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Random Quote: You can have it fast, cheap or right. Pick two.
I'll admit to something first, I know nothing about boating. The extent of my knowledge goes as far as being on couple bass boats that I did not even own and other such trips on bigger boats
but... I am very handy with everything, I've replaced car motors, any car problems are no problem for me to fix, I've restored cars etc... tools I have and patience too.
I would like to pickup a 22' or so used sea ray or similar boat with cuddy cabin, but due to finances it would be an older boat probably early 90's or late 80's.
Is it reasonable for me to assume that I would be able to tackle all its problems that it is bound to develop? or am I just nuts for even thinking about it?
I figure unless there's a hole in its hull and it sinks on me I can fix just about anything.
Any opinions or suggestions are very welcome so TIA !
There's nothing on a boat that is rocket science. If you can read a manual, ask questions, listen, learn, be willing to spend some money, then you should be fine. Seems to me that you have the right attitude. Also, before you starting boating, take a boating course or 2 (or three), so you won't be like most of the yahoos out there. - Glen
I'd suggest a smaller cuddy to start...18, 19 feet. The time and dollars for use/upkeep/maintenance increases exponentially with size. A smaller boat is also easier to learn to 'drive'. Once you get your feet wet, then you'll be better prepared to decide what you really want out of boating and with your talents you should even be able to make a few bucks on your 'little' boat if/when you decide to sell.
It's hard to say if you can fix all the problems that will arise on an older boat. I am very handy with tools as I also restored an old car and I was into drag racing.
I do all of the maintenance work on my boat, which saves me lots of $$$. If my outboard ever needed major repair, I would bring it to a pro. He has all the necessary tools and computer software to hopefully do it right.
The boat you are looking for probably is an inboard/outboard. Which has an out drive, that has to be rebuilt occasionally.
The engine is the same as a car, only for a few marine use modifications.
My advice to you is get all the shop and maintenance manuals for your engine and outdrive and give it a shot. You will know if you are in over your head.
As OnaRampage said - no rocket science involved with repairs, maintenance, or upkeep on a boat. Boats are more expensive in all of those catagories because of the special equipment and engine accroutemants designed especially for the marine environment. There is a wealth of experience, knowledge and help among the members of this board and as long as you can take the 'tongue in cheek' jibes that come along with the advice and answers that you will get here you should be fine. This site is a superior resource for experienced and newbie boaters, alike; use it to your advantage.
Keep in mind being 'handy' does not equate with 'seamanship' and couple of boating courses will go a long way toward handling a boat and it's proper and safe use. Learn the 'rules of the road' and with a little practice you will do well. I, personally, have a 21' SeaRay Cuddy (1978 w/260 Mercruiser I/O) and love it - an excellent all-around-use boat that is comfortable in both the marine/salt and freshwater environment.
Good luck, boating is definitly an adventure - welcome to the madness.
__________________ NJM
If you are not the Lead Dog the scenery never changes.
21' SeaRay Cuddy w/Mercruiser 260 I/O
i am 25 i had a 1976 shown in the pic i sold it and bought my 22 footer i love it i have had my own boat since i was 10 just never get to cocky and you will be ok dont rush and always look around you know where u are you will be ok. its always better to dock slow than to show off and tear your boat up
An I/O has more systems and moving parts than an outboard and therefore more stuff to break, repair, maintain, etc. A lot of the time spent on repairing older boats is taken up in trying to remove corroded bolts, shafts and other metal parts that have fused together over the years. This can turn a seemingly easy job to complete (manifolds, risers, outdrive removal) into an absolute nightmare. Most of the people on this board that have owned several boats can attest to this. We have all been where you are now!
As someone who has been where you are many times in the past , I would recommend looking into financing a newer model boat. There are many options for financing and if you have enough to pay cash for an older boat it sounds like you have enough for a down payment on a newer boat. A boat payment of $200-300 a month will put you way ahead of the curve compared to fixing up an older boat.
e.g. a set of manifolds and risers for a v-6 mercruiser will set you back $600-700 and this is something that would probably need to addressed on an older boat.
Do your research and ask alot of questions here and at the marinas in your area. You will find that boaters are very willing to tell you of thier "horror stories" pertaining to boat repair. All of that aside I would not give up my boat for the world and will still have it and use it when gas is $10 a gallon!!
__________________ USCG 100 TON MASTER
Pursuit 2870 CC
Palm Beach 161
1984 Mckee Craft 14'
Sunset on the ICW
Madeira Beach, Fl
Honeymoon Harbor
Bimini
"Many times life gives you the test, before you learn the lesson!"
i bought my boat for 5 grand and had all that stuff replaced and the whole boat was re done did myselkf but motor i had done by a hot rod shop i spent a total of 11 grand with boat so i now have everything redone teak floor new cabin all new stuff plus boat for 11 grand or if its your first boat do u wanna spend 50 grand on something you can get cheaper there is a post on here look for it older is better
and by the way a i/o is a easier engine to work on than an outboard this will explain why you can buy 2 car motors for the same price of an outboard you break a outboard it has to be taken to a marine mechanic for 150 dollars an hour a regular 305 350 any mechanic can work on for 50 dollars an hour its smarter for your first boat
I agree with some boating courses first, then look for a 16 to 19 foot outboard new or slightly used. It will be more fun per dollar
invested, you may be handy as a lot of us are but understand this, boating parts are expensive in general so even though you
can do the repairs yourself you can spend a ton of money. You should understand that boats always need more money for
something new and this has to be budgeted into the monthly costs. Get your feet wet with a smaller simple boat and see how
you like it and get some experience with it. It will cost you less in every way and if you wan't a larger boat later on you will have
more experience to help you make that choice.
thanks for all the opinions, I would definitely be taking a course somewhere to learn about the rules etc..
I definitely want something that my truck can tow, max would be about that 22' , so I agree that maybe 18/19 would make more sense to start off with, also that way I'm not paying any fees while boat sits in a harbor and if something major needs to be done I can take my time with it at home, even if it takes half the summer
I was thinking outboard would be better for a first boat, but it seems that i/o setup is recommended by most of you. I wanted the outboard for its simplicity, if it dies all I have to do is find a similar engine and go from there (probably another used one of course), figure out how to mount it if it's any different and problem solved... but I think price will dictate what I pickup. I'm hoping to get something halfway decent for around $5000-$6000
My first boat was a 1993 vintage bowrider (17') with a Mercury Force 70HP Outboard. The motor was easy to work on being an older two stroke, parts were available right from Mercury, the boat ran great and I actually sold it for more than I paid for it after a seasons use and it only cost me $3200 (and wasn't a rag either). I would try to stay in the mid to late 90's vintage and even then you could run into a boat with wood rot. Survey's are always a good idea on any used boat and usually cost $300-$500 depending on length of boat. A surveyer will go through a boat with a fine tooth comb and check for water intrusion issues that could mean rotten transom or stringers. But that's your call.
i bought my boat for 5 grand and had all that stuff replaced and the whole boat was re done did myselkf but motor i had done by a hot rod shop i spent a total of 11 grand with boat so i now have everything redone teak floor new cabin all new stuff plus boat for 11 grand or if its your first boat do u wanna spend 50 grand on something you can get cheaper there is a post on here look for it older is better
Your a perfect example of what you are facing when buying an older boat to redo. I remember your posts when you were troubleshooting your original engine and then when you were looking for a rebuilder or new engine. It is a monumental pain in the azz to rebuilld an older boat. If you have the time, money and inclination, then go that route. I have been there and now know that it is cheaper and more enjoyable in the long run to purchase something newer and forgo the whole rebuilding process.
You now have $11,000 plus, along with the countless hours of sweat equity and aggravation into a 20 year old Four Winns 22' boat.
Doing a quick search of Boat Trader online you can plug in cuddy cabin boats 22'-24' under $25,000 and find over 100 from year 2000 to current model year available. After negotiating let's say you spend $20,000 plus tax. Put $5000 down and finance $17,000 for 8 years at 7% and your payment is $235 a month. Now you are boating tomorrow on a clean, low hour, fresh style, late model boat with piece of mind and confidence that it will not break down with your family on board.
If you are intersted in boating and enjoying the waterways now, go with a newer model boat. If you think you will save money by taking on a project, go that way and learn. As I stated before many of us here have been that route and in my case I would not choose to go that way again.
Either way welcome aboard and good luck in your boat hunting.
__________________ USCG 100 TON MASTER
Pursuit 2870 CC
Palm Beach 161
1984 Mckee Craft 14'
Sunset on the ICW
Madeira Beach, Fl
Honeymoon Harbor
Bimini
"Many times life gives you the test, before you learn the lesson!"
I had owned several boats that I was paying others to fix. I decided I wanted to learn how to do it myself. The next boat I bought was a project boat; a 25 year old fiberglass 26 foot sailboat. It became my classroom. I read a lot of books, went to a lot of websites, and after a year with this boat, and replacing virtually every system, I feel confident that I could tackle just about any maintenance task on it. I've replaced thruhulls, entire plumbing systems, electrical, and diesel repair. And if I made a mistake? Hey, the boat was originally a piece of crap anyway. Originally.
Newbie to boating : could use some advice 
