First Time Boat Buyer

[fishinwrench]

You could transform those figures into just about anything you own or maintain. I spent enough keeping an old lawnmower running the last few years that I could have hired a lawn service to keep the grass and leaves dealt with, and not lifted a finger myself.

Owning a pet is a sizable annual drain as well.

Consider a boat as "therapy", or "marriage counseling" and it begins to look like one hell of a bargain.

[ten_scoach]

Here's my 2 cents....boat stands for bust out another thousand. That being said, although a 1978 boat may be in good shape this month you may wind up busting out another thousand in the next few weeks. If I had a 2k budget I'd be looking for a 16-18 foot aluminum with decent outboard confirmed by a reputable outboard mechanic. I am more comfortable with an older outboard that is well maintained than I am with an older everything else. Here is the best advice of all....be patient. If you wait you will come across a good deal. Let me give you an example, a buddy came across an early 2000 17ft love v bottom all rigged out with low hour Johnson 90hp for $ 3200. Now, keep in mind I offered to buy it for 3500, but bottom line, he stole it. Be patient, if it looks rough it is rough, and when something does come up....act fast. It won't be there long!

[fishinwrench]

Lots of good sense talk there^^^

I try to draw the line on buying fiberglass hulls at 1986 unless I just really get into one of my "restoring a classic" moods.

The big 4 were really at their best during the late 80's IMO

[Chris Musick]

I've got a 1993 16' aluminum vee with a 40 horse johnson for sale. $2500 if your interested.

My ceiling got lowered to 1800 and that ranger sold before I got my taxes back :-(