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Random Quote: Someone actually reads this crap? -Brad Woolard
I love surf fishing but I want to buy a boat. I am ready to move upin the world but i donot think I want a new one . I am sure that there are used boats worth buying but I do not know what to look for. any help would be great. I am looking for about 19 to 21 bay type. something that will let me fish as well as haul my young fisherman ages 4 and 8. I like the skiffs but most do not really have a place for more than two to sit. I like the bay from what i have seen they appear to be versital. I want to fish mostly in the inlets but would like to go a few miles out as i get more Nautical exp. I know that someone can help. what do i need to look for in a hull what year did they stop using wood in the hull. is this really an issue. I have been told that certain brand boats actually will last a life time if in good shape is this true? Man I am Boat dumb
We got started motorboating/fishing in a small way at first by buying a neighbors 16' Wahoo-a Boston Whaler style trailerable boat with a 50 hp motor. My thinking was to try and see if I liked boating/fishing and more importantly if my 9 yo son 5 yo daughter and wife would like. If they did great, we'd upsize and if they didnt we could sell the boat and not lose our shirts or I could keep it and use it myself.
Well everyone did like it a lot and a year and half later we're on our 4th powerboat-see signature below.
My mistake (not really a mistake I guess) was in getting the next 2 boats after the Wahoo-each upsize was a little too small for what the family wanted. I do not regret for a moment getting the small boat to start off. I learned a lot in the first year owning that boat that taught me about fishing, seaworthiness, and what to look for in the next boat...er boats.
Oh and if you will be going a few miles offshore you may want to look at boats with higher gunwales and/or bow rails than the Wahoo had-could be a little dicey out there with a child and low rails..........
Good luck
__________________
1967 BW Nauset w/ 88SPL Johnson
Are you mechanincally inclined? If so, there are alot of options out there. If I were you, I would do some research and figure out a direction you want to go (center console, cuddy, walkaround, etc). Find a few that you want to look at and find someone that knows what they are talking about and let them take a look at it for obvious trouble spots. First things to look at, the transom...does it flex when you apply pressure to the tilted engine, soft spots in the deck, ugly wiring (almost a given on older boats), cracks in the gelcoat where it looks like there shouldnt be cracks (some spider cracks are a given too). If I were you, I would try to find a good hull that needs new power. The electrical systems are very straight forward, I would go through and clean that up too. Electrical problems seem to be one of the biggest problems on the water. Boats are generally money pits and once you start its like an addiction, so beware
__________________ "REEL ADDICTION"
24' Grady White Fisherman
Ask a friend with experience to look at the boat with you. Look over his shoulder and ask questions. If you don't have any boating friends yet, or none that you have confidence in, hire a marine surveyer to do a pre-purchase inspection.
He said a 19-21 bay boat not sure how a Grady can be considered a bay boat draws way to much draft. It sounds like he plans on doing inshore/near shore type fishing possibly shallow water. This brings up the number one thing to consider. What is going to be your primary use for this boat? Will it be fishing, family boating etc. How long do you plan on keeping this boat? Your kids are 4 and 8 now which means the 8 year old is probably already thinking water sports such as skiing, wakeboarding, tubing etc. so you will need to make sure you get enough HP to pull them up and enough room on the boat to put all that stuff. Where will you be boating and what conditions do you expect to run into. Do you need a potty for the kids and/or mom. Do you want a T-top so you can fish all the way around but still have some break from the sun or is a bimini ok? Do you live bait fish if so the size of the live well/s maybe important. What is the max number of people you ever expect to carry. I have dual console that I really like for what I do, family boating and some fishing, but the draft maybe be deeper than you want if you want to be able to do true skinny water fishing. Bay boats are great my buddy has a 24 Path Finder with 200 hpdi that is a rocket probably more than you need, but I would look for at least 150hp and I am not going to get into the 2-stroke vs 4-stroke war hear but I would probably shy away from the carberated 2 strokes just because resale maybe a problem and they smoke a lot and are loud although depending on what you want to spend you may find that is all that is available in your price range. Whatever you decide on unless you are a very good mechanic I would have a mechanic look it over and at least check compression etc. Good luck and happy hunting. Just remember that every boat is a compromise no boat does everything great but a bay boat is great cross between close offshore, inshore and family day boat.
__________________ Benny Z.
2005 18' Key West 186 DC with F150 Yamaha
Previous Boats
1986 20' Shamrock Cuddy
1991 18' Parker
1986 16' Sea Ray Bow Rider
welcome to the addiction I recently bought a 16 ft Sprint with a
48hp johnson. I got lucky and got mine from my brother in law. Just do your research and research more. good luck and happy boating!
Great reply thanks I like the Bimini top for the fact you can put it down. I plan on at least 5 on the boat at times. will be at the coast and possible lake. I live about three hours from beach so combo fresh and saltwater. yes i would like to pull a tube if need be. but i want to FISH also. But I donot think that a new boat is worth it yet. I agree that a good ceck out will be required, as far as the soft spots is that due to rot from wood or is it in foam filled hulls also? seewll
You are in NC. There are a ton of boat manufacturers there, and you could have a ball visiting them. I would start with Maycraft. They're reasonable. Used boats are anybodies ballgame. There are 20' Maycraft with Honda 130 4 strokes and trailers down the street for twenty grand.
It sounds like a 17 Whaler is right up your alley. They can be had used for about 10K. Won't do anything great, but does a lot of things well. I have one and you can definitely fish in it, pull a skier and it is rated for five bodies.
Order David Pasco's book "Buyers Guide to outboard boats"
It is an easy read and Very informative. It showed me what to look for in a boat and what to watch out for. It is not that expensive either. Well worth the money. The 2nd book is expensive.
He just wrote a 2nd Edition "Surveying Fiberglass power boats"
Why not a 19' Carolins skiff. It is one of the most versital and easily maintained boats around. Usually easily repaired when damaged. They can go about anywhere with a set back plate and even new, they won't break the bank. A 75-90 hp motor is sufficient to push it around. Plenty of room for gear and kids!!!
Need help on buying used boats HELP!!!!!!!! 
