NEED ADVICE...BEST BUY FOR $4k, NEW TO THE BOATING WORLD BUT NEED HELP FROM THE PROS!

[stimpytheman]

Hey there everyone, needless to say but a noobie here and lookin for some advice from everyone. Lookin to spend around $4k and want something that i can bomb around on the lake with, doesnt have to be a speed demon but low to mid 40's at least would be nice, can handle hauling about 6-8 people, easy to pull skiers/tubes with, and most importantly something that is relatively reliable and cheap/easy to work on. I know i'm asking a lot but just trying to get the best bang for the buck,....i've been looking at late 80's to 90's bayliners and rinkers, opens bows and smaller cuddy's and just trying to see what would work out best for my situation. Any and all advice is appreciated, thanks in advance

 

[roscoe]

Re: NEED ADVICE...BEST BUY FOR $4k, NEW TO THE BOATING WORLD BUT NEED HELP FROM THE P

Welcome to iboats.

There is only one answer.

A mid 70's Starcraft SuperSport 18' aluminum, with a late eighties or early 90's outboard. About 3 grand.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: NEED ADVICE...BEST BUY FOR $4k, NEW TO THE BOATING WORLD BUT NEED HELP FROM THE P

If you can wait a couple more months until boating season ends you'll get a better deal and your 4K will buy you a better boat.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: NEED ADVICE...BEST BUY FOR $4k, NEW TO THE BOATING WORLD BUT NEED HELP FROM THE P

at $4000 for a boat that does all that, you are buying an unreliable boat. Be ready to spend a lot of money and a lot of time on shore with the boat down. Buy a good paddle first thing.

As someone else said, at that range, you aren't shopping for a boat, you are shopping for a seller who took good care of one.

Roscoe has the right strategy.1. A simple hull where little if nothing can go wrong, nothing is hidden and it's easier to fix. 2. an outboard--that is what you are buying at that range.

And forget 40 mph with 8 people. If speed is your objective you are going to end up with a crap boat at that price range and size.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: NEED ADVICE...BEST BUY FOR $4k, NEW TO THE BOATING WORLD BUT NEED HELP FROM THE P

For $4K, forget name brands, look for something that isn't rotted and has a V-6 or V-8.

Except, avoid any boat with the words "sterndrive" and "OMC" in the description.

 

[strok351w]

Re: NEED ADVICE...BEST BUY FOR $4k, NEW TO THE BOATING WORLD BUT NEED HELP FROM THE P

Hi welcome to the boating world, STAY AWAY FROM OLDER BAYLINERS, they are prone to transom rot and floor problems.Also most of them came with volvo penta running gear which is very expensive for parts and repairs. The best time to purchase a boat is in the fall or at the end of boating season, most people don't want to pay to have it winterized or don't want to store it anymore for the winter. That is when I bought mine.