Might be dipping my toes back into boating

[2stroke1971]

I haven't had a boat for about 12 years now. Our last boat was an old Bayliner 1950 Capri Cuddy that I paid very little for and did a lot of work to. Say what you will, that thing was a tank, and it could handle some crap for its size. I am looking again at a 19 to 23 foot cuddy of some sort.

My budget these days is a tiny bit better. Also the Bayliner had the 4 cylinder 2.1 Volvo and it was just not enough engine for that boat. I told myself I was going with a V8 no matter what. However...

I was looking at a 1994 Sea Pro Centra 196 cuddy. It looks really nice, especially for the age, but I can't find a lot of info on them. This one has a V6...I am not sure which one, whether its a 3.0 or not, It is a Mercruiser. Are they known as decent boats?

I really don't want a project, (yeah I know the drill they are all ongoing projects)....Lets say I dont want to pull the engine and do a full rebuild and do all the floors and all that sort of crap I did on the old Capri. (Although easily within my skillset) Something tells me that age on an old boat doesnt matter as much as condition. The Seapro is a 1994 but it looks nicer than most of the 2010 boats in my range.

EDIT: For Clarity: I see a lot of Sea Pro boats out there but not many Cuddy Cabin boats, they seem like they are mostly center console units.

 

[dingbat]

Something tells me that age on an old boat doesnt matter as much as condition. The Seapro is a 1994 but it looks nicer than most of the 2010 boats in my range.

Not saying you cant find a gem out there, but it goes well beyond skin deep.

You’re long past the expected lifetime of a number of systems on a boat. Even if you find no rot in the boat, at a minimum every hose on the boat and engine needs to be replaced. Fuel tank is suspect. Thru hulls need to be replaced as well.

 

[Chris1956]

You might consider an outboard powered boat. Sterndrives are just about obsolete, with the rise of 450HP outboards. Sterndrive power requires a whole lot more maintenance than OB's, take up a lot of cockpit space and are real hard to work on vs OB's. Also, Cobra and V-P sterndrives are getting harder to get parts.

Around here (NJ shore), 2 cycle OBs are dirt cheap. Sterndrives are pretty much gone except or some older cruisers (28+ feet). People want the 4 cycle OBs in 150HP+ in single or twin power.

 

[airshot]

Better off looking for an aluminum hull, far less wood to rot and easier to repair if it is ! If being used in salt water, then that idea might not be good. For fresh water use...aluminum all the way !!

 

[Texasmark]

At early 70's I too thought I was through boating having had a boat before I had a car and building one as a teenager. About 7 years later I realized I made a mistake and got back in. Got a bigger boat, smoother riding more whoopie.

 

[Chris1956]

Unfortunately, heavier boats are better in rough seas. They just ride better but need more power. Also, in salt water, fiberglass is immune to corrosion. Aluminum hulls in salt water can be protected, but it is a bit trickier. So, if you plan to boat in salt water, with any waves, a heavier fg boat is better IMO.

 

[crazy charlie]

I have seen a lot of walk around console boats that look almost identical.Sea Pro , Sea Boss , Sea Fox,Pro sports.Decent looking and more budget priced .I would go outboard only. I/o just has too many things to maintain and too many things to go wrong $$$$$ ,too many moving parts and less user friendly to fix and maintain. An outboard is waaaay easier to maintain and repair and I have found to be much more reliable.We bought a Grady white walk around a few years ago and could not be happier.Charlie

 

[JimS123]

At early 70's I too thought I was through boating having had a boat before I had a car and building one as a teenager. About 7 years later I realized I made a mistake and got back in. Got a bigger boat, smoother riding more whoopie.

Looking at your reply I had to look at the poster because I thought I might have written that myself. MY first recollection of life itself was at age 4 sitting next to grandpa holding the tiller of an old Wizard.

I started college at age 18, which also coincided with the start of the boat building project in Grandpa's garage. By age 19 I started a part time job, the boat was finished, and I was able to buy a $200 fixerupper 1961 Pontiac Tempest.

At age 21 I met my first mate, the boat was destroyed in a car accident and the insurance settlement afforded me a brand spanking new fiberglass runabout.

I never made the mistake of getting out. As the family grew we moved up and added more. If I ever get out, it will be after they take me to the nursing home.

For the OP, a 1994 (30 year old boat) will probably convince you to get out again. Also, cuddies are passe. Nobody makes them any more because nobody wants them. I suggest you consider other options.

 

[Texasmark]

Looking at your reply I had to look at the poster because I thought I might have written that myself. MY first recollection of life itself was at age 4 sitting next to grandpa holding the tiller of an old Wizard.

I started college at age 18, which also coincided with the start of the boat building project in Grandpa's garage. By age 19 I started a part time job, the boat was finished, and I was able to buy a $200 fixerupper 1961 Pontiac Tempest.

At age 21 I met my first mate, the boat was destroyed in a car accident and the insurance settlement afforded me a brand spanking new fiberglass runabout.

I never made the mistake of getting out. As the family grew we moved up and added more. If I ever get out, it will be after they take me to the nursing home.

For the OP, a 1994 (30 year old boat) will probably convince you to get out again. Also, cuddies are passe. Nobody makes them any more because nobody wants them. I suggest you consider other options.

Opinion: Only good thing about a cuddy is when you are out fishing the Gulf of Mexico and the normal summer time afternoon "squalls" come up and blow like hell and rain like hell, plus a few pops of lightening just to remind you that you are vulnerable for about 5 minutes, is that you have a place to duck in out of the weather.

On lightening in these squalls, I have been out with a tiller run outboard and had a lightening strike maybe 5 miles away and in time felt a tingle on the tiller handle. Didn't know it would spread out like that but apparently it does.

 

[JimS123]

Opinion: Only good thing about a cuddy is when you are out fishing the Gulf of Mexico and the normal summer time afternoon "squalls" come up and blow like hell and rain like hell

There is another reason. A friend bought a Cuddy so he could.....ahem....get out of the elements with his girlfriend. After they married and bought a house and started a family, the....ahem....the hideaway was no longer needed. Then they bought a bowrider.