What do you get?
Let the discussion begin!
What do you want to do?
Inshore, Jetties, flats
18 ft front stand up consol 90hp jet drive , just like the one I sold
to get the one I have now… Should have my arse kicked!!!
wouldn’t do it again…
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When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
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A Hobie Pro Angler with electronics, an iPilot or Xi5 trolling motor, and a micro pole. Probably a trailer as well.
Anything you get for $6k isn’t going to do 1-2 of those tasks well, and for $6k you aren’t going to carry very many people safely and comfortably either. Just go for a bitcin’ solo ride.
If you must get a “boat” try to find a Boston Whaler 13’ or 15’.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
Classic whaler
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
http://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/5043680576.html
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
I’m going against you’re suggestions so far…
$6,000 can buy you a 17-19’ center console in pretty darn good shape with a 2 stroke on it that can take you anywhere from 18" of water to nearshore bottom fishing if you know what you’re doing. And can carry up to 6 safely for just a evening cruise or beach going trip. I can hear it now, “that old johnson, mercury, etc. 2 stroke is not reliable, better stay near the dock.” Baloney, a well maintained and frequently run older 2 stroke is just as reliable as that shiny new 4 stroke that gets run once a month. People see the old coughing, sneezing, spitting, sputtering 2 strokes that only start at WOT and write it off as…ah heck, it’s just the nature of a 2 stroke. Wrong, it’s because it’s not running right. Dockhand commented last weekend about my old Johnson firing right up at idle on the first key turn while I drove it off the forklift. Well yeah, that’s how it’s supposed to work when you maintain and run it frequently like you should, even an old 2 stroke.
Just watch craigslist closely and be ready to move quickly when you see the one you want. None of this telling the seller wait, let me run to the bank. Have your cash in hand and be ready to move. They generally won’t last more than a day or two and the seller with have a crap load of calls, 80% of which saying let me check with the wife or let me go to the bank. For that kind of money I’d be looking for a late 90’s or newer Johnson, 90 or 115 yamaha. They just don’t die. Sea Hunt 172, Key West 1720, Scout 172/175, Sea Pro 19, Maycraft 1800 and 1900, just to name a few to look out for. Don’t limit yourself to Charleston either, be ready to make a quick day trip up to NC or down to Jacksonville to go after a really good deal.
I’m going against your suggestions so far on the Whaler. Sure they’re popular and easy to sell, but for $6k are you really worried about resale? Plus, all that demand and popularity drives up the price compared to some other brands that are in far better condition for the same money
Good advice from AndyB
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I agree with everything Andy said. My suggestion on the Whaler is that in my experience on the boats he mentioned, they require a lot more maintenance or work. They have lots of things working against them for the age range you will be looking at. Pumps, thru hulls, wiring, hatches, hardware, all will be aged and constantly pinching your wallet. While a classic whaler might rattle your teeth, its simplicity and lack of all that extra “stuff” makes it easy on the wallet to maintain. It’s hard to beat the KISS method of a 13’-17’ classic Whaler with 2 stroke Johnson/Evinrude on the back.
However, Opti and I are obviously biased.
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
One last thing to add, for very little money like this, condition of the whole package…boat, motor, AND trailer…should be far more important than the brand IMO. For $5,000 I’d rather have a garage kept budget brand than a beat all to hell and back Grady White. 
What’s wrong with a Carolina Skiff! He did say, he wanted it for inshore/flats/jetties! Can’t get more simple that that.
I dont disagree with andyb. I paid 3600 for my whaler with a practically new motor on it, and it is super stable, floats in 6", can handle big water, and gets the same kind of attention as a 57 chevy around town 
Best of all, it was built in 1966 and still 100% functional. That says a LOT in my book. I have sacrificed a vertebrae or two, I’ll give you that!
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
quote:
Originally posted by Geronimohttp://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/5043680576.html
“Wailord”
1979 17’ Montauk
90 JohnsonWilderness Ride 115
He is dang near giving that Whaler away!! Wish I had a spare $5500 laying around and the need for a third boat!!
Skeeter ZX2200 W/ Yamaha 200
quote:
Originally posted by andybI’m going against you’re suggestions so far…
$6,000 can buy you a 17-19’ center console in pretty darn good shape with a 2 stroke on it that can take you anywhere from 18" of water to nearshore bottom fishing if you know what you’re doing. And can carry up to 6 safely for just a evening cruise or beach going trip. I can hear it now, “that old johnson, mercury, etc. 2 stroke is not reliable, better stay near the dock.” Baloney, a well maintained and frequently run older 2 stroke is just as reliable as that shiny new 4 stroke that gets run once a month. People see the old coughing, sneezing, spitting, sputtering 2 strokes that only start at WOT and write it off as…ah heck, it’s just the nature of a 2 stroke. Wrong, it’s because it’s not running right. Dockhand commented last weekend about my old Johnson firing right up at idle on the first key turn while I drove it off the forklift. Well yeah, that’s how it’s supposed to work when you maintain and run it frequently like you should, even an old 2 stroke.
Just watch craigslist closely and be ready to move quickly when you see the one you want. None of this telling the seller wait, let me run to the bank. Have your cash in hand and be ready to move. They generally won’t last more than a day or two and the seller with have a crap load of calls, 80% of which saying let me check with the wife or let me go to the bank. For that kind of money I’d be looking for a late 90’s or newer Johnson, 90 or 115 yamaha. They just don’t die. Sea Hunt 172, Key West 1720, Scout 172/175, Sea Pro 19, Maycraft 1800 and 1900, just to name a few to look out for. Don’t limit yourself to Charleston either, be ready to make a quick day trip up to NC or down to Jacksonville to go after a really good deal.
I’m going against your suggestions so far on the Whaler. Sure they’re popular and easy to sell, but for $6k are you real