First Boat

[lakedelavan]

Hello everyone I am new to the forum and I am thinking about getting my first boat and I would like some advice. The boat is a 15ft and he doesn't say what brand it is its a 50hp motor he says it runs good and the boat has a new prop and live well aerator installed last fall. It looks like an older boat and motor i am guessing 1970-1980's boat. He is asking $1000 for it and I was wondering if it was a fair price, a great buy, or is he asking to much. Here is the link for the add and pictures. Thanks
http://racine.craigslist.org/boa/4966841162.html

 

[SkiDad]

it looks like a Johnson 50. The price seems OK but I'm not a fisherman so not 100% sure. You will need to make sure you mix 2-stroke oil in your gas, not sure if you are aware of that. 1 pint for every 6 gallons of gas.

 

[Silvertip]

Unless you here this engine run or have test ride you need to be prepared for disappointment and possibly additional expense. You Don't buy a car without a test drive and you should not do that with a boat either. Make sure the seller can hand over a title in his name for the boat and trailer. If not also be prepared for disappointment.

 

[Tnstratofam]

The ad says the boat is kept in the garage during the winter which is a good thing. If you go look at it ask the seller how it's stored during the summer. If it's kept covered that's good. If left uncovered especially when it rains that's bad. If the floor or transom are soft or weak run away. You don't want your first boat to be your first major boat project.

 

[Grub54891]

Hmmm... Open question, could be good,I had a 50 hp like that. Pretty bulletproof. But then again I know how to keep them tuned up.
However,I see a board on the transom,where the motor clamps on. Looks to be added on for more support. Be absoutly sure the transom and deck/stringers are solid. My 2 cents.

 

[airshot]

Boat looks good in the pictures, however it is what you cant see that might be a problem. As others have stated rotten wood on the inside could be a real problem. On these older glass boats there is a wood core inside the glass material and if it becomes rotten the structure becomes weak and disaster strikes. Especially in the transom where the motor hangs, grab the motor leg and move it up and down with force (by hand) and see if the transom flexes where the motor is attatched. Get your nose up inside that front storage area and see if there is any rotten wood smell, and jump up and down on the floor and see if it flexes or is soft. By all means do a test run on a body of water...this should be a must to see how the motor runs and if the hull leaks. Look into the nooks and crannies before and after the test run. Hopefully it will work out for you...if all is good then price is about right....but if any issues....RUN away.

 

[southkogs]

Welcome aboard lakedelavan:

There's some really good stuff HERE on what to look for when you buy a boat. The price would be reasonable in my area for that boat assuming everything checked out. Those 2 cylinder Evinrude/Johnson motors are great. Keep 'em maintained and they'll run a LONG time. I had a buddy who used to have a boat similar to that one and we did quite a bit of fishing out of it. The only thing I didn't like was the stability side to side. It's got a little bit of a narrow beam - made it nice in tighter spaces sometimes, but also made it a little bit "rocky." Nuthin' dangerous, just moved a lot.

Good luck lookin' at it.