I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

Hopefully I got your attention. Ok bros here is my deal I am boatless at this time and I probably can't afford a "real" boat right now. So I am really wanting to get back on the water after several years of being out. I have about 10,000 to spend if the right boat was there maybe a little more. Now before you LOL give me some options. I would like to get a boat that doesn't need too much work and goes at least 50 mph. I'm open to most closed or bowrider style or even jet boat with a trailer. I did find a nice 1992 23 stingray but it was slow at 32 mph gps with a 350 mag. Anyway my finances should be looking real good in a year or less to buy the boat I really want. But for now this is all I can afford. So should I stop dreaming and wait till I have some real cash to spend or could I possibly get on the water to have a little fun till then? Any help is great hell if you even want to throw in a smart azz comment or too I'll be here all week :D :evilb:

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

I'm basically in the same "boat" as you and I am waiting.. my new job starts soon and we have a baby on the way, so the wife is using all the current funds. If I were you I would pay for someone else's gas until i bought the real boat.... I think you will just be dumping money into something that isn't what you want.

Ernie

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

10 grand will get you cat insurance for 1 year
:evilb:

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

Here you go...

http://media.putfile.com/Bassmaster-bling

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

That's some funny chit! :D

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

$10k is tough but if you don't need something big you can find a fun, good performing boat for a little over $10k.

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

If I buy the insurance I get to take the ol cat out when I want as long as I fill the tank right? :drink:

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

10gs is a good amount to drop into a mutual fund.

I am new to boats, but the biggest lesson I have learned from fast cars and bikes is it is no fun to play if you don't have the $$ to do the things you want.

I'd rather zoom in a $30k corvette that I could afford to run, maintain and not worry too much about destroying than a $100k ferrari that I would have to baby b/c I was too scared of what it would cost if something did need done.

Just my $0.02 ..

On the other hand you only live once and you can't take $$ with you when you leave. Tomorrow is not guaranteed so have fun whille you can.

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

Maybe an older....
21 Super Boat
24Superboat
22 Velocity
21 Donzi Minx
21 Cigarette
Formula 206 LS
Formula 223
24 Pantera

You ought to be able to find something to enjoy.

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

I have a 1997 18 ft. Yamaha Exciter Jet boat with twins. 220 hp, and will run about 55 mph. I want to sell it to get a float boat for the non poker run weekends. Let me know if you have any interest. I would sell it for 7500.00 with a trailer. Condition is excellent with covers included also. Good Luck

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

ever think about becoming a sailor :evilb:

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

For the money, this one looks like fun...

http://www.speedwake.com/classifieds...php?a=15&b=880

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

hold up there fred were not done teasing him yet, however those are some great choices :D

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

My brother had a Glastron Carlson 1990 with a 225 outbaord. that boat was fun! I know they made some with I/O 350's.

Speeds in the 60-70 mph range. Pretty nice and a good ride!

For that money, I'd have a look.

Here's one with the I/O:

http://www.boattraderonline.com/cadd...7/82913237.htm

Good luck!

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

IMO I wouldn't buy an older(inexpensive) boat. I would buy a smaller, newer boat that will require less maintanence. It seems the older boats need a lot of upkeep. Unless it's already been done and then it's no longer inexpensive! :D

My last boat (see my avatar)was only 19' long but had a 320 hp, 5.7 EFI motor(2003) that ran great. 7' beam, 24* deadrise no frills boat. It was a blast to drive! :evilb: The boat never needed anything except oil changes and ran great for it's size! :D

I think the new owner is selling it but it would be closer to $15k than $10.

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/5/9/83381859.htm

This is the stingray I sea trialed today it is really clean but only 32 mph :( . Does something sound wrong with that speed for having a 350 mag? Anything I cand do to make it a 50-60 mph boat for less then $3000?

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

This might work for a year or two
http://hotboat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=109426

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

My guess is that the 23 Stingray should run 45 to 49 MPH might lose a little from the bottom paint. Perhaps the GPS was on Knots not MPH. What did the tachometer say at Wide open throttle? Possible wrong prop? Something is wrong if that is the 32mph is the true speed. Nice starter boat, price fits. Have a mechanic check it out before purchase. Especially if you are new to this.
Good Luck go for it!
VeeCat
Don't sit on the dock

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

How about Travis's Powerplay? It looks extremely clean. Hard to beat for $19K. It does need 110 octane :eek:

http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...cat=all&page=1

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

Also,
Is that fresh bottom paint? Is the bottom of the boat smooth with fresh paint?
If its has really bad growth(on the bottom) you lose a bunch of speed.

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

It did have growth on it from being in water. The boat is well maintained engine wise. As far as gps it was my gps hand held meridian color. Boat was sweet and wife likes it but if only was a little faster. :(

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

That boat is sweet I just talked to the guy only problem is he is in CA and i'm in south FL. Anyone know what it would cost to get it here? 18.5ft jet boat on trailer?

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

PM Sean H he would sell his boat cheap probaly less than 10Gs here is a picture.




































































.... :evilb: :evilb: :evilb:

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

you still have the sea ray? :eek: :evilb: :drink:

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

:evilb: :evilb: :evilb:

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

Don't buy a boat at the moment. Wait until everything is right, and feels right. You are just going to lose money. Put the $10K in a bank CD for 6 months so you are not tempted to use it. Open a separate 'boat savings' account with your bank (usually free to open another account) and set up a STEEP weekly/monthly draw from your normal accounts to your new 'boat savings' account (pretty easy to do with online banking). This would be money you were spending to fuel, maintain, store, and insure the mediocre boat if purchased now.

When you have all your ducks in a row financially, you could very feasably have $20K+ in cash, and be looking at a totally different boat purchase.

Keep friendly on the board, frequent the races/poker runs in your area, and you will get plenty of opportunities to be out on boats in the mean time as long as you are in for partial fuel and expenses.

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

For 10K you could end up with a real sweet deal or a big hole in the water into which you throw money. This is from experience, by the way mine was the hole :(

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

no that insurance will start around 28k "sorry" :D

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

Some older 24' Baja should fit those parameters.

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

Tony,
The classified ad Plum Crazy referenced is my boat. I have done lots of work to it over the past 12 years. I bought the boat in 1993. It is turn key. We moved up in size so we could get out on Lake Michigan. I would love to keep the boat, but the defense dept. says sell. I am motivated. PM if interested.

Paul

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

traviss ad says its asking $10,000
http://www.offshoreonly.com/classifi...cat=all&page=1

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

Tony, what size boat are you looking for?

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

You can not go wrong with a 18 Donzi or 21 Donzi. Not as much comfort as the boat you are looking at but a TON of fun and they will hold their value and they are a easy resale.

Jon

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

I have a clean 90 21ft apache, runs mid 60's, needs nothing, asking 14.500.00 it's in the classifieds. Ike

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

A lot of popular boating destinations have boat rentals like this one http://www.boatrenting.com/client/default.asp

Just select Florida and search.

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

I test drove a 23 sting ray a bunch of years ago,, I would have figured that boat for 48-52 mph...

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

I have an 1987 22 Pachanga for sale with 89 hours on rebuilt 350 mag. Boat will run 55-60 on gps (REALLY light load) sitting on a 2003 custom made Performance trailer with less than 500 miles on it. Boat is VERY clean...PM me if you are interested. Little more than 10k but worth it

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

Ebay Item # 4628057626 1985 23' Formula

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

Two of my favorite boats for looks are the Minx and X18 or a 18 to 22 Classic's as well. $7,500 to $10,000 should buy a nice one 18 or 20 Minx.

Re: I need your opinion...yea YOU!
 

I'm puttig my 87 260 stinnger up for sale,It has two fresh 355's,needs some work to finish.I'm selling because I'm buying a business and need the money in the bank.Take advantage of all the money I've spent!!! PM me if interested.I'm asking 10,000.Hope to have it in OSO classifieds this weekend after I take some pictures.