1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

[CaptainSkip]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

Thunderbirds and Thundercrafts are 2 different boats, You could buy a Thundercraft for approx 8k brand new back around 90's late 80's, they were very thin fiberglass boats with Merc cruiser I/O's, basically you were buying the motor. A thunderbird was a heavy duty glass boat and built solid. We've owned both.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

Where are you going to run the boat? This is not a good boat for lake Erie. It's ok for close to shore or short trips, but not for a run to the islands from 30 miles away.
If the boat is in the water take a goooooood look at the trailer for rusted frame, etc, will help get the price down.
Hate to say 5K is high, but have to agree with the others and say it is for Ohio this time of year.
"good first boat?" no, 20 years old, i/o, trailer needs a lot of tlc and boat will take a lot of upkeep to get it where it will stop costing you money every time you take it out.
Once you get all the bugs out of a boat they stay that way for a long time, but this boat has been sitting way too much and will nickel and dime you out of boating.
Keep looking! imho

 

[wakeondude]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

Thunderbirds and Thundercrafts are 2 different boats, You could buy a Thundercraft for approx 8k brand new back around 90's late 80's, they were very thin fiberglass boats with Merc cruiser I/O's, basically you were buying the motor. A thunderbird was a heavy duty glass boat and built solid. We've owned both.

What did you think about the Thundercraft. It seemed pretty solid yesterday and it was pretty rough out.

 

[CaptainSkip]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

What did you think about the Thundercraft. It seemed pretty solid yesterday and it was pretty rough out.

It was great for Lake Cumberland. We used it for skiing, tubing and cruising around, it was light so it was easy on gas, enough power and easy to tow. I just didn't feel it would weather well. My kids were too small so I sold it while it was still in it's prime, that was approx. 20 yrs ago.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: 1990 Thundercraft 196, good first boat?

try this one

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/for/1869085323.html