New member thinking of getting a stingray.. ADVISE NEEDED PLEASE

[mynameissean1234]

Hi all my name is Sean, i recently just purchased my first boat and quickly realized it was to small. i got lucky enough and sold it pretty quick, now I'm looking at a bigger boat that is perfect for me but i have almost NO IDEA what I'm looking at. I was wondering if i can get some advise from anyone on what to look at and if its a good boat. i kept looking for specific information on that year boat, as well as a market price for it, but can't find much. If you wouldn't mind could you take a look at this link http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/5589192178.html and just try and give me an idea if it looks like a solid boat i won't have to spend a bunch of money on. In boards/out board make me nervous I've been told they are hard to work on and break all the time. I would love a reliable boat for the summer that won't give me to many headaches.

any advice would be awesome. thank you

 

[tpenfield]

Keep in mind that you are buying a boat that is nearly 20 years old. So, it will not be the pinnacle of reliability, but can offer some utility and enjoyment.

Stingray is a mid-to-lower tier brand. They are lighter than many boats and best for lakes and rivers.

The things to look at with an older boat are the things you cannot readily see. . . the engine compartment would be a good place to start. Look at the stricture . . . the transom . . . the stringers . . . any bulkheads. Do they look and feel solid . . . do you see any cracks or discoloration.

Take a look at some of the restoration threads here on iBoats to get an idea of what some people have found with their recently purchased boats, as that should give you an idea on the details of boat structures and what to look for, etc.

Can the seller take you out for a trial on the water? Keep in mind that just about every engine will run great in the driveway with no load on it, but that does not mean it will run great once in the water.

I/O engines are a bit of a pain to work on, but they are better for stern access, water sports, etc. If you want an outboard engine, those tend to be with the center console style boats, but there are some runabout/cuddy boats with outboards.

If you are a new boater, make sure you take a boating safety course, like Power Squadron or USCG Aux. Boating is expensive and has dangers, it only looks like fun.

 

[roffey]

I own a Stingray boat and have had minimal problems with it and would purchase it again if I had the chance. As mentioned above these boats are light,,, and fast. On my lake I can get 2 to 3 foot swells and will make for a bumpy ride so these boat are not big water boats.
My 2 cents worth.

 

[roffey]

That boat looks is really good condition and I think the price is fair...

 

[Tnstratofam]

If you buy it be sure to properly stow the rear sead/deck pads as they will blow out while trailering. They should be stored in the seat position I believe.

It is a nice looking boat. Good luck.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Looks very well cared for considering the year. Its the older version of the boat I own, which I am very happy with. Stingray's are definitely light for their size, and fast, and of course with that they are not great for rough water. With a 4.3, that boat will push 55 mph depending how its propped.

As with used boats of any brand, check all the usuals; floor, transom, engine and drive (run it, in water if possible). The stringers in that year may well be fiberglass, they were on the newer ones.

At $6000 and in apparently excellent condition, I'd say thats a nice boat. If you can get the price much lower, I'd say its a steal.

 

[roffey]

Not sure about this year of boat but I know my boat, a 2014 model is a wood free construction. I am assuming the floors and stringers will be good as there is no word to rot. Please Feel correct me if I am leading the OP astray here.

... and I'm not saying wood free construction is better, its just wood free and will not rot like wood.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Not sure about this year of boat but I know my boat, a 2014 model is a wood free construction. I am assuming the floors and stringers will be good as there is no word to rot. Please Feel correct me if I am leading the OP astray here.

... and I'm not saying wood free construction is better, its just wood free and will not rot like wood.

I don't think stingray ever moved to completely wood free. I know on my boat the deck, transom, and coming panels are wood, as is the structure of the sunpad/engine hatch. The stringers are fiberglass and, I assume, foam filled. The deck is fully fiberglassed and gelcoated. Also Stingrays, if they are cabin models, use a full fiberglass cabin liner.

No need to be afraid of wood if it is properly encapsulated and the boat is stored properly. From what I've seen on my boat Stingray does a decent job with their layups. There is a reason they have stayed in business as an independent builder for 37 years. Stingrays aren't Cobalts, but they certainly aren't 80's Bayliners or Sunbirds either.

If they did go to completely wood-free, they don't advertise it. They still list the use of PT woods on their tech page
http://www.stingrayboats.com/technol...stinction.html

 

[Mischief Managed]

That looks like a REALLY well-cared for boat and the price seems quite reasonable to me (NADA average retail is 6200 bucks) if it works as well as it looks and has no hidden damage. It is very unusual to see boats that old look that good.

Even if it is an absolute cream-puff, it's 19 years old and will require repairs and maintenance, learn to fix it yourself.

One nice thing about Stingray is that they don't change their designs often, so it will look just like a much newer one.

Good luck!

 

[thumpar]

It looks like a nice boat and the price is decent. You will have to check it over though. Don't be afraid of a I/O. I grew up working on vehicles. The motors are close enough it makes it easier for me.

 

[mjf55]

As was mentioned, take a good look into the engine compartment. That is usually my favorite area to check. Along with the previously mentioned stringers, transom, bulkheads. what is the overall condition of that compartment. Is there corrosion , stains, major filth, or is it as clean as the rest of the boat? check wiring and connections for corrosion. How about the trailer, rust? Tires; any dry rot? Check the date code on the tires to know the age.
AS everyone said, it look nice and seems like a good deal. The devil is in the details. Good luck.

 

[jkust]

Looks like a solid boat but of course looks don't mean as much as some hands on time with a 20 year old boat. Regionally speaking, in my state, you can't give a cuddy style boat away so from my regional perspective, I would be negotiating hard on anything with a closed bow and a very small target market. I see that it is in CA and so they may fly off the shelves in your neck of the woods but is some perspective. The combo of a newer, larger boat with a cuddy is a recipe for a steal of a deal because there are few lakes that can accommodate them. Older and smaller is even more of a challenge.

 

[spoilsofwar]

The boat is located in Maryland, not California. The OP could be anywhere.

 

[thumpar]

I got to take a closer look. There is only seating for 5 unless you go into the cuddy. My boat is a 20' but has the full bench that fits 4, 2 captains and openbow. It is rated for 12. The most I have had on it was 8 and it got cramped even with the kid in the bow. I guess it depends on what you want to do. If it is just your family it would work out great but if you start inviting people it will be tight. Everyone wants to bring a cooler and all their gear. It fills up fast. My old boat was rated for 6 but could have seated more with the open bow. It was tough because with a family of 4 I could only bring 2 more people. The 12 capacity means 2 families can enjoy it.

 

[mynameissean1234]

Thank you all for the information. I will Hopefully go and check it out tomorrow, I will denentaly take it for a trial run and check everything you all said. I will actually bring this page up that was I can check everything little thing. I'm on the fence about hiring a mechanic for the day, but I think I may just do it. I did see that it doesn't have a lot of room for a bunch of people on the outside but I'm really looking for a cabin that way I can just sleep on it and escape from the world for a bit, and chicks dig it..

From what I've gathered from the owner it's spend most of its life in fresh water so that's good.. Right? And is 400 hours on the Motor a lot ? What's the average life span for a motor similar to that one (assuming it's well maintained).

Thanks again everyone you are giving me the confidence needed to buy this!

 

[jkust]

400 hours on a nearly 20 year old boat is nothing as long as the condition is acceptable. You can get thousands of hours out of an I/O until rebuild or retire. Freshwater is preferable over salt in regards the risers and manifolds among other things all else equal. You don't have the need to replace them in fresh water whereby in salt, they require it as they rust.

 

[roffey]

400 hours on a motor is nothing,, providing it has been well maintained. Fresh oil every year, new impeller every other year, regular gear oil changes. My bet is that will all pan out for you. Most boats that clean don't happen by mistake.

 

[tpenfield]

Thank you all for the information. I will Hopefully go and check it out tomorrow, I will denentaly take it for a trial run and check everything you all said. I will actually bring this page up that was I can check everything little thing. I'm on the fence about hiring a mechanic for the day, but I think I may just do it. I did see that it doesn't have a lot of room for a bunch of people on the outside but I'm really looking for a cabin that way I can just sleep on it and escape from the world for a bit, and chicks dig it..

From what I've gathered from the owner it's spend most of its life in fresh water so that's good.. Right? And is 400 hours on the Motor a lot ? What's the average life span for a motor similar to that one (assuming it's well maintained).

Thanks again everyone you are giving me the confidence needed to buy this!

Don't fool yourself . . . 'chicks' dig a standup enclosed head.

 

[thumpar]

My 96 has around 625 hours on it. It is still a baby.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Don't fool yourself . . . 'chicks' dig a standup enclosed head.

Old ladies?