Cheap Boat

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu May 30, 2013 10:54 am

The rule of the 3 F's applies here. If it Fly's, Float's, or Fxxx'x it's expensive.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Thu May 30, 2013 12:06 pm

Jordan Normark wrote:

The rule of the 3 F's applies here. If it Fly's, Float's, or Fxxx'x it's expensive.

LOL, That was funny....

Steven Carter · **Posted:** Thu May 30, 2013 12:50 pm

The best cheap boat is your neighbor's.

That said, it's a very good thing I have no storage space, no lake house and no towing vehicle because this thread makes me want a boat. Again.

Good luck searching! And post pics of progress when you start reconditioning it.

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

MikeWhitney wrote:

Scott, don't listen to those guys. I'm a happy cheap boat owner, and it's still cheap. You're mechanically inclined and a DIYer, you'll be fine.

...

Here's some inspiration. I probably have less than $3k in the boat as it sits, but 100's and 100's of hours:

I suppose if you enjoy doing all the work that may be the way to go, but personally my time is worth more than that. I have just over $6k in my boat and I've had to do absolutely nothing to it but enjoy it. Its a '98 Rinker which I believe is in the middle of the scale on quality and a mostly all fiberglass hull. Purchased it from the original owner with less than 350 hours on it. 21" with a 5.7L Mercruiser, torque. ;-)

Scott Lusted · **Joined:** Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:52 am **Posts:** 215

Thanks for the pics Les! Looks nice!

Steven Carter wrote:

The best cheap boat is your neighbor's.

That said, it's a very good thing I have no storage space, no lake house and no towing vehicle because this thread makes me want a boat. Again.

Good luck searching! And post pics of progress when you start reconditioning it.

Sure will! I have a few leads already thanks to Mike but will see what options are out there!

Kids already pulled the old Cypress Garden water ski's out.... I think they should start with a bucket of soap and cleaning solution... Maybe a saw and some marine plywood would be better...

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Les, that's a lot of boat for $6k! Very nice!

FWIW, I didn't "want" to buy such a crappy boat, but I have a problem in that I can't walk away from a good rescue candidate. Some people do it with dogs, I do it with vehicles

Next one will be a "nice" one, once the hull cracks on my old Sunbird

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

A little far from you, but this looks like a nearly perfect cheap starting point, if it's still available.

http://norfolk.craigslist.org/boa/3811030537.html

Turner Oppy · **Posted:** Fri May 31, 2013 8:46 am

My dad finally checked his e-mail, and this is what he has:

1972 Welcraft Airslot 16'4" inboard/outboard. Engine replaced in 2008 and has fewer than 20 hours. $1,500 cash. Engine cost $4400. I plan to take it for a spin in a couple of weeks and make sure it is still running alright.

He's in Macon, GA which is a bit of a drive from the triangle, but knowing dad this will be very good value. Last I saw the interior could definitely use some sprucing up, and a thorough cleaning, but it is serviceable. If you push, dad would probably throw in a bunch of extras (skis, life vests, etc.)

I'll be at the auto-x on Sat. I'll be the slow guy with the 968. Yes, slow mentally, and on the track.

Or just pm me, and I'll get you and dad in touch.

Les Davis · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 2:04 pm **Posts:** 2059

MikeWhitney wrote:

Les, that's a lot of boat for $6k! Very nice!

Thanks, I quickly realized that around here you can get a lot more boat for your money if you do two things, go I/O and you forego the extra front seating space and get a cuddy. Perhaps in my naivete I actually wanted both things, I wanted a V8 because, well, I'm Les Davis :-)

and I wanted a cuddy as I feel it makes the boat more versatile and it still seats 5 adults comfortably. So far it has been nearly perfect.

Scott Lusted · **Joined:** Tue Oct 27, 2009 9:52 am **Posts:** 215

Turner Oppy wrote:

My dad finally checked his e-mail, and this is what he has:

1972 Welcraft Airslot 16'4" inboard/outboard. Engine replaced in 2008 and has fewer than 20 hours. $1,500 cash. Engine cost $4400. I plan to take it for a spin in a couple of weeks and make sure it is still running alright.

He's in Macon, GA which is a bit of a drive from the triangle, but knowing dad this will be very good value. Last I saw the interior could definitely use some sprucing up, and a thorough cleaning, but it is serviceable. If you push, dad would probably throw in a bunch of extras (skis, life vests, etc.)

I'll be at the auto-x on Sat. I'll be the slow guy with the 968. Yes, slow mentally, and on the track.

Or just pm me, and I'll get you and dad in touch.

Hey Turner,

Thanks for the offer but I'm going to see if I can find a newer generation hull first.

CL searching is showing there is great hope to find a decent boat from a frustrated owner....

-Scott

Jason Mauldin · **Posted:** Sun Jun 02, 2013 8:21 am

Scott Lusted wrote:

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the input! I'm not sure boats are more expensive than racing... Your boat definitely came out very nice!

In my experience racing is about 10x more expensive than boating.

Turner Oppy · **Posted:** Sun Jun 02, 2013 10:41 am

No worries, Scott. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Mon Jun 03, 2013 10:15 am

Jason Mauldin wrote:

In my experience racing is about 10x more expensive than boating.

If you just want to putt around in a boat I agree. If you want to just putt around when you are racing, it's not too bad either. If you want to fast in either, yeah it will be expensive.

clinehall · **Posted:** Tue Jun 04, 2013 10:25 am

Quote:

="Les Davis, I wanted a V8 because, well, I'm Les Davis :-)

.

What kind of boat is comparable to a Saturn?

steve remchak · **Posted:** Tue Jun 04, 2013 11:18 am

clinehall wrote:

Quote:

="Les Davis, I wanted a V8 because, well, I'm Les Davis :-)

.

What kind of boat is comparable to a Saturn?

Mrs. Robinson: "you bought a Saturn?????!!!!!!!!!!!!"

bahahahahahahahahahah........... :lol:

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