Fresh Water Runabouts

[Sixxxxer]

Originally Posted by Trip

No boat is worth the money, just sayin'

You are better off digging a hole and throwing the money in that and walking away. Boats are the definition of disposable income.

Lee has the right idea to get something he doesn't mind spending cash on instead of wasting credit/interest payments on a pit of money.

Why because you had a shitty experience with one? The same thing could be said for Motorcycles, Or Cars for that matter...Everything depreciates and tends to have issues. Boats take more care and Maintenance given the fact that the water itself eats away at everything on the damn thing.

Some people enjoy them, some people dont...Just like everything else in life.

[Trip]

Originally Posted by Sixxxxer

Why because you had a shitty experience with one? The same thing could be said for Motorcycles, Or Cars for that matter...Everything depreciates and tends to have issues. Boats take more care and Maintenance given the fact that the water itself eats away at everything on the damn thing.

Some people enjoy them, some people dont...Just like everything else in life.

I have had good a bad experiences with them, just like anything else. A boat just consumes a much higher percentage of resources for cost than a motorcycle or a car.

Which is why it's a money pit. Yes, you can get enjoyment out of them, but just at a much higher rate of money than most other toys.

I grew up on the bayou, I spent more time in a boat than a car for most of my childhood. Trapper Joe on Swamp people is from my part of the world. Myrtle Grove where he fishes at is just north of the little town I am from.

[Sixxxxer]

It does depend on the boat/ Use of the Boat/ How much you use the boat

My uncle had a 16' Aluminum Starcraft he used for fishing/crabbing and outside of general maintenance on the motor and replacing the battery every couple years it ran without fail or issues. Motor still fires up first hit of the starter to this day.

With that being said...I want a boat

[Cutty72]

Originally Posted by OneSickPsycho

Jet boat would be my first choice if I were to buy a boat...

This.

Look for a used sugar sand. The 18' Mirage could be had in a "fish n fun" version with livewell, or the "standard" version, which replaced the live well with a cooler. Not a bad boat, 2 stroke merc with 175, 210, 240, or 250 hp (depending on year) Prob is I think they closed up shop, so parts could be an issue.

I like sea doo's, but they usually have two engines and dual jets, which means dual maintenance. Just something to keep in mind.

Bayliner's aren't terrible, but a "price point" boat for sure. Lots of them running around on MN lakes around here.

Lund is another option, somewhat fishing biased, but can surely be used as a runabout as well.

[goof2]

Any of them will probably be OK. They all do stupid things in their manufacturing but manufacturing has improved so those things are less likely to be dangerously stupid. As long as you aren't keeping it in the water, keep it clean, and keep it covered it should take at least a few years to turn in to the worthless piece of crap you will eventually grow to hate to your very core.

[TommyHotWheel]

Party barge..Had a 21 foot Four Winns, a Glastron and a Rinker and I am looking for a pontoon. It was a blast and carry more people and are just so much more useable. Look at one if its just a big lake toy.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Sixxxxer

It does depend on the boat/ Use of the Boat/ How much you use the boat

My uncle had a 16' Aluminum Starcraft he used for fishing/crabbing and outside of general maintenance on the motor and replacing the battery every couple years it ran without fail or issues. Motor still fires up first hit of the starter to this day.

With that being said...I want a boat

me too, catalina 22 with a folding keel would fit my desires quite nicely

Originally Posted by LeeNetworX

Thank you for your post; you have me sold. I just placed my order with my local Sea Ray dealer. He asked me what prompted me to choose Sea Ray over the others and I directed him to this post.

Penis

[OneSickPsycho]

Originally Posted by TommyHotWheel

Party barge..Had a 21 foot Four Winns, a Glastron and a Rinker and I am looking for a pontoon. It was a blast and carry more people and are just so much more useable. Look at one if its just a big lake toy.

That's where my family ended up when we were growing up... way less maintenance and with a big enough motor, can pull a skier...

[Adeptus_Minor]

Originally Posted by Dave

me too, catalina 22 with a folding keel would fit my desires quite nicely

Those are fun to sail.
Cass' boyfriend has one and I've been out on it a couple of times this summer.
Maybe while the lake is down I ought to see if anyone is trying to unload one and pick it up on the cheap.

[Dave]

Originally Posted by Adeptus_Minor

Those are fun to sail.
Cass' boyfriend has one and I've been out on it a couple of times this summer.
Maybe while the lake is down I ought to see if anyone is trying to unload one and pick it up on the cheap.

You can get a decent 30 year old c22 down here for about 3k with trailer