Boat Finalists...I hope!!! 2024
Brett's_daddy reply :
Okay, I have two more boats for you fine folks to give your appreciated opinions on...
This is a 1999 Starcraft Starfire 150 with a 2006 Mercury 40hp 2-stroke
http://vermont.craigslist.org/boa/5543243176.html
Here are some additional pics of the boat...
This guy is asking $3500 but said he'd take $3000 if I wanted the boat. I'm thinking if i offered him $2800 cash he'd probably take it.
This is the next boat, a 1997 Fisher Avenger 16ft. We actually went and looked at this in person and the boat is immaculate...VERY clean inside and out. All decks are solid (no spongy feeling anywhere), the motor started right up and ran well...a very nice boat!!!
This is a video of the motor running. One thing I noticed is that it didn't pee a stream of water out of the top motor housing and looking at it there is no hole there for it to pee water out of...just those little vent type holes below the motor housing on the shaft...is this normal? It's a 1998 Force by Mercury 40hp 2-stroke motor. It's a manual trim motor.
This gentleman is asking $3900 but would take $3500...I'm thinking of offering him $3200 cash if we decide this is the boat for us. What do you guys think?
shaggydog reply :
id offer even less.
Brett's_daddy reply :
The guy with the Fisher said $3500 is as low as he will go and if he can't get that he'll just keep it as he doesn't need to sell it. I'm thinking $3200 isn't too far from $3500 so he might take the cash.
Further North reply :
Buy 'em both, put the Merc on the Fisher and sell the Force with the Starcraft... 
Just kidding...if I had to choose between two boats that I felt about the same on...I'd go to the one with the newer motor.
Brett's_daddy reply :
That's what my wife is saying too...go with the newer motor but something is just drawing me to that Fisher, the boat is just in such good shape. I will look at the Starcraft tomorrow night but as you can see from the pics the edges of both front and rear decks are definitely worn and the side console is peeling and one pic shows the seats and they are all torn it looks like. I know, all of that stuff is considered cosmetic but it still adds up while the Fisher may not have as good a motor the boat itself appears to be in much better overall condition than the Starcraft. Decisions, decisions...lol.
Kevin22 reply :
I would not offer a penny until I could drive either one in the water and see how it handles.
The second one looks like its a family cruiser and would sit really low in the water. Might not be the best fishing boat. With that being said, I don't think its worth $3000. The motor you couldn't give away, the trailer is a $200 trailer, and the boat... well Fishers aren't known for quality and hold a very low resale value. I also don't see any wiring for a bowmount. If you want to put one on its going to cost you $50 in wiring, $50 plug/receptical, $100-120/ea batteries, and a charger... plus the motor of course. Just some things to consider. Plus I wouldn't buy a boat from someone who doesn't know you never put a motor in gear when out of the water, also sounds like its revved up pretty high for running on muffs.
The starcraft looks like a much better boat. Laid out great for a family boat and a fishing boat with a good rock solid motor on it with parts available at any merc dealer. Looks like you will also need to do your own wiring if you choose a bowmount. Trailer isn't heavy duty either. Looks like it needs some TLC but a great open boat for setting up just the way you want. If you like the boat, cosmetic upgrades can always be done as long as its all solid. That merc is worth $2000 all day long.
Further North reply :
Starcraft and Merc beat Fisher and Force every time.
I had that Merc in a '98 version - great motor.
IMO, you need to keep your eyes on potential future costs...and that Force is going to bite you.
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 11:05 AM, Kevin22 said:I also don't see any wiring for a bowmount. If you want to put one on its going to cost you $50 in wiring, $50 plug/receptical, $100-120/ea batteries, and a charger.
It is fully wired for a bow mount trolling motor, the plug receptical is there in the stern and the first white compartment is up front is where the battery for the trolling motor would go and has all of the battery terminals wired up to there. I go to look at the Starcraft tonight. It has downriggers on it which I'm not sure I want but I'm sure they could be removed. I'll let you all know once i look at it. I know most of you say take a boat to the lake and test drive it but it's not that easy up here where i live and most sellers don't have easy access to a lake/pond making a test drive unfeasible :(.
GetJigginWithIt reply :
I would go with the starcraft. Newer motor and starcraft quality. Sorry, but no matter how good the motor runs now, I would not by the force motor. Make sure both transoms are solid. Raise motor up and see if it flexes while you put your weight on the motor. If any flex, since aluminum, check for easy access to replace the wood or walk away.
thomas15 reply :
I'm going to agree with Kevin22. As I mentioned earlier I have a 2005 StarCraft. Mine is laid out a bit different, there are some plusses and minuses between the two Starcrafts, I will just say that they are solid little boats.
I'm not sure if the 1999 above has a live well, it looks like a live well inlet on the transom. My live well in positioned on the bow platform and there are two hatches there also for storage. The hatches lead to a connected storage space and it has a place for the trolling motor battery between them. So the wiring from the battery to the TM may not be very difficult to set up. I thought my bow fishing platform was small until I looked at the pictures for the 1999 model. Regardless storage space is a problem on this size boat, just saying.
One of the upgrades on my boat compared to the 1999, not that it really matters is the 1999 is riveted instead of welded. Use this as a bargaining tool. I mentioned earlier that the space between the transom and the console on mine is small because the console is far astern. This is not the case with the 1999 model, so that is a plus.
One last thing I would much rather have the 2006 Mercury than the older Force. Neither boat will be a speedster but I would imagine the StarCraft will go close to 30 mph which is fine for a first boat.
Get it in the water, run it at WOT for at least a few minutes, make sure everything works including the running lights, power tilt on the motor, bilge pump, compression check on the motor, steering is smooth and the boat tracks in a straight line. Look at it while it is tied up to the dock, does it sit level in the water? Note everything we have spoken about, make a list. Make sure the seller has clean titles for the boat and trailer. I don't mean to sound like a jerk but go by yourself, leave the spouse and child home you will do much better by yourself. Flash the cash if all checks out. Don't forget to put the plug in. Good luck.
Brett's_daddy reply :
Look, I do appreciate all of this advice but please stop with all the test drive suggestions...it just isn't going to happen up here! Most of these private sales aren't near a lake or pond so a test drive is really unfeasible. The best I'm going to be able to do is put a hose to the motor, compression test and check out electrical and floors/decks and transom. I'll look at the Starcraft tonight and hopefully it'll pan out. I am getting sick of looking for boats...I expected this to be a fun fishing adventure but it's turning into one headache after another as we either are a day too late looking at a boat and it's sold or when we do see the boat it's not what we're looking for. I know that I was really looking forward to fishing this season but this whole boat search has definitely put a damper on my enthusiasm :(.
thomas15 reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 7:42 PM, Brett's_daddy said:Look, I do appreciate all of this advice but please stop with all the test drive suggestions...it just isn't going to happen up here! Most of these private sales aren't near a lake or pond so a test drive is really unfeasible. The best I'm going to be able to do is put a hose to the motor, compression test and check out electrical and floors/decks and transom. I'll look at the Starcraft tonight and hopefully it'll pan out. I am getting sick of looking for boats...I expected this to be a fun fishing adventure but it's turning into one headache after another as we either are a day too late looking at a boat and it's sold or when we do see the boat it's not what we're looking for. I know that I was really looking forward to fishing this season but this whole boat search has definitely put a damper on my enthusiasm :(.
You will only have a fun fishing adventure if your vessel doesn't leak and your motor runs properly. If it leaks or is otherwise compromised or if the motor has issues then your adventures will turn out to be sheer misery. Sorry if that offends but you are asking for friendly advice and we are trying to do the right thing. You might not appreciate the advice anymore than we appreciate spending the time to educate you. There really is not a whole lot in this for us.
S Hovanec reply :
The test drive suggestions will not stop because a motor will run fine all day on muffs. It needs to be under load to really tell you if its worth its weight on scrap or not.
thomas15 reply :
One other thing, you being a newcomer to boating will have to spend some time learning how to operate your boat before you head out for a fun day of fishing. There are a lot of things you simply don't know and will have to learn, from trailering the boat, launch ramp operations, rules of the waterway, how not to get lost on the water, basic how to act in a boat things.
One little thing you may not know is just exactly how much fuel an outboard motor consumes. More than you might think. You have a 6 gallon fuel tank, once it's empty your dead in the water. Always always always know how much fuel you have and how much you need to get back to the ramp. Your welcome.
Brett's_daddy reply :
I do appreciate all the advice...i really do and am not trying to offend anyone. I'm just saying there is no way to test drive a boat up here...none, not unless you're buying from a lakeside boat dealer or something but most private sales in the interior of the state don't have easy access to water making a test drive unattainable...it is what it is, do I wish everyone had a lake or pond close by to take a test drive...absolutely but the reality is they don't so it's moot point. I will have to put my faith in the common man and in this case my fellow Vermonter that he is truthful and honest about his boat.
I definitely will need to study the boating laws, I happen to be old enough that I'm grandfathered in and am not legally required to take a boating course but I think i will take it any way just because it's a smart thing to do. How many miles per gallon does a 40hp outboard get? Obviously I won't be going on a lake or pond large enough that I won't be able to see shore so i don't think getting lost on the water will be a problem.
Thanks again for all the advice...I truly do appreciate it and welcome it and didn't mean to offend anybody but the whole test drive suggestion just isn't going to work for me in my location unfortunately :(.
thomas15 reply :
Plan on getting boat insurance. It's not that expensive.
WIGuide reply :
So you're drawn to a boat brand that has had a known issues with leaks, with a motor brand known to have tons of issues....and you're looking to buy it without a test drive. Feasible or not, can you not see how bad of an idea this is? If it were me, that one would be off the table even if it "looked" to be in showroom condition.
The Starcraft looks to need some work, but it does have a newer motor. You can take the downriggers off and sell them to offset the cost a bit. Just remember a 15 footer is pretty small overall.
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 8:57 PM, WIGuide said:Just remember a 15 footer is pretty small overall.
A lot of people say that i should start with a smaller boat since it's my first boat but I am not interested in a Jon boat or any boat that doesn't have an open floor plan as I will have my family with me and don't want my little boy climbing over benches out on the water. This boat may only be 15ft long but it is a wide boat with a 7ft 1in beam while most bass style boats have a 5'11" beam so that should in theory make it more stable which is good.
On 4/20/2016 at 8:39 PM, thomas15 said:Plan on getting boat insurance. It's not that expensive.
Yup, definitely! I plan on putting it on with my auto and home insurance policy.
A-Jay reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 7:42 PM, Brett's_daddy said:Look, I do appreciate all of this advice but please stop with all the test drive suggestions...it just isn't going to happen up here! Most of these private sales aren't near a lake or pond so a test drive is really unfeasible. The best I'm going to be able to do is put a hose to the motor, compression test and check out electrical and floors/decks and transom. I'll look at the Starcraft tonight and hopefully it'll pan out. I am getting sick of looking for boats...I expected this to be a fun fishing adventure but it's turning into one headache after another as we either are a day too late looking at a boat and it's sold or when we do see the boat it's not what we're looking for. I know that I was really looking forward to fishing this season but this whole boat search has definitely put a damper on my enthusiasm :(.
There comes a point in the life of many a thread / post where because of the collective vast experience of the BR membership , the picture (and often the future) becomes very clear. For you & this thread (as well as your others) this point has been reached.
When suggestions are made repeatedly it's because they are the best course of action. When these suggestions are ignored & / or blatantly disregarded, the membership becomes anxious, and with good reason. The writing is on the wall. You are about to fall down the well Timmy.
And it's a mother trying to climb up that old rotting rope.
A-Jay
Brett's_daddy reply :
Look, I appreciate all the suggestions but some suggestions are impossible for me to follow...the test drive being #1. How am I to make something possible that isn't? I live in a land locked State with lakes and ponds stretched out few and far between. I can wish and hope for a boat being sold near a lake for a test drive but the chances of that happening are very slim. I'm not going to trailer somebody else's boat 40 miles to the nearest lake for a test drive. Maybe that happens in other States but I haven't heard of it happening too many times where I live...I'm not happy about it but that's just the way it is.
Allen Der reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 9:15 PM, Brett's_daddy said:Look, I appreciate all the suggestions but some suggestions are impossible for me to follow...the test drive being #1. How am I to make something possible that isn't? I live in a land locked State with lakes and ponds stretched out few and far between. I can wish and hope for a boat being sold near a lake for a test drive but the chances of that happening are very slim. I'm not going to trailer somebody else's boat 40 miles to the nearest lake for a test drive. Maybe that happens in other States but I haven't heard of it happening too many times where I live...I'm not happy about it but that's just the way it is.
these owners are taking their boats somewhere to fish. If they really want to sell their boats, they'll meet you at a lake for a test drive, if not you probably dont want that boat. Personally, if I was in your situation and you definitely dont want to go the utility boat route, you should be buying new and financing a boat. Interest rates are low and terms are long. you'll spend less money in the long run on something like a new Alumacraft Escape 165 with a 25hp 4-stroke motor. I bought a similar boat a few years ago for about $10k new. better than throwing away $3k up front on a motor that's going to be unreliable and a bunch of other things that are going to break down and cost you money.
thomas15 reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 9:15 PM, Brett's_daddy said:..... I'm not going to trailer somebody else's boat 40 miles to the nearest lake for a test drive........
You might not but I would. And it wouldn't be me trailering the boat, it would be the seller. If he want's to sell it he will do what the buyer insists on. He want's your money, you want his boat. He is not doing you any favors taking your money. There are literally millions of used boats on the market not just one or two.
Go over and see the boat. If you like what you see then arrange to meet him at the lake 40 miles away at convenience of both of you. Tell him to bring the titles and a bill of sale. Go out, test the boat let him show you how everything works. If everything is ok exchange money for boat. Simple. I cannot stress this enough, go by yourself.
Brett's_daddy reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 9:25 PM, thomas15 said:I cannot stress this enough, go by yourself.
Why?
Okay, I will do as you all say and forget about the Fisher with the Force. I will go check out the Starcraft and if we like it I'll ask him if we can trailer it somewhere for a test drive and for him to bring a bill of sale and we have cash and see what he says.
As much as I'd love to buy new there just isn't any way we can afford a $150 - $200 a month payment so used is our only option.
Kevin22 reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 10:21 PM, Brett's_daddy said:Why?
Okay, I will do as you all say and forget about the Fisher with the Force. I will go check out the Starcraft and if we like it I'll ask him if we can trailer it somewhere for a test drive and for him to bring a bill of sale and we have cash and see what he says.
As much as I'd love to buy new there just isn't any way we can afford a $150 - $200 a month payment so used is our only option.
If you take the family your wife or kids are going to say "buy it daddy!" and that's it. He knows you are hooked and is going to stay firm on price.
Again, there is no possible way I would put any cash down, unless it is a stupid cheap price for a quick flip, without test driving the boat. Or at least being in the boat during a test drive if he doesn't want you to drive the boat.
I don't mean to sound like a d-bag.. but if there is no way you can afford $150 monthly payment then you can't afford a boat. These project boats are going to cost you quite a bit if you add up yearly expenses and divide by 12.. $. A $10,000 boat financed at even 10% over 10 years isn't going to be too bad. No you aren't going to get anything special but you can get a complete basic package deal and at least not have to worry about spending any more money on repairs for a few years. Way cheaper in the long run. Tracker always has $1000-$2000 off deals going on. http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3876 I don't know how much cash you have to put down, but there is a calculatoor on their website for financing. http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3877
Allen Der reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 11:35 PM, Kevin22 said:
If you take the family your wife or kids are going to say "buy it daddy!" and that's it. He knows you are hooked and is going to stay firm on price.
Again, there is no possible way I would put any cash down, unless it is a stupid cheap price for a quick flip, without test driving the boat. Or at least being in the boat during a test drive if he doesn't want you to drive the boat.
I don't mean to sound like a d-bag.. but if there is no way you can afford $150 monthly payment then you can't afford a boat. These project boats are going to cost you quite a bit if you add up yearly expenses and divide by 12.. $. A $10,000 boat financed at even 10% over 10 years isn't going to be too bad. No you aren't going to get anything special but you can get a complete basic package deal and at least not have to worry about spending any more money on repairs for a few years. Way cheaper in the long run. Tracker always has $1000-$2000 off deals going on. http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3876 I don't know how much cash you have to put down, but there is a calculatoor on their website for financing. http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3877
I agree, but I'd suggest maybe bringing a buddy with just to be safe. You can get recreational loans from a local credit union for under 5% interest and up to 15 years, assuming you have decent credit. My minimum payment is $110 a month on $15k
thomas15 reply :
Not to offend...
The Ladies and Children, nice as they are, will probably not have the patience required to go through the nitty gritty of your list of things to look at when you go inspect the boat. But if you feel that they must be involved this experience, is the time.
When you go for the test drive you will need to be concentrating on about one hundred things that are totally new to you. You do not need to be thinking about anything else but the boat and how to do things specific to that boat. You (and the owner, Mrs, and son) will probably not all fit in the boat anyway so having them there serves no real good purpose. I'm not trying to offend anyone but rather being completely honest. They are not going to be any help getting the boat off the trailer and operating the boat once in the water and reloading once you are finished. These are tasks that you will have to perform all by yourself anyway.
You will have to consider your spouse and child, nice as they are, to be basically bystanders for at least the time being. All of us can tell you stories about adult relationships that completely dissolve at the launch ramp. When you take them out for the first time, you would be doing yourself a tremendous favor by knowing exactly what you are doing and what needs to be done. You are the one who will have to remember to put the plug in, I guarantee that neither of them are going to be thinking about it. You should be able to do the whole thing, start to finish, by yourself and with confidence. If you cannot do this your collective experience will suffer... a lot.
Hopefully you will have years of time to experience the great outdoors together as a family unit. Me and my brother were taking small boats out into the Atlantic Ocean by ourselves at age 13 but at that point we had years of boating experience. Still, when I purchased my first bass boat, it took me more than one trip to get the hang of fishing for bass in shallow water with a bow mounted foot controlled trolling motor and sonar. You got a lot to learn so learning at lest some of it before you add the overhead of the rest of the family is I think prudent. But you are the skipper not me.
webertime reply :
Just a heads up. That StarCraft is in Huntington, Lake Iroquois is 20 minutes away. I used to live in Hinesburg (other side of the hill from Huntington, actually where the U is on the picture below) and know exactly where that boat is. The Fisher Hull weighs a TON, I've had one. I would worry about the weight and towing.
thomas15 reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 11:35 PM, Kevin22 said:............I don't mean to sound like a d-bag.. but if there is no way you can afford $150 monthly payment then you can't afford a boat......
This is probably the closest to absolute truth outside of the words of the Holy Bible.
S Hovanec reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 11:35 PM, Kevin22 said:
I don't mean to sound like a d-bag.. but if there is no way you can afford $150 monthly payment then you can't afford a boat. These project boats are going to cost you quite a bit
That's funny and a lot of truth in it. If I would have not done the 3 projects before buying my current boat, I could have been able to afford a 20' Pro-V with a 225hp instead of a 17' Mr Pike with a 135hp!
slonezp reply :
A lot of good advice here.
EvanT123 reply :
Break out another thousand.
Further North reply :
On 4/20/2016 at 11:35 PM, Kevin22 said:I don't mean to sound like a d-bag.. but if there is no way you can afford $150 monthly payment then you can't afford a boat.
Spoken like a long term boat owner who has been there before.
Here's my total from my spring maintenance: Somewhere, some time last season, I knocked my alignment out of whack on my trailer. Probably on a boat ramp with a hole in it someplace - $310 to re-align. I had a similar problem a few years ago...I launch on a lot of rugged launches, unpaved, sometime have rocks...had to buy a new axle. That one cost me about $800.
One of the side guide bunks on my trailer (it's 11 years old) needs to be replaced...so I gotta do both at the same time...there goes another $60...and that's doing the work myself.
...and this is on an excruciatingly well maintained boat and trailer - I bought the rig three seasons ago, 8 years old, with 3.5 hours on the motor...the whole thing was virtually unused.
Tygaiser7 reply :
I'm for the Starcraft. I have a starcaster bass boat made by Starcraft and I love it. It's a 96 and still in great shape. It also has a merc 40 on it and it runs awesome and moves the boat along great. So my votes for the Starcraft.
Kevin22 reply :
On 4/21/2016 at 7:22 AM, Further North said:Spoken like a long term boat owner who has been there before.
Here's my total from my spring maintenance: Somewhere, some time last season, I knocked my alignment out of whack on my trailer. Probably on a boat ramp with a hole in it someplace - $310 to re-align. I had a similar problem a few years ago...I launch on a lot of rugged launches, unpaved, sometime have rocks...had to buy a new axle. That one cost me about $800.
One of the side guide bunks on my trailer (it's 11 years old) needs to be replaced...so I gotta do both at the same time...there goes another $60...and that's doing the work myself.
...and this is on an excruciatingly well maintained boat and trailer - I bought the rig three seasons ago, 8 years old, with 3.5 hours on the motor...the whole thing was virtually unused.
No, not long term at all! Just know my way around a project boat. So far this spring I upgraded two fish finders $600, re-ran all the wiring for my TM (was set up 12/24 with old non-marine wiring so I ran marine wiring for 24V all the way) $100, Installed a new plug kit ($50), bought 3 new batteries (TM shorted and drained batteries over winter) $360, and right now I have my front deck off to install a recirculation sys in the front livewell ($50). Been an expensive spring and have only used the boat once this year.
Project boats cost way more money and time than what they are worth.. I'm sick of this thing! Its a 96 Ranger 17' alum bass boat with a 98 merc 115.
Further North reply :
Project boats are fun...if you enjoy working on boats as a hobby.
I like to fish, not work on my boats...especially when it's time to fish. Not much is more frustrating than sitting at the dock on a fishing trip you're burning vacation days on and spending good money on fixing something that finally gave up the ghost...while your buddies are catching fish.
This is the same thing I learned with my journey down the classic SxS shotgun path...old American classics are wonderful...as are old English guns...but I want to to shoot clays and hunt birds...not work on my guns. About 8 years back I realized this, sold off all the older "inventory", kept two SxS made with modern materials and with makers who are still in business...10s of thousands of rounds later...not a single serious problem.
Further North reply :
Brett's Daddy...what did you wind up doing????
Brett's_daddy reply :
Nothing yet! Had the one boat sell in front of me after travelling 3 hours to look at it and than today was travelling another 3 hours to look at another boat and the seller called me when we were about 12 miles from his house and said that another guy had showed up too look at the boat...same as last time...ugh, what luck! We're still looking but have decided to dip into the savings a little to make a better investment so now we're willing to spend up to $4500 for the right boat. We'll see...stay tuned!!!
Further North reply :
Sorry to hear you had another one sold out from under you...that's frustrating.
Keep at it, you'll find something. Adding some cash to the pot will help you move up into newer, more reliable boats - I think you'll be happy wit hat decision.
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