New Boater, New Boat (Maybe)

[Just Boating]

I am very new to the world of boating and I have a friend who is looking to buy a boat so they can go with me. He has found one in his price range but has no idea what kind it is. The seller apparently can't tell him either. All he knows is it is an older fiberglass boat 16ft with a Mercury 80hp engine. I have been trying to find anything on the internet that looks like this boat to get an idea on what kind so he can know if the price is right.

I know this isn't the best view of the boat but he said it was the best picture he had. Any ideas or thoughts would be helpful... I have seen a few web pages that say Bomber that look similar to this but also seen a few that look nothing like this.

As for technical info (like I said I am new to this world myself) I think it is considered a V-Hull although very shallow and the nose does not come to a sharp point, just a very slight rounding off is more like it.

THANKS IN ADVANCE for any info.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New Boater, New Boat (Maybe)

It's an OLD boat with an old motor. At that stage of its life, its brand doesn't matter; its condition does--which is driven by how it has been maintained.
Looks like a lot of home-made mods--check out the electrical socket. No telling if they will help or hurt.

So point is, no need to spend time resarching its pedigree; inspect it as you find it.

Looks very similar to a Chincoteague scow design.

 

[Just Boating]

Re: New Boater, New Boat (Maybe)

Thanks for the input. I have looked through pictures and it doesn't look like any Chincoteague scow that I could find. It is an older boat so maybe that is hurting the recognition.

I am going to look at it with my buddy later this week (although I told him I don't know too much more than he does at this point) so if there is anything I can look at or get a better pic of to help recognoze let me know.

I agree the condition is more important than the brand when it comes to purchase price and the buy or not buy decision.... however for piece of mind I a sure brand matters... it would for me.

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: New Boater, New Boat (Maybe)

Just,

Welcome to iBoats!

I agree with HC. Brand doesn't matter as much as condition. First thing would be to check out the motor. Find out when it was last run, does it run now?, compression check, lower unit oil check for water, etc. Next thing is the boat itself. Check EVERYWHERE for soft spots. My guess is this boat probably has wet wood in the deck, stringers and transom. You need to check for rotten wood in these areas. If so you are looking at a restoration project. At that point they would have to pay me to take it.

 

[Just Boating]

Re: New Boater, New Boat (Maybe)

Went and looked at it today. Motor runs, sounds good, didn't do an in depth check on everything, just a quick overview. Didn't find anything that would worry me (as I said before I am no expert). Didn't find any soft spots, everything looked clean and in good shape. Ran motor for a few minutes only but it did start right up with no problems and seemed to work just fine for the time period I observed.

Home Cookin & Greg what kind of boat do you all have? (Seems like a legitimate question right... I am sure you could prolly give me the answer to my rhetorical question... but IF he buys this boat and somebody asks him it isn't going to be a very proud moment to say... "it isn't what kind it just matters that it is a boat in good condition... get my point?)

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: New Boater, New Boat (Maybe)

Does it have a hull ID stamped on the top right corner of the transom?

 

[Bondo]

Re: New Boater, New Boat (Maybe)

but IF he buys this boat and somebody asks him it isn't going to be a very proud moment to say... "it isn't what kind it just matters that it is a boat in good condition... get my point?)

Ayuh,... You guys justwent, 'n Looked at it,....

What was the brand name on it, or it's Registration,..??

 

[Greg Mrozinski]

Re: New Boater, New Boat (Maybe)

JB,

I have two boats - a 35' Carver Aft Cabin (avatar) and a 17' 1977 Cruise Boats fiberglass dual console w/115 Hp Johnson (project boat). I did not buy the 17' based on brand but rather price. I did not read much on here before I bought the 17'er. I wished I had since I probably paid way more then I should have BUT it had a solid motor and fairly new trailer so I was border line on overall worth. Not knowing about the rotted transoms and stringers stuff I figured what the heck it's probably alright. Well I had to do a complete rebuild, which is okay because I wanted to learn and after reading for hours on here, I jumped in and got it done.

Please don?t miss understand me, we are all trying to pass on knowledge about older boats and what we think maybe needs to be fixed up. Brand has nothing to do with it at this point because even the best "brands" of boats this age are still rotted and need rebuilt. Sounds to me on the surface the motor is running okay. If your friend is happy with the overall condition of the boat itself then fine go for it. But don't be too surprised if some things need repairing in short order. That is what will leave a bad taste in your mouth. Doesn't hurt to fully check it out first just so you know where you stand before and after the deal.

 

[saumon]

Re: New Boater, New Boat (Maybe)

please check my answer in a similar post http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=456565&p=3080812&viewfull=1#post3080812

Do a water test! (sometimes, engines run and sound good in driveway on muffs but it's a differnt story in water with backpressure...)