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Random Quote: Money is a powerful aphrodisiac. But flowers work almost as well. LL
I am a Pirate fan transplanted to FL. I am also a frequent reader, but have no posts till now. I live in Pensacola, FL and am looking to get into offshore fishing (been inshore for several years in a 13 foot 1962 whaler).
I have very little money, but have found a 1978 Mako for around 6. It is powered by a 96 200 johnson.
Is this enough boat/motor to get offshore in most conditions and be happy? Will it get 15-20 out and troll for wahoo,dolphin etc. or is it going to be happier 3-4 miles out at snapper holes?
I found a 26 North American with a 96 250 yam efi on boattraderonline for around 11. Is it worth the extra dough? Does anyone know much about North American?
I think everyones question is gonna be....how long is da Mako?????????
Personally, I'd like at least a 23 to go 15-20 miles out, but a lot of people would do it in less. You just have to pick your days, watch the weather carefully before AND during the trip and be ready to pull the plug and head for the barn quick if it starts to get ugly.
First off, welcome to the forum. Hope you enjoy it.
In answer to your second question, do you have more guts then sense, or more sense then guts. On many days the 21' Mako would be more then enough on other days 21' will seem very small.
Myself, I go fishing for recreation and relaxation, if I constantly have to be concerned with weather, wind, enough fuel and so on, I will not have a very relaxing time. Most everyone on this forum can relate stories of seeing a 15' bateau (jon boat) 20 miles out. Also we can related with being 1 mile out and praying for deliverance.
The main factor in your boats ability to go offshore is you. Experience, knowledge, judgement.
It all depends on your experience. That boat is capable of taking you 60 miles offshore depending on conditions. I used to take my 17 whaler 20 - 25 miles out of destin without thinking twice, but only when the conditions permitted. The Mako 21 is a great boat and is a great boat for P'cola. It will handle the roughest of the bay, pass and handle very nicely offshore. Just check out the transom and the stringers for rot. Here's a good resource to learn more about Makos:
I would answer that with an emphatic YES. I had agreed to 7500 on a 74 Mako 22 that I thought was a solid boat. The surveyor found transom rot very quickly. He ended the survey & only charged me $50 for time & mileage. Even if he'd charged me the full price of the survey, it would have still been well worth it because I would have easily had to sink another 6 to 8K into that boat to make it solid, probably more. Also, applying what he taught me in 30 minutes, I've found transom problems in almost every boat I've looked at since then.
this is an excellent design which was well-built
at the time....it is certaily ok for offshore
work, assuming you fit it out fully and bring
it to tip-top shape....if you look at the stats,
small boats offshore dont really have much in
the way of news events....it seems the inlets
claim most of them!....a good boat in good weather with a good skipper on the helm is
very, very safe indeed....the coast guard and
the insurers have the stats to prove it!!....
now, the (possibly) bad news...the boat is sus-
pect on age alone....that you may need to replace major systems is a given, but i assume
the 6k has another 6k behind it.....steering,
all hoses, navigation instruments, pfd, pumps
and fuel filters would be items to consider for
new...the engine should have thorough going over
with new impeller, plugs, prop, etc....
the "systems" money will be well spent if the basic STRUCTURE of the boat is sound....the
things to most worry about are any delamination
in the glass, any rot of the wooden core of the
decks and transom, or any leakage of the fuel
tank into the space below the deck....as suggest
ed above, you need a competent and fully indepen
dent SURVEY....the findings, when discussed with
the seller regarding price, should be at least
revenue-neutral....you will need it anyway for
insurance and/or financing....dont let the owner
or broker offer you one!!...even if they show
you a recent survey, do your own....also, the
survey will guide you wisely as to the priority
and sequencing of your systems upgrades....if
structurally sound, and invested in for absolute
top-notch systems, this sounds like a great boat
for anybody at a price, ie under $15,000 , that
is very, very attractive and workable....dan
I've called and asked the guy if he minded a survey. He didn't, but begrudgingly informed me of some "soft spots" behind the leaning post. He also reminded me at least 6 times that the boat is 25 years old.
My problem is that it is a ways to go see it. Advice? Found a 1990 261 with twin 97 Yammi 150's. Asking is around 15,000. Wife may not go for that much dough, but what is y'all's opinion?
Soft-spots behind the leaning post= rotten floor that needs to be replaced. KEEP Looking.
As for the Mako 261...nice boat...but unless you have DEEP pockets....twin engines mean DOUBLE the expense.
If I were you...keep looking for Mako 21 that is structurally solid and has a good engine. It may cost you a bit more upfront but you'll save money in the long run. a
I think the soft spots are a first warning of BEWARE. I would be willing to bet more severe problems to be found. I can speak from experience that a older boat can and will be expensive to repair. And it will take lots of time. I bought mine for 3K and 9 months later had to repower. Found a good deal, but it was expensive. I was stuck with loosing 3K and no boat to use or sell, just sitting around for yard ornament. Or buying new motor. So that's what I did. My point is that it can be a financial mistake to just buy the initially cheaper boat that will cost more in the long run. The last boat with twin yami's may be a better deal to begin negotiating. And depending upon condition after the survey, that boat should be able to get you where you want to go.
I'm probably not telling you anything that you don't already know, but after you buy the boat is when it can get expensive. But thus far I'm glad I bought mine, but Break Out Another Thousand. (BOAT)
Something else to consider is looking at a boat that may not draw a huge amount of money on resale but still a fine craft. Maybe widden your search to older Wellcraft, Aquasport, Proline, Hydrasport and Robalo. For something a little newer you can try finging something like a Keywest or Seapro. I would keep looking you have a ton of boats in Florida and don't be afraid to drive 5-10 hours in search of your perfect craft. Like others have said a survey is well worth the cash.
It's a buyers market for boats right now. I would keep looking. You will find a nice boat eventually. I watched the market for almost two years before selling my old whaler and getting a new 1985 Mako and I found one that had always been stored on the trailer and very little use. Heck the rivets that hold on the Mako emblem on each side aren't even corroded and they are orginial and this is from a boat that lived it's life in Tampa. Take your time and you will find the right boat, but when you do, don't hesitate but do check it out thoroughly.
It all sounds like good advice. MC, I spoke to the wife about yours and unfortunatley it is too much. Rickster, thanks for the HW. The 23 Mako is already sold. I may call about the 1990 Offshore.
One thing to think about: nothing's as fun as that period when you're committed to buying a boat, can buy a boat, but haven't decided which one, yet -- though the other family members might not agree.
Buying Help 
