if you had 10 grand

[zachsayers]

hey guys, new member here, but i've been reading for a while.

I'm looking to purchase my first boat ever. It's getting old trying to convince the old man to let me use his, and I've been working for a while and figure I deserve it.

I'll be using it mostly around the south florida area, so I have everything available for me. The flats, the back country, the bay and offshore. I know this is dumb because there are trade offs in all boats, but I'm looking for the one that can do most. I was thinking an older sea craft 20 or some comperable bay boat that can take me offshore yet still let me run around in the bay somewhat. My other thought was to get a decent 18 foot flats skiff that can still go offshore every now and then, but might open up flamingo a little more. What do you all think?

[gf]

I would buy this McKee Craft 172...

http://thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=54867&start=1&posts=7

Or this one in Florida...

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/5/5/78858655.htm

[Shag]

I am going to surprise everybody here and suggest an older 17 or 18 Whaler with newer power.

[bak@cha]

Here's a nice SeaCraft right in your back yard. Go check it out.

http://thehulltruth.com/forums/threa...=41045&posts=7

[sinjun]

i would exon mobile stock.

[slickster]

Look for a used $1000 dollar hull, a new $7000 60 hp-70hp O/B and a new $1500 trailer, leaves $500 for beer and bait.....put it all together yourself and you'll have a reliable package....Mick

[nj ron]

Shag - 4/7/2005 12:50 PM

I am going to surprise everybody here and suggest an older 17 or 18 Whaler with newer power.

Very good suggestion, Shag. I won't get into the repowered with what though.

[Bullshipper]

slickster - 4/7/2005 12:46 PM

Look for a used $1000 dollar hull, a new $7000 60 hp-70hp O/B and a new $1500 trailer, leaves $500 for beer and bait.....put it all together yourself and you'll have a reliable package....Mick

Mick's got the right idea, except I would be a little more specific. Look for an old Cape Horn 19 (they last forever), and buy a Suzuki 140 financed.

[Jerry-Rigged]

If you are spending most of you time inshore, look for and old Aquasprort 222 'Flatback' Made in the late '70's, it had a strong bow and a flat transom. Add trim tabs to keep the bow down, and it would ride good in a chop, and give you great shallow water performance. Also, the Flatback does not need as much power, so a re-power would be much cheeper.

If shallow water running is not needed, check out the Classic Mako's (and knockoffs).

With these older boats, you can count on needing to rebuild the transom, if it has not already been done.

Check out http://www.classicaquasport.com/ and http://www.classicmako.com/ for model info, and re-building tips.

Jerry

[noles94]

what 60-70 hp motor costs $7000? there are 115 hp (2-stroke) engines in my area for around $6000 +/- new. i agree, though, that getting an older, reliable hull with new power and trailer is a good way to go, assuming you can find a hull!

[SeaNile Boater]

I'd spend 5,000 on women and booze. Then I would waste the other half.

[Afishinado]

I do have 10 grand... Somewhere...
Well you could buy one weally nice 22 Grady White I have for sale!!

Seriously.... Theres a ton of boats out there you can do for $10k... I agree with the 18 BW outrage, but not the Montauk.

[SWFLNavigation]

I would DIVORCE my WIFE and ship my boat overseas, wait I did divorce her and she got the boat. Now I only have $5000.... I sure do miss my ex wife, but my AIM is getting better...

[DWS]

I'll throw in another vote for Whaler You can get a nice Montauk for that price or if you decide to squeeze the piggy bank a little tighter or get really lucky, you can get a mid-late 1990's 17' outrage...with any whaler, except perhaps the rage...you really can't go wrong! Lets not even talk about resale...as the prices of those other hulls, even thought the depreciation hit was already taken, will continually go down while the Whaler hull will either do down slower, stablize or actually increase...

Good luck...this is when it gets fun

Dave S

[David598]

build yourself a 21 ft Tolman skiff for 3500 and put a 90 HP etec or TLDI Tohatsu on it for $6500

[David598]

build yourself a 21 ft Tolman skiff for 3500 and put a 90 HP etec or TLDI Tohatsu on it for $6500

[fishin-fanatic]

1985 18 Outrage with 1995 140 'Rude = $9500

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/6/7/78056167.htm

Or a 2001 model just like mine ... asking $12,500.* See how low you can get them

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/9/1/78758991.htm

[cheesewithout]

There was a 89 Mako 17 CC with 03 four stroke power in the Fisherman, NJ recently for 6,700

[zachsayers]

i've never heard of a tolman skiff. is there a website? i'm sure there is once i actually look.

guys, good ideas. i really appreciate it

[fillet1]

Get a wellcraft V20.