New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

BigBadJohn86

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Messages
30
Hi. Ive been going to the ozarks with my family since I was 3. My grandma always brought her boat down and wed tube, ski, go to the restaurants on the water etc. She used to have a 18'-20' mark twain then got a 23' celebrity. I guess the celebrity would be an open bow rider? Anyway she sold her boat 3 years ago and doesnt go down anymore.
My mom and brother have went by themselves the last few years while I had to work but this year I was able to go with them. Now without a boat we drive to the restaurants and go shopping.

Im wanting to start going back with a boat and my friends are interested. Im thinking of getting anything from a bow rider to a cuddy to a cruiser. There are different pros to each. I do like how you can basically live on a cruiser though

Fromwhat Ive been looking at, a mid 80s boat is around what Id want to spend. I dont have the money right now but I should be able to work the overtime to get one by next summer or the year after. From ebay listings and craigslist, Im liking the quarters in Sea Ray Sundancers 26'-28' and some of the Bayliner cruisers. I like the galley, head, and sleeping areas of the Sundancers. That and the shorepower controllers are usually in them

I was told a chevy v8 like a 305 or 350 is a good engine to get (Im a chevy guy myself anyway) and theyre easy to work on and I guess theyll still be carbureted if theyre that old and Ive messed with carbs before. I heard Merc lower units are the way to go. The alphas and betas are mercs correct?
I was told to inspect for soft spots in the deck, make sure it was out of the water in the winter (not in water year round), covered when not in use
What else should I look at?

Would it not be good to get a bigger boat like a cruiser as a first boat?
What are some of the complaints with mid 80s sundancers?
How many hours are high hours on a boat?

It looks like I can find a decent one for 5k to 7k or so with trailer

What kind of power consumption is it off the batteries when the engine is not running? Say if I wanted to sleep in the boat overnight. How long would the batteries last in the middle of the summer if I had 2

It looks like everyone at the ozarks is getting bigger and bigger boats and the main channel is getting rough when busy. How would a deep v-hull cut through the water? I think my grandma told me thats why she got rid of her 23' bow rider was the water being too rough for the boat
 

wbc1957

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 26, 2010
Messages
261
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

Lake of the Ozarks is getting too rough for most average boaters to enjoy, unless they plan on either staying in party cove or using cannels like Hurricane Deck, Linn Creek, or the Little Niangua. A 23' boat is becoming the minimum, but it starts to cost you options. If, and this is important, IF you only wish to boat there, then buy a 25' or 26' boat and enjoy. But, thinking longterm and possibly wishing to enjoy Table Rock, Mark Twain, and many other lakes, with possibly even the Mississippi, then you need to think trailerable boats based on what you have to tow with. A GM engine with a Quadrajet carb is fine, and in truth a nicely adjusted quad is better on fuel than just about any other carb in use. I strongly suggest riding around the lake on the weekends when it is rough, for your testing. This will most likely be the time when you would actually use the boat. Test many different kinds and models. Then, after plenty of comparisons, start the process of shopping for that model you like. Either have a pro survey it, or at least, someone who you trust with a lot of boating experience, check it out. Minmum of three hours water testing it, with several times with the motor shut down on the lake. Run it at various speeds, including wot, but also at minimum speed for learning its characteristics. Larger boats are nice, but remember they will cost more to maintain, with their storage and docking issues, but also they limit you the options of possibly other lakes and rivers for their use. Food for thought.... ;)
 

BigBadJohn86

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Messages
30
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

Yeah. I had thought a cruiser would be a bit big. I actually dont live in Missouri but Illinois over 4 hours away so unless I kept the boat docked down there Id have to pull it whenever I used it.
Carlyle Lake in Illinois is a half hour away from me so Id probably play around there too but Ive always remembered the Ozarks being a blast. If lucky I would be able to make the trip once or twice a summer

Out of curiosity, what are typical docking fees if you know at the ozarks?
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

Start small, learn how to maintain a boat and engine.
Consider buying a trailerable project boat for next to nothing and rebuild it.
My definition of small is 20' and under.
 

wbc1957

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 26, 2010
Messages
261
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

Docking fees are not something to even consider, although $1500 to $2000 is not uncommon for down there. If you are just starting out and live four hours away, plan on a trailerable boat 18' to 21' max. There are plenty of lakes within easy driving distance for you to enjoy and learn on. The last thing to be thinking on when shopping for your first boat, is a boat slip! Just the added extras, scheduled maintenance, and winterizing costs, should keep you busy working extra hours and sacrificing some of those past dinners out. After you put a few years in on the learning curve and see just where your boating works out best, then you make the move up in size with a possible boat slip seen at the end of the tunnel. As for me, I would rather keep the boat slip money liquid for trips to other lakes throughout the season. Plus, I enjoy working on the boat when not in use, which is easy if it is within view.:D
 

Stachi

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Messages
1,671
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

Hi. Ive been going to the ozarks with my family since I was 3. My grandma always brought her boat down and wed tube, ski, go to the restaurants on the water etc. She used to have a 18'-20' mark twain then got a 23' celebrity. I guess the celebrity would be an open bow rider? Anyway she sold her boat 3 years ago and doesnt go down anymore.
My mom and brother have went by themselves the last few years while I had to work but this year I was able to go with them. Now without a boat we drive to the restaurants and go shopping.

Im wanting to start going back with a boat and my friends are interested. Im thinking of getting anything from a bow rider to a cuddy to a cruiser. There are different pros to each. I do like how you can basically live on a cruiser though

Fromwhat Ive been looking at, a mid 80s boat is around what Id want to spend. I dont have the money right now but I should be able to work the overtime to get one by next summer or the year after. From ebay listings and craigslist, Im liking the quarters in Sea Ray Sundancers 26'-28' and some of the Bayliner cruisers. I like the galley, head, and sleeping areas of the Sundancers. That and the shorepower controllers are usually in them

I was told a chevy v8 like a 305 or 350 is a good engine to get (Im a chevy guy myself anyway) and theyre easy to work on and I guess theyll still be carbureted if theyre that old and Ive messed with carbs before. I heard Merc lower units are the way to go. The alphas and betas are mercs correct?
I was told to inspect for soft spots in the deck, make sure it was out of the water in the winter (not in water year round), covered when not in use
What else should I look at?

Would it not be good to get a bigger boat like a cruiser as a first boat?
What are some of the complaints with mid 80s sundancers?
How many hours are high hours on a boat?

It looks like I can find a decent one for 5k to 7k or so with trailer

What kind of power consumption is it off the batteries when the engine is not running? Say if I wanted to sleep in the boat overnight. How long would the batteries last in the middle of the summer if I had 2

It looks like everyone at the ozarks is getting bigger and bigger boats and the main channel is getting rough when busy. How would a deep v-hull cut through the water? I think my grandma told me thats why she got rid of her 23' bow rider was the water being too rough for the boat

I think grandma may be a wealth of information on boats...it seems to me she is the boater in the family...and took care of the maintenance and upkeep on her boats...I believe she would be of great help with your questions and a good surveyor for you when you are ready to shop... who knows , she may just chip in for it !...lol :D
 

BigBadJohn86

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Messages
30
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

She wasnt really the one that shopped for boats or drove them but my grandpa. Hes been gone for a while. After that my uncle drove the boat. He just recently bought a used cobalt for close to 100k. Yeah I might talk to him
 

Stachi

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Messages
1,671
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

She wasnt really the one that shopped for boats or drove them but my grandpa. Hes been gone for a while. After that my uncle drove the boat. He just recently bought a used cobalt for close to 100k. Yeah I might talk to him

There ya go!
 

BigBadJohn86

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Messages
30
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

When you say to get a project boat, what are things I would never want in a project boat if I get one. I guess rotted transom would be in the list. What about soft spots in the floor?
Whats with all these boats I see that are missing seats? Did they get gutted or what?
 

Stachi

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 14, 2009
Messages
1,671
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

If the seats are missing , they may have rotted away... rot comes from the bottom of a boat up most times...a lot of the time due to water logged flotation foam...it rots every piece of wood it touches... if you find soft spots in the decking, ...stringers, transom may be rotten as well.
 

BigBadJohn86

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Messages
30
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

If the seats are missing , they may have rotted away... rot comes from the bottom of a boat up most times...a lot of the time due to water logged flotation foam...it rots every piece of wood it touches... if you find soft spots in the decking, ...stringers, transom may be rotten as well.
Would it be possible the floor could be soft and thats it if say they swam off the platform or skied/tubed alot?
The floor of my grandmas boat was constantly drenched from getting in and out. Not that her boat ever had any issues with a soft floor though
 

pmillar

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 23, 2009
Messages
298
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

One thing to keep in mind, a larger boat will run more $$ to operate just in gas alone. It adds up.
 

BigBadJohn86

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Messages
30
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

Too bad you're not closer... I'm selling a good one......
http://florencesc.craigslist.org/boa/1902331280.html
That is a nice boat. A little more than what I was looking to spend if I decided on a bow rider but of course I'm cheap and looking for
an 80s model

I will suggest you use photobucket to post the pics on craigslist. One thing that cathes my eye are larger pictures. Just a helpful comment
 

BigBadJohn86

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 19, 2010
Messages
30
Re: New here. First post. Wanting to get a boat

That is a nice boat. A little more than what I was looking to spend if I decided on a bow rider but of course I'm cheap and looking for
an 80s model

I will suggest you use photobucket to post the pics on craigslist. One thing that cathes my eye are larger pictures. Just a helpful comment
Saw this on lake of the ozarks craigslist.

http://loz.craigslist.org/boa/1860819300.html
 
Top