What Would You Buy?

S

steel

Member
If you were looking for a used boat to use occasionally offshore, and were limited to around 15K, what would you buy?
For example, probably better off with an older double eagle than a newer bayliner for the same price...
The only real preference I have is a hardtop and not a center console.
 
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That would depend on how far down the road I was prepared to go to get one, like say USA maybe.

I'd be scouring all the used boat listings everyplace.

15K can get you a really sweet deal...or it can get you a pile of junk.
 
I have been asking myself the same question. I also would like something with a hardtop in the 22ft range which can do double duty as family crusier and fishing machine. So far I have say I like the Campion 622/older victoria 215 but in that price range your looking at one from the early 90's and I have read not so glowing things about that vintage. I would am curious to find out what people suggest you buy. I will keep my eye on this thread!
 
Couple of things to keep in mind when purchasing the right boat. Size and weight of the boat and do you plan to haul it around on a trailer lots. Is your tow vehicle sufficient, what is your budget per day fuel wise as you don't want to have a heavy fuel consuming boat if your going to cringe when you hit the pumps. What location ie boat ramps do you generally launch at are they shallow with no wharf finger? Is it a family / fishing boat or just fishing as the layout will be important. For a fishing hull I'm not a huge fan of boats with aft cabins as it creates a step or 2 up to the helm area. Trophy's Grady's and many other models once you hit 25' and up have an aft where as similar and bigger Baha's don't the floor is all one level which is ideal for fishing with the most convenient access to the helm. Double Eagles are great hulls. The ideal weekend warrior hull would be an 18.5 to 20 Double Eagle hull poded as the factory engine box in the back takes up way to much space. You would want to find one already done. I have taken on several projects over the years and they to bit you to death and you will end up with more money into the boat than it's worth. Probably one of the best trailer able boats in my opinion with lots of floor space would be a 22 Grady Seafarer with a pod. Just some thoughts and things to keep in mind when purchasing. Find a great hull, make sure it has good power as realistically that's where the money is and get it inspected? Save yourself a potential huge headache and lost dollars.

Good luck in your search!
 
I just spent the past year looking for somthing in this budget. I mostly looked at the Campion Explorer 542 or the Bayliner Trophy 18. I ended up with a 1998 176 Double Eagle with a 2008 150hp Etec low hours and a kicker for that price and I couldn't be happier. I fish 100% inside so most of the time the size is fine and it handles the water well. I ended up getting a boat with newer power so I feel better about cruising to the places where marine traffic is limited.
I looked at older bigger boats with old power and just found way to many things that could go wrong or needed replaced. If you could increase your budget these are 2 good deals in the states.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/boa/3326852963.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/3327552466.html
 
Big fan of Stripers -- I've owned 2 of them. No wood in the stringers to rot. The 21ft is a good size to go offshore from time to time. Very seaworthy boats, well made. Used Craigster to search the US and came up with this one that's under your price range and gives you some room to negotiate for a trailer: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/boa/3221855455.html
 
I've heard the same thing I also heard if the Grady is an open well design it's far more susceptible to transom rot where as if it's a factory closed transom with a pod there far less likely to have transom rot. Any boat that has wood as part of the construction there's always the chance for rot to be present when they get old. The Striper looked like a great deal the only down fall is an inboard in a boat that size of a hull. Not a fan of inboards and the box is a pain, a family member had a pretty new 21 Trophy with the 4.3L Vortec it was a slug out of the hole and the short engine box was a trip line in lumpy seas. Go to step back to catch your balance and you can't the box is right there and you fall on your a**. Price wise you probably can't go to wrong.
 
Here's a hell of a deal. Bayliner 2556 -- full pilothouse with galley and toilet with a second helm station up top. Big fishing platform with the engine underneath -- with a new 6.2L MPI and Bravo II leg (that's a wicked combination for that boat), all rigged out for fishing and includes a trailer -- slightly higher than your price, but bet you can talk him down. I have the bigger brother to this boat (288) and absolutely love it and mine has a smaller engine so this one would fly! Nice and solid to head offshore and would be very comfortable to overnight. With a new engine/leg combo this would be a good rig for many years to come.

Hull is a little old so you'd want to check out the transom and stringers but given it has a new engine and leg you'd want to believe that has been looked at recently -- I can recommend a good surveyor in that area who did a full and accurate shake-down on mine before I purchased it.

It's taken me a while, but I've become a fan of inboards. I agree that the Striper above is a challenge, not because of the engine, but because of the doghouse -- my Striper 2600 had the same setup and doing maintenance was a huge pain as there wasn't any room. The 2556 however has the engine below the rear deck. The entire floor lifts up to make it super easy to get at everything -- you can climb right down there with loads of room to get at all the major maintenance items (impellers, starter, oil change, filters etc...). The I/O's have grown on me as parts are inexpensive and not proprietary and extremely modular and easy to fix yourself.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/3313796373.html
 
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