Thread: boats?

Malibu... mmmm....wakeboarding..

http://www.malibuboats.com/

Or Moomba...mmmm

http://www.moomba.com/

I had a bass boat for 4 years until it burned-up last year. I would suggest thinking hard about how you want to spend time on the water. For me, I would much rather fish than do anything else....

Always keep and eye out craigslist. I would not suggest trying to buy a boat in a particular timeline.....so you don't feel rushed into a deal.

Dude.. if you want a boat to fish in... get a fucking Jon Boat with a trolling motor.

If you want to have fun in one... get a real deal boat.

Couple things to look for in a used boat: First off, try to find out if it has been stored in a garage or out of weather type storage. This is a major factor when it comes to how long the boat will look good and how long the interior will last.

Second, find out if it has a wooden deck or fiberglass or composite type material. If it is an older boat that has a wooden deck under the carpet, make sure that the wood is not rotted. Step all over it, use a hard object to poke around in the carpeting in areas that you think could collect and hold water, make sure it's not soft anywhere. You don't want a rotten deck.

Third look for cracks in the boat at corners and blended areas. Also look for large fractures or cracks near the motor mount/transom. You may find a few hair line cracks here and there but that is fairly normal, especially in bass boats.

Inboard or outboard. That's another question you will want to ask yourself. There are so many options available with so many different sizes. Don't buy one with an undersized motor. Usually the boat will state somewhere the maximum HP rating for a motor. I have found if it states 175 max, then I would go with no less than a 115hp in my opinion. Yes it will go fine with a 90hp but it will be very weak and slower.

A lot of buyers skimp on the motor size and regret it. The reason why is because the price of a motor is (pulling numbers from my head) 75% of the cost of a used boat.

Also, if you buy a used boat from an individual, take it immediately to someone that will give it a complete tune up and replace the water pump. This is something that should be done regularly anyway and some boat owners just don't know or don't bother. The water pump over time will wear and and lose its suction and then you will overheat the motor. It is not that expensive of a project and actually if you get a manual, you could possibly do it yourself.

http://www.discoverboating.com/begin...e/default.aspx This is a good place to start in discovering what you want and get the free beginners dvd.

There is so much to taking care and maintaining a boat properly if you want your investment to last. I wash mine every time I bring it from the lake, and wax it every couple of months. I am actually in the process of restoring a 1990 Skeeter Bass Boat right now that was poorly taken care of. The gel coat is a complete mess. That's why I suggest finding one that is garaged and well taken care of and that you should look at waxing it often to maintain a brilliant colored gel coat. Use something like Meguires Marine cleaners and wax. http://www.meguiars.com/estore/produ...ectionID=51101 It's not like a car. It's more like a horse that needs more care.

If you have any questions from me, just pm me or ask them here, I will try and keep up with the thread.

Good luck and happy boating!

Not a fishing boat, but I practically lived on this Elim. for a few years at Lake Havasu and Lake Pleasant..

30 Eliminator Daytona.. Had twin 500 EFIS which was just monsterous and I personally drove that boat @ 100+ mph.. The owner (somewhat family) is an asshole tho and I'm glad I don't talk to him anymore..





She was a great Cat'...

We bought a Bayliner Bowrider last summer..i have pics, but it only really shows the women and not really the boat


one of the best purchases i have made.





i'll take some pics today or tomorrow of the ACTUAL boat.

Sailboat? You can fish, requires skill, and when the wind gets going, is WAAAAAY more fun than any motorboat.