Posted: 9/9/2006 3:08:46 PM EDT
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I'm looking to buy a smallish boat to fish and cruise the local lakes and possibly the intercoastal along the east coast. I'm not made of money (I spend it all on guns) and I don't want anything too big. I'm looking probably for something in the 14'-16' range with around a 40HP or so. I will mostly be fishing in freshwater in the local lakes and also just cruising for fun on the weekends with a passenger or two (no skiing or anything). I may want to take a trip every once in a while to Mosquito Lagoon or similar as well. I'm hopeing to buy something used in around the $5000 range. Ok, now tell me if I'm smoking crack in my thinking. What type of boat should I look at? Brands? Where to buy used without getting screwed? Also I have a small (13') Ghenoe that need a trailer and I'm not willing to pay $700 for a new trailer. Where do I find a small trailer for under $500 in the Orlando area? Sorry for all the questions, I've been bit by the boat bug. *Also posted in FL Hometown forum* |
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If you buy used...you should have NO PROBLEM finding something like that within your price range...In fact, probably considerably lower than $5000. depending on what it comes with. Do you want a stern drive...or a steering wheel? (I would also invest in a trolling motor if I were you) |
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boats are holes in the water into which you throw money! You think BRD is expensive? Yes, we own a boat. Four Winns 18' Fish-n-Ski. We bought it new in '04, and have since re-wired the whole thing, souped up the motor, upgraded the prop, upgraded trolling motor, t/m battery and charger, fish finder, GPS, stereo/SIRIUS, and just recently got an EZ Load trailer. (don't forget....life jackets, fire extinguisher, skis/tubes/wakeboard, multiple fishing licenses, INSURANCE, all the gas to/from the lakes--our boat gets used a lot--registration fees, docking fees, launch fees, and maintenance costs) I highly recommend a boat to anyone who can afford one, but there's a lot of expenses that go into one that you don't realize until you need to buy something. If you buy used, you will likely get a lot of the stuff that goes with it, but I also highly recommend having it looked over thoroughly by a competent watercraft mechanic. Used boats are usually for sale for a reason. For instance, if a boat isn't properly winterized, the block is probably cracked. It might run, but probably not for long...and a new motor can be almost as expensive as a new boat. |
Nope...the happiest days in my life are when Im 20 miles offshore in the Atlantic, fighting a big ole' dolphin, tuna, kingfish, wahoo, cobia, etc. etc.. |
Depending on what day in past you aked, I would have given you something akin to both of these answers. One week I may have loved the boat, the next i might be so fed up ones almost ready to sell the POS. Having a boat is definitly a love/hate kind of "relationship". When everything is working times are great. Some of my funnest memories invole boating on lake erie. When stuff isn't working (not if, but when, its seems its always something screwing up with boats) it can be a HUUUUUGE pain, likely costing much muct time and money to fix. For some the good outweighs the bad, not so for others. Its personal preference. |
| For your stated purpose, don't go below 18'. You should however have no problem finding a decent used boat in your price range. Don't buy it without someone that knows boats checking it out and be sure they actually know what they are looking at. Avaid Bayliners older than 1994. |
He lives in Florida...the good outweighs the bad. We dont have things like this silly "winter" you all speak of 
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For that kind of money you could get a nice used Boston Whaler in that size range. Those are really nice boats, there are others too of course, but I'd look at outboard sportfishers rather than family fun boats if it were me, based on your description of your needs. I've got a basic 14' aluminum rowboat with a 9.9HP outboard and it works great here in Puget Sound, I was surprised at how well it jumps up on plane with 2 grown men and a cooler full of ice and runs, and trolls well too. You'll want a deep vee though if you're going offshore at all. |
| I want a steering wheel, I'd prefer probably a center console (I think). I want to stay on the smaller side (not more than 17' long, 14'-15' should be plenty for what I want, I think). The Boston Whaler or similar is kinda what I'm leaning towards right now. I know it would probably be best if I allow myself to get talked out of one but I want to see if it's doable now. Is there anything I should be sure to stay away from (brand or motor wise) when I look. I've seen several Carolina Skiffs for decent prices, how are they? |