Posts: 3,327
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2011
Reputation:
0
I learned last night that I have the opportunity to buy a 14 foot boat with a 30hp gas motor for super cheap.
When buying my 1st car I was blindsided by tax, title, etc. Turned out to add another $1,000 to the sticker price.
So what are the things that might not be mentioned on the original price tag? Basically what else should finacially prepare for?
[signature]
Posts: 15,611
Threads: 1,326
Joined: Feb 2002
Reputation:
16
Insurance (not too expensive but required) and annual licensing. If you are fortunate to already own a vehicle that will tow it you are lucky, and if not you will have to acquire one. Expect to pay more for fuel for the tow vehicle and also for the boat. Most places you will have to pay to launch the boat; whereas, you may have found a place to fish from shore for free. Hope that the outboard doesn't require anything other than regular maintenance expense. Remember that boat is an acronym for bring out another thousand.
[signature]
Posts: 11,131
Threads: 4
Joined: Mar 2006
Reputation:
0
I am dealing with an older boat right now. Things to think about:
How old is the motor?
Does it run?
Does it need an overhaul?
What does the prop look like? Any damage?
Condition of the fuel tanks?
Is there. Trailer?
What condition is it in?
Tires?
Lights?
Wiring?
Bearings? When were they repacked last? (Should be done regularly)
The boat is it welded or riveted?
Are there cracks?
Repairs?
How does the transom look? Solid? Cracks?
Leaks?
[signature]
Posts: 15,611
Threads: 1,326
Joined: Feb 2002
Reputation:
16
Another one to add to your list is the condition of the floor (dry rot is common in boat floors).
[signature]
Posts: 90
Threads: 5
Joined: Feb 2012
Reputation:
0
I think only boats with 50hp and larger engines require insurance.
[signature]
Posts: 11,131
Threads: 4
Joined: Mar 2006
Reputation:
0
Yes if there is a deck is it wood or metal?
Check for wood rot if wood.
Carpeting? Holes? Wear?
Windshield? Glass broken?
[signature]
Posts: 15,611
Threads: 1,326
Joined: Feb 2002
Reputation:
16
You are correct, but IMO one is foolish to operate a powered boat without insurance. Accidents happen and property is damaged and people are injured or worse.
[signature]
Posts: 3,327
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2011
Reputation:
0
Yep insurance is a must for me. I would rather not have the boat if I can not get the insurance.
Anyone wanna ball park insurance costs?
[signature]
Posts: 3,327
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2011
Reputation:
0
[quote albinotrout]I am dealing with an older boat right now. Things to think about:
How old is the motor?
Does it run?
Does it need an overhaul?
What does the prop look like? Any damage?
Condition of the fuel tanks?
Is there. Trailer?
What condition is it in?
Tires?
Lights?
Wiring?
Bearings? When were they repacked last? (Should be done regularly)
The boat is it welded or riveted?
Are there cracks?
Repairs?
How does the transom look? Solid? Cracks?
Leaks?[/quote]
Great list!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/code]
[signature]
Posts: 11,131
Threads: 4
Joined: Mar 2006
Reputation:
0
Take the info on the boat, year make model Hp length etc.. And talk to your auto insurance carrier.
[signature]
Posts: 3,327
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2011
Reputation:
0
I saw the pics and he did replace the flooring. He said the motor skips and that he would fix it.
As a personal friend of 8 years I trust him. I am going over this week to take pics.
[signature]
Posts: 78
Threads: 0
Joined: Jun 2012
Reputation:
0
At a top speed of 9 mph I don't see insurance being a huge priority. If someone hits my boat it's likely a power squad member blowing by me while I'm anchored in a fishing hole. Just my 2 cents spending the money to insure a boat that small makes about as much sense as insuring your float tube. You can add to your list though replacing gear lube if that motor hasn't ran in a while. And also replacing the impeller is like a yearly or at least biyearly maintenance on an outboard motor but that's cheap and easy to do. When you start it make sure it punps water
[signature]
Posts: 11,131
Threads: 4
Joined: Mar 2006
Reputation:
0
The list is coming from personal experience. As mentioned earlier I am dealing with an old boat as well. Got it for the best price but I am currently going through it to get any issues taken care of. Right now trailer is almost ready to go. One motor is great and the second is still being looked at by my mechanic (friend of mine). Trailer wiring is being completely replaces with lights for a total of $40 as well as safety chain $8, new tires approx $150-200, and bearings repacked at the price of new grease. Haven't gotten to the boat yet.
[signature]
Posts: 19,236
Threads: 2
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation:
1
[quote Bscuderi]At a top speed of 9 mph I don't see insurance being a huge priority. If someone hits my boat it's likely a power squad member blowing by me while I'm anchored in a fishing hole. Just my 2 cents spending the money to insure a boat that small makes about as much sense as insuring your float tube. You can add to your list though replacing gear lube if that motor hasn't ran in a while. And also replacing the impeller is like a yearly or at least biyearly maintenance on an outboard motor but that's cheap and easy to do. When you start it make sure it punps water[/quote]
I have seen boats, on trailers, come unhooked and doing damage. And YES I insure my pontoon. Swimmers are not always visible remember.
We have a 14' Aluminum with a 9.9 and it is insured. Not all accidents occur during normal use, and it is a sue me world we live in.
We bought this motor last year. While being an older motor, it had been stored indoor properly and run twice. BUT, it ended up costing us over $200. getting it tuned up properly.
Remember to never run the motor out of water. AND, don't forget the PLUG!
[signature]
Posts: 25
Threads: 0
Joined: Jul 2010
Reputation:
0
Insurance. Just a plain good idea. Progressive's rates are awesome, great service too.
[signature]
Posts: 34,011
Threads: 448
Joined: Feb 2002
Reputation:
36
If you get liability insurance it is cheap, depending on who you go with. I've got mine with Allstate and only pay $26 a year for a 16 ft openbow aluminum boat with an 80 hp motor.
[signature]
Posts: 1,022
Threads: 0
Joined: Sep 2004
Reputation:
1
Hey TDT,
In the small aluminum boat category...I've had 3. Here is what I've learned:
1. 14' 1970 Applebee aluminum, with a Johnson 9.9 motor. Very solidly constructed boat, with a mainstream motor with parts available. Trailer was "overbuilt" for the boat which was a good thing. Owned it for about 4 years, then sold it to my cousin who owned it for another 3 or 4. It's demise was the rubber seal between the aluminum sheets, especially on the keel. Leaked like a siv. Other than the leaking, this was a solid 12 mph boat, very well constructed and very cheap to own and use and dependable.
2. 14' 1978 "Big Fisherman", with a Merc 20 motor. This boat was a step up in that it was faster, newer and built "deeper" than the previous fishing boat. I felt more comfortable in it. Plus, it was a lot faster, but I need to tell you...22 mph in a 14' tiller is FAST and easy to lose control. With two people and gear, it was a 16mph boat. Pretty nice. Had a on the front and a front mounted trolling motor. The boat itself was not built as studily as the Applebee and I didn't like the "flex". The motor was it's downfall. Even though it was a newer more modern motor, it ran well when it was running well, but it would "lose a cylinder" a lot and only run on one cylinder. I threw a lot of parts and labor at it, and finally sold it out of frustration. Took a hit on the sale price as I advertised it with a finicky motor. The guy that bought it didnt mind and thought he knew the issue. I hope he did.
3. 1988 Loweline 16' aluminum boat, with a 15 horse Johnson motor. Definitely a step up in both size, comfort and reliability. A 16' boat is WAY bigger than a 14' boat, and you don't lose any real speed due to hydrodynamics, etc. I can go 13 to 18 mph with this boat depending on load and conditions, has electric start (a big plus) and is extremely well built and rigid and doesn't leak. Going on 4 years with it now, and have no intentions of upgrading until I can get rid of the bigger family boat, and go down to just one boat instead of two. It has the minn-kota with Ipilot on it on the front. I've caught a 25lb Mac at Flaming Gorge with this boat, although we got wet in the wind on the way back. I spend lots of time on the Berry with it, and wouldn't be hesitant to take on any lake, including Powell, but would defintely watch the weather forecasts.
Lots of rambling there, but here is what I've learned: Motor: make sure it's "mainstream" and still has parts available. Johnson, Evinrude and Mercury are all good motors if newer than say 1975 ish. Before that and parts are going to be hard to find, nobody will work on them, and the old points/condenser systems are not as reliable as the "newer" (starting in 1975 ish) CDI systems. The BOAT itself, if aluminum, is pretty simple. Make sure it's well built and doesn't leak. Leaks are hard and expensive to fix on these, and sometimes impossible (My Applebee). TRAILER TRAILER TRAILER...Do yourself a favor. When you get the boat, just go down and buy two new hubs with new bearings and seals, and new tires. Put a quick paint job on the trailer if it needs it, adjust and tighten the bunks (replace if necessary), and then have fun with it. The trailers on these boats get abused more than anything and can RUIN a trip.
I love having a small boat to head up to the lake on the weekend. They are cheap to run and cheap to own, if you buy right. I've never had insurance, but agree that it is a good idea. I do have insurance on the FAMILY boat...but it's a monster...24 foot...454...50mph...wakeboarding, waterskiing, etc. It's an accident waiting to happen!
Hope this helps. I'd come help you take a look at it closer if you want. Let me know.
Randy
[signature]
I used to N.ot have E.nough T.ime O.ff to go fishing. Then I retired. Now I have less time than I had before. Sheesh.
Posts: 4,335
Threads: 0
Joined: Mar 2008
Reputation:
0
[quote TyeDyeTwins]Yep insurance is a must for me. I would rather not have the boat if I can not get the insurance.
Anyone wanna ball park insurance costs?[/quote]
65 bucks a year through progressive and it covers ALL of my gear, some of which is really expensive stuff
edit.. thats both of my toons, the one with the gas motor and the one with just the electric... all gear in both boats covered
[signature]
Posts: 80
Threads: 0
Joined: Apr 2004
Reputation:
0
Other expenses: Life jackets (1 for each person on board), paddle, throwable flotation device, bail bucket, fire extinguisher, anchor, rope. Most if not all of these items are required to be in the boat.. Also for me me a fish finder is a must 
[signature]
Posts: 19,236
Threads: 2
Joined: Nov 2005
Reputation:
1
+1. Also a whistle or horn and lights are a good idea.
Funny thing, we started with a Rinker Captiva with a 4.3 Merc. Great boat, but we had to have two towing capable vehicles because of thee Trailer. Could have hooked it behind the trailer but truck was not big enough engine wise.
Sold that boat and bought a 14' Alumicraft with 25 hp Merc. Everyone wanted to go fishing with us and the boat was too little. Sold it and bought a Monarch 16'er. Ended up just me and the old man.
When windy (which you can count on) one person had to man the steering at all times. We fly fish, this became a pain.
Sold it and bought pontoon boats. Couldn't be happier. Plus have extra if friends want to go[ ]
We do have the Gregor 14 with the Honda 9.9, but rarely use it. Something to think about.
[signature]
|
