Getting ready to buy my first boat

Hey guys I'm getting ready to buy my first boat and I have an idea of what I want but I'm having trouble finding a good quality boat.

-I know I want atleast a 20-21+ foot center console with 23-24 feet being ideal, 25 foot at max.

-I would prefer an ocean style hull verses bay hull

-Single engine is fine but at least a 150, and I'd like it to be an outboard

-I want a t-Top

As far as color and other accessories go I'm not too picky although I know they can punch a hole in my wallet.

I've found a couple of good deals and am in the process of checking them out but what I have looked at so far has been misleading.

For instance, I went to look at this boat the other day and was in way worse condition than stated: http://panamacity.craigslist.org/boa/1846974913.html

There were missing hatch panels in the front and the floor was soft where they had been exposed to the weather. He could not get the engine to turn over either. He was asking 5,000 which was a little steep considering max I would pay him for it would be 3,000-3,500 and that would be signing myself up for a big project.

Basically I'm writing this thread in search for advice and direction. My price cap is $15,000 but spending less for the right boat can be great too. I plan to use it a lot to fish and entertain my friends mostly in the bay but want to have that option to go out into the gulf. I don't mind buying a boat that doesn't have a motor but obviously it has to be less in price so I can afford to purchase a used motor.

This is a really good example of what I am looking for, but the guy hasn't responded yet: http://pensacola.craigslist.org/boa/1874881824.html



If anyone knows of any boats that fit this criteria or you have advice on where to look or who to get in contact with please help me out. I'm in the Panama City, FL area and would prefer not to drive over 200 miles to go buy a boat but if it's worth it a weekend trip can solve that.

Thanks in advance.
-Ben

Re: Getting ready to buy my first boat

Keep looking,
boat #1 is junk,
boat #2 needs a transom job.

Seriously consider a marine surveyor to check out transom, stringers and engine for you, a $400 survey will save you thousands.
And allow yourself time to learn how to spot internal damage to the hulls.
This is nothing like buying a car.

Re: Getting ready to buy my first boat

dusky.com

a 233 would be perfect for you

Re: Getting ready to buy my first boat

A couple of comments. I have some experience with your kind of boat and intended boat use:
There is a big difference between a 20' and a 25' CC. I suggest you start with a 21'; it's a popular size, will do what you want to do, good for learning, and then move up.

A 150 on a 21' is a good match, some say on the small side, so you will need a lot more for a bigger boat. That means a lot more $$$.

You are shopping for an extremely popular boat for your area, so the good ones will be hard to find. They will often either be expensive or in bad shape--but you can get lucky if you are ready to grab the good one immediately and perhaps with no conditions or delay. Be ready to travel; look around the Carolina's.

You can always add a T top, so if a good deal without one comes along, grab it. price out an add-on. My 21' CC doesn't have one and I planned to add one, but after 2 years I've decided not to; I use the bimini in the summer and nothing in the winter. You are further south so that might not work for you.

Lots of people who have these boats repower them and keep them. One good thing is that they tolerate being left outside more than sofa boats.

Buying used, you do not have the option to choose accessories or color; don't pass up a good deal because the radio doesn't work. On the other hand, the rigged used boat saves you big $$$.

If you buy cheap and old, budget for a repower.

The high end boats will be expensive: Grady, Whaler, etc. The "Sea" boats are a good middle line: Sea Pro, Sea Hunt, Sea Swirl, etc. The low-end boats don't hold their value so they may be less expensive but you may be buynig problems. And many have changed quality; Mako used to be a solid boat but I've heard bad things about the new ones being cheaply and poorly built: beware.

Your luckiest find will be a guy who loves his 21 but wants to move up to 25--you may be that guy in two years!

I suspect your market is like mine. For $15,000 you can get a 19' 115 HP that is 4 years old or a 21' 150 HP that is 8 years old. With trailer that age.

Re: Getting ready to buy my first boat

Why does that seacraft need a new transome? Just trying to learn.

Re: Getting ready to buy my first boat

+1 on the survey!

Well worth the money in the long run to understand what you are buying into!

Re: Getting ready to buy my first boat

I can't add any tips on CCs, but I just wanted to be sure you were aware that both the boats you're looking have carbed 2 stroke engines. Not that that's necessairly "bad", just be aware of the fuel costs you're signing up to with these outboards.

I just sold my 19 foot DC with a 150 HP Johnson (1993) and fuel consumption was the major reason. My average fuel consumption was about 2 MPG running at best cruise and yes the motor was well tuned. These older outboards were simply not made for economy, but it gets to be a real PITA to have to worry constantly about the range and not running into the reserve and I just go tired of pulling up to the pump and putting in $60-90+ every day out and that was just to top off the tank, not to fill it.

Obviously the newer HP fuel injection outbords like E-Tec and Optimax are at totally different story, but the old Ocean Pros and the like will drink fuel like college boys drinking free beer.

Again, you might not have any choice and depending on how far you run, it may be cheaper to take the hit in fuel economy rather than pony up more $ for a 4 stroke or HPDI, but I just wanted to let you know that this can be an issue.

Grouse

Re: Getting ready to buy my first boat

w33m4n said:

Why does that seacraft need a new transome? Just trying to learn.

Click to expand...

Can you see the alum reinforcement plate under the outboard bracket?
Thats what they do instead of replacing the transom, there is no other purpose ,

and from first hand experience I can say even when expertly done by a pro...it doesn't work for beans.

On the other hand I would LOVE to restore a seacraft.!

A professional survey of that boat would drop the price by thousands.
Because its gonna cost thousands to fix.