Buying First Boat Need advise

[Loner]

Ok so I am buying my first boat this year and I am caped out at around $6000, I want to pay cash. I am looking at the mid 80's about 17' to 18', I want a boat for fishing year round, limited tubing. What is the pros and cons on outboard vs. O/I?

[BARCHASER]

I'm sure not a boat expert. I've had five boats from 16' to 19', 2 I/Os and 3 OBs. Go with a name brand OB. For a boat that small, the engine and outdrive is pretty heavy and the doghouse will take up a lot of space. You are prob looking at a glass boat. Maybe a GlassPly. I had an 18' GlassPly for several years and loved it.

[ET]

Ok so I am buying my first boat this year and I am caped out at around $6000, I want to pay cash. I am looking at the mid 80's about 17' to 18', I want a boat for fishing year round, limited tubing. What is the pros and cons on outboard vs. O/I?

What kind of fishing? River? Lake? Ocean? Where? How many passengers do you intend to have?

$6k is a challenge, but not impossible. BE PATIENT! Ask for advice/help. The awesome deal is out there, don't settle.

What is your tow vehicle?

Are you a handy man or incapable of changing your own oil? At $6k, I assume you are expecting to do your own boat maintenance/trouble shooting/repair. You have the ability/desire/tools/garage, right?

Give us as complete of a picture about yourself and what you intend to do with this boat and we'll help you out a ton!

[Loner]

Lakes, Columbia, Lower tributarys, no need for a pump.

As for passengers the family is wife, myself, and three kids under 10.

I have a 97 chev 1/2 ton with 5.7 auto. Not a prob for the boat size. As for maitnence not a problem.

[Duckwheat]

Be very patient, like a buzzard. Times are tough. You will find a deal, just be very patient and look at a lot of boats.

If you wonder if the motor is big enough pass, it is too small.

DW

[Coastalfisherman]

One thing that you may consider is the cost of fuel. An outboard will definatley be cheaper to run than and inboard. Someone mentionded space, and that will be a concern with an inboard also. I am thinking that an older alumaweld or other boat with a windshield and an outboard would be right for you. IMO

[ET]

For a boat in the $6k range that is large enough to carry you and the growing family, you will be comparing an older 2-stroke outboard to an I/O. Given this choice, I would probably go with the I/O. In that price range you will find lots of older I/Os. Generally you will find that the I/O is much quieter and hopefully you can find one in great shape with low hours. Heat from an I/O can be a huge bonus on cold mornings! Here is what I would look for:

1) Buy a well-respected name brand boat. Those older Glasplys are good..
2) Just because a boat is pretty on the outside doesn't mean a thing. Have an experienced boat mechanic check it out.
3) It is all about a reliable motor(outboard or I/O). Never forget this. You can have a great time with an ugly old boat if the motor is reliable. A brand new boat tied to the dock or dead in the water is just a useless piece of junk.

ABOVE ALL BE PATIENT! It is a buyer's market right now. Lots of paniced sellers out there.

[tomictime]

if U have limited $$$, I would NOT recommend a used I/O....
Yes you could do the work but some special tools are sometimes required = $$$..and I/O parts are expensive.
My $.02

Ok so I am buying my first boat this year and I am caped out at around $6000, I want to pay cash. I am looking at the mid 80's about 17' to 18', I want a boat for fishing year round, limited tubing. What is the pros and cons on outboard vs. O/I?

[ET]

Okay...most seem to lean towards outboard. That would be my first choice too.... IF.... you find a reliable one on a quality boat. So, we're talking about a 100-150hp 2-stroke. Probably late 80s to mid 90s vintage For me, this would mean YAMAHA no other. Be picky and wait for the perfect boat.

Absolutely do not accept, a FORCE, OMC, Evinrude FICT, Mercury Opti-bomb....

And keep in mind that freshly rebuilt generally means it recently broke and it probably will again.

I have a 84 Yamaha 2-stroke that has had zero problems. When they're built right and cared for, the old 2-strokes can last a long, long time.

[socket985]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/713045955.html

Also

I would have no problems buyin a Johnson/Evinrude 2 stroke

I'm not trying to start a flaming war but there are a lot of other good outboards other other than Yamaha

Just stay away from anything named Chrysler/Force

Merc,Yami,Suzuki 2 strokes are all realitivley good in those years.

[tomictime]

that's a good start, IF the glass work was done right and if the transom is good - add kicker , electronics and go :)))

I agree on the right OMC, 90-150 very reliable, the right 175 (the detuned 200), maybe a 200, def not a 235...

it would be at least a VRO II but not a Ficht, (and yes I have owned both)...



http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/713045955.html

Also

I would have no problems buyin a Johnson/Evinrude 2 stroke

I'm not trying to start a flaming war but there are a lot of other good outboards other other than Yamaha

Just stay away from anything named Chrysler/Force

Merc,Yami,Suzuki 2 strokes are all realitivley good in those years.

[BARCHASER]

Buying a used boat right now is kinda like buying a used house, wonderful time to do it, loads of good deals....as long as you dont have to sell one first.

[Loner]

Well I put a deposite down on a boat Monday. Its an 01 17' Valco with outboard merc 75 and merc 9 kicker. Going on a test run Thursday, ya I am pumped. Thanks for all the input.

[Loner]

And the winner is

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s225/lonerIndustries/10749064_102_3-1.jpg

Thanks again for the info

[bluehewes]

CONGRATULATIONS! I remember my first boat I'd go out to the driveway and sit in it for long periods of time. That didn't go away with the second or third either.

Now go get some blood in it!

[Twoshottom]

Congratulations!!:meme::meme:Getting a boat is very exciting. I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

[kilchisfisher]

I want one, too!!! :D :D :D

[BARCHASER]

Congrats. That'll work! Hope you arent towing it with the mtr down like that or a new skeg may be in your future.

[Loner]

Congrats. That'll work! Hope you arent towing it with the mtr down like that or a new skeg may be in your future.

I may not know much but I at least know to trim the motorall of the way up. The pic is from the advertisement. First trip last sunday 10 koke smoked them Monday almost gone my Wednesday, looks like i need to go out again. Thanks again for the info.

[bluehewes]

I may not know much but I at least know to trim the motorall of the way up. The pic is from the advertisement. First trip last sunday 10 koke smoked them Monday almost gone my Wednesday, looks like i need to go out again. Thanks again for the info.


Good job! how did it run, handle? :dance:

Don't forget the plug or you'll need a new boat in the near future! Jk

[lucky2]

It is way nicer than my first boat was!!! CONGRATULATIONS!:applause:

[dcgrav]

nice boat now I am jealous, I was looking at that exact one! Nice buy!