Pathfinder450
Cadet
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2011
- Messages
- 12
Hello everyone,
Let me introduce myself here to this forum. My name id Tom and I go by my user name of Pathfinder450. Reason being, I?m wanting to set a path out to the different parts of the USA and Canada too. As it stands for now I will be driving a 2011 Ford F-450, dually fx4x4 with a Chalet TS-116 truck camper. I also would like to buy a used boat that is in good condition.
When I was a kid my Uncle use to take me on his boat so that I could go fishing. I was bitten so to speak on fishing and being on a boat. I knew from that point that when I grew up that I too would get a boat. Well that came true when I was in my 20?s (many years ago) I decided that I was going to find a boat and make it my own. Back then as it is now, I didn?t know much about boats. I was relying on the sellers honesty. He certainly was friendly and told me all the good things about having a boat. I bought that boat and trailered it home. Shortly after that I discovered that the whole back end of the boat was dry rot! Covered up with Bondo and paint. I had it on water and it leaked real bad. I came home from what was supposed to be a positive first boating and fishing experience that should have been a cherished memory. It turned out to be a bad memory that stuck with me ever since.
I called the guy again and talk about a Jekyll & Hyde. He was no longer friendly and now argumentative. I lost on that one and unfortunately it put a bad taste in my mouth when it came to me thinking of getting a boat. I found myself turning away from buying a boat and turned myself to my work rather than play. Now that I?m retired I want to go and see the country, US and Canada and do some camping and fishing. I may take up hunting again. Although hunting to me isn?t the same here in Florida as it was in Michigan. I lived for a short time in Wyoming and I loved the fishing there. When I did go fishing it wasn?t to any lake but to a good fishing hole.
I'm so clearly cautious when it comes to buying a boat now! I?m hopeful that I can ask for advice from all of you here. I also have a friend who knows a lot about boats. I would feel more comfortable in learning about the different types of boats and to have some kind of basic information on the pros and the cons of the many different models, and the makes. I was going to buy an older Bayliner and was told that ?they are a middle of the road type of boat very light in the water. They do not have the fiberglass in them that sea rays Christ crafts well crafts have. That being said another thing to look for is soft spots in the floor especially in the area under the seats (where water has a chance to lay). Bayliners are noted for poor floor construction. Make sure that the steering cables are in good shape and that they turn the motor with ease. The Mercury force motor are at the bottom end of the mercury line. Make sure that the motor does not have a miss in it . These power heads are pretty expensive.? So I passed up on that boat and now I?m trying to take a crash course about boats. I plan on waiting till fall and try to get a boat at a cheaper price rather than getting one now at inflated prices.
I hope that belonging to this boating forum that I can learn a bit or two about boats and buying one that isn?t full of dry rot (no more wood boats for me) or find out that there is a crack in the fiberglass causing a leak.
I do have to tell you, at this point of looking at this website and trying to understand all about boats, I?m Lost! I need all the help I can get. Now I understand about the model and makes of cars and trucks. When it comes to Boats I?m like below a newbie if you can believe that. My first question is what are the differences between an outboard motor and a inboard motors? I don?t think that I need a super big size boat like a cabin cruiser but something with a little style to it. Thanks in advance for any help that you can give to me as it is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Pathfinder450 ~ Tom

Let me introduce myself here to this forum. My name id Tom and I go by my user name of Pathfinder450. Reason being, I?m wanting to set a path out to the different parts of the USA and Canada too. As it stands for now I will be driving a 2011 Ford F-450, dually fx4x4 with a Chalet TS-116 truck camper. I also would like to buy a used boat that is in good condition.
When I was a kid my Uncle use to take me on his boat so that I could go fishing. I was bitten so to speak on fishing and being on a boat. I knew from that point that when I grew up that I too would get a boat. Well that came true when I was in my 20?s (many years ago) I decided that I was going to find a boat and make it my own. Back then as it is now, I didn?t know much about boats. I was relying on the sellers honesty. He certainly was friendly and told me all the good things about having a boat. I bought that boat and trailered it home. Shortly after that I discovered that the whole back end of the boat was dry rot! Covered up with Bondo and paint. I had it on water and it leaked real bad. I came home from what was supposed to be a positive first boating and fishing experience that should have been a cherished memory. It turned out to be a bad memory that stuck with me ever since.
I called the guy again and talk about a Jekyll & Hyde. He was no longer friendly and now argumentative. I lost on that one and unfortunately it put a bad taste in my mouth when it came to me thinking of getting a boat. I found myself turning away from buying a boat and turned myself to my work rather than play. Now that I?m retired I want to go and see the country, US and Canada and do some camping and fishing. I may take up hunting again. Although hunting to me isn?t the same here in Florida as it was in Michigan. I lived for a short time in Wyoming and I loved the fishing there. When I did go fishing it wasn?t to any lake but to a good fishing hole.
I'm so clearly cautious when it comes to buying a boat now! I?m hopeful that I can ask for advice from all of you here. I also have a friend who knows a lot about boats. I would feel more comfortable in learning about the different types of boats and to have some kind of basic information on the pros and the cons of the many different models, and the makes. I was going to buy an older Bayliner and was told that ?they are a middle of the road type of boat very light in the water. They do not have the fiberglass in them that sea rays Christ crafts well crafts have. That being said another thing to look for is soft spots in the floor especially in the area under the seats (where water has a chance to lay). Bayliners are noted for poor floor construction. Make sure that the steering cables are in good shape and that they turn the motor with ease. The Mercury force motor are at the bottom end of the mercury line. Make sure that the motor does not have a miss in it . These power heads are pretty expensive.? So I passed up on that boat and now I?m trying to take a crash course about boats. I plan on waiting till fall and try to get a boat at a cheaper price rather than getting one now at inflated prices.
I hope that belonging to this boating forum that I can learn a bit or two about boats and buying one that isn?t full of dry rot (no more wood boats for me) or find out that there is a crack in the fiberglass causing a leak.
I do have to tell you, at this point of looking at this website and trying to understand all about boats, I?m Lost! I need all the help I can get. Now I understand about the model and makes of cars and trucks. When it comes to Boats I?m like below a newbie if you can believe that. My first question is what are the differences between an outboard motor and a inboard motors? I don?t think that I need a super big size boat like a cabin cruiser but something with a little style to it. Thanks in advance for any help that you can give to me as it is greatly appreciated.
Respectfully,
Pathfinder450 ~ Tom