The Honda Civic of ski boats?

[roostonu]

Re: The Honda Civic of ski boats?

I can't believe that with all the safety related comments of idling an engine while people are getting on and off the boat, nobody mentioned carbon monoxide poisoning. People die every year from it and it is there regardless of what drive you have.

 

[daymienrules]

Re: The Honda Civic of ski boats?

as someone who browses the socal boat classifieds every few days, I can offer that outboards are not all that common here. Vast majority of boats seem to be I/O, with a lot of older flatbottom jets, and a few inboard ski boats. Almost no bass boats. The sub $10k inboards in that price range are direct drive, mostly closed bow from the early 90s- will not seat more than 6ppl. The i/o seem to fall at a few price points. Around $4k you find a bunch of late 80s 17-18ft v6/v8 runabouts. Many of them have soft floors and are generally money pits. At about $7-8k you can get into late 90s to ealry 2000s 18-20ft v6 runabouts- probably what you'll end up looking at based on your requirements. Then starting about $12K you can get into really nice newer stuff with low hours, even some basic deckboats.

I'd recommend you find something that's never been in saltwater, plenty of them around. Something with nearly perfect interior, and meticulous maintenance. Dont be shy about looking thru cragslist from LA, Inland Empire, Orange County, and San diego.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/boa/1816614195.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/boa/1816303159.html

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: The Honda Civic of ski boats?

ok, maybe I should start a new thread for this next question. But, IF (and its still a big IF) I go with an outboard....should I go 2 stroke or 4? Can I even use a 2 stroke in California? I know they can have a bit more exhaust/fumes, but they are cheaper, easier to maintain and more powerful...yes?

If you are looking for low maintenance consider a Bombardier Recreational Products Evinrude E-TEC 2-stroke outboard.

I know you aren't looking for new but they don't require servicing for the first three years or 300 hours and they are 'self' winterizing. They are rated '3 stars' for emissions. Being 2 stroke there are no oil changes or valve adjustments to perform.

http://www.brp.com/

As far as low maintenance for a hull, I would recommend welded aluminum, no waxing or polishing required, no wooden stringers or transoms to worry about rotting. A well built one is very tough, I have put mine on rocky beaches with little or no marring.

Harbercraft is one brand name that comes to mind.

http://www.harbercraft.com/

One draw back is price, I don't know about your region, but here in western Canada, a quality aluminum boat is pricey.

Hope this helps

 

[jkust]

Re: The Honda Civic of ski boats?

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/boa/1816614195.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/boa/1816303159.html

Holy cow, those are some of the lowest prices I have ever seen. Sub 10k with a 4.3, that new is unusual here in Minnesota. Those would get scooped up in hours...at least the v6 would.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: The Honda Civic of ski boats?

If you're willing to drive to Tulsa, this one looks like a possible deck boat option, would probably sell for less than 10K.

http://tulsa.craigslist.org/boa/1810622170.html

 

[aldena]

Re: The Honda Civic of ski boats?

Hey, new guy here also!

NedM, that first picture you posted is very much like my boat, a 1994 Four Winns 190 Horizon with 5.8 litre and OMC cobra outdrive. I take my boat to Castaic and Pyramid all the time. It's been a good, fun and reliable boat from the beginning. I bought it used in 2000 for $12,000. I guess I got lucky in this respect, as all I've ever done is change fluids, filters, impeller, new prop once(hit a rock), and new tires on the trailer. It's got plenty of power and speed with the V8, we ski, tube all the time, and I learned to wakeboard last year at the age of 53, I think I getting too old to ski.