The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

[NEStriper]

Hey guys. I started a thread awhile back about restoring a 18' trihull and decided it was a better idea to look for another hull after getting feedback about it. Well, I am on a very strict budget (college student), as in, less than $1000, preferably closer to $500 or so. I have a 90hp merc that was running the last time it was fired up, so I'm considering just purchasing a hull. I also have a trailer that needs a new tire but other than that is good to go. However, buying a complete boat would not be a bad idea either. The boat will be used for mostly (fly) fishing and diving, almost always in bays and near-shore coastal areas.

Every day for the most part I skim craigslist and try and find something that will fit my needs. However, my problem is I don't know much about many of these boats nor what to look for when seeing them (other than the obvious soft spots and visible structural damage). If possible, I'd like to have opinions on whether or not some of these are worth the asking prices and if they seem like fair deals for what they are.

This is one that I'm currently looking at: http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2728308077.html

Thoughts?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

I can't say that boat specifically, but that is what you want--very basic. You don;t have the money to fix problems, so don't expose yourself to problems. Avoid a lot of electronics, built-in features, upholstery and any boat that can't be left out in the rain.
Soft spots may indicate a deal-breaker or may just be something you get along with for a couple of years. Focus on the motor and simplicity. That includes single axle trailer, no brakes.

 

[dwco5051]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

If you are in a state that requires the boat to be titled be sure it is available. A good bill of sale from the last registered owner has to be there if you don?t want to spend a year of your time trying to straighten out paperwork. I know of too many cases where someone bought a boat for a couple of hundred and after fixing it up found out that the boat was registered to a grandfather who gave it to Uncle Charlie right before he died. Charlie lost it in a poker game to the seller?s father who is now in jail and now you think it is yours until you go to register it.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

for the money I'd check this one too
http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2709558955.html

 

[Philster]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

When you search for boats, if your budget is 1000 bucks, I hope you are searching for boats costing up to 1500 bucks. Let's say you find something decent at 1300. You dangle 800 cash in front of someone near Christmas time and you have leverage.

 

[NEStriper]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

When you search for boats, if your budget is 1000 bucks, I hope you are searching for boats costing up to 1500 bucks. Let's say you find something decent at 1300. You dangle 800 cash in front of someone near Christmas time and you have leverage.

I absolutely am. From what I've found, it's easy to talk people down a few hundred, especially this time of year.

http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2709558955.html[/QUOTE]

I did look at that earlier but have never really liked cabin boats. For $150, though, it seems like a deal.

If you are in a state that requires the boat to be titled be sure it is available. A good bill of sale from the last registered owner has to be there if you don?t want to spend a year of your time trying to straighten out paperwork. I know of too many cases where someone bought a boat for a couple of hundred and after fixing it up found out that the boat was registered to a grandfather who gave it to Uncle Charlie right before he died. Charlie lost it in a poker game to the seller?s father who is now in jail and now you think it is yours until you go to register it.

In NH, from the documentation that I've found, it appears to be bill of sale only. Good point, though.

I can't say that boat specifically, but that is what you want--very basic. You don;t have the money to fix problems, so don't expose yourself to problems. Avoid a lot of electronics, built-in features, upholstery and any boat that can't be left out in the rain.
Soft spots may indicate a deal-breaker or may just be something you get along with for a couple of years. Focus on the motor and simplicity. That includes single axle trailer, no brakes.

I absolutely agree.


I just got back from seeing it, it seems very solid. He just re-did the floor and explained his process, which seemed spot on from what I've read. The front deck was a little spongy, but I could feel the stringers inside and they felt solid. The trailer was in great shape. It needed a good cleaning but that was it. I'll be back on Friday to have him run the engine for me. He bought it from the original owner, he himself ran it two years ago and then injured his back so he couldnt anymore. It seems like a fair price and fits my needs well. We'll see!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

truee^^ except you will need another $500+ to license the boat and trailer and insure it. Then there's storage. In many cases you need to buy the required safety equipment. For most old boats you'll want to take it to a mechanic for a tune-up and new water pump.

B reak
O ut
A nother
T housand

very good point above about title to the boat. That is a non-starter on a cheap boat.

 

[NEStriper]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

truee^^ except you will need another $500+ to license the boat and trailer and insure it. Then there's storage. In many cases you need to buy the required safety equipment. For most old boats you'll want to take it to a mechanic for a tune-up and new water pump.

B reak
O ut
A nother
T housand

very good point above about title to the boat. That is a non-starter on a cheap boat.

I am well aware of the additional costs of boating, $1000 isn't my budget for the whole experience, rather just getting a boat in my front yard. From there, I'll eat the expenses, it's simply part of the cost.

 

[Realdon]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

truee^^ except you will need another $500+ to license the boat and trailer and insure it.(snipped)

Please explain why someone would insure a $1,000 boat. I own a boat that is worth considerably more than that and I don't have any insurance on it. In fact, I don't even insure my Polaris ATV.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

true^^ except you will need another $500+ to license the boat and trailer and insure it.(snipped)

Please explain why someone would insure a $1,000 boat. I own a boat that is worth considerably more than that and I don't have any insurance on it. In fact, I don't even insure my Polaris ATV.

Easy.... LIABILITY! a $1,000 boat could easily land you in a $1,000,000 law suit

 

[Philster]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

truee^^ except you will need another $500+ to license the boat and trailer and insure it.(snipped)

Please explain why someone would insure a $1,000 boat. I own a boat that is worth considerably more than that and I don't have any insurance on it. In fact, I don't even insure my Polaris ATV.

Wow. One word: lawsuit. Good luck with that when you have no insurance. Would kind of sting to sell your home and other assets to cover someone's medical expenses.

What would suck more is that you sell that stuff to pay someone's medical expenses that total 200,000 bucks, and you still can't cover their expenses and they suffer because of it.

.

 

[mommicked]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

I'm no expert, But I always assume someone "asks" -----$, hoping to get that amount for it, but will probably sell for less, esp. seasonally as mentioned already. If you look long enough, you can find a great deal ona boat that meets you needs and budget. Unless they say "FIRM" or the price is rediculous, theres no harm in haggleing.

 

[zopperman]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

I'd look at tinny's (I Can't believe I just said that)
They're generally cheaper to maintain and fix up and have less rot issues...

 

[ezmobee]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

Buy this one http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2667239519.html Seriously. Buy it now.

With that budget, the vast majority of fiberglass hulls you'd be looking at would be rotted. Sure the rot is repairable but to do it properly (and safely) is a big job and materials are expensive. With an aluminum hull, even if the deck and transom are rotted, they can be replaced with new plywood very reasonably.

Search for Starcraft, Sylvan, Smokercraft, Sea Nymph, Mirrocraft, Alumacraft, Blue Fin etc etc. (some of these makers make glass and aluminum boat so don't make assumptions on hull material based on brand).

 

[stackz]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

for the money I'd check this one too
http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2709558955.html

um, I dont know how a 90hp mercury would even push that boat.

my neighbor has one very similar with a 150hp yamaha and he really needs a 200hp on it. I could only imagine a 90hp struggling to push it.

 

[Philster]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

buy this one http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2667239519.html seriously. Buy it now.

With that budget, the vast majority of fiberglass hulls you'd be looking at would be rotted. Sure the rot is repairable but to do it properly (and safely) is a big job and materials are expensive. With an aluminum hull, even if the deck and transom are rotted, they can be replaced with new plywood very reasonably.

Search for starcraft, sylvan, smokercraft, sea nymph, mirrocraft, alumacraft, blue fin etc etc. (some of these makers make glass and aluminum boat so don't make assumptions on hull material based on brand).

bingo.

 

[NEStriper]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

Buy this one http://nh.craigslist.org/boa/2667239519.html Seriously. Buy it now.

With that budget, the vast majority of fiberglass hulls you'd be looking at would be rotted. Sure the rot is repairable but to do it properly (and safely) is a big job and materials are expensive. With an aluminum hull, even if the deck and transom are rotted, they can be replaced with new plywood very reasonably.

Search for Starcraft, Sylvan, Smokercraft, Sea Nymph, Mirrocraft, Alumacraft, Blue Fin etc etc. (some of these makers make glass and aluminum boat so don't make assumptions on hull material based on brand).

Looks like it needs a fair bit of work, no?

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

Looks like it needs a fair bit of work, no?

You're looking to spend less than $1g for a boat and expect it not to need a "fair bit" of work?

 

[Cap'n Chaos]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

+1 for an aluminum hull

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: The "help me with craigslist boats" thread

um, I dont know how a 90hp mercury would even push that boat.

my neighbor has one very similar with a 150hp yamaha and he really needs a 200hp on it. I could only imagine a 90hp struggling to push it.

yep it would likely be pretty slow.... I had 165 hp in my 5200 lb 26' Carver... Topped out at 27 mph with 2 people and 50 gallons of fuel on board and 24 with 4 people and 100 gallons.... It planed at 16 tho so it was fine although slow.... I suspect this one would perform similarly at best... Of course he could sell the 90 and pick up a 150...



As for the starcraft I'm not too crazy about the idea of a bow rider for ocean boating... no flaring at the bow... no self bailing decks and no front deck to prevent swamping when the bow stuffs