New Boat. Please help.

[SteelHead Guy]

I found a nice deal on a boat real cheap. It is of the type I have been looking for. But I am concerned about the cost of fuel. So I was wondering if you guys might know.

This new boat is a 25 footer with a 10 foot beam. It is a 1976 Sport.......? somethong or other. I forget already. It is Charter style, white fiberglass with lime green wide stripes on both sides that run the length of the boat. It has 2 inline 6 cylinders with 2 Merc outdrives. Does anyone know the type? This boat is mint, with only 1600 hours, and I do mean mint!!

The boat I have now is a 23 foot 1979 Sea Ray Weekender with a 305 Merc Cruiser with an 8 foot beam.

My friend says that this boat will get better millage than mine. I can't see it. Think he is right?

Please help as I need to move on this soon before someone else picks it up.

[Downrod]

I think you will use much more fuel with this boat. logic dictates that you will use roughly twice as much fuel since you will be running two motors. this boat will also be much heavier than your current boat. Each six cylinder might get slightly better mileage than your 8 cylinder. check out the condition of the outdrives real well before you buy it. I would assume that they have been re-built. How long ago? Also many motors are ready for a re-build by 1600 hours. That does not mean that these need a re-build though. I'm only speaking generally. I would stongly recommend that you get a survey done.

Good luck

[northern_outdoorsman]

On another note...GET A MARINE SURVEY on the boat...I thought I bought a "MINT" Bass Boat and didn't know about Marine Survey's and I bought a piece of junk with Hidden Damage that has cracks throughout the Hull:(

[jpollman]

I agree completely with Downrod on the fuel useage. Individually your sixes would probably get a little better mileage than your V-8 but remember, now you're feeding TWO of them. Also factor in the extra weight of the boat. This is going to raise your fuel consumption.

I also TOTALLY agree with the other suggestion .....

SURVEY, SURVEY, SURVEY !!!!

Unless the money you're spending on the boat is just "money to burn" cover yourself and drop a few $$ on a survey. You may save BIG BUCKS in the future !

Good luck on the new boat if you decide to get it !

[Joeker51]

Word of advice. Definately get it surveyed.

[FIJI]

"Quote":

"It is a 1976 Sport.......? somethong or other. I forget already."

Excuse me but, .....how do you know it's a "nice deal" then ??

It's already an older boat than your Weekender (almost 3 decades old...and counting).

FWIW...More research should be done before worrying about gas mileage :rolleyes:

and a survey should be automatic (but they're not free...so do your research FIRST)

Confucius Say...."Ya get what ya pay for......IF you are lucky!"

[SteelHead Guy]

Thanks guys

My marine mechanic is the one that told me about it. He knows the boat well and tells me mechanically, nothing wrong. I can get this boat for $3000 Canadian. And yes, I will get a Survey as I always do. I know the guy that does surveys. Dated his sister in high school. He has surveyed all my boats at half the price. I live in a small town where everyone knows everyone. Anyone here at the site who have been here fishing knows exactly what I'm talking about. The marine mechanic tells me that it will burn much more fuel than mine. I know I'm going to burn more, and I don't mind burning more, just not too much more. I burn 5 tanks of fuel per summer at $180 CD per tank and I don't have a problem with that. My buddy the car mechanic tells me that its not going to burn that much more because 2 motors don't have to work as hard. I'm a Millwright mechanic so I know what my buddy is saying makes sence. I was hoping to hear from someone with the same size boat to give me some kind of an idea on how much I will burn.

[Beave]

Might be cheaper to fill up in the US, lol.

My advice is more to the gear if it has any...

Make sure any downriggers that come with the boat are serviceable. There are a lot of older downriggers out there that're no longer serviceable, even if they're made by companies that're still around. We have a 1984 starcraft, and it has 20 year old riggers on it. They're starting to get old and tired and I know already that the company that made them is still around and will do everything in their power to fix them (Proos Manufacturing, a Grand Rapids company by the way, incredible customer service).

I have two friends who bought older boats and were dismayed to find that within a year they had to spend over $1000 on new downriggers as parts for the old ones weren't available anymore.

If you're considering gear like that a "toss in freebie", it's not such a big deal. If that's part of your decision to buy though, make the call to the manufacturer. Get a cost of motor replacement and clutch replacement if the riggers have them. If you use the boat a lot the motors won't last more than a few years, and sitting in storage not being used seems to especially be hard on them.

[Downrod]

$ 3000 Canadian for a 25 footer with twins?
Proceed with EXTREME caution. You would be hard pressed to find a decent 16 footer for that price.
Good luck