1st Boat

[Larisshsr]

Hello everyone, I'm looking to buy my first boat and seeking advice. There is two I have been looking ,one is a 1996 Hydrasport 19 with a 96 evinrude 112spl, the other is a 1993 Trophy Bayliner with a 2013 Evinrude 90...I haven't did a water test yet but any feedback is welcomed.

 

[alldodge]

Welcome
If boat hulls are solid, then it comes down to which motor is in best shape

 

[racerone]

Compression test before you hand over any cash.-----Are you capable / planning to do your own work on these motors ?

 

[Larisshsr]

Compression test before you hand over any cash.-----Are you capable / planning to do your own work on these motors ?

No I don't know how to work on them. What am I looking for when doing a compression test?

 

[racerone]

You want to see about 120 PSI on the 112 HP and the same on the E-tec.---Post the numbers here.-----Check with your local shops to see if they work on these motors first.-----You will be shocked at what simple repairs cost at some shops.

 

[Larisshsr]

No I don't know how to work on them

You want to see about 120 PSI on the 112 HP and the same on the E-tec.---Post the numbers here.-----Check with your local shops to see if they work on these motors first.-----You will be shocked at what simple repairs cost at some shops.

Thanks I'm just looking for something to do some jetty, bridge and pylon fishing for sheepshead

 

[Scott Danforth]

Thanks I'm just looking for something to do some jetty, bridge and pylon fishing for sheepshead

thats understandable....everyone that is looking at their first boat just wants to do something, whether it is fishing, sitting at a sand bar, or pulling the kids around on a tube. however unlike your car, when a boat breaks down, it can be serious, where in a car you just pull over and there is no chance the car will sink into the roadway, or the car keeps moving

both of the boats you are looking at are older hulls - one is 29, the other is 32 years old. hydrosports were a great boat when they were new, however many have needed a rebuild once they hit 15-20 years (like so many wood structured fiberglass boats). there is also wood in the trophy, not a lot, however its in there.

the structure of the boat and the health of the motor are important. hence the questions.

none of us here can see the boats first hand. all of us here have been suckered into at least one bad boat purchase.

there is a sticky at the top of the forum you need to familiarize yourself with. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/f...help-buying-a-boat-a-buyers-checklist.612841/

then there is at least a good quick look at link #14 in here. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/how-tos-and-other-great-information.283508/

as a motor, Evinrude was not bad back when they were both new. however not the brand no longer exists today. learning to work on them yourself will be crucial.

 

[jlh3rd]

one of the most repeated phrases to oneself : "why didn't I listen to ----" (fill in blank)

 

[Larisshsr]

thats understandable....everyone that is looking at their first boat just wants to do something, whether it is fishing, sitting at a sand bar, or pulling the kids around on a tube. however unlike your car, when a boat breaks down, it can be serious, where in a car you just pull over and there is no chance the car will sink into the roadway, or the car keeps moving

both of the boats you are looking at are older hulls - one is 29, the other is 32 years old. hydrosports were a great boat when they were new, however many have needed a rebuild once they hit 15-20 years (like so many wood structured fiberglass boats). there is also wood in the trophy, not a lot, however its in there.

the structure of the boat and the health of the motor are important. hence the questions.

none of us here can see the boats first hand. all of us here have been suckered into at least one bad boat purchase.

there is a sticky at the top of the forum you need to familiarize yourself with. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/f...help-buying-a-boat-a-buyers-checklist.612841/

then there is at least a good quick look at link #14 in here. https://forums.iboats.com/threads/how-tos-and-other-great-information.283508/

as a motor, Evinrude was not bad back when they were both new. however not the brand no longer exists today. learning to work on them yourself will be crucial.

Thank you

 

[crazy charlie]

Personally I like the Hydrasports hull much better than the trophy.Some of the Hydrasports hulls are made of kevlar. However the motor on the trophy is far more valuable than the one on the Hydrasports.Charlie

 

[racerone]

But it all depends on whether you can find a shop that is willing to work on Evinrudes.-----I know of a shop that bought all the new spare inventory of Evinrude parts from another dealer.----That dealer is now saying no to every Evinrude service enquiry I guess.

 

[jimmbo]

Because Evinrude no longer exists, I would pass the one with the E-tec, simply because the Engine is far less likely to be an Owner serviceable Motor, as in any Diagnosis, cause it is a Computer controlled DI Engine. The Older V4, which has a history of breaking Piston Rings, is a Simple to understand Carb Engine.

 

[racerone]

The older V-4 with new O/S pistons will run for many years.----Just had someone complement my work on a 1990 V-4.-----Had it for 13 / 14 years and it ran good when they sold the boat.

 

[dingbat]

The Trophy build quality is bad.
A “high tech” motor from a now defunct company is a “no go” for me

 

[Captain Caveman]

I like to ask the seller questions about maintenance. When was the gear oil last changed? When was the impeller last replaced? Etc.. If they don't know that's a bad sign. If they have paperwork, that's usually a good sign. Motors and boats that were not maintained well by the previous owner, are just a deferred maintenance nightmare headed toward your wallet.

My best advice is to take a friend with you that knows about boats and motors? Don't have a friend like that, go make one at the local marina. Most good-intentioned people buy that used boats end up regretting it. They spend a lot more money than planned and spend a lot of time waiting for their boats to come back from the shop. Most motorsports vehicles are expensive. You either need to spend a lot of money for brand new, or you spend less up front but a lot more paying mechanics to fix things that you don't know how to fix.

We aren't trying to scare you, but to make sure that you know what to potentially expect.