Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

[willbarrow81]

Well I decided on a fish and ski type of boat. What I need is some help with some different manufactures and models to pick from, my budget is about 4,500.00 and I would love it to be about 17ft long or bigger! I guess since I know nothing about these boats Im looking for advice on quality boats. Ive seen bayliner, tahoe, crestliner, and a couple others. Im wondering what types have the best reputations out there. Most have been early 90's or 88-89 models, so Im not sure which were made the best back then. Im really taking my time on this one, Ive went from a big jon to finding out that for the same money I could have a fish and ski fun for the family and me! So if you know more manuf and different models I havent listed let me know! I want one that was well built even if its a little older. Thanks and I cant wait to google the different years and mskes to see how they stack up! Thanks, Will

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

It is almost pointless to wonder which were the best back in the late 80's early 90's. You need to look at a boat that was well maintained. Even the best boats if neglected will be in poor shape (internally hull and motor).

You need to get an experienced eye to help find a boat and evaluate if it is in good shape. A clean hull and interior can hide allot of sin's in the motor and hull.

Perhaps you should update your profile and possibly there will be another iboats member close by to help out.

BTW Fish and ski is actually just another term for a bowrider.

Great quote.

 

[willbarrow81]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

Hmmmm. Well at least the bowrider will point me to more models. I see what you mean by being well maintained, I guess I was under the impression that some boats were higher end boats when they were manufactured than others. Kind of like welded jons and riveted jons. Like entery level boats and middle and high end boats. I also thought some were notorious for rotting in certian places and so forth. Thats kind of what I ment. But if they were all the same and no brand was made to higher standards I can just pick the newest best maintained model. The year wont matter then. I thought that like a 96 bayliner wasnt as good as a 94 crestliner, thats what I ment when they were produced, like a honda and a mercedes. Ya know? But quess I was wrong, this is ok news because I can just pick the boat in the best shape reguardless of year or make. The only problem will be when two or more cost about the same, look about the same, and are close in years. Then it will be harder to pick one, thats when I thought the quality of boat would break the tie! So I will keep looking, but more comments welcome! Thanks Will.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

I've got a SeaRay BR 200 that would be the absolute best boat for you! I'll let it go for $12K and I'll throw in the trailer, with fresh tires, for FREE!!

 

[willbarrow81]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

Hi ninja! Thanks but my budget is a LITTLE bit under that, like 8,000.00 under!!hahaha! I cant spend more than 4,500.00 out the door. So thanks, but Im gonna have to pass!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

Have you looked at the iboats classifieds http://boats.iboats.com/ ???

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

Hmmmm. Well at least the bowrider will point me to more models. I see what you mean by being well maintained, I guess I was under the impression that some boats were higher end boats when they were manufactured than others. Kind of like welded jons and riveted jons. Like entery level boats and middle and high end boats. I also thought some were notorious for rotting in certian places and so forth. Thats kind of what I ment. But if they were all the same and no brand was made to higher standards I can just pick the newest best maintained model. The year wont matter then. I thought that like a 96 bayliner wasnt as good as a 94 crestliner, thats what I ment when they were produced, like a honda and a mercedes. Ya know? But quess I was wrong, this is ok news because I can just pick the boat in the best shape reguardless of year or make. The only problem will be when two or more cost about the same, look about the same, and are close in years. Then it will be harder to pick one, thats when I thought the quality of boat would break the tie! So I will keep looking, but more comments welcome! Thanks Will.

Will,

You are absolutely right. Of course there are low-end, middle, and high-end boats. What Bob was telling you, is that none of that matters if the boat wasn't maintained well. Let's compare, for arguments sake, a well maintained 1996 bayliner which sold new for 8000.00, and compare it to a similar size and style, neglected Cobalt which sold new, for let's say, 20,000.00. They are both 15 year old boats. We are comparing an entry level boat to a top dollar boat. The Cobalt which was neglected, has soft spots in the deck, rotting stringers and transom, all kinds of internal motor damage due to clogged coolant lines because the impeller wasn't changed often enough and there are pieces of several over the years, trapped throughout the cooling system. The last time the bellows and gimball bearing were changed was 2001. The bayliner was well maintained since new... The bayliner is the boat you want (in this scenario). Bob was not trying to tell you that all boats are the same.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

Good explanaton, Veritas. In Will's price range it's all about finding the gem, regardless of brand.

Then you've got the drive package to consider. In boats of the 1980's and early 90's, there are many that are no longer made or supported. In general... in I/O's, stick with Mercruiser or Volvo-Penta tied to a GM engine. Avoid OMC, Ford and Mercruiser 470/3.7 packages. In outboards, avoid Force and Chrysler.

Good luck and good hunting!

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

There are some good deals on older (80's and 90's) aluminum bowriders out there, but you may have to some searching. Have a friend that got a late 90's 17' Spectrum with a 2005 Honda 50 4 stroke outboard on it for 6k. I have seen those and some Starcrafts and Bluefins in great condition anywhere from 3.5K up to 6.5K. The Spectrum is a very nice boat but most I have seen had Force motors on them, he was lucky to find the Honda powered one. In any event I would find a local mechanic or surveyor 1st and let them know what you are looking for and your need for an inspection when you buy. At least that way you have it all set up for a place to take it when you are ready to buy. If you take your time now you won't be rushed to find any old inspector when the cash is on the barrel head.

 

[tschmidty]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

You can find some threads on here about what to look for a boat, here is one thread.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=341235&page=1

FYI, I have a book mark set up that points to this http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=site%3Aforums.iboats.com&sourceid=navclient-ff&rlz=1B3GGGL_enUS278US279&ie=UTF-8 which lets you use google to search the iboats forums. Sometimes easier that way.

If your budget is $4500, I'd shoot to spend $4000. You are inevitably going to want/need to purchase items for you on the water and may need some budget for parts/maintenance (but try to avoid anything that just needs that "one" part).

There are too many manufacturers and models to guide you any which way, but I will say that since you are planning on fishing, make sure you include that as your primary focus. The family will be happy to be out no matter what and you can pull a tube. But look for things like good walking around space, windshield that is not too obtrusive for casting. You probably want an outboard (can go into shallower water, usually better for walking around the back).

You can find a great boat for that money, but you do need to make sure you look hard. Sounds like you have the right idea in that you are taking your time. Don't fall in love with any particular boat until after you buy it!

 

[willbarrow81]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

Thanks guys! Ive been beating craigslist up hard, and lots of boats fit my needs. I totally agree that boat maintence is number 1, I guess I was trying to narrow all these boats down! I was hopeing that it would be easier if I knew which boats were top models in their day, but I see that I should look for condition first. It would come in handy to know if I was able to find two in the same condition. I guess Ill just put that out of my mind and pick the best running, looking, and priced model. Ill definately look into those links to keep my info level going up. Thanks guys and keep the suggestions comming!

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

Just to thow another angle in - you said fish and ski. In my mind, there are three different kind of fish and ski's. There are the converted bowriders - just a bowrider with a trolling motor (tahoe, bayliner, four winns, glastron, etc). Then there are the dual console fish and ski's - more lake fishing oriented (triumph, grady white, sea ray). Then there are the bass boat hull styled fish and ski's (nitro, triton, skeeter, procraft - as in my signature - etc).

Once you nail down the type of hull you are looking for, then I'd start looking at all of them in that genre - don't pay any attention to name. If you were plunking down $25 - 30K on a new one, I'd look at names. In you price range, it will be all about maintenance, storage, use, etc. There are lots of deals out there for $4K. Just have to be patient and keep looking. If it helps, I spent almost a year looking for mine - I was very specific (bass style F&S, >150 HP direct inject, >19 ft, >2004, appealing color, etc). I passed on quite a few before I found the one I wanted. You will too. Good luck.

 

[willbarrow81]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

Cool! The different types of fish and ski was exactly what I needed! I wanted to know what kinds of those boats and some models were out there.Thank you for listing different models and some makes! Ill look at some pics to figure out which I like better. Thanks again! Will. Oh please keep the info comming!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

for a good family "fish and ski" hull look at the dual consoles. Very similar to a bow rider but typically roomier. I have a 1988 key West Dual console that is great for a lot of applications, but the hull is a flat "bay boat" design that has its advantages and disadvantages.

When you are looking for a boat that old and that size, I'd go with an outboard, no question. More room in the boat, easier to work on, easier to replace.

If your budget is $4,500 your boat should be $3,500; you will burn through a grand to get it on the water, equip it and fix the inevitable problems. Maybe less if you already have everything to rig it, or if it comes fully rigged. But go price taxes, license, storage and insurance, for boat and trailer, now, so you won't be surprised.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Ok this time Ive got the type of boat down! Just need some models to chose from..

Will, you might also consider an aluminum deck boat. If you're filtering your searches on CL, etc. by price you're likely to run across a couple within your budget. They don't ride as smoothly as glass boats, but since they have aluminum hulls they're more forgiving of oopsies that can result from beaching (intentional or otherwise) and other learning lumps. They also tend to be a bit lighter, which means easier towing. Lowe made quite a few of them in the nineties. Just another potential arrow in your quiver.