Boat Advice

[Riddle]

This looks like the best place for this, I posted it in the cold water fishing and linked to it in the warm and then found this one, obviously i need to look a little more before posting the first message. I would delete the others if I could.

I'm looking into getting a boat (first time-from what I hear, this can be a love/hate type relationship with said boat). Mainly fishing, I live in the tri-cities area, so some bay maybe, some inland lake. Locally there is a Sea Nymph 171 CC (1986) w/ a 70 HP Yamaha Motor for sale, comes with downriggers , and a bunch of other accessories that would get me started (apparently used quite frequently on the bay), does anybody have any experience with this size center console and year Yamaha or any thoughts on this as a first boat?

It seems small enough (16.5" length is the overall length I find on iboats.com
http://www.iboats.com/Sea_Nymph_Boat.../bp/64b74313r1 (http://www.iboats.com/Sea_Nymph_Boats__CC171_Bay_Striper__1986/bp/64b74313r1) ), to use in inland lakes, and large enough to use in the bay.

Once a year or so I go up to Canada to do some walleye fishing, one of the lakes is reasonably well developed and has a decent launch, one is a backwoods, log trail, steep dirt launch, don't know if this boat would work at that lake.

Guy started at $5600 for the boat, motor, trailer and acc. (the guy's dad says close to $3K in accessories when new) and is now down to $4500. Price seems a little high for the boat, motor, and trailer, but with all the extras, doesn't strike me as too bad based on my limited knowledge.

Here's what the sea nymphs look like in general:

http://hartford.backpage.com/buyselltrade/classifieds/ViewAd?oid=oid%3A947693&name=boats%20for%20sale
(although this one is 5 years newer and has a much nicer interior than the one I looked at)

[Due51]

It's tough to say without seeing a picture of the boat and motor but it seems to me his starting price was a high especially considering it's 21years old). $4500 with all the stuff is starting to sound a little better. But, again, exactly how much in extras are you getting and what condition are they? Remember, they're over 20 years old.

As far as size, that boat should get you a LOT of places to catch a lot of fish. It sounds like the previous owner has it set up for big water fishing. That's good although I think you'd have to pick your days to take a 16ftr onto the big lake.

The bottom line is, if you think you'll want a bigger boat in two or three years, than hold off. If you're not planning on hitting the bigger water, and you're just doing walleye and bass fishing, than this boat will serve you well for a long time.

[SabikiRig]

This looks like the best place for this, I posted it in the cold water fishing and linked to it in the warm and then found this one, obviously i need to look a little more before posting the first message. I would delete the others if I could.

I'm looking into getting a boat (first time-from what I hear, this can be a love/hate type relationship with said boat). Mainly fishing, I live in the tri-cities area, so some bay maybe, some inland lake. Locally there is a Sea Nymph 171 CC (1986) w/ a 70 HP Yamaha Motor for sale, comes with downriggers , and a bunch of other accessories that would get me started (apparently used quite frequently on the bay), does anybody have any experience with this size center console and year Yamaha or any thoughts on this as a first boat?

It seems small enough (16.5" length is the overall length I find on iboats.com
http://www.iboats.com/Sea_Nymph_Boat.../bp/64b74313r1 (http://www.iboats.com/Sea_Nymph_Boats__CC171_Bay_Striper__1986/bp/64b74313r1) ), to use in inland lakes, and large enough to use in the bay.

Once a year or so I go up to Canada to do some walleye fishing, one of the lakes is reasonably well developed and has a decent launch, one is a backwoods, log trail, steep dirt launch, don't know if this boat would work at that lake.

Guy started at $5600 for the boat, motor, trailer and acc. (the guy's dad says close to $3K in accessories when new) and is now down to $4500. Price seems a little high for the boat, motor, and trailer, but with all the extras, doesn't strike me as too bad based on my limited knowledge.

Here's what the sea nymphs look like in general:

http://hartford.backpage.com/buyselltrade/classifieds/ViewAd?oid=oid%3A947693&name=boats%20for%20sale
(although this one is 5 years newer and has a much nicer interior than the one I looked at)

Do not let the value of the accessories drive you to buy the boat. IMHO, they add little to no value especially if they are as old as the boat. Electronics Technology has come a long way and chances are you will probably want to upgrade anyways.

Without seeing pictures and running a compression test on the motor I would say that $2800-$3500 is a more realistic price for the boat you mention.

Not sure what you have budgeted for your purchase. But, you may want to consider calling some dealers and seeing what they have in their left over or close out inventory.

These are basically brand new boats that did not sell and are still on their books. See what kind of package they can put together and see what happens.

If you shop around for lenders I am sure you can get an attactive Interest Rate and Payment which may making a "new" boat a possibility. Maybe......

[kroppe]

I take my 17' Lund to Canada every year and fish a bass/bluegill/walleye lake. The boat you are referencing is good for any inland lake, but probably needs a "real" boat launch. A steep dirt launch sounds like trouble IMHO. A boat like that with trailer will probably weigh over 3,000 lbs. Launching may not be the issue, but recovering and pulling up the "ramp" may be a challenge.

BTW the 16.5' center console will work in the bay, LSC and any inland lake you can think of.

[Riddle]

Thanks everyone.

Going to look at it again on Sunday and make an offer.

Majority of the time in Canada will be on a lake with a real launch, we've taken 16 footers in on the dirt launch, but it's a different story if it's wet and muddy than if it's dry, will probably have to be a game time decision to launch it or not.

Not quite willing to spend the big $ on a new boat right now, we'll see how boat #1 goes.

Will take pics of it once I get it. :)