Some Craigslist Finds

[Silk]

All of you guy's advise and help with my last question (to keep or not to keep) the boat we had was very helpful.

So here are my requirements in a boat.

It can handle a large lake, it can seat min of 6, although we will be fishing, it can be used for water sports (tubing, knee boards etc).

I/o or Outboard, is one better or more reliable than the other?

I do not have a ton of money to spend as we are keeping it to cash only basis and don't want to drain our savings. 3000-4000

This is an '89 Imperial Open Bow, no pictures attached but they were sent in an email and it looks very clean and nice inside and out.
http://rmn.craigslist.org/boa/2296922870.html

This one is a 3hour drive from our house, '91 Glastron open bow
http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/boa/2306005631.html

Here is another, closer to our house, but at the lower end price wise, is it too beat up?? floor is solid.
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/dak/boa/2305175544.html

Am I kidding myself, are we going to be able to find something semi-decent/reliable in this 3000-4000 range????

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Some Craigslist Finds

A boat that comfortably holds 6+ people while able to pull one of them, and can handle a large lake, is a large boat, especially if you are focused on bow riders.
If you buy a large boat for $3000 (hold back the other $1000 for your initial costs, equipment and repairs) you are buying a large risk of problems, unreliability and down-time for repairs. If you are able and willing to do a lot of repairs yourself, and exchange boating time for fixing time, go cheap. Otherwise, pay for reliability.

A large boat can be difficult for a lot of recreational fishing (but all I know about lake fishing--not much I admit--involves fishing along the edges. Is there an "off shore" equivalent?)

I always favor outboards, especially on any boat under 24 feet, and especially on used boats--based in reliability, ease of work and replacement, and no bellows to sink your boat!

So something has to budge. if your budget is fixed, I suggest you look at a 19' outboard (holds 4+ comfortably) and throw two or three of the freeloaders overboard. Even by dropping from a dual axle to single on your trailer is a savnigs in cost and avoidance of inevitable expense.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Some Craigslist Finds

You probably are kidding yourself. However, if you can find something that is in good shape, not rotting and mechanically stable putting aside another 2 grand for failures maybe a good investment and keep you going for many more years. Just as a side, I look at CL posting alot this time of year and am amazed and how many people think a 20 year old 18 foot boat is still worth $9500. Amazing!

 

[Silk]

Re: Some Craigslist Finds

I am probably kidding myself...ughhhh

We would have money for repairs and needs, just looking for a starting point better than where I am at right now (needing new floor, seats, bilge pump and some minor engine work).

In five years I can buy a better boat, a much better boat (if I save my fun money), but for right now, I have to make do. This is only what I can talk hubby into at this time, since I already used my fun money and I'm dippnig in to his :redface: :redface:

Fun money=cash we have on hand to spend on fun and frivolous things

 

[NYBo]

Re: Some Craigslist Finds

The Glastron looks nice, and bucket seats will give you more walking-around room for fishing. But I agree with Home Cookin' on all points, especially about outboards.

 

[Silk]

Re: Some Craigslist Finds

Would a rebuilt 150hp outboard turn you off..should a person steer clear of a rebuilt or is it okay as long as it was a professional rebuild?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Some Craigslist Finds

Take your 3k to a boat dealer and use it for a down payment! You'll have a reliable and very safe boat that you can be proud of!!!... a little bit down, a little bit every month... you're happy, they're happy... everyone is happy!

CL boats should be considered "project" boats, and since neither you nor your husband are very handy... they'll usually end up costing much more in the long run.

However, if you insist on buying used (someone else's problems) buy from someone that is upgrading... they're selling their boat because they've bought another boat and would rather sell their old boat outright than trade it in because they think it's worth more money than the dealer was willing to allow them on a trade-in. Every once in a while you can get a pretty nice boat that has been well kept like this... but most of the time you're still buying someone else's problems.

P.S. The best time to buy a boat is in the winter and close to Christmas, you'll get your best deals at this time of year. During the Spring and Summer is when the shysters come out to unload piles of junk on unknowing victims.

Boat buying is a learning process with a huge amount of trial and error if you insist on going the "used" method. Boat sellers will only tell you what you want to hear and not what you need to hear!

I wish you the best of luck and let us know how your endeavors go.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Some Craigslist Finds

Would a rebuilt 150hp outboard turn you off..should a person steer clear of a rebuilt or is it okay as long as it was a professional rebuild?

No problem at all. It's the shape it's in now that matters. That, and the condition of the hull to which it's attached, of course.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Some Craigslist Finds

+1 on the thought of going to a dealer. There are tons of boats out there that were trade ins and still in great shape. You don't have to buy new to get into a nice boat. Drop $2000-$2500 of your liquid cash and walk out with a 2-3 y/o boat and a payment of $100-$150. A lot of dealers will move the trade-in boats strictly what they have invested in them, and as you may know, dealers really don't give top dollar for trade-ins.

We looked at a smaller boat for quick running around, so we wouldn't burn so much fuel. I almost grabbed a 2006 Bayliner Trophy W/A cuddy with 125 hours on it for $12,000. It might be cheaper in the long run than dumping a crapload of $$$ into an old boat just to keep it afloat (literally). Besides, if you have a junky boat that isn't dependable...you'll never have a good day on the water and it will turn you off from boating forever.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Some Craigslist Finds

I think all three look like pretty fair deals and worthy of being checked out. That being said, I'm an outboard guy and that 150HP boat will be a rocket!

 

[PuddleJumper]

Re: Some Craigslist Finds

I think you are on the right track of not going into debt for your first boat. You will be able to find a very functional rig for that money. Whether it's 5 years old or 15 yr they are at risk to malfunction. I agree that in the older rigs you might favor an outboard. My 2 cents.

 

[cyber16]

Re: Some Craigslist Finds

here looks like something maybe worth a look
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/csw/boa/2309867611.html
I am NOT the seller, just spend a ton of time on craigslist
I am also in MN "Coon Rapids"

Although a smaller outboard
glastron 1990 - $3200
This is a great little glastron with a 70 hp johnson runs great and fires up every time

Shorelander trailer
cover
70 hp Johnson
16 ft
radio
6 passanger
ready for water

612 508 1079 Ryan leave message