Newbie seeks first boat advice

[Kimper]

Re: Newbie seeks first boat advice

Well, lake test got cancelled because it won't stop raining here in San Antonio area! I talked the fellow into hauling it down to the boat shop for a mechanical inspection instead. I'll post back after mechanic and lake tests once the rain stops. If all goes well with pictures!
Thank you all for your excellent boat shopping advice!! It has been invaluable!

 

[Kimper]

Re: Newbie seeks first boat advice

Woohoo! too!

Decided to go with this ultra clean 2005 Caravelle Interceptor!
http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/boa/370366114.html

I talked him down a bit to 18k.

She ran great on the lake test. I had the boat checked out by a mechanic. I went over the boat with him for about an hour at the shop, and she passed everything in flying colors except one thing in the "tank" test. The mechanic said he could hear the gimble sounding like it may go out. He greased it up and the noise improved, but didn't completely disappear (to his ear, I couldn't hear it). The repair job was $340 and the current owner agreed to half the cost with me. I am also going to have the shop replace the 2 year old impeller thanks to advice from you guys (even though she ran cool and showed no issues).
I will post some pics soon!

Thanks again for all you guys advice!

 

[tmh]

Re: Newbie seeks first boat advice

Heeeeyyyyyy!!!!! Nice buy! A bit newer (more expensive) than my "specific" recommendation but fits the bill just great....heck, it's YOUR money! I'm jealous as heck. No problem getting the 5.0L engine, doubt you'll ever regret it. Carvelle is a mid-level brand, i think, which is perfect for your needs. 2005 may be no-wood construction (structure) which means no rot later on.

19.5 may be perfect for you. You may not "outgrow" it for a long time. Not huge, easy to handle, but enough space to spread out a bit. Should have plenty of speed too.

Good job being patient and getting a boat that fits your needs well. Now you can start spending a fortune on maintaining it/gas/accessorizing/problems/insurance/registration/gas (mentioned twice out of respect to the V8 engine)/etc. Oh.....we forgot to tell you about those things!

Enjoy.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Newbie seeks first boat advice

I am Smitten with your boat! It is has really seduced me! probably one of the nicest boat's of it's size, style, & condition that I've ever seen! If I had the money, and was in the market for it, I would have taken it in a flash! even though I have nothing to tow it with,,, lol,,, Best of Luck with it! Mike

By the way, a few yrs ago, I had a 79' SeaRay 20' bowrider with a 228hp Mercruiser (early 305-4bbl) that I loved, and put thru-hull exhaust on, but sold it to move up to a 79' SeaRay 24' Cuddy cabin with a 260hp Mercruiser, again with thu-hull, but with mufflers, nether boats were that loud, except at WOT. The bowrider did 50mph one time fully trimmed out, and the Cuddy would do 40 regularly. Both, not bad on gas, but the 305 was a bit more thrifty because even though it was made just like the 350, it had smaller pistons. Your 305 should probably do 55 trimmed out.

 

[DufferJim]

Re: Newbie seeks first boat advice

Awesome boat. Congrats