Torn between two boats

[basstender10.6]

I can't decide which boat to buy. They are both Sea nymphs FM 146. One is a 1995 tiller with a 9.9hp and one is a 1997 console with a 30hp. They are very close in price but I cant decide which one is better for your money taking into consideration the one in the first link has a galvanized trailer.
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/boa/2509351075.html
http://newjersey.craigslist.org/boa/2607840572.html

Can anyone help?

 

[kemer1]

Re: Torn between two boats

If it was me, I would go with the first option. It's newer, more power, had the helm console, the fish finder, live wells, and rod storage are just icing on the cake.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Torn between two boats

Go look at 'em, and put them on the water if you can. It's really hard to tell from pictures, but the one with the 9HP looks much better kept - and that goes a long way in used boats.

The setup with the 30 is going to be faster, but pay attention when you run them. It may not be so much faster that you've just got to have it. I've got a lot of time in a 14' with a 9.9 Johnson, and it moves well enough. The '97 boat has a lot more stuff and hence a lot more weight to move around.

 

[The Famous Grouse]

Re: Torn between two boats

In a small rig like that, you lose a LOT of usable fishing space to the console steering. As a percentage, it's a much greater hit and to me it makes even a 16 foot feel cramped and limits fishable space.

Don't be swayed by the bigger HP. You could sell that 9.9 and then buy a 15-20 for only a couple of hundred out of pocket. You can change the outboard, you can't change the layout. YMMV, but try both with a mind toward usable fishing space and decide accordingly.
Grouse

 

[109jb]

Re: Torn between two boats

The tiller will have more fishing space. That is true, but you can work a fish around the single console pretty easily. I personally spent a lot of time in tiller steer boats from 12 to 16 foot when I was younger. Now I wouldn't have one. The console steering is so much easier and more comfortable. Even at just below planing speeds when the bow is high you can see where you are going unlike in a tiller where you have to crane your head around and then still probably still can't see past the bow. The last tiller steer boat I had was a 16 foot Smokercraft with a 60hp Johnson tiller. I eventually converted the boat and motor over to single side console steering and in my opinion made it a much better boat. Weight wise it probably only added 25 pounds to the boat plus it got the driver weight forward to help the bow rise.

The console steer boat in the picture looks pretty like a pretty good layout with room to get past the console. It looks a little dirty, but that could just be the picture. It's hard to tell from the picture what the real condition is. As for the trailer, a galvanized trailer is nice, but if you are using it in fresh water a steel trailer will be fine. It also doesn't say in the ad whether the 30hp boat trailer is steel or galvanized. I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't have a galvanized trailer too. Can't tell that from the picture either.

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: Torn between two boats

Decide whether the tiller or console steering works better for you. Being in NJ, keep in mind alot of lakes have 9.9 limits, so that might play into your decision as well.

 

[basstender10.6]

Re: Torn between two boats

Thanks guys. I will be using the boat on lake hopatcong nj. there are no restrictions on boat size or horsepower. Therefor there are a lot of big boats up to about 39'. I think that 30hp with the console will be easier and more comfortable in rough conditions. My only concern is that the 1995 tiller one with the 9.9 looks to be in better condition.

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: Torn between two boats

Thanks guys. I will be using the boat on lake hopatcong nj. there are no restrictions on boat size or horsepower. Therefor there are a lot of big boats up to about 39'. I think that 30hp with the console will be easier and more comfortable in rough conditions. My only concern is that the 1995 tiller one with the 9.9 looks to be in better condition.

Very familiar with Hopatcong. Personally I like the console as well. You can always throw a cheap 9.9 kicker if you ever wanted to head down to Round Valley or Spruce Run. Good luck!

 

[109jb]

Re: Torn between two boats

I wouldn't rely on the pictures to judge the boat. The console may be in fine shape and the pictures just suck.

 

[basstender10.6]

Re: Torn between two boats

Yea, I agree. Hopatcong is crazy, but I have no plans on taking the boat anywhere else