20' Skipjack Flybridge 1975?

Jazzmandave · 10-04-2009, 06:50 AM

Curious if anyone has experience or comments with this boat... Looking at it, low price, but im not familiar with big motors (it has a 225 Chevy Small Block V8 I/O original) and not familiar with flybridge style boats.

Would this be a wrong turn for me in my search for a bigger boat? (right now I have a 14' wood sled with a 28 hp jet outboard)

It seems aluminum boats are many times the cost of fiberglass boats in the used market. Im looking for a gonga deal, but it seems most of those are fiberglass..

This one stood out because of a very low price.

Gundog · 10-04-2009, 08:05 AM

Hi Dave,
Be carefull of old glass boats most used wood for stringers and glassed over them. The stringers tend to dry rot make sure and have an expert look at it before purchase or you could end up with a pile of junk that is not sea worthy. I would think a 20' boat with a flying bridge would be way top heavy for that size boat but I am no expert so take my advice for what you paid for it. There is a reason aluminum boats cost more but if one does not fit in your budget there are some great used glass boats you just have to be carefull in your choices.

Mike

Tinman · 10-04-2009, 12:45 PM

A 35 year old boat is going to have some issues. Would you buy a 35 year old car? Plus a flybridge is a pretty specialized feature for only a 20 footer. Is there a reason you want a flybridge? They catch a lot of wind, and make the boat tippier due to the high center of gravity.

If it were me, I would look for a younger boat with outboard power. Old fiberglass hulls with old outdrives need a lot of work and maintenance.

Jazzmandave · 10-06-2009, 11:20 PM

Thanks for the advice, I looked some more and found a lot of boats on the market right now. wow. I found a 1988 open bow seaswirl with a Johnson 140, 17 feet, includes kicker and frame, reasearching if this would be a good all around boat that might let me even fish astoria etc... Theres a lot to learn about boats whew... over my head.

fiberglass boat prices seem to be 80% lower than the aluminum, so until I feel I have an extra $15000 for a used small boat , aluminum is out.

Does an all Fiberglass hull not handle the chop of the columbia well? The boat I have now is wood covered in a think layer of fiberglass, but handles chop ok for a small boat.

Gundog · 10-07-2009, 04:19 PM

I am not sure where you are located and what your budget is but there is a really nice looking boat about 3 blocks from my house in Vancouver that I don't think would be real expensive I will stop and check the price. It looks like a aluminum riveted boat with outboard power I don't have any paticulars because I don't know who it belongs too but it has a for sale sign on it.

Mike

Jazzmandave · 10-08-2009, 06:50 AM

Thanks, but we bought a boat last night.

its a 1972 seaswirl with a evinrude 1977 55HP outboard. We bought it for a song, and Hope it will be ok for a few years.

THeres no propeller and the lower unit is removed - the seller said he had just had it serviced which is why it was off. I tried putting it back on with a friend but arrgh,, too frustrating. Got to find a shop now to put it back together and get me a propeller.

Thanks all!

Gundog · 10-08-2009, 12:41 PM

I stopped by and the boat around the corner is a Smoker Craft 1988 with a Johnson OB it is in very good shape for the age and the price is $2950. I am guessing it is about 16' long it has a windshield and nice canvas cover over the bow. If you or anyone wants to see it let me know and I will tell you where it is. I do not have anything to do with this boat so I have no idea of the condition other than what I see.

Mike

smalldog · 10-11-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazzmandave

Thanks, but we bought a boat last night.

its a 1972 seaswirl with a evinrude 1977 55HP outboard. We bought it for a song, and Hope it will be ok for a few years.

THeres no propeller and the lower unit is removed - the seller said he had just had it serviced which is why it was off. I tried putting it back on with a friend but arrgh,, too frustrating. Got to find a shop now to put it back together and get me a propeller.

Thanks all!

Just serviced and it is off? Sounds fishy to me...