Buying a Boat...looking for advice

[Woodie]

So, a friend of mine is selling his old ski-boat, and the Mrs. and I are thinking about buying it.

Fiberglass boat, 16', seats 6, (not a bow-rider) at least 25 years old. Clean, some salt-water usage, but in decent shape, with trailer.
Motor is ~90 HP Mercury outboard, about 15 years old, recently rebuilt carbs, replaced electronic egnition, and only 75 hours on it.

Questions:
Is it worth $1500?
Does it make sense to buy it, try it for a year w/ the kids, and then transfer the motor to a newer shell?
I'm concerned about space, since there are 4 of us (2 small kids)...won't we outgrow this boat almost immediately?

 

[TheGameIs21]

You're gonna love this answer....

It all depends.

1. Who is the manufacturer?

2. What are you saying when you say "decent shape".

3. 16' is fine for a family of 4 depending on your sizes.

4. Are you just going to use it for fishing and leisure boating or are you going to try to pull skiers? If pulling skiers I'd get a new motor. 15 year on a marine engine is rough.

5. Can you afford 1500 or are you going to take out a loan?

6. Can you afford the winter storage? Some neighborhoods/townships wont allow you to keep your boat on the property.

7. Keep in mind that all boat owners will tell you that there are really only 2 good days involving their boats.... The day the bought it and the day they sold it.

8. Almost forgot this one... I don't know what the boat market is like in CT but in OK, a 16' fiberglass that is about 15 years old is an average deal for 1500. In FL 1500 would be a steal.

 

[Amused]

Follow the rule of the three Fs:

If it Flies, Floats or Fscks... RENT IT!

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

Originally posted by: Amused
Follow the rule of the three Fs:

If it Flies, Floats or Fscks... RENT IT!

wise words!


actually, 1500 is pretty safe bet. Buy and at worst you will have to do some extra work to it, at best you will be able to sell it for close to what you paided for it. better than buying new, and getting hit with depreciation. This way you will find out if you really want the hassle of a boat (storage, maintanence, licensing, etc...)

 

[Woodie]

Answers:
Cash, no loan.
Not sure who the mfr is on the boat. I haven't seen the boat yet, so I don't know the exact condition.
Family size isn't an issue (kids are <10)
Leisure boating this year, probably pulling a tube or knee board. Maybe skiers next summer.
Winter storage: my back yard.

Any other input?

(sounds like I'll be taking a boating class this spring. )

 

[desertdweller]

won't we outgrow this boat almost immediately?

You bet. 16 ft. is pretty small, especially if you're going to take it to a big lake.

But, $1500 isn't much for a first boat. Keep it for a season and then decide if
you like boating or not. If not sell it for what you paid.

The boat having been in salt water is also a concern. Find out if the motor was
flushed each time after pulling it out of the salt water.


DD

 

[lightpants]

The Best advice you will ever get:

Take the $1500 and go down to the lake and throw it in the water!


But, boats are a ton of fun. $1500 is a good price for a first boat. Are you getting the safety equipment with the boat? That can run a few $$$
If you have never drove a boat before- take a day off work during the week and go down to the lake. Practice getting the boat on and off the trailer and maneuvering it around the dock to get used to it. If you take it out for the first time on a busy sat. or sun. you probably will not make many friends. Take a boaters safety course- there are rules you have to follow and fines you pay if you don't. I think a small boat like the one you are looking at would make a great first boat, if you like it then look into upgrading. You will have experience in the things you need and don't in a new boat.

Have fun!
<--------------------counting the days until boating season opens in PA

 

[xgsound]

Boats are fun , fun is good. If you can get a test run on the water that should tell the tale . The price is good to get started only if the boat/trailer works . A 16 ft boat is only good for lakes or rivers if the current isn't real strong ... be sure not to forget that in the beginning when you don't know anything yet. 90 hp isn't a ski boat by todays standards , but it will work.
You can take the FREE online safety course at www.boatus.com , and you should . Lots of stuff that can save a life . Lots of stuff that can save a life .
If you can take this boat and $500 for trailer and safety items , you get a chance for great fun at few $ . Just remember that BOAT means break out another thousand . If you like it it'll cost you somehow to continue, but if you like it so what.

Jim

 

[davew0670]

2 best days of a boat owner. The day he buys it and the day he sells it.

 

[NorthRiver]

Boats are a pain in the ass. I love my boat, but I also hate it. Make sure the floors are solid, and that it has no leaks. For 1500 you really can't go wrong.

 

[Ausm]

Does not sound like a bad deal for 1500.


Sysadmin

 

[Mr N8]

I guess I'm not the typical boat owner, but I love mine, and have had almost no problems. I bent the propeller shaft when the water got too shallow, once, and there happened to be a big rock down there. Other than that, its been awesome.

1998 Correct Craft Ski Nautique. Mmmmm....beautiful.

Edit:

Oh yeah, for $1500, that's not bad. Offer $1200 and see what they say. If the engine is in good running condition, its a deal already.

 

[Thegonagle]

Sounds great, if it's not too ugly, cleans up well, and runs well.

You might out grow it, but you'll have cheap fun in the meantime. If you take good care of it, it will still be worth close to what you pay for it in a few years, so what the hey? Use it a few seasons, sell it, and hey, it becomes a practically a free boat!

 

[Woodie]

Free? Now that sounds good to me!

...yeah, right. A "free" boat. Sure. Uh-huh. Let me guess, you have a bridge in Brooklyn you'd like to sell me.

Thanks all...we seem to have consensus here. I've arranged to see the boat on Saturday w/ the Mrs.