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I don't see what all the fuss is about. Mike got the boat cheap, he found one with a very easy to GET TO motor, and it appears the issues it has are likely to be solvable with only a few trips to the lake and one or two tows home. I'm betting once he gets this issue solved the thing will go in and out of the water a bunch of times with zero issues.

Boats are easy to piss and moan about every little thing you do, but I really don't see them as bad as people say when we're talking simple pleasure motorboat. There just isn't THAT much to go wrong. But all boats get the bad rap from the sailing guys who are constantly fiddling, upgrading, and breaking stuff. *shrug*

Anyway, if you're technically savvy and don't mind working on stuff, buying a super cheap boat is a great deal right now. You'll have a lot of fun with it, and once you're bored with it you will actually see some return on that time you put into fixing it, because it's probably worth more than you paid.

I think the anti-boat crowd likes to be smug about being "smart" enough to not get one! There, take that! And when that turns you to the dark side, let me know so I can be sure to get my "brought another one to the fold" commission check from the Great Boat Authority(tm).


--Donnie

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That is me! Then again, I really would like to own a small sailboat.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

For anyone dumb enough to want a restoration project this sounds great and very similar to what I picked up. Depending on the motor ... if it's a v6.

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/boa/1906751710.html

Vinyl stains as I discovered are 100% restorable. Soft scrub and lacquer thinner.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

The only warning I have about buying a used boat does not involve the mechanical aspect. You really need to check the structure of the boat. With the newer boats, a lot of the wood has been taken out. But with older boats you need to check for any rot and it can be well hidden.

When I traded my Regal in on the Baja, the dealer in Statesville told me they no longer took Stringrays in on trade. To get the Stringrays as fast as they were, the builder used light weight plywood and less of it. Too many were breaking and rotting. I am not bashing Stringrays. I think every builder goes through periods of making crappy boats.

I do agree with Donnie. And when I finally sold my Baja, it was not the happiest day in my life. I do miss that boat and the boating "life". Actually, I really enjoyed the smaller Regal too and probably will go back to the 19-21 foot boats. Easier to haul, easier on gas and cheaper.

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

Oh, and I'll also add that all hobbies cost money, and the price per minute enjoyed is a lot better than, say, AUTOCROSS.

(That's not to say one should feel bad for choosing autocross...it might just be what you enjoy more. But it does cost more than boating per minute.)


--Donnie

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sure, if you consider "driving" as the only fun part of autocross

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05 MCS

Yeah, you're right. Working course, changing tires, trying to cool off...I forgot about all the other "fun" parts.

I know, I know. I've done more than my share of autocross when I could have been at the lake, and still choose that sometimes. I'm just razzing the folks who bag on the boating thing.


--Donnie

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on a related note, tell me if i'm just smok'n some good stuff.

we have a 2006 kia sedona v6, towing capacity of 3500lbs. will this thing be adequate to haul a small ski boat?

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05 MCS

As long as it's under 3500lbs. I think most 18' and under boats should be under 3500lbs. Stay away from boats with double axle trailers.

That car is FWD though right? If so, you might have some trouble at the ramp with that.

Another issue with smaller vehicles pulling boats is that you can't see around the boat. Which makes backing it a chore.

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In need of car.

The Sedona is a van. Still probably FWD and thus potentially a problem on the ramp, but Jason is right...most any boat under 18' on a single axle trailer will be under 3500 pounds. Probably over 2500, though, so you're pushing the limits that way. As long as you're sticking to very local lakes and are very careful, you should be okay. Might wanna look for something with an aluminum trailer...makes the search a little harder, but not impossible (I think that one Mike posted was aluminum, in fact).

At the boat ramp, make EVERYONE get out of the car before you do your thing. That'll help, since you're usually toting a lot of people. Try to avoid situations where you are pulling the boat out in the rain.

Buy my Zodiac at $20k and you'll be golden. It's really light.


--Donnie

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Don't forget the weight is not only boat and trailer. It is all the other little things you toss in the van and boat for the day of fun on the lake.

If you do get a boat...practice, practice in a parking lot and then at the ramp. Best if you have a friend helping you. Do not go the first time with family in tow and try it. A good way to ruin the day

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

I always thought the whole getting the boat in the water thing was easy. It's getting it out that gave me fits. Mostly the getting the boat on the trailer thing.

Plus, man was not meant to have an unmarred skeg. *sigh*


--Donnie

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I never had a problem getting the boat into the water, but watching others was a riot. They are waiting in line, the wife is complaining, the kids screaming and they are trying to back into the center ramps. Add to the fact they only back up trailers a few times a year. Don't be one of those people.

A great little tip, have the wife learn to back the trailer in. She might not want to do it with the boat on it, but convince her to learn to back the empty one down the ramp. I actually think woman can do it better than men. This is coming from a guy who advises never to let your wife get involved in motorsports if that is your hobby.

I never drive the boat onto the trailer. I will float it up, so it just making contact with the supports and then use the winch to pull it snug. Unless I am in a hurry and in the middle of a storm. Been there and done that.

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner

Good advice. I go a step further. I have been going solo to the ramp to be able to concentrate, learn, and take my time. Family goes to the beach in a separate car and I pick them up there. Less to go wrong at the ramp. Good practice using bumpers and docklines. Having the "support vehicle" was really handy when having boat problems and for unexpected weather too.

Next we'll all start going to the ramp together. But for a while I'm going to be doing the driving and handling solo. Wife has her hands full with the kids.

Jim I appreciate your comment about floating the boat on the trailer. I suck at getting it on straight and smooth with the motor. I think I'm going to start doing the same thing, after all I float the boat off the trailer too. It's just a lot less stressful.

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

The secret is to get the trailer submersed just right. For me it was just getting the top of the trailer fender wet. Like I mentioned, it works well except in heavy winds or currents. Then there is no great way to do...

I forgot about the whole family thing. My previous boating was when I was single or married with no kids. Even if you all drive together, it is not a bad idea to drop them off and then put the boat in. I used to do that at the Falls Marina...drop everyone off at the marina take the boat over to the hidden ramps and then boat over to pick everyone up. Plus those ramps had no docks.

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Jim Pastorius
2008 Silverado VortecMax
1992 Camaro CMC#92
2002 BMW R1150R

2009 3rd Place CMC Mid-Atlantic Championship
2009 CMC Hyperfest Winner