Please help to find me my first boat :)

atti_mac

Seaman Apprentice
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Aug 5, 2015
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I need a help because I only had a small jon boat before and I would like to get a bit bigger "real" boat. I am about to buy this boat below:




I have been told this is an early 90's 16' x 5' fiberglass boat. Well my biggest issue about it, I don't know if this boat is "full" fiberglass, or it has a "subfloor" made by wood? My friend had a cobia 16' center console, and we felt a "swimming" rotten wood parts underneath the fiberglass floor , so I wan't to know what to expect .

My other choice would be a 1972 Compact VIP walk through boat, same thing I have no idea how was built. Will you guys help me out and educate me?
Thank you!
 

rallyart

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I love wood in boats. It's light, stiff, floats, and absorbs vibration. I bought my wake boat because it has it, in part. However, it can get water damage if not treated and protected.
A '72 will have wood in it and you would need to check for moisture or rot. The boat pictured I do not know about. From that time frame it is likely to have some wood in it but it could be all glass, as it is a simple mold.
 

mrallen007

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In my somewhat limited experience, the presence of wood in a boat is nothing to be afraid of. Just something to be aware of. As long as it has been protected and maintained it will serve you well. If not it can rot and turn into a money pit. The question you need to answer is whether there is wood in the structural components and whether it's good or whether it's begun to rot. I'm actually a fan of wood decks due to the fact they are versatile and replacible. The question I would want answered are whether the stringers and bulkheads, the support system between the deck and the hull, and the transom are ok. If those are ok you have a serviceable boat. Those are expensive, time consuming, and difficult to replace. The decks are pretty easy.
 

bonz_d

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Welcome aboard atti_mac, The boat you pictured looks like some of the older Gamefisher boats that Sears used to sell. They were completely molded, no wood. Nice stable little boats.

If you look from the back you will see steps in the hull. Those same steps are visible on the inside.
 

atti_mac

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Thank you . So I am still thinking on a Sear Gamefisher and also thinking an other option "V Hull alu boats" On a lake, or bay fishing which type is safer? Found a very good deal for a 2014 Tracker VHull .
 

bonz_d

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Basically comes down to your budget. How much are ready and willing to spend? Then it becomes a matter of style and function. If the Tracker meets all those requirements then at least go look at it.

I view fishing boats differently than most. I see them a another tool that is used to catch fish. I can catch as many fish in my $2000 16' aluminum as I could in a $50000 glass bass boat. It all depends on your style of fishing. If I was to fish Erie or some of the larger Minn. lakes for walleye then I'd be looking for a bigger deeper boat than what I have now.
 

mrallen007

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Bonz_d is quite right. Much of it comes down to style and function. It's much like buying a car. They all do more or less the same thing so it's a matter of finding a good fit for you. I recently bought a 2012 Tracker Pro 165. It's a perfect fit for me. It fit my budget and my garage and has all the bells and whistles I need to get on the water. What it doesn't have I can add since I paid so little for it. It's not a big boat but it does well on open water with a few considerations. If what you're looking for is a small boat, the game fisher or the tracker, it will suit you fine in most conditions.

That said you may want to consider a couple of things. The game fisher is small and light and from what I can tell is basically a flat bottom boat or a modified v at most. The lighter your boat the more unstable it will be in choppy water. Flat bottom boats also are more unstable in choppy water. However, light flat bottom boats are comfortable and stable in calm water. A v hull tracker will be quite a bit heaver all the way around. It will handle choppy water much better. The deeper the v is in the hull the better it will handle choppy water at speed.

So a lot comes down to what you will use it for and where. Even on local lakes if the wind gets up around 20 mph the water is bad enough that my boat rides very rough and with even higher wind speeds or inclement weather it can take on water easily. But on calm or somewhat rough water it is all I will ever need. Consider where you will be using your boat. While a flat bottom game fisher will serve you well in calm conditions on small lakes, the tracker with its deeper v and heavier hull (and likely larger engine capacity) will serve you much better if the winds kick up or the weather turns on you.

My personal opinion is to give the tracker some thought. If it fits your budget then it will fit your needs better if you intend to take it on large lakes, encounter less than perfect weather, or need a faster more stable ride. If you intend to use it on smaller lakes in calm weather and you don't need to get anywhere fast, I'd give the game fisher some thought. It's likely cheaper and will be less of a financial strain making it easier to enjoy.

Think about what Bonz_d said. Consider style and function. Then consider where you will be using it and whether the combination of features will suit what you want to use it to do.

Out of curiosity, what model tracker are you looking at and for how much? I went with a new tracker a few years ago for my own reasons. I love the boat and don't regret the decision to buy it over an older used boat. Just curious what you're looking at.

I'll stop rambling now...
 

atti_mac

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Guide V14 2014 model. Comes with a Mercury 2014 20hp plus a trailer . For $3500 if we agree on a negotiation. What do you think?
 

bonz_d

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If you like it I think you should buy it. That's a very fair price if they didn't beat it to death already..
 

mrallen007

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New and without tax that rig should be around $5500. $3500 is a bargain. As long as the boat is in decent shape I think it's a great boat to consider. Especially if you're talking about a 2014 motor as well. All aluminum with a deep v and a new motor sounds pretty nice. I don't see a motor with the first option. A good working motor is a great selling point.
 

atti_mac

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This is a "first option" with a Gamefisher boat. $1500 cheaper deal.. 1991 Mercury 20-horsepower outboard , also comes with a motor stand and a bimini top
 

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bonz_d

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Still not a bad deal. Most of that value is in the engine which looks very clean.
 

atti_mac

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Ok, i can't make a decision :) The guy with a Tracker is not answering, and i found this center console: but I didn't want to buy a big motor like this..17.ft manatee center console with a 75.hp mariner motor that runs great .$3300
 

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atti_mac

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Also my last option is this V hull for $2000 but I can't find too much info of the brand. :DMI Voyager 16 DT 15'9" long 5'6" wide
9.9 Evenrude w/ extra prop
54 lbs. thrust saltwater trolling motor (Water Snake) w/ extra prop
12V marine battery
3 new cushioned seats
newer bilge pump
newer live well pump

If he still have it for the price maybe the best shot. I just noticed by the way the Tracker is riveted not welded .
 

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atti_mac

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Ok, the guy with the Tracker is not answering, and the other guy with a gamefisher still waiting for the papers. I will have $3500 if you guys can help me out where can i found a V hull boat , or a solid fiberglass with a newer 20hp motor with a nice trailer I will jump on it.
 

atti_mac

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It is pretty hard to make a decision between a fiberglass and aluminum body. I finally got in contact with a guy who is selling a gamefisher. So that option is still in, just need to wait couple more weeks for the title. The only other boats i like I found a Gregor MX-510 with a 28hp Johnson, in excellent condition but it is $3500. So the big question is worth it the $1500 different to buy the Gregor instead of the Gamefisher. The gamefisher has that 20hp Mercury I posted earlier, this one has a 28hp Johnson. I also found a 2000 Lund 1650 Explore also for $2500 but it is hard to believe in that nice condition for $2500,....
 

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littlerayray

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I would go over that Lund with a fine toothed comb but it could be possible he just wants to get rid of it quick
 

atti_mac

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The Lund owner didn't answer me yet here is the photo : But I contacted with a Gregor's owner and he willing to let it go for $3000!
 

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bonz_d

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Sorry but if it were me the guy with the Lund would already be spending my money.
 
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