy cabin would make a nice boat being able to have a place to lay down. (And the wife a daughter want some type of porta pottie on the boat. ) I'm open to suggestions. I've thought about buying a new boat but the cost may outweigh the use.

Ron

 

[Ron-O]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

Update: Today at lunch I went and looked at a local dealer for boats. New and Used. I found a 1991 Cheetah 19' Open Bow with a Mercruiser 4.3 I/O. It's in really nice shape, just been out of the water for 2 summers. The dealer has done all the work and is going to go through it before the owner will release it to sell. Looks to be a nice deal at $4000. The owner said once it's gone over and anything that needs fixed is done, he will work with me on the price since he must sell it because of a divorce.

 

[tmh]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

Ron, I know it's presumptuous of me to say this, but SLOW DOWN!!!! One post ago you said a cuddy with a head seemed right, now you're discussing working out price on a 19' bowrider.

We've all been there - once the wife gives the OK for a boat it's an obsession to find a good one! But step back and think through what you really want, THEN go shopping - or at least do both together.

Nothing wrong with open bow - that's what I have. Kids love to ride in the bow, that's for sure. But none in this size have a head. No place to lay down either. You need to determine what works for your family. There are LOTS of both CC and BR 20 yrs. old to pick from - LOTS. No hurry to get any particular one - the next will come along soon.

 

[Ron-O]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

Ron, I know it's presumptuous of me to say this, but SLOW DOWN!!!! One post ago you said a cuddy with a head seemed right, now you're discussing working out price on a 19' bowrider.

We've all been there - once the wife gives the OK for a boat it's an obsession to find a good one! But step back and think through what you really want, THEN go shopping - or at least do both together.

Nothing wrong with open bow - that's what I have. Kids love to ride in the bow, that's for sure. But none in this size have a head. No place to lay down either. You need to determine what works for your family. There are LOTS of both CC and BR 20 yrs. old to pick from - LOTS. No hurry to get any particular one - the next will come along soon.

Thanks for the info. Looks like I started getting boat fever... Today, I ended up taking a half day at work, so I packed up my wife and daughter and went to the local boat dealer. Talked to the lady about all kinds of boats and showed them to my wife and daughter. Well, my daughter loves the Nitro bass boats, she thinks the seats on the front are cool. Not really a family cruising boat. Wife like the new Bayliners but too much $$$. We went out and looked at the used boats. Wife really likes the Cheetah that I had looked at. We discussed the issue of having a portapotty. She said why can't we just get a small one in place of one of the back seats. Works for me. She also likes the open bow. Guess she doesn't want to camp in a boat. So, we are going to look for an open bow that's $4000 or less. I'll see where the deal on the Cheetah goes but we are probably going looking this weekend at the local marinas.

Ron

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

Welcome to Iboats, We have an open bow and we also like to do alot of beaching too, find a good spot claim it as ours for that day and bring stuff to set up on the bank. big blanket,cooler, you could even bring port-a-pottie,a small tent that you can set up in two seconds for your daughter and have a great time. we set up and cruise around and swim alot off the boat and off our spot. there is also shade on the bank too, it could get pretty hot inside of the boat(cuddies) on those really hot days finding your own spot on the bank is a blast. Go flying around in the boat and beaching her for a brake is a great time. Just my experience out there, We have a great time. Good luck ! Oh we paid $3,500 for ours and have absolutely no regrets>>Pat

 

[ziggy]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

We discussed the issue of having a portapotty. She said why can't we just get a small one in place of one of the back seats. Works for me.

a 19' boat seems small to have a portable head on it to me. not enough room. however........yer required to have a bailing bucket on board. i have one of them plastic folgers coffee cans with the indented side handle........can ya guess what it'll sub for...............not to privite for those on board. but is better than hangin over the gunnel........

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

we are out doors people any way, ya we bring a roll of emergency TP and at the lake there are plenty of places to bank it and run up the hill too, I don't but she might. Rivers are a differant story

 

[Ron-O]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

we are out doors people any way, ya we bring a roll of emergency TP and at the lake there are plenty of places to bank it and run up the hill too, I don't but she might. Rivers are a differant story

Around here we have about 4 marinas and/or docks with a mile or 2 of each other and a few good banks to run up. Emergeny tp, got it in my jeep now for when we go fishing. Hopefully the local fire department gets their grant and add on to a dock about 6 blocks from me. They are talking 3 boat wide ramps and adding a lot more floating docks. Oh well, on to looking for boats....
Ron

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

Good Luck, I hope you steer toward a bow rider, I don,t know if you read every thing else I wrote earlier, But we have a blast.

 

[Ron-O]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

Here's a few pics of the boat I'm looking at. The mechanic finished the check on Friday. Replaced all fluids, belts, battery, impeller, rebuilt carb and test ran the boat. Let me know opinions. The only thing I noticed is some corrosion on the outdrive. The entire lower was replaced 3 years ago, along with some new decking and carpet. I should have more pics later this week.

Ron

 

[kmurray802]

Re: New Here and starting looking at boats

For a day boat in the 20' range a bow rider will be better suited then a cuddy.The cuddy might seem like a neat feature to the wife and kids but reality is about the only thing it gets used for is storage.
As far as the porti-potty.If theres one on the boat it's probably going to get used,even if theres other bathroom options(marina,woods,etc.).Cleaning the boat after a long day out is enough work without having to deal with a porti-potty(just my opinion)