First boat

[Jimmy1981]

If your worried about driving home with no brake lights this might be good to pick up.

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-Volt-Magnetic-LED-Towing-Light-Kit-63115.html
 

I've bought these probably 10 years ago and they have helped me out many times. You can also zip tie them to hold them in place.

[Anon2578455]

http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/boa/5744810929.html

[fishnkamp]

Those lights would work great. Also if you are talking a boat this small and driving during the day most people will see you vehicle lights okay for just one trip home.  How many time, while driving on the highway. have you seen a boat trailer with a defective light  I have often and i just pay more attention to the vehicles lights.  Repairing them is easy, trailer supply places sell complete wiring and led light kits all of the time. If the guy did what i think he did and only removed the middle bench the I think you can be safe to get the boat and like I said most boats like this  can run a max engine around 20 hp. I would not worry if I was only running a pair of trolling motors or a gas engine of less than 8 hp. Also it sounded like you were going to fish lakes and there is not the pressure involved in fishing a lake like a big high current river.  I would not worry too much. There are ways to add strength or rigidity if you need to. Ask him how it felt when he fished out of it post doing the mods. 

[Anon2578455]

His exact response was this. "I took all the seats out and built a flat bottom and hooked it up. You will see tomorrow, I can take you out if you want its solid."  In the picture if you look closely now, you can see where the wood seats were and how he cut them.Thats why I am worrying now lol

[fishnkamp]

Well if necessary you could build a box that would use 2 2x4s to span across the boat giving the boat its rigidity and you could cover them front and back with plywood. then build two hinged doors on top to give you a storage area. If you built it say 12 inches high it would be almost the same obstacle that the bench would have been, but would give you  a place to store ropes tackle, anchors, fishing gear etc. I would place it in the middle of the boat in between the middle seat and the front seat.  

 

[Anon2578455]

6 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Well if necessary you could build a box that would use 2 2x4s to span across the boat giving the boat its rigidity and you could cover them front and back with plywood. then build two hinged doors on top to give you a storage area. If you built it say 12 inches high it would be almost the same obstacle that the bench would have been, but would give you  a place to store ropes tackle, anchors, fishing gear etc. I would place it in the middle of the boat in between the middle seat and the front seat.  

 

Wouldnt I have to strengthen the entire boat?  Usually from what i have been reading the rear and the front are the most important benches.

[Anon2578455]

Comments on this one please. 

[fishnkamp]

I think it looks great no trailer issues, no engine issues and i like the way it was done. You will have some storage and I can see the person who did it was good at it. The thing I like also with this one the seats are mounted flat with open sections for your legs so you will be comfortable and once again the center of gravity is lowered, you are not sitting up on high pedestals above the deck. Go get er.  I can see a lot of fish can be caught on this boat.   Dad is going to be smiling.

 

By the way when you go to fix the right rear light replace it with an led light and later do the same with the left hand one. They cost a bit more but are so much more reliable and waterproof. If money's too tight go ahead and get the normal one but plan on the upgrade in the future. A normal submersible right hand tail light goes for $10 and a led submersible is $15. The leds are at least 10 times brighter and do not burn out like regular light bulbs.

[Anon2578455]

4 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

I think it looks great no trailer issues, no engine issues and i like the way it was done. You will have some storage and I can see the person who did it was good at it. The thing I like also with this one the seats are mounted flat with open sections for your legs so you will be comfortable and once again the center of gravity is lowered, you are not sitting up on high pedestals above the deck. Go get er.  I can see a lot of fish can be caught on this boat.   Dad is going to be smiling.

 

By the way when you go to fix the right rear light replace it with an led light and later do the same with the left hand one. They cost a bit more but are so much more reliable and waterproof. If money's too tight go ahead and get the normal one but plan on the upgrade in the future. A normal submersible right hand tail light goes for $10 and a led submersible is $15. The leds are at least 10 times brighter and do not burn out like regular light bulbs.

Awesome,  I emailed, hopefully it's still there as it says posted 1 month ago. It's a 12ft, but big enough for 2. Just curious,  I think that 12.9 outboard will be over the limit on the tag for max hp.  Also with the wood floor,  would 2 guys who weigh 250 each be OK? 

[Anon2578455]

Found these 2.  The one in racine sold. 

 

http://app.letgo.com/k8Mk/iFcUiwYM9v

This one is in town

http://app.letgo.com/k8Mk/DOuc8NxN9v

 

[fishnkamp]

Boy I really like the 14 footer best, but the other one could be made to work. Notice on the 12 footer they have a piece of wood going high up the transom. I am sure that was done to allow the long shaft outboard  (seen behind the boat) to fit on a boat requiring a short shaft. If that can easily removed and access to the rear  transom can be made available than just drop your dads trolling motor and a battery in and it will be fine. I suspect the box to the left of the rear seat is either battery or a storage compartment. Since it is in town go look and see what i am looking at. If it can be changed a little it would work fine. if not I would jump on the 14 footer. That looks like a rig ready to be use tomorrow. Oh and on the 14 footer that front seat cushion is ruff. Do not sweat it you can get a new seat like that for  about $60.

[Anon2578455]

 

Update jon boat sold. 

[fishnkamp]

i would go in order

https://us.letgo.com/en/i/14-fishing-boat-trailer_aecb571e-6295-4747-ba1f-bdc54d9c96da

https://us.letgo.com/en/i/12-bass-boat-with-trailer_87be6ed8-975e-4d8f-a21b-93dc8d6a24e6

I spent a few minutes looking at the twelve footer. All I would do is make a mod to the rear deck under the rear seat.  I would lift it up and look if there is still enough room to attach an engine to the transom once that tall board is removed. If i can mount a motor back there all I would do is notch the lid ( under the seat ) to allow clearance for it. If the carpet is stapled I would peel it back cut my wood and restapple it. If it is glued down I would simply take a jig saw and cut enough wood and carpet to make room. If there is enough room under the lid to mount my trolling motor and operate it without it interfering with it I would leave it alone. Ther trolling motor and later a short shaft gas engine need to be able to mount and freely operate.

 

[Anon2578455]

OK fish,  hopefully last one.  It's a 2 hour drive. What do you think of this.  I have a trade for this guy plus my cash worked out. http://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/boa/5747150994.html

[fishnkamp]

Go get it it is nice and clean and the trailer looks to be a real nice one. I would call the guy tell him it is yours and you are on your way. StarCraft made a nice solid boat and that Suzuki will run forever if taken care of. As time goes on just add a nice little dept finder, some simple rod holders to troll with and maybe a strip of rod holders to hold extra rods while fishing.   Dad is going to flip

Here are some ideas of what i wa talking about

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Horizontal-Rod-Rack/product/1403041223/

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Rod-Holder-Twin-Pack/product/97536/

[Anon2578455]

1 hour ago, fishnkamp said:

Go get it it is nice and clean and the trailer looks to be a real nice one. I would call the guy tell him it is yours and you are on your way. StarCraft made a nice solid boat and that Suzuki will run forever if taken care of. As time goes on just add a nice little dept finder, some simple rod holders to troll with and maybe a strip of rod holders to hold extra rods while fishing.   Dad is going to flip

Here are some ideas of what i wa talking about

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Horizontal-Rod-Rack/product/1403041223/

http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Rod-Holder-Twin-Pack/product/97536/

On my way,  will update 

[Anon2578455]

Not a great neighborhood,  here now.  Bad vibe,  don't see anyone and he is not responding to calls/texts

[fishnkamp]

i hope all ended up going okay

 

[Anon2578455]

Just got home.  What an adventure. I got the boat.  It's a 1960 14ft starcraft.  The motor started first pull and it came with oars,  and on old Shakespeare trolling motor.  The benches in the boat are wood in fair share.  The seats work good. The boat itself was clean and the trailer had a new jack and new winch,  everything worked well.  The carpeting on the floor is just a peel and stick and in rough shape. I am hoping I got a good deal,  I paid 400 and traded some junk I didn't need like a hammock,  some cameras etc. I am second guessing myself about the other boat that had the seats removed and new floor.  Maybe that was the better deal even with the trailer lean,  lights not working,  and the motor lever being broken? Let me know what you think fish. Also is the ub12350 a good trolling battery or do you recommend anything better. 

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B09sI4WAjoayUGltbW5zVE1kX1E/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B09sI4WAjoaySmFEOTRFUHlFS00/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B09sI4WAjoayZzVSTGJXazVtcXM/view?usp=drivesdk

[thomas15]

For $400.00 you did fine. My boat is a starcraft alummmmmminnnnummmm and it's nice, they make a solid boat.

When you buy a used boat there are things that need to be changed. But from what I see you can take that bad boy out and start fishing this weekend. Boats, in general, are basically money pits. But still nice to have. I'm off on Friday's and so today I went out on the mighty Beltz. It was a beautiful day and my boat ran fantastic. But alas, I was fishing about 5 miles from the ramp and all of a sudden my bow sonar shut off. Then my TM stopped working. Turns out the battery up front went south for the rest of the summer. So I had to go out and buy a new battery. All fun boats are. But I love my boat.

 

ON EDIT: first time you go out make sure you have plenty of fuel, that your TM battery is fully charged and that you don't go too far from familiar territory. Make sure you have fresh gasoline and that you use the correct mixture of 2 cycle oil for your outboard. If you not a boater it would be a good idea to skip fishing the first time just get used to handling the boat and doing the ramp thing. Make sure you are fully compliant regarding boating laws and equipment you need on-board. Some states require boat operators to have a license. 

[Anon2578455]

28 minutes ago, thomas15 said:

For $400.00 you did fine. My boat is a starcraft alummmmmminnnnummmm and it's nice, they make a solid boat.

When you buy a used boat there are things that need to be changed. But from what I see you can take that bad boy out and start fishing this weekend. Boats, in general, are basically money pits. But still nice to have. I'm off on Friday's and so today I went out on the mighty Beltz. It was a beautiful day and my boat ran fantastic. But alas, I was fishing about 5 miles from the ramp and all of a sudden my bow sonar shut off. Then my TM stopped working. Turns out the battery up front went south for the rest of the summer. So I had to go out and buy a new battery. All fun boats are. But I love my boat.

 

ON EDIT: first time you go out make sure you have plenty of fuel, that your TM battery is fully charged and that you don't go too far from familiar territory. Make sure you have fresh gasoline and that you use the correct mixture of 2 cycle oil for your outboard. If you not a boater it would be a good idea to skip fishing the first time just get used to handling the boat and doing the ramp thing. Make sure you are fully compliant regarding boating laws and equipment you need on-board. Some states require boat operators to have a license. 

Which battery did you buy Thomas? I need to buy one tomorrow. 

[fishnkamp]

Man congrats on the new boat. I like it a lot and let me explain why. The trailer is in the best shape of all of the ones we looked at.  Next let me tell you Suzuki made great motors, from their small ones all the way up to the big 250 HP outboards. Most people have little experience with them because they did not have a huge dealership network. I have had two friends with them on their bass boats. I would buy a used bass boat with a Suzuki on it way before I would but an Evinrude or Johnson from 1989 to 2010. I would also take one way before a !996 to 2004 Mercury Optimax engine. The carpet is there  so I would leave it till next year. To recarpet it would be low on my to do list. Honestly I would leave the wood benches alone but once they deteriorate I probably would find a welder/ sheet metal guy and have him install some new aluminum benches and reinstall your seats. They easily can be replaced with wood but once aluminum ones were installed the boat will never need them to be monkeyed with again. So here is my opinion. I think it was a great buy so long as it does not leak. I doubt it does because of the way it was kept, so I expect you got a great deal. As for the other boat with the seats removed, the trailer leaning, and the engine was broken That is more of a project piece yp mr.

Here is what my to do list would be.

Get both the trailer and the boat registered  Next I would add a deep cycle battery in the back along with dads trolling motor. It is easier to run from one driving position. Pick up a mushroom anchor like a 8 pounder. Pick up a couple of life vests. Here is a good economical option  http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-DualSized-Recreational-Life-Vest-for-Adults/product/12082505423213/

 Next  I would add a couple of fishing rod holders like the Bass Pro Shops twin pack or even the ones Cabelas sells that just clamp on. It is nice to be able to put a rod in a holder while messing with a fish or to troll for walleye, perch or whatever. When money allowed I would go find a deal on a new fish finder/gps. Something like a RayMarine Dragonfly or Lowrance Hook model,  These can be purchased for around $200. It is something for the future.  

Other than that get dad, some tackle, a cooler with some drinks and go catch some fish. 

[fishnkamp]

Do you have a Battery Warehouse near you?

 

[Anon2578455]

Thanks for the advice and explanations.  I feel better.  I ran up for a cover already,  bought some oil mix,  and now I need a battery.  The boat came with an anchor and oars.  It's also wired for a depth finder.  Only thing he said it may need is a new plug as it's a bit chewed up. Also do you fish in a life jacket,  or do you keep it it aside? 

[fishnkamp]

I have gotten in a safe habit of always wearing my vest when running the gas engine. If I hit something in the water like say a log I have no fear of falling out and drowning, nor will my passenger. Once I shut down the outboard and use a trolling motor or drift I take it off. Believe me, several incidents have occurred over the last 40 years of boating, but all was okay because I follow best safe practices. I had to do this in tournaments so I just do it all of the time.  If the life vest is on me it is buckled or zipped up, and the "kill switch" lanyard is attached to the controls. I am not sure if your outboard has one