I need advice on getting a used boat for cruising around with my family of 4. I currently have a bare bones fishing boat and it is not comfortable. I was thinking about getting a scout,keywest ect for a cruise/fish combo. but the prices are too much for me. I want something I can actually payoff within 3 years or so. Maybe something used for around 4-7K just for cruising around.
Is there a good fish/cruise combo that I’m missing? Even the newer carolina skiffs are too much for my price range.
How are the bayliners with the inboards? They’re are a lot used and they are fairly cheap. Should I stay clear of inboards for saltwater? Any other advice? Thanks
Agree, stay away from Bayliner, I/O, and Trophy CC.
I have seen a lot of good KW 1720 CC for sale over the years in your price range. I would look for about a 6-10 year old Key West 1720 CC or DC, Sea Hunt 17’, and Scout 17’ Sportfish.
In your price range the Key West and Sea Hunt will be newer and nicer than any Scout that you find.
Don’t be scared of a KW 1720 as old as 93’-95’. They are still no wood construction and one of the biggest selling hulls ever. My boat is a copy of that hull, but with wood decks and transoms and I still love the way my hull rides.
I’d stay with what I have, upgrade it so that you can cruise some. Maybe a deck chair or two or a couple of bean bags. Then save your money for a while and get something that is reliable and hasn’t been used and abused. A 4-7K boat is probably going to have older power with high hours and underlying mechanical issues. You can just about guarantee that you are going to be sinking money sooner rather than later into a large engine repair or some component of the boat. Not to mention, and I don’t mean any slight by this, if you are going to have to make payments for 3yrs on a 4-7K boat then it probably isn’t the best financial decision for you to make at this time. Nothing like a broken boat sitting around that you can’t afford to fix because you have to make payments on it or sell because you can’t get the money out of it to break even on a loan.
Don’t mean to burst your bubble but I lived it as a young and by my views at the time “successful” person. Give it time and save until you can afford it, the insurance, gas, equipment etc.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
I’d stay with what I have, upgrade it so that you can cruise some. Maybe a deck chair or two or a couple of bean bags. Then save your money for a while and get something that is reliable and hasn’t been used and abused. A 4-7K boat is probably going to have older power with high hours and underlying mechanical issues. You can just about guarantee that you are going to be sinking money sooner rather than later into a large engine repair or some component of the boat. Not to mention, and I don’t mean any slight by this, if you are going to have to make payments for 3yrs on a 4-7K boat then it probably isn’t the best financial decision for you to make at this time. Nothing like a broken boat sitting around that you can’t afford to fix because you have to make payments on it or sell because you can’t get the money out of it to break even on a loan.
Don’t mean to burst your bubble but I lived it as a young and by my views at the time “successful” person. Give it time and save until you can afford it, the insurance, gas, equipment etc.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
Would have to say I agree 100%… Sound advise.
Key West 19’6" CC 115hp Merc
14’ Fast Craft w/ 60hp Merc
I would stay away from both Bayliner and I/0 drive of any sort
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Maybe knuckle head just plans on fresh water? I/O aren’t so bad in pure H2O, but add some NaCI and for some reason they just seem to be destined for failure.
All the suggestions here are good ones. If you HAVE to have a new used rig, I’ve always been a big fan of the Key West 1720. I’ve recommended it several times to friends who were looking for that generel all around boat. I’ve owned 2 Key Wests and never had any complaints. Never owned the 1720 but they are all over the place and you can usually find one for sale locally. Take your time and you’ll find a good one in your price range.
And definitely agreed with all those warning you to stay away from Inboard/Outboard drives. I will never buy one, and if I inherited a brand new one for free, I’d sell it. Asking for trouble.
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
quote:And definitely agreed with all those warning you to stay away from Inboard/Outboard drives. I will never buy one, and if I inherited a brand new one for free, I'd sell it.
I’d just give it away, would still save money in the long run and nobody would be mad at you
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
^^^^^
This should had ended this thread. Best combo out there. Yamaha and Pioneer. It will outlast your payments for sure. Not like a lot of other boats and motors. A very sound investment.
Action auto between Moncks Corner and Summerville on 17a has an 07 17 2 KeyWest with a 90 hp Mercury Optimax with 56 hours. It also has a trolling motor and depth finder. It looks really nice from the road. I called and they said they were asking 13900. Might be a little bit out of your range, but maybe you could swing it.
I/O aren’t so bad in pure H2O, but add some NaCI and for some reason they just seem to be destined for failure.