Want to fish & play

[shockwave538]

I'll start by saying this forum is VERY helpful and well laid out. Answered many questions on different things so far without needing to make a single post.

I am looking to buy a boat for both ski/tubing and fishing. Fishing will be the top priority, going mostly for bass, crappie, and catfish. Trolling motor setup is a must, plus a livewell (hopefully baitwell too). I also want it to be a good family boat. Needs to be comfortable for 4 people (2 are elementary age), and be able to take 6 occasionally. Looking for good pulling power, but don't have to get all the way up to a 200+ engine. 135 or 150 OB would probably be good.

I have looked around on ebay, craigslist, boattrader, etc. and have become interested in the bowrider style F&S boats. My price range is hopefully $6K or less, but may work up to 7K or 8K. Obviously new is not practical, but I don't want to get much more than 15 years back. What brands would be best suited to look for? I have heard about similar things in a center console style. Anybody have any examples?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Ret USN CPO]

Re: Want to fish & play

Since you are not yet dead set on a brand, let me tell you, the most important aspect of choosing a good boat is choosing the right dealer.

Since you are listing your location as Lake Anna and the dealer I bought my boat from is at Lake Anna, let me recommend you give him a visit. The dealer is Anna's Marine Center in Mineral. The salesman I dealt with is Dee Kidd. Dee is very knowledgable on boats and Lake Anna too. The service department is great too. I will buy my next boat from Dee.

I met Dee at a boat show in Chantilly when I was looking to buy. That is when I decided I was going to buy a boat from him. He took the time to sit down and answer every question I had about boats, boating and towing; and being somewhat of a newbie to owning...I had lots of questions. It wasn't until I went down to the showroom to order my boat that I found out Dee is the owner. There has never been any high pressure to buy. I have always been treated well by everyone there and still stop in to say hi from time to time.

By the way, I have a 2008 Tahoe Q7i Ski and Fish. Definitely fits the description you are looking for, although it may be out of your price range. It is 21 feet long and has a 220 I/O. Going with a smaller used boat now is probably a good choice for you as it will give you the opportunity to find your likes and dislikes with having spent a bunch of money. Then when the kids are older and you are ready to upsize, you will know what you are looking for.

Good luck, and tell Dee Rod Webb said hi when you stop in to see him.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Want to fish & play

I have been in the same boat, so to speak. Have been looking for the last month or so for a fish and ski - leaning slightly more towards fishing. I settled on looking for a bass style F&S. Looked at nitro, stratos, and tritons. I'll tell you they aren't very prevalent around here in my price range. I finally found the right one at the right price - a Procraft 200 combo. Will be picking it up next weekend and can't wait. Based on your description I think a similar style in an 18 - 19 with around a 150 OB would work well.

Good luck and happy shopping.

Jon

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Want to fish & play

An older deckboat may fit this bill... Lot's of room, good for fishing, and pulling water toys!

 

[shockwave538]

Re: Want to fish & play

An older deckboat may fit this bill... Lot's of room, good for fishing, and pulling water toys!

Are you talking about a pontoon? If not, please give an example of a model. We haven't found many pontoon styles that would fit our wants.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Want to fish & play

for 4 adults and 2 children, under $6,000, 150 HP it will be challenging to find something reliable (price a new 150 HP as if you had to repower next year). For a family boat, I'd focus on reliability; you don't want a project. So you may want to start with something more on the basic and small side than the perfect fit at twice the price (smaller/lighter boat= smaller motor=smaller price). Look in the 17' range and an open hull design.

 

[shockwave538]

96 Nitro Fish & Ski

96 Nitro Fish & Ski

Found a 1996 Nitro F/S boat (maybe a 185 Sport SF?) in PA that looks promising. I've never dealt with much beyond jonboats, so I'm not sure of everything to look for.

http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/marine_classifieds/adv-search.cgi?id=567545
http://linksmarine.com/boat_details.cfm?catid=8&bid=166

Seems like it would be a good one for us to start with. What kind of performance/speed/reliability can I expect out of this motor, assuming it's in good shape? Looking at the links, what things might I want to watch out for or ask about on this one? I don;t mind putting out a couple bucks and hours on something, but I don't want any $1500 surprises either. I know water testing is also highly important, but I want to be confident in it before driving 4 hours there. Based on what you see, is it a fair price? Also, what is that thing next to the trolling motor?

Overall, it seems like it's in decent shape, but I'm inexperienced in shopping for these, both in details and pricing. If anyone has a standard list of things they ask about or look for, that would help for anything I find.

Has anyone dealt with this dealer?

 

[shockwave538]

1997 Sunbird Spirit 170

1997 Sunbird Spirit 170

Same questions for this 1997 Sunbird Spirit 170 F/S. Anyone have experience with this boat or engine?

http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/marine_classifieds/adv-search.cgi?id=511454
http://www.iboats.com/sites/indianl...54.html?listing_page=listing_sum_index_1.html

Both listings say it has a 115 HP Evinrude, but the boat has only 90 HP. Why might this be? Just trying to be somewhat knowledgable before talking to the dealer.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1997 Sunbird Spirit 170

Re: 1997 Sunbird Spirit 170

That first one is a Force outboard. You probably don't want one. Certainly not for that price.

The Sunbird looks nice. I'm sure the 90 is a type. That's a 115. Price is high. Sunbirds were entry level boats.

 

[shockwave538]

Re: 1997 Sunbird Spirit 170

Re: 1997 Sunbird Spirit 170

That first one is a Force outboard. You probably don't want one. Certainly not for that price.

The Sunbird looks nice. I'm sure the 90 is a type. That's a 115. Price is high. Sunbirds were entry level boats.

What do you think would be good numbers to offer for these, just based on the links? Being that these are advertised prices, I was expecting to settle on lower numbers.

What about the Nitro do you think I wouldn't be happy with? Been doing some reading and can't seem to find a bad rep with the boat or motor.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: 1997 Sunbird Spirit 170

Re: 1997 Sunbird Spirit 170

If you can't find a bad rap on Force motors you aren't looking hard enough That Nitro does not look to be well taken care of at all.

The Sunbird looks to have been fairly well taken care of. However I just don't understand these dealers asking top dollar and they can't put any effort into reconditioning these boats. $3500 to maybe $4k for that one.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Want to fish & play

Are you talking about a pontoon? If not, please give an example of a model. We haven't found many pontoon styles that would fit our wants.

Deck boats are like pontoons in that they do offer good capacity for seating. However they are fiberglass rather than aluminum.

Here's a link to Hurricane's web site, they manufacture nice deck boats.

My two cents...consider an aluminum bowrider. Less weight= easier trailering and docking, cheaper costs to run on water and towing with lighter weight.

I intend to use my boat for the exact same purposes that you stated and my 16' Starcraft SuperSport is going to be perfect, can't wait to finish it and enjoy it this summer

Good luck!

 

[shockwave538]

Aluminum or fiberglass?

Aluminum or fiberglass?

My two cents...consider an aluminum bowrider. Less weight= easier trailering and docking, cheaper costs to run on water and towing with lighter weight.

Boat will be on a lift at the dock, and will only be trailered for a mile for maintenance or extended non-use. Would the aluminum make a difference in water performance?

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Aluminum or fiberglass?

Re: Aluminum or fiberglass?

Would the aluminum make a difference in water performance?

Not a ton. Tinnys can get away with less motor due to being lighter. Some people feel they don't handle as well but that hasn't been my experience. You can't really get too crazy with hull design with aluminum so the glassers have the advantage there.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Aluminum or fiberglass?

Re: Aluminum or fiberglass?

Boat will be on a lift at the dock, and will only be trailered for a mile for maintenance or extended non-use. Would the aluminum make a difference in water performance?

Aluminum boats get up on plane more quickly, but they do get bounced around a little bit more in 2-3ft waves.

Unless you really want to throw back a huge wake for skiing or wakeboarding then aluminum is fine. Fiberglass boats sit lower in the water as they are heavier so they provide a larger wake also.

Did you check out the deckboats? Curious what you think of those too.

 

[shockwave538]

Re: Want to fish & play

We're still not feeling the pontoons or deckboats (though they all outdo our 16' jonboat on it's last leg). I really like the idea of the F/S style, preferably with an OB motor for those hard-to-reach spots. I'm just trying to figure out what brands of boats or engines to find or avoid, and what to look for when I get eyes on one. Who is the best in the worlds of glass and aluminum?

I found the NADA guides, which is helping in that area. Amazing how so many of the boats listed anywhere are inflated, privately and commercially.

What engine size will I need to get decent towing capacity for 17-19' range? I've seen some 115-135 OBs, but not much around 150 for my price range, unless the boat is beat up.

Except - Any opinions on this 96 Stratos? http://charlottesville.craigslist.org/boa/1698730754.html
Based on the exact details and condition, looks like it should be $5300-6000, vice $7500. What would you offer? I'd much rather get a boat 20 vs 200 miles away. Know OMC is good, and Stratos too from what I can gather. Good power, features, name, and price range....what am I missing?

 

[shockwave538]

Re: Want to fish & play

Sorry to put so many topics in the last post, must be the ADD in me. Love the forum though, much help to be found here and in the searches....HUGE database!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Want to fish & play

for the type of boat (not feeling good about the motor):
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/1713361965.html
or-needs a motor:
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/1713306658.html
classic
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/1712599774.html
don't know the hull
http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/1711902466.html

My point is, that's what's out there in just two days' ads around here in the 17-19' range and your price range, that would be good family all-purpose starters--at least at the CL surface!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Want to fish & play

That Stratos looks real nice.

 

[spudshaft]

Re: Want to fish & play

I'll throw this out there as an option you may not have thought of. Maybe a late 90's on up Key West, Sea Pro, Sea Hunt or similar. You can get dual or center console, they have little upholstery to get nasty, and are full of fishing stuff.

Huge bonus is that depending on the make and year you can avoid wood in the floor and transom. Big benefit in a used boat.

If you have all the cushions (bow, rear bench, cooler etc.) even as a center console they are fine as a family boat.

Oops I didn't open the CL links before typing this.