New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Hi everyone,

I'm new to boating and am looking for some advice and questions about a possible purchase.

My wife and I decided a few months back to buy 2 used jet-skis. Funny thing about jet-skis, I realized after we bought them and took them out a few times that I'm not a big fan of them.

We're looking to sell them and upgrade to a "real" boat. My wife and I have a 4 year old and a 12 year old so we're looking for something for family and possibly a few friends to hang out on, and occasionally pull a tuber or skiier. We would be using it only on fresh water (Lake Allatoona here in Georgia) and would likely be keeping it at our

I'm fairly handy around cars, but I know boats are certainly a different beast. Looking for something that will be "ready to go" and hopefully require not much more than normal maintenance (I know that is non-existent when it comes to boating .

I've found a '97 Caravelle 1750 bowrider locally, they're asking $4200 obo. Not sure how many hours are on it (I haven't talked to anyone about it, just stopped to look at it), and the interior definitely needs reupholstering (most of the seats are cracked/split). The boat overall looks clean and well taken care of, and includes the matching Caravelle trailer. In GA, you can look up vessel registrations, it looks like the current owner has had it for about 2 years and the registration is good until next year. So, to my questions:

- Is this a reasonable price? It looks like book pricing would be closer to ~$3500, plus I'd have to account for needing to reupholster - what would that typically cost?
- Are there any questions I should ask or anything I should check before purchasing? I know I should ask for a test ride, check for leaks, and overall boat happiness.
- Is there anything that would be a deal-breaker on this or any other boat besides something obvious (doesn't run, leaks, etc.)?

Thanks in advance!

-Mike

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Hi Mike:

Welcome to iBoats.

Use NADA for boat pricing guides http://www.nadaguides.com You can also use bucvalue.com, but it cost a few bucks.

Don't fall in love with the first boat that you meet, there are plenty of driveways and back yards in America, and many of them have boats for sale.

I assume that your budget is around $5K . . . that may be tough, as you will be getting into older boats that may have structural issues (rot, etc). Check out the boat restoration threads . . . there are some folks who have needed to do complete tear-down on 1990's vintage boats. If you can go to $10K, that may be a better place. Asking prices are usually high versus selling prices.

Always test ride that boat before you buy. Everything runs good in the driveway hooked up to the hose (you'll hear the term "muffs", which is the nickname for the hose attachment that is commonly used)

If you have a buddy that knows boats, seek their advice and assistance along the way (a true test of friendship).

Take a boater safety course - Power Squadron or USCG Aux. - for you and your wife.

Post ideas and updates here and you'll get lots of advice. Good luck with it

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Cracked vinyl in a bow rider means to pass on it (generally, in my book). It was left uncovered for this to happen, and this means water sat in it, compromising the structure. Someone will now come along to tell you that Caravelles were wood free, but the fact of the matter is that water screws up wood, and non-wood components, including composites, foams and just everything in general.

The whole thing could be a mess. If you can dig deeper, have at it. Be sure it isn't waterlogged or delaminating.

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

There are lots of boats for sale in the Georgia/South Carolina area. Keep looking till you find one in better condition. A little more money can get a significantly better boat. If you try to go cheap, you'll probably end up spending more just to get it usable.

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

All good info for sure and all I can do is echo the above advice,

I can add that you should not shy away from minor issues, get to know boats and what to look for, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUg_7FcaxhE&feature=plcp this video is from a buddy of mine and shows an easy way to determine if the stringers or ok feel free to check his restorations but understand that this is your first boat so what your really looking to do is to get a good boat at a decent enough price that you can sell it in a couple years for what you have into it, nearly everyone does this, they get into boats, and boating sets its hooks into you but after a couple years learning how to boat you realize your family needs something more or a little different we call that twofootitis and it is very real. Also getting a slightly used first boat is perfect for you, you will bounce your first boat off the dock or the trailer so while its your baby understand your going to ding it up a little bit so better to do this with your first then your next boat. Be patient and get your wife involved, having two adults involved in launching and retrieving is the only way to go and it promotes the family and your place in life, remember your the Captain but she is the Admiral. Get boating friends, you are likely to enjoy boating with just your family but it is so much better with friends who have boats.

Have fun and as stated its the first boat you looked at don't get your emotions to involved look at a bunch of boats the more the better, really dig into them and learn from them, the good the bad when you find someone who really took care of their boat then you may have found your boat, under 20' is perfect for a first boat, my first one was 19' my second (Current) one is 25' and I don't think I will be selling it anytime in the near future. Patience I can't stress this enough, looking at, lake test, purchase and driving patience is king, I love my wife she is awesome she is a part in everything I do including boating, and when she tried to drive my 25' GOURGEOUS CROWNLINE onto the dock it was everything I could do to tell her I love her and the boats fine, she cried for 3 hours after that and took me 2 days to figure out how to buff the marks out of the hull. But without her I wouldn't have my boat.

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Something to think about is how much maintenance do you want to do, can you do the maintenance. Having owned both I/O's and plain outboards I would say that there are a lot more maintenance items and potential problems with an I/O. Bellows replacements every couple years, periodic engine alignments, making sure it's winterized properly every year etc. An out board is genereally turn the key and go. If it's a two cycle out board maintenance is typically change lower unit oil every year, grease, fog it for winter, add some Stabil to the fuel and you're done. Maybe some spark plugs every few years depending on use.
If it's a four stroke out board (in your price range likely not) It's the same maintenance as a two cycle OB with the exception that you need to change the engine oil.
I love my inboard outboard, I love the way the low center of gravity makes the boat feel, and when you're cruiseing all you hear is the low rumble of the engine and bubble, bubble from the exhaust.

Just something more to think about.

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

welcome to iboats.

if the prior owner only had it for two years, I would wonder why he is selling it. the cracked seats lead me to believe there is an underlying problem with the boat.

if you can, find a garage kept boat.

your boating requirements will direct you to outboard vs I/O. stay away from boat needing to be repaired unless you want a project.

since you purchased the jet skiis before you decided you didnt like them, I make this suggestion: if there is a boat rental place in your area, I would do that first. that way you get to "test drive" a variety of boats until you find the type of boat you and your family like

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Well, we may have found a winner...

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/wat/boa/3017554286.html

The only thing that makes me leery is that the buyer lives too far from a large body of water to lake test it. He has offered to let me test it on the muffs (claims that's how he bought it) - I know you have all stressed the importance of a lake test and I agree. I'm not sure if I want to buy someone else's mistake.

And even though we've looked at a ton of boats, I still don't 100% feel comfortable knowing what to look for. I assume it's reasonable for me to ask to have it inspected by a marine mechanic and/or lake test it myself?

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Do not take the boat out by yourself. Since you have no idea of its condition, he may come back at you for all sorts of things claiming you broke them. You can look up the price of the boat in the NADA price book. However, be aware that those guides are just that - GUIDES. That same boat may sell for more or less money depending on where in the country you happen to be. Don't limit your investigation to the boat. The trailer has brakes. Do they work. Condition of the tires? If you look carefully you should be able to tell if the boat has been moved recently. No tire tracks indicates its been there awhile. As for running on muffs, a boat running on half its cylinders may sound OK with no load on it but fall flat in the water under load. Check the oil for water (chocolate milk looking). What is the oil pressure? Alternator charging? Batteries ok. Do all accessories and instruments work? Blowers ok. Nav lights working? Spongy floor. Walk around and pay attention at the edges of the floor. Check the stringers for rot. Bilge pump work.

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Mike, they ALL run okay on muffs. It's when you put them through their paces that you find problems reaching full throttle, overheating, stumbling, misfires, outdrives with worn-out u-joints and gimbal bearings. Rolling the dice on a $500 boat is one thing (not that I'd ever recommend something like that for a newbie), but dropping $5K+ on a boat you can't sea trial is a big no-no.

Keep looking.

My .02

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Scott Danforth said:

welcome to iboats.

if the prior owner only had it for two years, I would wonder why he is selling it. the cracked seats lead me to believe there is an underlying problem with the boat.

if you can, find a garage kept boat.

your boating requirements will direct you to outboard vs I/O. stay away from boat needing to be repaired unless you want a project.

since you purchased the jet skiis before you decided you didnt like them, I make this suggestion: if there is a boat rental place in your area, I would do that first. that way you get to "test drive" a variety of boats until you fi
nd the type of boat you and your family like[/ i would agree something not right with that boat!!!!

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Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Anybody in northwest GA (I'm about 30-45 mins north of ATL) want to help a brother out and go look at some boats?

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Going to look at this one this weekend... Pretty excited!

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/boa/3022263300.html

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

The 3.0L 4 banger in that Sea Ray is just adequate. You will probably wish you had more power, like a 4.3L V6.
I have always chosen my boats with the biggest motor you can afford, that way you will not wish for more power.

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

@Slip Away, I took your advice. ;-) We got rid of our skis yesterday and put a deposit down on a '95 Chris Craft Concept 19 with the OMC 5.0L. Everything appears to be straight on it, we're lake testing it next week. And, it has 198 hours to boot. Other than needing a good buffing, we're looking forward to getting it out on the lake!

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Hey Mike-d, we're neighbors. We are also trying to find our first boat. It was torture crossing over little river today- beautiful day, time to spare, but no boat. Congrats to you! Hoping to be out there ourselves soon!

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Hey Joja, luckily I don't get over that way too often - we're up off 140 closer to Waleska. Today was apparently the Pro Wakeboard Tournament on Allatoona, and I was definitely wishing we were able to get out on the lake until the bottom fell out of the sky, then I was glad we were NOT out on the lake! We did find there are lots of good bowriders in this area if that's what your looking for, just be patient. Maybe once we're both on the water we can get together. Good luck in your search!

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Who has the guts to say that OMC = run away?

Me.

Run Away.

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

Haha.. I've seen hit or miss answers on this topic, Philster. I'm pretty mechanical and it looks like a fairly easy motor to work on.

Re: New to boating, looking for advice on purchase

mike_d said:

Haha.. I've seen hit or miss answers on this topic, Philster. I'm pretty mechanical and it looks like a fairly easy motor to work on.

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It isn't a matter of whether or not it's easy to work on. It's a matter of OMC being obsolete. They've been out of the business for over a decade, so parts availability comes into play. AND, if that '5.0' is actually a Ford 302 (as opposed to a GM 305), it's a double whammy- Ford's been out of it for just as long.

With so many used boats on the market I personally wouldn't bother with anything that isn't a Volvo-Penta or Mercruiser package with a GM motor.

My .02