Advice needed on used Bay boat or CC boat

[Mojoman10]

I am actively looking to buy a used 17-20ft bay boat or small CC boat and need advice on what to look for or avoid.
Here are my criteria:

1) Max price range: $14K max (preferably $8-12K)
2) Easy to tow by V6 Hyudai Santa Fe
3) 80% lake use, 20% intercoastal-inshore
4) Capable of pulling 235lb slalom skiier out of the water
5) suitable for novice fishing.

I am more interested in a lighter, quicker boat than one than is good in heavy chop. What brands, models should I consider. Power wise I thinking 115-150 2 cycle HP fuel injection or 4 cycle. What is the oldest year model I should considered for this type power?

Thanks for your help.

PS: I live in Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area of NC

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Advice needed on used Bay boat or CC boat

i would consider and aluminum hull, with the Santa Fe.
Buying a boat

1st you need to decide what you want to use it for, fishing, cruising, or water sports.

2nd how many people adults, children you want on board of the average outing.

3rd outboard, inboard-outboard, or inboard power plant.

4th Budget, what you want to pay, and what you are willing to pay, when you find
Exactly what you want.

You can hire a marine surveyor, to inspect the boat, or you can do it yourself.

You are mainly looking for soft spots in the deck, transom, cracks, all signs of a rotten, under frame. You walk all over the deck, that a mallot, or hammer with wooden handle, using handle, tap all over the transom, a shape rap is good solid base, a thud, is questionable base.

The motor should be clean, no spots where the paint is discolored, or pealing from heat, having run hot. (This part for outboard motors Compression should be atleast 100psi, and within 10% of each other,)
Spark on all cylinders, good pee stream, check lower unit for water in oil.

The overall condition of the boat will tell you a lot, as to how it has been maintained.
boat motor combo, A 30 year old may be in better condition, than a 3 year old.

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: Advice needed on used Bay boat or CC boat

If your shopping the used market , there are to many brands/variables to cover . Your best to follow a few general rules then research specific boats you find for sale.

1) Shallow V'd hull require less HP to push/plan them but sacrifice ride smoothness to some degree.
2) If you want to ski with it, don't consider anything that is powered to less then 80-90% max HP.
3) Look for a freshwater boat or one that has spent most of it's time in fresh water. Salt ages mechanical and electrical systems quickly.
4) If your brand new to boating, spend a few hundred and have the boat surveyed so you know what your buying.
5) realize that as the age of the boat goes up, the likelihood of season ending problems goes up exponentially regardless of apparent condition.
FWIW, IMHO a walk through has better space arrangement and comfort than a CC.

 

[cribber]

Re: Advice needed on used Bay boat or CC boat

Follow TD's advice and remember your Santa Fe can tow a max of 3500 pounds including boat, trailer, gear, fuel, etc... A decent bow-rider (aluminum or fiberglass) in the 17 -19 foot range with a 3.0l 135 HP or 4.3l 150 HP should work with your setup. look for the newest boat that falls in your price range.

 

[dontask]

Re: Advice needed on used Bay boat or CC boat

Since the tow vehicle has weight limitations stick with an outboard motor. Half the weight of the same horse power IO. This way you can get more (size) boat for your money and tow issues. Also you will have more usable interior space with the outboard package.
As far as that 235 pound slalom skier out of the water--get enough horse power (and a 3.0 liter IO isn't it). I've got a 4.3 liter IO on a 19 foot br and with some passengers in the boat the big slalom skiers pulled out of the water would be a issue with it also.

 

[Bamboo]

Re: Advice needed on used Bay boat or CC boat

Given your criteria, there are three brands which I would look at:
Scout
Pioneer
Key West

All of them offer hulls with either a Center Console or Dual Console (fish/ski type) configuration that are under the towing capacity of your Santa Fe. Also, they are popular brands in your neck of the woods so finding a nice used one shouldn't be a problem. They are popular in my area in Florida and the people I know who own these brands are very satisfied as they are pretty well made, can handle off-shore duty, and hold up to constant use well...plus no wood. I have a 186 Key West with a Yammi F150 and it will pull my brother on a vintage wood Maharajah slalom OK, and he is probably about 260.

Good Luck with your search!