thoughts on a possible new to me boat

[bigmaac73]

Just wondering if anyone knows this boat or has any thoughts on it. I have ran across a good deal on a boat listed as a 1986 Traveler 186 Sea Lion Center Console. Anyone have any input or what not on this boat? It currently does not have a motor but I would be putting a 1983 Mariner 80hp on it. It says its rated for 150. I am not looking to break any speed records just get around the river and lakes up in East TN. Let me have it! I have been looking because I am about to start on a teardown and conversion of a 16ft. Ebbtide Lakemaster from dual console to CC. I was expecting to spend about $600-1000 on the build and this hull is right in that wheelhouse. If I can get away with getting another, bigger hull and not have to do a tearout, then that would be sweet.

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

I think you will be way under powerd. You need to be a little closer , like 70% within max power. 80hp is about 53%.
Good Luck.

 

[JoLin]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

Yup. 80hp might work with just you and a light load of fuel and gear, but won't cut it otherwise. You'll have a tough time getting on plane and staying there.

 

[bigmaac73]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

I know that 80 is pretty weak for this boat, but a new motor is just not in the cards right now. I am mainly wanting to know about the boat itself. If anyone knows the hull or has any experience with this hull. How does it ride, ect. I have never had this type of boat before and it is nearly 3ft. longer than anything I have every had, and way wider.

 

[bigmaac73]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

pictures of the boat can be found here...
Traveler 1986 186 Sea Lion Center Console Suzuki 40
if you would like to check it out. The price I negotiated was for hull only (no motor or trailer) and was pending inspection for solid hull, floor, and transom. It is hard to pass it up when it is really exactly what I wanted and for right at or less than I was going to pay for the rebuild and it is way bigger..

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

I boat on douglas lake in east tennessee. while i dont know anything about your specific hull request I would avoid buying a hull from Lanier Marine. it is a boat junkyard where boats go to die. They let the boats sit outside uncovered not good for any boat. If your hull is in good shape keep what you have and modify it. It would stink to buy the perfect hull just have to resto it. Unless you just want to do a restoration.

edit

I looked at the boat it has rot maybe minor but I can smell it from here I would consider that package for parts I would pay 400 for the boat motor and trailer 200 for the trailer 200 for the motor free boat included

 

[roscoe]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

Lanier has been discussed many many times, here, and elsewhere on the net.
I would not shop there based on what I have read.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

first, don't worry about brands on a boat that old, just condition.

The hull design is what really tells you about power, not length. I have a 17' 1988 Key West with a similar hull design and it does great with a 70. While the 70% rule is a good one for heavy or deep V boats, when you get to the flat boats, they can do well with less power and the max rating is more than you need.

And yours, looks like someone ran it with a 40.

A boat like that can live forever uncovered, as long as the bow is up and the plug is out, so age and cosmetics are not the real issue (not so with sofa boats apparently). Problem is, knowing how it has been kept for almost 30 years.

So I don't think you are necessarily making a mistake with that one; there are risks of course but that's where the deals are!

 

[bigmaac73]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

i appreciate the advice fellas. I am going down there on Sat to look at this boat. I told the guy that the only reason that I was looking was to try and avoid having to tear a deck out if I could help it. If I can spend the same or less and not have the hassle it would be great. I hear what you are saying about Lanier. I realize that it is a salvage yard, so I will be looking over it really well. As long as I am comfortable with the deck and transom I am going to pull the trigger. I am by no means looking for a perfect boat, because if I was I would not be spending under a thousand. I am looking for something that I can get by for the next few years and not have to do a complete resto before then. Now if it happens in 2-3 years, I am ok with that. I spent 10 yrs in the military and civilian aviation and am now using my GI to go back to school and get an engineering degree. I will be done in about 2 years. As long as it can hold out till then I am good. My current boat cannot.

 

[bigmaac73]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

I have been doing alot of research on Lanier. Seems to me that most of the problems people are experiencing have to deal with transfering a boat from GA which is a non-title state to a title state. I know here in TN i do not have to have a title for my boat just a registration and a bill of sale. The names on the two do not have to even match as I just experienced. I got a boat on trade from a good friend of mine who is constantly trading boats and other marine stuff. He have me the registration and 3 people had owned the boat(including me) since the last name on the registration. I was nervous that it would be problem but it was not. Had my friend fill out a bill of sale, and the licence folks told me there does not have to be a paperwork trail of owners. Might not make sense to folks but I do not know how you can get that mad at someone who is going by the laws in HIS state, not yours. If the laws were different, then things would probably change but the way they are, he seems to be going by the laws in GA. I am not trying to make excuses or talk myself into a deal, as I will see what this place is like this weekend. I am just trying to be realistic. But then again, maybe I am not looking at it from the right angle.

 

[jestor68]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

With the correct prop, the 80 Merc should push it OK, since the hull weighs only 950 pounds with a 6' 11" beam.

I wouldn't worry too much about what others say about Lanier. Check it out for yourself.

Traveler boats were made in Tifton, GA from 1983-1989.

 

[bigmaac73]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

I cannot find much about these boats as far as quality goes. Were they made well? Are they bad about rot? I know rot depends on alot of factors mainly how the boat was treated, but some you have to take better care of than others in order to keep them in half way decent shape.

 

[ahmincha]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

I Don't know a lot about these boats but I do have one. I believe mine is a 19cc I have not found out to much about these boats have only owned mine since July this year. And I have only had it out 3 times. Mine came with a 140 Suzuki that was bad replaced with a 115 Suzuki.
Mine with 2 220lb guys and 3 60 lb children fishing ger fuel gets on plane with out problem

 

[greenbush future]

Re: thoughts on a possible new to me boat

Purchasing this boat thinking it wont have rot is unrealistic IMO. Any boat that old will most likely need some restoration to make it safe, and based on the pictures this is no garage queen, it looks like it has had it's share of use. I would plan on a new floor and stringers, most likely a transom too. It's a project at best, and needing a outboard too, would suggest, this is a very large project, best case scenario.