Newbie Boater Looking for Center Console Used Boat Advice!

[beginnerboater22]

Hey all,

I've been on plenty of boats/fishing in my lifetime, but I finally got a place on the water in Florida and I'm looking for advice on buying a used boat. My criteria is below and maybe some of you can inform me of other things to look for or what may not be important.

1) The boat's purpose would be for fishing, tubing, and casual just to get on the water use.
2) I am looking for a center console that can fit 6 people comfortably. Can a 18" do this?
3) If I want to fish, is a live baitwell an absolutely necessary component?
4) In terms of the engine what brand is typically the best for low maintenance and best fuel efficiency?
5) My goal is to have the least amount of maintenance possible and best reliability with great fuel efficiency (I'm assuming the lower the HP is the less gas it eats up?)
6) What should I look for when viewing the boat in person to see if its worth buyin?

Any other tips advice? Budget is $7k max

Here's an example of something I would consider:

21' CENTER CONSOLE FISHING BOAT W/ CANOPY Yamaha 200 & Trailer TRADE
1999 PROLINE 20 FT SPORT CENTER CONSOLE / BIMINI TOP

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Newbie Boater Looking for Center Console Used Boat Advice!

Hey all,

I've been on plenty of boats/fishing in my lifetime, but I finally got a place on the water in Florida and I'm looking for advice on buying a used boat. My criteria is below and maybe some of you can inform me of other things to look for or what may not be important.

1) The boat's purpose would be for fishing, tubing, and casual just to get on the water use.
2) I am looking for a center console that can fit 6 people comfortably. Can a 18" do this?
3) If I want to fish, is a live baitwell an absolutely necessary component?
4) In terms of the engine what brand is typically the best for low maintenance and best fuel efficiency?
5) My goal is to have the least amount of maintenance possible and best reliability with great fuel efficiency (I'm assuming the lower the HP is the less gas it eats up?)
6) What should I look for when viewing the boat in person to see if its worth buyin?

Any other tips advice? Budget is $7k max

Here's an example of something I would consider:

21' CENTER CONSOLE FISHING BOAT W/ CANOPY Yamaha 200 & Trailer TRADE
1999 PROLINE 20 FT SPORT CENTER CONSOLE / BIMINI TOP

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Ok, I'll give it a try.

Welcome to iboats.

2) I am looking for a center console that can fit 6 people comfortably. Can a 18" do this?

No. Maybe a 20-22' in my opinion.

And for fishing, drift or still fishing, 4 max. Any sort of trolling, 2-3 people max.



3) If I want to fish, is a live baitwell an absolutely necessary component?
That depends on what you are fishing with. And there are portable cooler setups, for both bait, and harvested fish.



4) In terms of the engine what brand is typically the best for low maintenance and best fuel efficiency?
Fuel efficiency is usually a 4 stroke or direct injected 2 stroke like an Evenrude Etec or a mercury Optimax.
Low maintenance is going to be a 2 stroke.



5) My goal is to have the least amount of maintenance possible and best reliability with great fuel efficiency

Ummm, yeah, we all want that, but this is earth.



(I'm assuming the lower the HP is the less gas it eats up?)
Not necessarily. A 140hp motor running wide open all the time, will likely eat up as much gas as a 200 hp motor running at a comfy 3/4 throttle.
Some motors are know gas hogs.



6) What should I look for when viewing the boat in person to see if its worth buyin?

What you should look for is a knowledgable person to inspect the boat for you.
Transom, sole, stringers, engine, electrical. If he says it is ok, then HIRE someone to do a marine survey of all systems.



Any other tips advice? Budget is $7k max
Make sure you have an adequate tow vehicle.
Keep $2000 in reserve for unexpected repairs and extras.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Newbie Boater Looking for Center Console Used Boat Advice!

Hey all,

I've been on plenty of boats/fishing in my lifetime, but I finally got a place on the water in Florida and I'm looking for advice on buying a used boat. My criteria is below and maybe some of you can inform me of other things to look for or what may not be important.

1) The boat's purpose would be for fishing, tubing, and casual just to get on the water use.
2) I am looking for a center console that can fit 6 people comfortably. Can a 18" do this?
3) If I want to fish, is a live baitwell an absolutely necessary component?
4) In terms of the engine what brand is typically the best for low maintenance and best fuel efficiency?
5) My goal is to have the least amount of maintenance possible and best reliability with great fuel efficiency (I'm assuming the lower the HP is the less gas it eats up?)
6) What should I look for when viewing the boat in person to see if its worth buyin?

Any other tips advice? Budget is $7k max

Here's an example of something I would consider:

21' CENTER CONSOLE FISHING BOAT W/ CANOPY Yamaha 200 & Trailer TRADE
1999 PROLINE 20 FT SPORT CENTER CONSOLE / BIMINI TOP

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I will try to add to the above.

Not many center consoles that are in the 18 to 22 foot range are going to hold 6 people "comfortably". 24 to 30 ft yes. That being said, the amount of people you can take legally will be on the capacity plate for that particular model.

A livewell in the area your in for me would be a must but it depends on what your fishing for and if you like using live bait. Most larger boats have them.

While looking for a suitable boat, make sure you look at how the boat has been maintained. Ask for service records and receipts. When looking at particular models like the Proline you listed, go to the proline website and ask, the knowledge of someone that owns that particular year, make and model or even the same vintage or brand will be able to point you to very specific issues the boat has compared to someone that does not know the boat.

As already said, have a survey done and have the motor checked by a certified mechanic.

The best advice I can give to you is take your time looking, don't let the excitement get you to buy something just because you want a boat. To many people don't do there homework and put the time in before a purchase and end up in a complete rebuild or bad purchase. Look to make sure the type your buying is right for you and your family and the area you plan on fishing. Good luck. Ps, sorry, I stay away from motor questions.

Couple other things, don't be afraid to look outside your area or in other citys with in your state or a couple states over. Sometimes you will find a better deal inland compared to on the coast.

Have you got a budget for expense costs per year that you would be willing to put in the boat after original purchase? The reason I ask is you can get into a nice boat with your budget but you are limited. But if you don't mind spending money in the future to better your purchase you can go bigger and spend as you see fit.

For exaample, my 25 chris I bought for 5 grand, trailer included. But I have invested atleast that in her since the purchase. But it is a solid boat that I know I won't outgrow and it should last. Just food for thought.

 

[HenryB]

Re: Newbie Boater Looking for Center Console Used Boat Advice!

If I were you I?d let it rest for a while. Like yourself thousands like you just have to have a boat at their dock. But they use it once and it just sits. You may fit that profile. That is the worst thing you can do for a boat, and where you are you will not be able to swing a cat without hitting one that has that history (regardless of age) and it will be a never-ending hassle.

If you are someone who will get out at least once a month then find a buddy with your kind of preferences. That should be your #1 priority for now. A good, reliable twenty-year-old rig that has been properly taken care of can be picked up for the kind of money you are talking.

An after thought, I'd look at boats that are at least seven years old.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Newbie Boater Looking for Center Console Used Boat Advice!

I am a center-console family boat guy; the boats are for water sports/cruising/fishing. Let's assume you aren't super serious about skiing or fishing to require a specialty boat.

Let's use a 21' Seahunt deep V 150 yam rated for 8.

What is "comfortable" is way too subjective but generally the capacity plate number is not comfortable for that many adults doing an activity. It would be fine, for that many teenage girls riding around. So my boat is OK for 8 adults on a short cocktail cruise or 6 teenagers. I can take that many tubing on a short trip but would not for an all-day-at-the-lake trip.* Fishing, if we're casting, 3 people. Drifting, 4. Fly fishing 2 max! You can add a couple of non-fishing beer drinkers as long as they look good.

The boat that holds the most people, has a low original cost, and can run on a smaller motor for it's length is a Carolina Skiff. On that one (19' 50 hp rated for 10) I've had 3 dads and 5 boys drift fishing plus 2 coolers and 2 gas tanks. There are imitators: Skimmer, Bay Runner, etc. with the same principle: light, flat, high freeboard, basic interior.

So are you ALWAYS going to have six adults; just want the option for the occasion, or is "6" a couple of adults and a few children/teens? Makes a huge difference. I think a lot of people over-buy, thinking they have to take the whole gene pool + neighborhood every trip. After a couple (and you make the trolls buy beer/gas/ice) it drops off.

here's the problem for you: since the center console is the best all around family boat for where you are, no one wants to sell them (conversely people dump the Baylinerbowrider after they see why they don't work). So you have to look constantly nad jump quick, almost sight unseen, to get a good CC.

Your price is low for a late model CC in the 19-23' size. You will be buying older, at the expense of dependability. If $7000 is your budget, $6000 is your max puirchase price, $1000 gets it on the water and you will need another grand during the coming year. To save some money from a lot of angles, look for a boat that rides on a single axle no brake trailer (19' deep V or larger Carolina Skiff.)

The boats I mention are made for outdoor use and are low low maintenance. Hose them off; store uncovered anywhere, laugh at the guys with the carpet and sofas.


*This is a big factor. When I have a large crowd on a land base I can take larger groups out for short trips. But if I were taking the same group out from a trailer/ramp, where we all are stuck on the same boat for 8 hours, won't work.

 

[beginnerboater22]

Re: Newbie Boater Looking for Center Console Used Boat Advice!

I am a center-console family boat guy; the boats are for water sports/cruising/fishing. Let's assume you aren't super serious about skiing or fishing to require a specialty boat.

Let's use a 21' Seahunt deep V 150 yam rated for 8.

What is "comfortable" is way too subjective but generally the capacity plate number is not comfortable for that many adults doing an activity. It would be fine, for that many teenage girls riding around. So my boat is OK for 8 adults on a short cocktail cruise or 6 teenagers. I can take that many tubing on a short trip but would not for an all-day-at-the-lake trip.* Fishing, if we're casting, 3 people. Drifting, 4. Fly fishing 2 max! You can add a couple of non-fishing beer drinkers as long as they look good.

The boat that holds the most people, has a low original cost, and can run on a smaller motor for it's length is a Carolina Skiff. On that one (19' 50 hp rated for 10) I've had 3 dads and 5 boys drift fishing plus 2 coolers and 2 gas tanks. There are imitators: Skimmer, Bay Runner, etc. with the same principle: light, flat, high freeboard, basic interior.

So are you ALWAYS going to have six adults; just want the option for the occasion, or is "6" a couple of adults and a few children/teens? Makes a huge difference. I think a lot of people over-buy, thinking they have to take the whole gene pool + neighborhood every trip. After a couple (and you make the trolls buy beer/gas/ice) it drops off.

here's the problem for you: since the center console is the best all around family boat for where you are, no one wants to sell them (conversely people dump the Baylinerbowrider after they see why they don't work). So you have to look constantly nad jump quick, almost sight unseen, to get a good CC.

Your price is low for a late model CC in the 19-23' size. You will be buying older, at the expense of dependability. If $7000 is your budget, $6000 is your max puirchase price, $1000 gets it on the water and you will need another grand during the coming year. To save some money from a lot of angles, look for a boat that rides on a single axle no brake trailer (19' deep V or larger Carolina Skiff.)

The boats I mention are made for outdoor use and are low low maintenance. Hose them off; store uncovered anywhere, laugh at the guys with the carpet and sofas.


*This is a big factor. When I have a large crowd on a land base I can take larger groups out for short trips. But if I were taking the same group out from a trailer/ramp, where we all are stuck on the same boat for 8 hours, won't work.

First thank you everyone for your thoughts. I would like to go ahead with the purchase as it will not be a one and done event. I live 2 minutes from the intercoastal in South Florida and will be using it frequently. (I do not have the funds for a boat lift though, so it will be staying in the saltwater.)

I will not always have 6 people, most of the time between 2-4, however 6 will happen at least twice a month. I will not need a trailer. "The boats I mention are made for outdoor use and are low low maintenance. Hose them off; store uncovered anywhere, laugh at the guys with the carpet and sofas," that is definitely what I'm looking for.

My goal is to spend $8500 max and for it to be water ready, meaning everything works and I don't need to do any maintenance/repairs at the current time.

What's the going rate of a marine surveyor and a certified mechanic to check the motor?

Thanks for the help so far!