Little Boat - Good Vibes

[Jams Frrever]

Hello! First timer.
I’m looking at a little Corson Runabout.
Any advice? It’s been in freshwater all it’s life. I want to use it around Casco Bay off Portland just to cruise the islands, etc. 25 hp big enough? $3K a good price? Thanks all!


“1966 Corson Runabout, with 1995 Evinrude 25hp evinrude 2 stroke, electric start, on 95 Remeq trailer. Boat is currently winterized, has always been trailered, Runs great ALL IS IN GREAT CONDITION ,no yellowing nothing missing or broken, turnkey ready for ice out , 12' over 60 inches wide very stable fishing boat, seats 4.

3000$ cash or possible trade for wheeler in same condition”

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... Wear yer pfd's whenever yer in it,....

No way in 'ell I'd go in the ocean in it,......

Waayyy to small of a boat,.....

 

[Jams Frrever]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,..... Wear yer pfd's whenever yer in it,....

No way in 'ell I'd go in the ocean in it,......

Waayyy to small of a boat,.....

Haha no? My friend has a water taxi service and said he thinks it would be good for a season!
Its over 6’ wide!

 

[GA_Boater]

Some of my friends also have bad ideas.

12' long and 6' wide makes it safe? BTW - How many feet is 60"/12"?

 

[Jams Frrever]

Not much helpful info there but hey thanks anyway!

 

[GA_Boater]

Not much helpful info there but hey thanks anyway!

As much thought as you're giving to this. Do you want advice or not?

That is a small lake putt around boat, not suitable for what you've described.

 

[Jams Frrever]

As much thought as you're giving to this. Do you want advice or not?

That is a small lake putt around boat, not suitable for what you've described.

Multiple people say the opposite. And I’ve been in smaller skiffs tooling around in the ocean plenty of times.

 

[GA_Boater]

Then your questions are;

Is 25 HP enough? Maybe and it depends on the max HP for the boat.

Is $3,000 too much? No telling. Have you looked at her in person? One picture doesn't do much to show off a 55 year old boat.

 

[Stinnett21]

It's not so much the dimensions but the age and style of the boat, flotation requirements back in the day, etc. Lots of difference between a 12' RIB and what you're looking at. On YT you can watch someone take a 13' Whaler from Miami to Bimini but this is a rare occurrence, most likely planned perfectly and probably with support nearby. There are plenty of inland waterways I would be very nervous about taking that boat out on any given Saturday, let alone the ocean. Be careful my friend.

 

[Jams Frrever]

Then your questions are;

Is 25 HP enough? Maybe and it depends on the max HP for the boat.

Is $3,000 too much? No telling. Have you looked at her in person? One picture doesn't do much to show off a 55 year old boat.

Hey thanks. Don’t mean to be cheeky!

And yes. Going to see it tomorrow evening. Will certainly know more after that.
Appreciate the feedback!

 

[Jams Frrever]

It's not so much the dimensions but the age and style of the boat, flotation requirements back in the day, etc. Lots of difference between a 12' RIB and what you're looking at. On YT you can watch someone take a 13' Whaler from Miami to Bimini but this is a rare occurrence, most likely planned perfectly and probably with support nearby. There are plenty of inland waterways I would be very nervous about taking that boat out on any given Saturday, let alone the ocean. Be careful my friend.

For sure, I get it. I don’t plan on taking it on inland waterways, just around the bay and the islands off Portland. I’ve been on a smaller boat just around little islands plenty of times! Not going open ocean here or in any kind of storm!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... This guy isn't talking about a 12' boat, but it's worth the 11 minutes, regardless the size of yer boat,.....

 

[jbcurt00]

Background on Corson boats:
https://maineboats.com/print/issue-146/classic-maine-plastic

 

[Jams Frrever]

Ayuh,.... This guy isn't talking about a 12' boat, but it's worth the 11 minutes, regardless the size of yer boat,.....

That was great thank you! Lots of valuable gems info for boating of any kind.
Yeah I’m planning to have the boat parked at an island, cruising around the bay in nice weather, or have it in the slip!
Really wicked good info though, ya know I jest bout imagine I wouldn’t wanna get caught ridin some big ol swells in that tiny lil lady.

 

[Jams Frrever]

Background on Corson boats:
https://maineboats.com/print/issue-146/classic-maine-plastic

Read this too, great article. I grew up in Skowhegan and we have a camp in Madison, so that’s a big part of why I like this boat also. Thanks for posting!

 

[Jams Frrever]

Some of my friends also have bad ideas.

12' long and 6' wide makes it safe? BTW - How many feet is 60"/12"?

I do hear ya though! Also I had my math wrong !!!

 

[Jams Frrever]

It’s like stocks talk online, nothing should ever be taken as direct advice. Getting past the making sure I don’t go kill myself, and that this will be a nice day cruiser, assuming when I go see it the motor is in good condition etc, pretty cool deal for a fun little summer boat am I wrong?
I know the bay pretty well after 5 years and it’s all mellow and protected as long as you’re not in some weather. And if it comes up quick you can always see land pretty close!
Anyway just on here lookin for someone to talk me out of spendin the cash and I found it good so now I’m tryin to fight it!
Thanks all for the input!

 

[KJM]

I have seen people out in 12 ft boats on the bay i fish, but i have to say i cringe every time. I had a 16 ft glass boat and still didn't it was big enough. Weather can change pretty quick. At least wear a life jacket!

 

[southkogs]

An experienced skipper, who knows the water and his boat, can handle a big ocean in a small boat. Someone who doesn't know when they are out of their league can get themselves in trouble no matter what boat on what body of water. That's not saying this combo is good or bad for you. Instead, it's inciting the Clint Eastwood doctrine, "A man's got to know his limitations."

Price-wise, I think for the area it's probably in the zone as long as the boat is in good shape. Since you're looking at rougher water for it, check it over carefully - even hiring someone to look at it for you (like having taken over to a marine shop).

Those older hulls are a little "rockier" than the new ones. They tended to roll left and right more easily than the newer boats do. I wouldn't trust the line that it's a very stable boat without putting it on the water and trying it out. Feeling that little 12 footer move under you will give you a vibe for how it will handle rough water - which for it's intended use you could run into even accidentally.

 

[jbcurt00]

I cant envision a 12ftr thats 5 or 6ft wide accomodating 4people, unles 3 of them are 10yr olds, in which case it'll probably lean to starboard (helm side)