Looking to buy a budget saltwater boat

[Magnumpl]

Hi. I live in Tampa Bay area, Gulf Coast, FL. I am looking to buy a boat for few weeks now and having a hard time purchasing one. I would use it for fishing, chilling with my family and driving to nearby islands. A center console might not be too comfortable for my family members but I decided to broaden my search to a center console boat as well since it's so hard to find any dual console. I would prefer to stay below $15k as it will be my first boat and I want to get my feet wet before getting a newer boat that suits me well. I am very handy and my dad is a mechanic so I am sure we would be able to perform most repairs ourselves.

I found that a friend is selling a 1992 Aquasport 20' with Johnson 140hp rebuilt engine for $8k

Can't find too much information about it. Is it worth buying?
He has someone looking at it tomorrow morning so I would have to buy it today.

https://imgur.com/a/zZHM0t0

Other ones which are up for sell are:

1994 Renen 20' with 2001 Yamaha 200hp engine for $9k
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/341116860/14361/

1998 Angler 204 with rebuilt Suzuki 175hp engine for $15k
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/383047856335499/

1996 Pro Sports 20' with Mercury 135hp for $10k
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3329193413791635/

Are any of these worth buying?

Thank you!

 

[tpenfield]

Welcome to iBoats . . .

We can not really provide much guidance, since we cannot inspect the boat. It will be your decision to make.

The boat is 29 years old (?) How good can it be? Plan on doing a bit of work.

 

[mike_i]

Someone would need to know what kind of weather and sea conditions you have in your area to help you decide on what type of boat to buy. Since this is your first go around with boats I suggest you take a look here.

Boating Safety Courses

You also may want to check on boat clubs such as freedom boats or carefree boats maybe they have something in your area.

 

[Sprig]

A cheap old boat piloted by a novice/inexperienced owner in the OCEAN is a dangerous and very very very bad idea.

 

[cptbill]

A bargain boat is hard to find these days. As far as the gulf coast in the Tampa Bay area goes I've seen everything from john boats to kayaks out in the gulf, I don't know if your on the bay or on the coast but if your south of the Anclote river you have the intracoastal to play in if the water is not prefect. North of Anclote Key where I am You need to take a 9 mile run before you can find any protection from the weather and the weather here changes quickly as I'm sure you know. So my suggestion would be the rent some different styles of boat, get some practice, take a boating safety course (in fact have the whole family take it) then decide what would work best for you

 

[poconojoe]

Your use of the statement "I want to get my feet wet" made me chuckle, but in a bad way!

As stated, it's hard for us to make that decision from a distance.

Do your homework. Read throughout this forum to get some pointers.

It greatly depends on how well a used boat was cared for and maintained.
A young boat can easily become completely trashed by leaving it unprotected out in the weather. While a 20 year old boat might be meticulously cared for, garage kept and well maintained.

The same goes for brand names. You might find what is considered a lower quality brand name boat in great condition and a higher quality boat that was left out in the rain, uncovered and completely ruined.

 

[hugh g]

Hi. I live in Tampa Bay area, Gulf Coast, FL. I am looking to buy a boat for few weeks now and having a hard time purchasing one. I would use it for fishing, chilling with my family and driving to nearby islands. A center console might not be too comfortable for my family members but I decided to broaden my search to a center console boat as well since it's so hard to find any dual console. I would prefer to stay below $15k as it will be my first boat and I want to get my feet wet before getting a newer boat that suits me well. I am very handy and my dad is a mechanic so I am sure we would be able to perform most repairs ourselves.

I found that a friend is selling a 1992 Aquasport 20' with Johnson 140hp rebuilt engine for $8k

Can't find too much information about it. Is it worth buying?
He has someone looking at it tomorrow morning so I would have to buy it today.

https://imgur.com/a/zZHM0t0

Other ones which are up for sell are:

1994 Renen 20' with 2001 Yamaha 200hp engine for $9k
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/341116860/14361/

1998 Angler 204 with rebuilt Suzuki 175hp engine for $15k
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/383047856335499/

1996 Pro Sports 20' with Mercury 135hp for $10k
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3329193413791635/

Are any of these worth buying?

Thank you!

You're a first time boater, you know very little about what's involved in owning one or what to buy & you want to cruise on the ocean to visit islands? Really? I'm not picking on you but you're asking for trouble.

Making a snap decision without doing the proper research is how people get burned. And don't even think about going out on blue water without taking every boater safety course you can. You are responsible for the lives of everyone on your boat. Good luck.

 

[dingbat]

And don't even think about going out on blue water without taking every boater safety course you can.

He is not going to learn a thing about “blue water” in any boating Safety Course

He would be better served taking courses in oceanology, meteorology, and advanced navigation.

 

[hugh g]

He is not going to learn a thing about “blue water” in any boating Safety Course

He would be better served taking courses in oceanology, meteorology, and advanced navigation.

That's what I meant. Considering he's in Florida I'm assuming those courses will be readily available. But thanks for straightening me out.

 

[dingbat]

Considering he's in Florida I'm assuming those courses will be readily available.

I know of no place outside of the CG or navel academy that teaches such things.

Believe it or not, boating in the ocean isn't anymore dangerous than boating in your local lake. Statically, your safer boating in the ocean than you are boating in your local lake.


Boating offshore isn’t inherently dangerous from a boating perspective. The danger comes from a lack of understanding the environment and the challenges you face on your own. Something as simple as a dead battery can cost you your life. You need backup plans for backup plans.

Gilligan’s island…a 3 hour tour….lol

No different than hiking the back country really. You have to be prepared for any and everything. The night you wake up with a bear trying to get into the tent is not the time to figure out you left the bear spray back in the truck.

Having said that, no amount of class room training will prepare you for all the scenarios you may run into there. The level of preparedness required to boat offshore is multiple levels about that needed for an afternoon at the local lake.

Given the lackadaisical attitudes I see here all the time about preparedness and seamanship skills, its probably best that saltwater melts boats on contact and giant sea monsters attack in a regular basis…lol

 

[hugh g]

I know of no place outside of the CG or navel academy that teaches such things.

Believe it or not, boating in the ocean isn't anymore dangerous than boating in your local lake. Statically, your safer boating in the ocean than you are boating in your local lake.


Boating offshore isn’t inherently dangerous from a boating perspective. The danger comes from a lack of understanding the environment and the challenges you face on your own. Something as simple as a dead battery can cost you your life. You need backup plans for backup plans.

Gilligan’s island…a 3 hour tour….lol

No different than hiking the back country really. You have to be prepared for any and everything. The night you wake up with a bear trying to get into the tent is not the time to figure out you left the bear spray back in the truck.

Having said that, no amount of class room training will prepare you for all the scenarios you may run into there. The level of preparedness required to boat offshore is multiple levels about that needed for an afternoon at the local lake.

Given the lackadaisical attitudes I see here all the time about preparedness and seamanship skills, its probably best that saltwater melts boats on contact and giant sea monsters attack in a regular basis…lol

I agree wholeheartedly. A few years ago myself & a couple buddies rented a house boat in Islamorada, Fl. & spent 7 days on it in mid March. First nite we were hammered with a blow while anchored off one of the islands in the Gulf & almost ended up aground. Almost because we managed to save the day but it was a close call. One of my buddies knew how to plot a course etc & the rest of our vacation was uneventful as far as storms go. But you never know.

I owned a boat for 25 years & I've seen it all on local lakes & they're not all inexperienced boaters. I've seen guys in 65 ft. + yachts swamp runabouts. It's appalling how some people behave.

 

[Magnumpl]

I am very close to Anclote Key and these are the islands which I meant, they're just 3-5 miles away.

I will surely look into some courses before I get behind the steering wheel, my dad drove a boat multiple times so he will be the one using it at first.

The boats from my first post were not too nice.

I would appreciate is someone could take a look at one more set of boats that I found and am considering.

1997 Angler 2100 cc with 2005 Mercury 150hp for $16k

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1999 Proline 202 dl with 2015 150hp Evinrude for $15k

1999 proline 202 with 2015 150hp etec - boats - by owner - marine sale

The motor runs great. Transferable warranty expires in 2023. The hull is solid, though it shows it's age. The 2014 magic tilt trailer makes launch and recovery a sinch. We bought it last year and...

tampa.craigslist.org

2003 Pro Sports cc with Yamaha 150hp for $9k

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[crazy charlie]

Angler is overpriced.Very good boat,fair choice of motors.Proline is also overpriced but its because the newer motor which is a good choice.Good boat and very good motor.Prosports boat is priced well.Generic boat so not the best choice but they usually present well.Yamaha is a great choice of motors.Really need to know the year though.Saltwater Series models are great motors and very servicable.What ever you decide on ,pay a tech a few hundred $$ to check it out for you and a compression test is an ABSOLUTE MUST.Charlie

 

[Magnumpl]

Angler is overpriced.Very good boat,fair choice of motors.Proline is also overpriced but its because the newer motor which is a good choice.Good boat and very good motor.Prosports boat is priced well.Generic boat so not the best choice but they usually present well.Yamaha is a great choice of motors.Really need to know the year though.Saltwater Series models are great motors and very servicable.What ever you decide on ,pay a tech a few hundred $$ to check it out for you and a compression test is an ABSOLUTE MUST.Charlie

Thank you so much for the information! Irs extremely helpful.

The Angler comes with a second engine, same but few years older. Its been partially rebuilt and works too. The seller would also be willing to lower the price to $14.5k. It seems like a great boat, the seller is very knowledge and he is a fisherman.

The Proline owner did not respond yet.

The Prosport owner will drop it to $8k. The rpm gauge does not work but no issues besides that. The engine is 1990.

I am still in search of an inspector/mechanic. So far all the ones I've contacted are booked 2-3 months ahead

 

[southkogs]

Hard days for buying boats: prices are WAY up and everyone is busy.

I like the look of the '99 Proline. It might be overpriced, but if it's in good shape the money could be worth it. Sometimes overpaying is worthwhile as long as you're not getting completely raked over the coals.

 

[hugh g]

I like the look of the Proline & another plus is the bunk trailer. Whatever you decide to do a sea trial is a must before you close on it. Best of luck.

 

[cptbill]

I think face book would be the last place I would rely on to by a boat, The water between Anclote Key and the Cotee river, Gulf Harbors and the Anclote river is a nasty piece of water, the amount of boats of all shapes and sizes that and the people in them have on purpose in mind, GET TO THE ISLAND OR SAND BAR AS FAST AS I CAN. When I head south I do my best to stay a couple miles off shore just to avoid the mess there. Any way if that's where your going to boat remember there's a lot of areas ther that are very shallow so make sure the draft of the boat you look at is taken into consideration. If you just going to go to the islands why not a pontoon boat, plenty of those around here, there great for shallow water and beaching and have lots of room