Hello everyone!
This is my first post, I have been lurking around for a while, slowly learning a little about boats.
I have recently been contemplating owning a small boat for the family (and for me to fish), and seem to be having some trouble settling on exactly what I think I want.
Originally, I was thinking of looking for a 14-16' aluminum fishing boat w/15-25 hp outboard and no console at all. Then I started thinking that it would be nice to have something a little bigger w/ a flat floor and some built in seats. Next, I decided a console would be nice. Oh, and then the fiberglass versus aluminum thing started happening.
Here is my background/intentions with the boat.
1. I like to fish. I live in Maine, we do trout, salmon, bass, pike fishing and I am fortunate to live within a short drive to a number of great lakes. Some of them are quite large and will have choppy conditions at times.
2. I live near the coast of Maine. I would also like to have the option to go into the harbors and along the coast to fish for striper (striped bass).
3. I have a wife and 2 little girls (5 and 2) that would want to come along some of the time.
4. I originally was looking at boats in the 1200 and under world. I have now expanded that to 2500 and down.
5. Boat will also be used for pleasure cruising
Given the above, I started to look around. I have found several candidates:
16' Starcraft Jupiter Aluminum (1972), cool interior in decent shape (looks like a 65 Mustang), closed bow, 1986 Merc 65. $2500
Variety of Corson boats (made in Maine from the 50's-2000), fiberglass, pretty rare outside of Maine from what I understand.
My favorite is the personal boat of the (deceased) owner of the company
18' 1961 deep hull. 1999 Johnson 88 HP engine (seems to be low hours, nice), boat is also pretty clean. Thee closed bow has a hatch to gain access to the bow. Fishfinder, new battey, trolling plate. $2500
All of the Corsons are closed bow (better in the ocean from what I am told) and they have plastic windshields. This one is the only one I have seen with the hatch. I have found other fairly nice corsons for 1200-1900.
16' 1966 Corson 1966corson w/1999 force 50 horse ob motor and 2002 karavan trailer. Price is $1800 OBO.
15' 1978 Corson w/1980 70hp Johnson Seahorse comes w/top Minnkota 50lb trust, batteries, gas tanks, etc., dependable, runs exc., asking $1700
--This boat is a pretty good deal (price is very negotiable), but I was able to get a little play in the prop (pulling straight back, it moves a little), that concerned me but I know 0 about marine outboards
16' 1979 Aerocraft good fishing boat, galv trailer, 40hp Johnson motor, good shape, call after 10am to 10pm, will take guns on trade of equal value, $995 OBO
15.5' 1969 Arkansas Traveler The boat is in good shape, The Yamaha is a 1994 50 HP 2 stroke in exc. shape w/low hr. It has power trim and tilt. New hyd. steering installed when I bought the motor. The trailor is a brand new venture model. I removed the old back to back seats and replaced them w/2 pedal seats for added space. Also incl. : hummingbird fish finder, old salty rod holders, and anchor. $2500-
Do these sort of boats seem to be in the right direction?
I understand what to look for with the engine, but the lower unit is a bit of a mystery for me. Any advice is welcome.
This is my first post, I have been lurking around for a while, slowly learning a little about boats.
I have recently been contemplating owning a small boat for the family (and for me to fish), and seem to be having some trouble settling on exactly what I think I want.
Originally, I was thinking of looking for a 14-16' aluminum fishing boat w/15-25 hp outboard and no console at all. Then I started thinking that it would be nice to have something a little bigger w/ a flat floor and some built in seats. Next, I decided a console would be nice. Oh, and then the fiberglass versus aluminum thing started happening.
Here is my background/intentions with the boat.
1. I like to fish. I live in Maine, we do trout, salmon, bass, pike fishing and I am fortunate to live within a short drive to a number of great lakes. Some of them are quite large and will have choppy conditions at times.
2. I live near the coast of Maine. I would also like to have the option to go into the harbors and along the coast to fish for striper (striped bass).
3. I have a wife and 2 little girls (5 and 2) that would want to come along some of the time.
4. I originally was looking at boats in the 1200 and under world. I have now expanded that to 2500 and down.
5. Boat will also be used for pleasure cruising
Given the above, I started to look around. I have found several candidates:
16' Starcraft Jupiter Aluminum (1972), cool interior in decent shape (looks like a 65 Mustang), closed bow, 1986 Merc 65. $2500
Variety of Corson boats (made in Maine from the 50's-2000), fiberglass, pretty rare outside of Maine from what I understand.
My favorite is the personal boat of the (deceased) owner of the company
18' 1961 deep hull. 1999 Johnson 88 HP engine (seems to be low hours, nice), boat is also pretty clean. Thee closed bow has a hatch to gain access to the bow. Fishfinder, new battey, trolling plate. $2500
All of the Corsons are closed bow (better in the ocean from what I am told) and they have plastic windshields. This one is the only one I have seen with the hatch. I have found other fairly nice corsons for 1200-1900.
16' 1966 Corson 1966corson w/1999 force 50 horse ob motor and 2002 karavan trailer. Price is $1800 OBO.
15' 1978 Corson w/1980 70hp Johnson Seahorse comes w/top Minnkota 50lb trust, batteries, gas tanks, etc., dependable, runs exc., asking $1700
--This boat is a pretty good deal (price is very negotiable), but I was able to get a little play in the prop (pulling straight back, it moves a little), that concerned me but I know 0 about marine outboards
16' 1979 Aerocraft good fishing boat, galv trailer, 40hp Johnson motor, good shape, call after 10am to 10pm, will take guns on trade of equal value, $995 OBO
15.5' 1969 Arkansas Traveler The boat is in good shape, The Yamaha is a 1994 50 HP 2 stroke in exc. shape w/low hr. It has power trim and tilt. New hyd. steering installed when I bought the motor. The trailor is a brand new venture model. I removed the old back to back seats and replaced them w/2 pedal seats for added space. Also incl. : hummingbird fish finder, old salty rod holders, and anchor. $2500-
Do these sort of boats seem to be in the right direction?
I understand what to look for with the engine, but the lower unit is a bit of a mystery for me. Any advice is welcome.
