Opinions please

[johnbuczek51]

Some time ago I posted here for help. My grandson was looking for a boat to go fishing with and with all of your help and suggestions he got one. A 1981 Duranautic center console with a 15 hp Evinrude, depth/fish finder with optional speed and temp and a bilge pump all work. He bartered with the guy and got it all for $900.00 plus he threw in a set of seats.

He is now looking to get something bigger and when I say bigger I mean bigger. He has $500.00 of his own money (his dad and I chipped in last time) and is looking at a 1967 Champion Tri Hull (fiberglass) I'm guessing 18ft to 21ft with a 100 hp Johnson that supposedly works and a dual wheeled trailer.

OBTW..he's 14 years old.

OK… so I'm looking for some of your knowledge as to your thoughts.

I've attached pics of the boat.

……thanks in advance, john

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Opinions please

Don't do it. It needs allot of interior but the worse part is the electric shift motor based on the controls. Parts are NLA or VERY VERY high priced for the problematic electric shift.

Those big old tri hulls ride horrible too. Even if that was a free boat I would avoid it. He wi;; spend more in one hour of play on the water then he would all day with his current boat. Those old 100 hp would drink 10 gallons an hour easy.

I remember when your last discussion was.

My advice don't do it!!!!

Wrong time of the year to shop and buy. Tell him to wait with patience.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Opinions please

run, dont walk from that boat.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Opinions please

And........ how long has he had his first boat now ............is it 6 weeks??

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Opinions please

Agree with everyone else^^^^^^^

How is a 14 yr. old going to be able to afford fuel for a 100 hp engine?

What will it cost to insure a 14 yr. old with a 100 hp motor?

Is it even a good idea to let a 14 yr. operate a boat with a 100 hp motor?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Opinions please

Of course the answer it no, but it is always better to lead a person to concluding "no" than just telling him "no."

sit him down and do the math with him. Price of boat. Then start with the cost in your state to register the boat and trailer. add $300 insurance (as if!). 1 tank of gas (assume 50 gallons x $3.50). 1 gallon of oil (?). Anchor and line ($150). Flares and gun ($50). Battery ($75). etc etc How's that $500 holding out?

Then repairs. Water pump. Carb job. etc etc

The boat he got was a real good find; the motor is worth $500 trailer $150 fish finder (?) hull $500. He won't see that again.

Even though it's true that the hulk w/ a 100 is too much for a 14 year old new boater, no point in telling him that if you can get him to agree on the economics

Plus if he likes fishing, that hulk he found is about the worst boat for it. He wants an open boat with an OB. Get on craigslist and price running center console outboards in the 19' range.

But don't discourage him; he is thinking the right way, especially in that he is willing to save and pay. Tell him to save up until he's 16 and see what's out there then, plus he can trailer the boat without you then.

Then he may enjoy what he has.

 

[m casey stock]

Re: Opinions please

Looks like Home Cookin' used all my lines LOL so all I can say is WHAT HE SAID . I will tell you that I'm going through the same thing with my son, hard for them teenagers to be satisfied with what they have. He's mighty fortunate to even have a boat of his own at 14.

 

[duke33]

Re: Opinions please

^Ayuh, What they said.

 

[steelespike]

Re: Opinions please

There could be all kinds of hidden problems with an ancient fiberglass boat.If the floor is spongy the interior bottom structure could be shot.If the floor is spongy the transom may be shot as well.The 100 will use every bit of 10 gallons per hour at wot. He could probably run his 15 every day for a week for what the 100 will use in an hour of wot running.
If he wants a bigger "practical" boat a bare bones 18 ft aluminum Utility. It will seem like the queen mary yet be almost as fast as his small boat yet his 15 will do better with a load.

 

[moparkid16]

Re: Opinions please

as a first time boat owner, and no experience, i have to agree with the above comments. run. lol ive had my 15ft 71 starcraft capri for a couple months, and she still has not seen the water. i didnt research the prices of everything and have ran out of money to do much more with my 'jem'. he would be doing the same as i, wishing the back yard would flood so he could enjoy the scrap he bought. he needs to wait till after the season (or 2) and watch craigslist, all the while saving his money up.