what kind of boat to buy for a begginer?

[Adam Lundsten]

Hello do you know anywhere i could get a cheap used 14 to a 18 foot boat? or do you know any boats that are cheap enuff that would fit into my price range?? im only fifteen

[FJH1]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-24-00 AT 12:06PM (CST)[p]Adam, about 15 years ago I was in the same position as you - I knew I wanted a boat but really didn't have the available funds. I went to boat dealers and asked if they had anything "out back" that they were looking to get rid of. My first boat was a 15' fiberglass job with a 40hp Evinrude - I picked it up for $150. I knew it would float because it was full to the gunnels with water! I had to dig the trailer tires out of the dirt - it must have sat in that spot for quite some time. I spent many hours cleaning that boat and eventually I ran it for a season. I ended up selling it for much more than I paid and this enabled me to get a little nicer boat the next time. I went through this process a couple more times until I finished college and was in a position to buy my first new boat. Again, I started out well within my budget and have upgraded over the years. Best of luck to you. Remember, sometimes working to fix up a boat is almost as fun as actually being on the water - almost.

Best Regards,

FJH

[Trophy19]

Adam,

I suggest you set a price range, then go out to www.traderonline.com and www.classifieds2000.com

Locate the area for boats and set your selection criteria (i.e. price, length, location, etc.)

For example, I went out to traderonline and did a search on all boats 14'-16' for less than $500.00.
It returned 80 boats. Here is an example of one:

1977 lund 315 dlx, 15 feet, LUND W/CONSOLE STEERING, 40HP. CAPACITY. NEEDS MINOR HULL REPAIRS,TRAILER,OUTBOARD MOTOR AND YOU WILL HAVE A NICE INEXPENSIVE FISHING BOAT. single engine, fiberglass hull, gas fuel, $495.00, (262) 657-5005
Location: Kenosha, WI

When you are ready to buy, make sure you water test the boat and have someone that knows boats along for the ride.

Best of Luck!

[Lund_Dude]

>1977 lund 315 dlx, 15 feet, LUND W/CONSOLE >STEERING, 40HP. CAPACITY.
> NEEDS MINOR HULL REPAIRS,TRAILER,OUTBOARD >MOTOR AND YOU WILL
> HAVE A NICE INEXPENSIVE FISHING BOAT. >single engine, fiberglass hull, gas
> fuel, $495.00, (262) 657-5005
> Location: Kenosha, WI

Fix up the hull and then you would want to get a vinyl graphic "sten" to put after the "Lund" on the side ;-)

[Gunga Din]

Have you considered a float tube or pontoon boat (not the party barge style, but the float-tube-style pontoon boat). No trailer--just throw it in the trunk or bed of your truck. Or stick it in your backpack and pack it into remote lakes. Your legs are the motor, and you can sneak in for a precise, finesse presentation. I'm an old fart (compared to you) and have a big, expensive boat. But I still have my float tube that got me through college.

[River_eye]

Try checking your newspaper classifieds, as well as any other classified publications that are at any newsstand. You should be able to piece together a decent 14-16 aluminum boat with a 20-30 outboard. If you are looking at older outboards I'd lean towards OMC as opposed to Merc, we have a '75 johnson 20 and it still runs great. You don't see many old, quality mercs around.

River eye

[minneman]

adam i have a freind that had a c 14 lund no motor or trailer though, if **** sell ill let ya know, also was driving to park rapids the other day and just after osage a few miles toward PR there is 2 14 ft boats for sale also no motors or trailers,allong hwy 34 on north side of highway they may be fiberglass,(they looked white)check em out! minneman

[Bret N]

My advice is to make sure the thing doesn't leak. There's nothing more frustrating than a leaking boat. Also, try and be patient while looking for a boat. Sometimes it takes a lot of time and scrounging to find the right boat when you're on a tight budget. You might want to try and hit the local garage sales in your area. A friend of mine always finds good deals on small boats and motors at garage sales. Make sure that you're the first person to get there when they open. It would be hard for you to go wrong with a 10' to 14' aluminum boat that was in good shape. A jon boat works great if you're not in large bodies of water, or a semi-v if you will go on larger water from time to time. Good luck enjoy the hunt. Bret